Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Live Stream | AMA with Lauren Harr of Gold Leaf Literary
Jan 9 @ 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Virtual w/ Malaprop's Bookstore
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 – 5:30pm to 6:00pm
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Join Lauren Harr, co-founder of Gold Leaf Literary Services, to ask burning questions about the book world, author events, and the business of writing.

This event is scheduled to occur monthly at the dates and times listed above.

To join, email [email protected] with the subject “I have a question!” and you’ll receive the Zoom link for the upcoming event.

Founded by two long-time booksellers in 2016, Gold Leaf Literary Services is dedicated to educating and assisting authors in various stages of their careers. For more, visit www.goldleafliterary.com.

Hybrid | Idiot Men: Scott Gould in conversation with Sebastian Matthews
Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online.

The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event. 

Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.

This event includes a book signing. If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


Idiot Men provides the stage for wayward characters who make poor choices in life and love against a backdrop of elegant prose. These tales recalibrate morality and convention as readers will grow to love the characters despite—and perhaps because of—their flaws. These diverse, rich stories are ultimately connected by the spellbinding voice of a true Southern storyteller.

You’ll meet a truck driver whose wife flees to Jamaica with her lover, leaving him to babysit her hairless tomcat, Princess Di; a male nurse who discovers a trailer full of counterfeit NASCAR paraphernalia during a home health visit; an amateur arsonist sentenced to a year in a Smokey the Bear suit; a disgruntled roofer with a bad back and a meth-dealing twin brother…these are just a few of the idiot men you’ll encounter in a collection of stories that will appeal to readers who relish literature with a Southern flavor.

Scott Gould was born, raised and still lives in South Carolina. His first book, Strangers to Temptation—a linked story collection the Atlanta Journal Constitution called “a compulsive read” and Foreword Reviews dubbed “funny, often poignant, and not easily forgotten”—was published by Hub City Press in 2017. Of his debut novel, Whereabouts (Koehler Books), the Atlanta Journal Constitution said, the book is “distinctly Southern but gritty, without a whiff of moonlight and magnolias.” Gould’s memoir, Things That Crash, Things That Fly (Vine Leaves Press), was released in March of 2021, and a second novel, The Hammerhead Chronicles, was published by the University of North Georgia Press in early 2022. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Kenyon Review, New Stories from the South, Black Warrior Review, Carolina Quarterly, Pithead Chapel, Garden & Gun, New Ohio Review, Crazyhorse and The Bitter Southerner, among others. He is a two-time winner of the S.C. Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Fellowship in Prose and the S.C. Academy of Authors Fiction Fellowship. He lives in Sans Souci, South Carolina with a cat and a dog, and teaches creative writing at the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities. He is always pulling for the Braves.

Sebastian Matthews is the author of the memoir In My Father’s Footsteps (W.W. Norton & Co.) as well as two collections of poetry, We Generous and Miracle Day, both published by Red Hen Press. A third collection, Beginner’s Guide to a Head-on Collision, came out from Red Hen Press in 2017. Along with Stanley Plumly, Matthews is the co-editor of three volumes: The Poetry Blues: Essays and Interviews of William Matthews (University of Michigan Press), Search Party: The Collected Poems of William Matthews (Houghton Mifflin), a runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize, and New Hope for the Dead: Uncollected Matthews (Red Hen Press). His poetry and prose have appeared in or on, among others, American Poetry Review, The Atlantic, Blackbird, The Common, From the Fishouse, Georgia Review, Massachusetts Review, New England Review, Poets & Writers, storySouth, The Sun, Tin House, Virginia Quarterly Review, Writer’s Almanac, and Writer’s Chronicle.

Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Business Morning Update
Jan 10 @ 7:45 am – 9:00 am
Elk's Lodge

Join us each month for an info-packed event brought to you by the Blue Ridge Community College’s Small Business Center, the City of Hendersonville Main Street Program, the Hendersonville Merchants & Business Association and the Chamber. Get the lowdown on current community events and the issues that matter to our local businesses and community.

