Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads Event: Detroit Historical Society Curator Joel Stone Discusses Great Lakes Shipwrecks - Committed to the Deep: Exploring Underwater Treasures

This event was held on January 11, 2010 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:18:30)

The very first ship on the upper Great Lakes, LaSalle's Griffon, sailed only a single voyage before disappearing beneath the waves. Since then, thousands of other vessels, along with their crews, have met the same fate. What remains of these ships and cargoes beneath the mighty Great Lakes? Join us for a fascinating journey, as we tour the mysteries of the Lakes through excellent photographs and amazing underwater video with Detroit Historical Society curator Joel Stone. This event will be held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Margaret Noori Discusses Native Americans of Michigan - The Three Fires Confederacy

This event was held on January 6, 2010 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:29)

A strong sense of social and environmental identity, and the ability to resist and accommodate change, has influenced Michigan Native Americans over the last two centuries. Some efforts by American and Canadian governments to completely reform the native economies, religion, education and government have succeeded and some have failed. What has been the case in our own state? Learn about the past and present history of the confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations with University of Michigan's Margaret Noori. She is Director of the Comprehensive Studies Program and teaches the Anishinaabe Language and American Indian Literature at the University of Michigan. This event will be held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010 Author Event: Author Jerry Dennis Discusses 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas'

This event was held on January 28, 2010 at Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:10:20)

Acclaimed author Jerry Dennis will discuss his book in the Towsley Auditorium of the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College (located at 4800 Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor Township) and offer his own thoughts on the Great Lakes and his personal 4-week journey through the Lakes as a crew-member on a tall-masted schooner. Dennis' book, 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas,' has been chosen as the focus of the 2010 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. This appearance is a key event for the Reads program, which this year focuses on the subject of Michigan. A booksigning will follow and books will be on sale at this event, courtesy of Nicola's Books.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads: Detroit Observatory and the Victorian Space Race

This event was held on March 29, 2009 at Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:21:27)

Are you curious about how the 1854 Detroit Observatory came to be – and why it is in Ann Arbor, NOT Detroit? Michigan is not the most likely place to build a state-of-the-art astronomical observatory. However, the Detroit Observatory, named in honor of major donors from Detroit, was the centerpiece of President Henry Philip Tappan's efforts to transform the University of Michigan into one of the first research universities in the United States. Karen Wright, Program Coordinator for the University of Michigan Detroit Observatory will discuss the people, the ideas, the technology and the economics that resulted in the creation and preservation of this 19th century observatory. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: NASA Astronomer Sten Odenwald Discusses What is New With The NASA Space Program

This event was held on March 26, 2009 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:27:00)

The Library is extremely pleased to host well-known NASA Astronomer and author Sten Odenwald to discuss what NASA is up to in the 21st century as well as the impediments to its success. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about astronomy, from an award-winning expert. Sten Odenwald is an active NASA educator and author whose media contributions include The Washington Post, Sky and Telescope and National Public Radio. Odenwald has also worked with teachers around the country to develop classroom materials based on his work at NASA. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Researcher Herman Bender Discusses Prehistoric Astronomy in the Upper Midwest

This event was held on March 11, 2009 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:21:00)

Over the past quarter century, a new field of study called archeoastronomy has developed, investigating astronomical alignments that may have been incorporated or utilized in prehistoric times by ancient people. Years of field research at petroform sites may prove that some of the most unique and oldest archeoastronomy sites in North America - possibly as old as the pyramids in Egypt - are located in southeastern Wisconsin. Join us to learn more about this fascinating topic as independent researcher and amateur astronomer (46 years) Herman Bender discusses Prehistoric Astronomy In The Upper Midwest. This event is held in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which, this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads Event: Reading The Universe - A Panel Of Today's Best SciFi Writers

This event was held on March 4, 2009 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:23:00)

Learn what's in store for the future of Science Fiction when three of today’s best science fiction writers - Tobias S. Buckell, Steven Harper Piziks and Sarah Zettel – join forces for a discussion and book signing in conjunction with The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, which this year focuses on the theme The Universe: Yours To Discover. Books will be on sale at the event, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.

Tobias S. Buckell is a Caribbean-born speculative fiction writer who grew up in Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has published stories in various magazines and anthologies. He is a Campbell Award for Best New SF Writer Finalist and has written three novels: Crystal Rain, Ragamuffin, and Sly Mongoose. He is currently working on the Halo novel, Halo: The Cole Protocol.

