Book Discussion


Wednesday, March 25, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus
Faculty, Staff, Students


hand holding up a copy of the book, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin.

This event welcomes everyone. Join GVSU students, staff, faculty, and anyone interested in topics like literature, writing, history, cultural studies, or simply engaging in conversation.  

Whether you’ve read all of the title, part of it, or haven’t quite started, this is an opportunity to participate in the statewide Great Michigan Read, a signature program of Michigan Humanities, for a discussion of this year’s selection, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin.

This memoir explores Chin’s experience growing up and coming out in a world rooted in his family’s iconic Detroit restaurant during the 1980s, weaving together themes of food, culture, Michigan history, Chinese American identity, gender and sexuality studies, and writing. The book invites readers into a vibrant community space that served everyone from political leaders to drag performers, reflecting the complexity and resilience of Detroit during a turbulent era.

Event Format:

11:00 AM     Social time and refreshments (20 minutes)

11:20 AM     Getting Settled and Community Guidelines (10 minutes)

11:30 AM     Book discussion (60 minutes)

12:30 PM     Wrap event and social time (30 minutes)

Food:

Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch.
Please RSVP: light snacks will be provided.

Need a book?
University Libraries and all GVSU campuses offer copies of the book for individual readers, as well as Book Club Kits with multiple copies and discussion materials. 

Click here for additional information

RSVP for this event


Location Information


Steelcase Library

City Campus, Grand Valley State University


Contact Information


Stacey Burns, Programs & Outreach Manager
University Libraries 
616-331-3295
[email protected]


Tags

academic library


Share this event

This event was added to the calendar by Stacey Burns (burnssta@gvsu.edu) on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and was last updated on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:29 p.m.


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