April 22, 2025
The National Writers Series is pleased to present Leif Enger, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Peace Like a River, in conversation with guest host Doug Stanton, also a bestselling author and NWS co-founder.
Leif will take the stage to talk about I Cheerfully Refuse, his newest book praised by author Kristin Hannah as “my favorite novel of the year.” It is a national bestseller and Amazon’s #9 “Top 20 Book Pick” of the year.
Set in a not-too-distant America, the novel tells the tale of Rainy, who sets sail on Lake Superior in search of his departed, deeply beloved, bookselling wife. On the water, he encounters lunatic storms and rising corpses from the warming depths. On land, he finds increasingly desperate and illiterate people, a malignant billionaire ruling class, crumbled infrastructure, and a lawless society. Amidst the Gulliver-like challenges of life at sea and no safe landings, he is lifted by physical beauty, surprising humor, generous strangers, and an unexpected companion in a young girl who comes aboard. As time passes, Rainy’s private quest for the love of his life grows into something wider and wilder, sweeping up friends and foes alike in his strengthening wake.
Leif Enger grew up in Osakis, Minnesota, and worked as a reporter for Minnesota Public Radio before writing his debut novel Peace Like a River, which sold more than a million copies and was named one of the Year’s Best Books by Time Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. His second novel, So Brave, Young, and Handsome, was also an award-winning national bestseller. His third novel Virgil Wander was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and was named a best book of the year by Amazon, Library Journal, Bookpage, and Chicago Public Library. He lives with his wife in Duluth, Minnesota.
The event begins at 7 p.m. and includes a Q&A and author signing. Each ticket comes with a trade paperback copy of I Cheerfully Refuse (or opt for a two-ticket package with one book). Please note: signed books are only available at the live event.
Which Ticket Package to Choose?
If you and a partner or friend are attending together and only need one book to share, choose our Two-Tickets/One-Book package.
About Our Book Sales
One of the most exciting parts of attending our events is getting a signed copy of the author's latest book along with the chance to meet the writer and have them personalize it after the show.
Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. The bundled price of National Writers Series books is always 20 percent below retail, so you also get a great deal.
If you already own the featured book, the one you receive with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or you can donate it back to us at the National Writers Series, and we'll distribute it to libraries and young writers in Northern Michigan.
We think a new book is one of the greatest joys of life, and we thank you for helping us make Traverse City one of the premiere destinations for authors through our book sales.
Virtual Option
Even if you can’t make it to the City Opera House, you can still enjoy National Writers Series events from the comfort of your own home on event night or later on-demand when it’s more convenient. If you would like purchase a virtual ticket, please go to www.nationalwritersseries.org for ticketing information.