Steven Harper Piziks was born in Saginaw, Michigan and currently lives with his wife and three sons near Ann Arbor. His novels include In the Company of Mind and Corporate Mentality, both science fiction published by Baen Books. Writing as Steven Harper for Roc Books, he has produced The Silent Empire series.

Sarah Zettel is a science fiction and fantasy author, currently living in Ypsilanti. Her fourteen novels include the award-winning Reclamation and Fool’s War, a New York Times notable book. Most recently she has become the project manager for Book View Cafe, an online cooperative venture by 23 noted SF authors, including Vonda N. McIntyre and Ursula K. LeGuin to bring new work in new formats direct to the reader.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: UFOs Over Michigan? A Discussion with UFO Expert William J. Konkolesky

This event was held on February 26, 2009 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:26:00)

Are UFO’s real? In conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, William J. Konkolesky, Michigan director of the Mutual UFO Network, will discuss UFOs and Michigan sightings during the 1960s in Hillsdale and Ann Arbor. MUFON is the world's largest civilian UFO research organization.

The theme of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009 is The Universe: Yours To Discover.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture and Discussion : Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Astronomy (But Were Afraid to Ask): Questions and Answers with UM Professor Timothy McKay

This event was held on February 2, 2009 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:20:00)

UM physicist and astronomer Timothy McKay presents a brief overview of some of the current ideas and theories in the field of astronomy. He will also talk about the GalaxyZoo project, which uses volunteer amateurs to contribute to galaxy structure research. This will be followed by a Q & A session, where Professor McKay will answer everything you ever wanted to know about astronomy, based on audience questions - so please don't be afraid to ask!

Timothy McKay is the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Physics in the University of Michigan Physics Department. His current research focuses on fundamental questions of observational astrophysics and cosmology. This event is held in collaboration with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009, the theme of which is The Universe: Yours to Discover.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads '09: Award-Winning Author Timothy Ferris Discusses His Book 'Seeing In The Dark'

This event was held on January 29, 2009 at Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:06:30)

Acclaimed author Timothy Ferris made a special appearance at this key event of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2009. The theme of 2009's Reads program is The Universe: Yours To Discover, and Mr. Ferris' book, "Seeing In The Dark: How Amateur Astronomers Are Discovering The Wonders Of The Universe," has been chosen as the focus of the program. Mr. Ferris discussed his book, as well as his thoughts on astronomy and the universe around us.

Timothy Ferris has received the American Institute of Physics prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship. His works have been nominated for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Ferris is the author of 12 books, including "The Whole Shebang," and "Coming of Age in the Milky Way," which was translated into fifteen languages and named by The New York Times as among the leading books published in the 20th century. A former newspaper reporter and editor of Rolling Stone magazine, he has written over two hundred articles and essays for publications such as The New Yorker, National Geographic, Harper's, Nature, Time, Newsweek, Scientific American, The Nation, The New Republic, and The New York Times.

2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jonathan Weiner

This event was held on January 27, 2006 at Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:13:00)

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jonathan Weiner will make a special appearance at Washtenaw Community College (4800 Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor Township) as part of the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. He will discuss his book, "The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time," which was chosen as the focus of this year's Reads program. It is an examination of the groundbreaking scientific research of scientists Peter and Rosemary Grant, who spent years studying Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands and resulted in new ways to look at evolution. A booksigning will follow with copies of the book for sale, courtesy of Barnes & Noble Booksellers. The 2006 Reads theme is Revolutions in Science: the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world.

Jonathan Weiner has written several non-fiction books on his biology observations, in particular, evolution in the Galapagos Islands, genetics, and the environment. He won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science for The Beak of the Finch. His other books include Planet Earth, Time, Love, Memory, and His Brother's Keeper: A Story from the Edge of Medicine. His books have also won the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and many other honors. Weiner has served as senior editor of The Sciences, the magazine of the New York Academy of Sciences, and his work has appeared in The New Yorker, the New York Times, New Republic, and the Washington Post. He currently teaches at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads or this event, visit online at aareads.org.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Special Community Event: Leo Africanus Website Creator Cristel de Rouvray

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:30:00)

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2005 is proud to host this special event at Pioneer High School, 601 West Stadium, Ann Arbor, in Schreiber Auditorium. Cristel de Rouvray, who attends the London School of Economics, spent 9 months in 2000-2001 traveling through Morocco on a Fulbright research scholarship, following in the footsteps of Leo Africanus. She then created a website, www.leoafricanus.com, which has been used internationally for Leo Africanus information by students, teachers and those curious about Leo's 16th century travels.