Stay tuned for updated on our monthly lineup of guests and speakers!

The 2024 Business Morning Updates are proudly Presented by ALLCHOICE Insurance!

Pack Library Book Club
Jan 10 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Pack Memorial Library

The Pack Library Book Club is a book discussion group that meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30AM  at the library. We read and discuss a variety of book genres. The book for January 2024 is “Solito” by Javier Zamora.

Newcomers are always welcome! If you have any questions about book club, you can email [email protected] .

Monday Morning Leadership
Jan 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Boardroom

Join us for our Smart Series on Monday Morning Leadership on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from noon – 1 p.m. in the Chamber’s second floor boardroom.

Most companies lack a solid succession plan for leaders, leading to premature promotions and unprepared managers. Gain a fresh perspective on team leadership for yourself or your supervisors!

Presenter Meredith Campbell, Owner and Chief Joy Facilitator of Express Employment Professionals, will share 8 insights from the book “Monday Morning Leadership” by David Cottrell.

Registration is required. This event is a Chamber membership benefit, but we’re extending an invitation to non-members for $15.

Smart Series: Monday Morning Leadership
Jan 10 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

Most companies don’t have a succession plan for managers and leaders when current leaders move out of the workforce or lessen their workloads. As a result, more workers are being promoted into management positions before they are ready or have had management training. This content provides 8 insights to help alleviate this problem by offering basic supervisory and management training to all levels of leaders. This training program is based on the book Monday Morning Leadership by renowned author, speaker and business owner David Cottrell. The book shares the story of a manager struggling to increase his team’s performance. An experienced leadership mentor offers him insights into improving his own management skills, leading to higher team achievements.

During our time, I’ll share, and we’ll discuss these 8 insights. Attendees will walk away with a new viewpoint and approach to team leadership either for themselves or the supervisors they support.

Each insight can be applied on its own or in partnership with the other insights.

  • Become a Driver
  • Focus on the Main Thing
  • Escape from Management Land
  • Follow the “Do Right” Rule
  • Hire Tough
  • Do Less or Work Faster
  • Be the Chief Bucket Filler
  • Enter the Learning Zone

Meredith Campbell is Owner and Chief Joy Facilitator of Express Employment Professionals in Asheville, NC. She is active in the community and volunteers with local organizations such as the local SHRM chapter, MANNA Food Bank, and Eblen Charities. She is a graduate of Leadership Asheville 33, holds her PHR, and is an active Asheville Chamber of Commerce Member.

 

Meredith became owner of Express Employment Professionals in January of 2014, and she has been with the Express team since 2007. Since 2007, 2,461 job seekers have found permanent employment in Western North Carolina due to the work of the local Express Employment Professionals team.

 

Registration is required so we may plan accordingly.

This event is offered as a benefit for Chamber membership. We also believe these are important topics for everyone, so we are opening this event to non-members for $15. We welcome you to come and check us out! Please contact Jessica Kanupp, our Member Development Specialist, at [email protected] if you’re considering a Chamber membership.

Young Professionals of Henderson County Social
Jan 10 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
The Buzz

Elevate & Connect

Gear up for our monthly socials, where networking takes center stage. Join other Young Professionals under 40, for connections, exchange of ideas, and occasional guest speakers. Enjoy a complimentary beverage on us, as you mingle in style. Bring your energy, business cards and elevate your professional circle!

Young Professionals are Presented by:

Adventhealth hendersonville

Thanks to our monthly Host:

TheBuzz

Healthcare Workers MeetUp Mixer / Networking Group
Jan 10 @ 6:00 pm
Pleb Urban Winery

Join us on Wednesday, January 10th at 6pm back at Plēb Urban Winery and mix and mingle with other people who are new to or veterans in healthcare to swap stories, share experiences, network, and make new friends within our industry. The goal of this event is just to build new relationships and make connections. Please feel free to reach out directly with any questions, concerns, or suggestions related to this event.

