The Vicksburg District Library is excited to welcome 2025 Michigan Notable Book Author Donald Lystra, whose novel "Searching for Van Gogh" was selected as one of this year's Michigan Notable Books. Donald will read from his book, speak about it, and take audience questions. Books will be available for purchase, and Donald will have time to sign books at the end of the event.

In the lead up to the event, the library will also host a book discussion for "Searching for Van Gogh" on May 22 at 6:00PM. A limited number of books will be available as part of the library's collection.

Book Summary:
"Searching for Van Gogh" is a stirring novel set in 1963 in America's industrial Midwest. Nate, a young man with a gift for math and science, rejects a comfortable future by walking away from college to pursue painting-a desperate attempt to access the emotions buried deep within him following the tragic death of his revered older brother. But Nate's search for meaning is lonely and frustrating until he meets Audrey Brubaker, a paradox of strength and vulnerability, who becomes a sort of mentor to Nate, guiding him toward self-discovery. But in the end it is Audrey who will ultimately need Nate's emotional insight, and in a devastating turn, she seeks redemption in the most unexpected way-forcing Nate to tap into the very depths of empathy and courage she's helped him to uncover.

Author Bio:
Donald Lystra was raised in the cities, towns, and suburbs of Michigan. As a young man he was variously engaged as an auto plant worker, a door-to-door salesman, a dishwasher, a house painter, and a shipyard engineer. He eventually settled into a career as an electrical engineer, though in his fifties he began to write fiction in a serious way. His written works have received numerous awards, including two selected as Michigan Notable Books. Lystra and his wife divide their time between a farm in northern Michigan and a town on the ocean side of Florida.