Using slides and photographs from her travels and research, Cristel will discuss the website and her personal experiences of living and traveling in Morocco in the 21st century. As she leads the audience in a recap of her travels, she will compare Morocco in the time of Leo Africanus with Morocco today. She will also discuss Leo Africanus, the man - as well as the process of undertaking such a project as the Leo Africanus website.

Through discussion and using a selection of pictures, and excerpts from Leo's text (each being a building block of his life and world) Cristel de Rouvrey will examine: Leo Africanus' writings, the life of Leo Africanus, Morocco in the 16th century and Morocco today, and the importance of putting historical fact in context and turning it into living knowledge.

Cristel holds a Bachelors in Economics and a Masters in International Policy Studies from Stanford University; she is currently finishing her PhD at the London School of Economics. She is half French, half American - and has lived in Paris, San Francisco, Rabat and London.

If you have read the novel, "Leo Africanus," this is a unique chance to see the world of the book come visually to life. It is also a chance to become more familiar with this excellent website, which can be a valuable companion tool when reading the book. Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores.

Using virtual travel, the website encourages readers to learn about the exceptional 16th century Mediterranean: an epoch that saw the constitution of many of the elements of our contemporary political, geographical and cultural identities; just as it uses Leo Africanus' adventurous life and unlikely destiny to awaken our modern minds to the desire for travel and exploration. The research and travel underlying the website were supported by a Fulbright Grant.

Leo Africanus is a person of many voices. His world was one of a tremendous melting pot. He came from many countries (Spain, Morocco, Italy); many ethnicities (Berber, Arab) and many religions (Muslim, Christian and shades of Berber mysticism) and his text is constantly torn among these various perspectives. His description of Morocco is deeply marked by all these views.

ANN ARBOR/YPSILANTI READS The 2005 Read program encourages readers of all ages to explore the Cultural Treasures of the Middle East - its many shared and diverse histories, memories and traditions of creative expressions.

A selection committee of community leaders, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Amin Maalouf's "Leo Africanus," translated by Peter Sluglett, as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2005. This is the first time a work of fiction has been chosen for the Read. Written in the form of a memoir, Leo Africanus explores Islam and Christendom through the fictional adventures of a real-life Arab traveler and geographer.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads has been coordinated by several area organizations, including the Ann Arbor District Library, the Ypsilanti District Library, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Public Schools, the Ann Arbor News, Barnes and Noble Bookstores, Borders Books and Music, Community Television Network, Eastern Michigan University, The Jewish Community Center of Washtenaw County, Nicola's Books: A Little Professor Store, Shaman Drum Bookstore, the University Musical Society, Washtenaw Community College and many others.

For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, or this event, check out the website at www.aareads.org, or phone the events line at 327-4205.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads: Author Rachel DeWoskin Discusses Her Experiences In China and Her Memoir "Foreign Babes In Beijing"

This event was held on March 27, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 00:42:00)

In conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2008, AADL is delighted to welcome Ann Arbor native and author Rachel DeWoskin in a discussion of her experiences as a foreigner in China, her popular memoir, and the progress in making her novel into a major motion picture from Paramount Pictures – including updates on casting the film. DeWoskin, an award-winning poet, is the Associate Poetry Editor at Agni Magazine, and an artist-in-residence at Teachers & Writers. She teaches creative writing at New York University. The event will include a booksigning, with books available for purchase.

"Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China" (W.W. Norton, 2005) has been published in five countries. Her novel, "Aysha’s English," is forthcoming in 2008. She has published poems in magazines including Ploughshares, Seneca Review, The New Delta Review, and Nerve Magazine, and non-fiction in the Sunday Times Magazine of London, Conde Nast Traveler, Departures, Teachers & Writers Magazine and Wanderlust, an anthology by Thundersmouth Press.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: On Becoming Chinese American with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang

This event was held on January 23, 2008 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:31:43)

Growing up the child of immigrants, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang was both part of and slightly outside of Chinese culture and mainstream American culture. What does it mean to be Chinese American? Ms. Wang's discussion will touch on issues raised by this year’s theme, China and America: Bridging Two Worlds, and the selected book, The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute To His Toisanese Mother, by William Poy Lee.