Please RSVP if you do plan to attend to make sure we have the proper space to accommodate the group as well as give notice to the venue. Looking forward to meeting you. (Or seeing you again!)💛💛

 

Hybrid | Old Crimes with Jill McCorkle
Jan 10 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 – 6:00pm

This is a hybrid event with limited in-store seating and the option to attend online.

The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event. 

Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.

This event includes a book signing. If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


Old Crimes delves into the lives of characters who hold their secrets and misdeeds close, even as the past continues to reverberate over time and across generations. And despite the characters’ yearnings for connection, they can’t seem to tell the whole truth. In “Low Tones,” a woman uses her hearing impairment as a way to guard herself from her husband’s commentary. In “Lineman,” a telephone lineman strains to connect to his family even as he feels pushed aside in a digital world. In “Confessional,” a young couple buys a confessional booth for fun, only to discover the cost of honesty.

Profoundly moving and unforgettable, for fans of Alice Munro, Elizabeth Strout, and Lily King, the stories in Old Crimes reveal why McCorkle has long been considered a master of the form, probing lives full of great intensity, longing and affection, and deep regret.

Jill McCorkle has the distinction of having published her first two novels on the same day in 1984.  Of these novels, the New York Times Book Review said: “one suspects the author of The Cheer Leader is a born novelist.  With July 7th, she is also a full grown one.” Since then she has published five other novels—most recently, Hieroglyphics—and four collections of short stories. Five of her books have been named New York Times notable books and four of her stories have appeared in Best American Short Stories.  McCorkle has received the New England Booksellers Award, the John Dos Passos Prize for Excellence in Literature, the North Carolina Award for Literature and the Thomas Wolfe Prize; she was recently inducted into the NC Literary Hall of Fame. McCorkle has taught at Harvard, Brandeis, and NC State where she remains affiliated with the MFA Program in creative writing and she is core faculty in the Bennington Writing Seminars.

Thursday, January 11, 2024
Ribbon Cutting: Southern Quality Company
Jan 11 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Southern Quality Company

Join us as we celebrate members Southern Quality Company, at their new location in Hendersonville!

​Southern Quality Company invites you to join us in commemorating a significant milestone with the grand opening of our new location in Hendersonville, NC! This momentous occasion not only reflects our unwavering commitment to the local community but also marks the beginning of a new chapter in delivering exceptional roofing services throughout the picturesque mountains of Western North Carolina.

As a trusted presence in the region, Southern Quality Company has been dedicated to providing top-notch roofing systems to our valued clients. Our expansion signifies our continuous pursuit of excellence, and this new location is strategically chosen to better serve the needs of our community.

We are thrilled to celebrate this accomplishment with you, our cherished friends, clients, and community partners.

The official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will take place at 11:30 AM. 
SQC

Thank you to Duke Energy for being the Presenting Sponsor of 2023 Ribbon Cuttings!

Mindfulness guided reading with children’s author Jennifer Fae
Jan 11 @ 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Pack Memorial Library
Would you love to teach mindfulness to your kids but haven’t had the time or been able to get in a regular routine? Join children’s author Jennifer Fae in a guided meditation reading of her book, My Big Heart.  A book signing will follow. Books can be purchased after the program or online at jenniferfae.com. The author has even created a free audio that goes along with the book that you can play before bed each night. Grades k-5 and their caregivers are welcome.
Friday, January 12, 2024
AM Power Hour
Jan 12 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Mini Batch Bakery

Rise and shine and make your morning the catalyst to AMP UP your business!

Jumpstart your morning with a burst of productivity as you mingle with prospective customers. This monthly event is your gateway to discovering strong referral sources, finding new vendors, meeting the perfect client, or establishing connections that can open doors for future interactions!

Whether you’re an early bird, or can’t make it to our after-hours, AM Power Hour is your go-to for a dynamic and energizing start to the day!

2024 AM Power Hours are Presented by We Sell WNC!

January’s Host is Mini Batch Bakery!

Greenville Remodeling Expo
Jan 12 @ 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Greenville Remodeling Expo on Jan 12th-14th! This comprehensive home show brings together homeowners and many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Every aspect of the home can be explored, from the smallest design detail to the largest house addition. Professionals will be on-hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones.

Admission:

Adults: $4

Children under 18: FREE

For more information click here: Greenville Show: Remodeling Expo | L&L shows (homeshowcenter.com)

Saturday, January 13, 2024
Greenville Remodeling Expo
Jan 13 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Greenville Remodeling Expo on Jan 12th-14th! This comprehensive home show brings together homeowners and many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Every aspect of the home can be explored, from the smallest design detail to the largest house addition. Professionals will be on-hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones.

Admission:

Adults: $4

Children under 18: FREE

For more information click here: Greenville Show: Remodeling Expo | L&L shows (homeshowcenter.com)

Sunday, January 14, 2024
Greenville Remodeling Expo
Jan 14 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Greenville Convention Center

Join us at the Greenville Convention Center for the Greenville Remodeling Expo on Jan 12th-14th! This comprehensive home show brings together homeowners and many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Every aspect of the home can be explored, from the smallest design detail to the largest house addition. Professionals will be on-hand to share their valuable knowledge to bring your ideas to life or inspire you with new ones.

Admission:

Adults: $4

Children under 18: FREE

For more information click here: Greenville Show: Remodeling Expo | L&L shows (homeshowcenter.com)

CRAFT: Authors in Conversation with Denise Kiernan and Rachel Hawkins
Jan 14 @ 4:30 pm
Little Jumbo

Join us at Little Jumbo for CRAFT: Authors in Conversation, a series conceived and hosted by New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan. On Sunday, January 14, Denise’s guest will be novelist Rachel Hawkins.

Doors open at 4:00 PM. Conversation starts no later than 4:30 PM. Seating is first come, first served.

No registration is required.

Little Jumbo staff will create a specialty cocktail or mocktail for each CRAFT event.

Little Jumbo offers free parking at 5 Points Restaurant across Broadway. There is also street parking nearby. Find more information at denisekiernan.com/craft.


THE HEIRESS

From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins comes a twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind.

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.

But to everyone’s surprise, Cam wants little to do with the house or the money—and even less to do with the surviving McTavishes. Instead, he rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past.

Ten years later, Camden is a McTavish in name only, but a summons in the wake of his uncle’s death brings him and Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House. Its views are just as stunning as ever, its rooms just as elegant, but coming home reminds Cam why he was so quick to leave in the first place.

Jules, however, has other ideas, and the more she learns about Cam’s estranged family—and the twisted secrets they keep—the more determined she is for her husband to claim everything Ruby once intended for him to have.

But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. As Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will––and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

Rachel Hawkins is the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife UpstairsReckless Girls, and The Villa, as well as multiple books for young readers. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries. She studied gender and sexuality in Victorian literature at Auburn University and currently lives in Alabama.

Denise Kiernan is an author, journalist, producer, and host of “CRAFT: Authors in Conversation.” Her new young reader’s book, We Gather Together: Stories of Thanksgiving from then to now, arrives September 2023, and is a companion title to the popular adult nonfiction book, We Gather Together, and children’s picture book, Giving Thanks. Her book The Last Castle was an instant New York Times bestseller in both hardcover and paperback and was also a Wall Street Journal bestseller. She is also the author of The Girls of Atomic City, which is a New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and NPR bestseller and has been published in multiple languages. She lives in North Carolina.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Ribbon Cutting: American Dream Home Mortgage, Inc
Jan 16 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
American Dream Home Mortgage, Inc

Join us as we celebrating American Dream Home Mortgage, Inc!