As acting editor of IMDiversity.com Asian American Village, Ms. Wang has written extensively on issues of identity and culture as process rather than simply one moment in time. She will share the stories of the different ways she has wrestled with identity and culture through her life, including during childhood, as a young adult, and as a parent.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Lecture: Revolutionary Scientists: The Legacy of Albert Einstein

This event was held on March 8, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:09:08)

In 1905, trained in physics and mathematics, Albert Einstein took an office job because he could not find a teaching position. That year, he published three papers detailing revolutionary theories related to space and time, quantum mechanics, and the existence of atoms. The ideas would rock the foundations of science. Join Dr. Zurbuchen as he, through a fascinating audio-visual presentation, carries us back to 1905, when Einstein changed the scientific world forever.

Prof. Zurbuchen has a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Bern, Switzerland. He is now Professor at the U-M, focusing on broad areas such as Space Science and Exploration, enabling Astrophysics from Space. He is a recent winner of the US Presidential Early Career Award. The 2006 Read encourages individuals to explore Revolutions in Science -- the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world -- by promoting civic dialogue through the shared experience of one book. A selection committee of community representatives, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Jonathan Weiner's The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2006. Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores. For more information on Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads events, visit the website aareads.org.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Working Together: the Arab and Jewish Women of Ann Arbor's Zeitouna

This event was held on February 7, 2005 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:29:27)

Zeitouna is a local group composed of six Arab and six Jewish women from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. All are American citizens. They are a dialogue group and, over the past two years, have found ways to discuss the Middle East, including their own personal stories and the politics of peace. They named their group Zeitouna, Arabic for olive - both the fruit and the tree.

Zeitouna's stated mission is "to embody and promote the peaceful and just coexistence of Arab and Jewish peoples through connection, trust, empathy and actions focused on the creation of a sustainable future for Palestine and Israel.

At this special program, members Wadad Abed, Irene Butter, Huda Karaman, and Laurie White discuss their own stories as well as Zeitouna's challenges and achievements.

Come learn how this powerful local group has made inroads in dialogue and understanding of cultures.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads is a community initiative to promote reading and civic dialogue through the shared experience of reading and discussing a common book.

Library, University and community representatives from Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti have modeled the read after the previous two reads which focused on the books Abraham Lincoln's DNA (in 2003) and 'Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race (in 2004).

In 2005, the program will encourage readers of all ages to explore the Cultural Treasures of the Middle East - its many shared and diverse histories, memories and traditions of creative expressions. A selection committee of community leaders, students and educators in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area chose Amin Maalouf's Leo Africanus, translated by Peter Sluglett, as the focus of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2005. This is the first time a work of fiction has been chosen for the Read. Written in the form of a memoir, Leo Africanus explores Islam and Christendom through the fictional adventures of a real-life Arab traveler and geographer.

Copies of the book are available at all Ann Arbor District Library sites and at area bookstores.

For more information about Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, check out the website at www.aareads.org.

Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Reads Event - Travel to the Heart of 'The Beak of the Finch' - the Galapagos Islands

This event was held on February 2, 2006 at Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:00:52)

The Galapagos Islands are the habitat for some of the world's most unusual animals and plants, many found nowhere else. Will Weber, owner of Journeys International, will lead us on a tour of this unique area. Joan and Will Weber of Ann Arbor founded Journeys International in 1978 while they were UM graduate students. They are also directors of the non-profit Earth Preservation Fund, an organization supporting conservation and community development projects in Journeys International destinations.

Will Weber has been a Nepal Peace Corps Volunteer, a high school math and science teacher, and a conservation officer in the Nepal National Parks. He participated in the original survey and development work which led to Mt. Everest, Langtang and Chitwan National Parks. The book chosen for the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads, The Beak of the Finch: A Story of Evolution in Our Time by Jonathan Weiner, chronicles the work of scientists Rosemary and Peter Grant on the Galapogos Islands. This year's read focuses on Revolutions in Science: the people, theories, explanations and discoveries that challenged our thinking and changed the world. AADL will present a multitude of topical programs from through March in conjunction with the 2006 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads.

2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads Event: Author William Poy Lee Discusses "The Eighth Promise"

This event was held on January 25, 2008 at Washtenaw Community College - Morris Lawrence Building

Watch Now (Runtime: 01:09:00)

Acclaimed author William Poy Lee will make a special appearance as part of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads. His book, "The Eighth Promise: An American Son’s Tribute To His Toisanese Mother," has been chosen as the focus of the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads program. Mr. Poy will discuss his book and his perspective on the Chinese American experience. A book signing will follow, with books for sale at the event, courtesy of Borders.

This appearance is a key event for the 2008 Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti reads program, which this year focuses on the theme China and America: Bridging Two Worlds.