At American Dream Home Mortgage, Inc. we pride ourselves in helping people find the best solution for their individual financing needs. We take the time to get to know our clients while working quickly to get them the results they want. We opened our business in 2006 in Tampa, FL and have over 30 years of experience in the industry. We understand the importance of providing the best possible terms while meeting your closing deadline. The company is family owned and operated and started in Tampa, FL. We are excited to share our expansion to North Carolina with you!

Amber Turner, mortgage loan originator and North Carolina branch manager, has been in the mortgage industry since 2016. She was born and raised in Tampa, FL and relocated to North Carolina in January 2020. Amber has experience with the mortgage financing process as she began her career as a mortgage loan processor. With this experience, she is knowledgeable about Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac guidelines and the underwriting process to ensure a smooth closing process for all parties. Amber has a wealth of knowledge in all mortgage lending products such as Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA as well as niche programs for those who may not qualify for a loan in traditional ways. Amber strives to provide consistent communication to both her customers and referral partners to achieve a stress-free process start to finish.
SQC

Thank you to Duke Energy for being the Presenting Sponsor of 2024 Ribbon Cuttings!

Consent Book Club
Jan 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
TBA

Register so we can reach out and contact you as we prepare for our first meeting! Books will be distributed at the first meeting. This book club is for adults 18+.

Meetings will be on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7pm (meeting location will be emailed once attendance is finalized)

Below are all the meeting dates:
December 5th
December 12th
December 19th
Skipping December 26th
January 2nd
January 9th
January 16th
Skipping January 22nd
January 30th

December – January Consent Book Club
Jan 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
tba

Our VOICE will be hosting a book club beginning this winter! Fill out the form to sign up as we have a limited amount of space!. Our first book selection will be Creating Consent Culture by Erica Scott and Marcia Baczynski. Books will be distributed at the first meeting and bus passes will be provided. This club will be offered in English, but we are looking to provide more opportunities in the future!

Books will be distributed at the first meeting. This book club is for adults 18+.

Meetings will be on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7pm (meeting location will be emailed once attendance is finalized)

Below are all the meeting dates:
December 5th
December 12th
December 19th
Skipping December 26th
January 2nd
January 9th
January 16th
Skipping January 22nd
January 30th

How to Hold Power: Pavini Moray in conversation with Jeffrey Kaplan
Jan 16 @ 6:00 pm
Malaprop's Bookstore

Hybrid:

The event is free but registration is required for both in-person and virtual attendance. 

Please click here to register for the VIRTUAL event. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

Please click here to register for the IN-PERSON event. Note the important event details on the RSVP form.

This event includes a book signing. If you would like a signed book but can’t attend in person, you may order a signed copy online below. If you would like to have your book personalized, please order online or call the store at least two hours before the start of the event. When ordering online, use the comments field to provide a name for personalization, e.g. “To Paul.” NOTE: We do our best to get books personalized when requested but personalization is not guaranteed.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


How to Hold Power: A Somatic Approach to Becoming a Leader People Love and Respect

Essential skills for today’s leaders: learn how to embody your ethics, earn your team’s trust, and dismantle toxic work culture.

Leaders and managers everywhere are learning the importance of creating safe, satisfying workplaces rooted in principles of social justice. But many of us who try to lead with ethics and integrity struggle with embracing a position of power and authority. You might worry about “being bossy,” unintentionally disrespecting others, or making the wrong call—and in the process, put your mind and body under so much stress that you burn out.

Somatic educator and coach Pavini Moray argues that the secret to being an ethical, inspirational boss is rooted in our own bodies. In more than 30 simple exercises, reflections, and daily practices, you’ll learn how to:

  • Nurture trust with clients and coworkers
  • Ground and re-center when you’re thrown off by a mistake or problem
  • Soothe the “Ouch!” of negative feedback
  • Break away from grind and hustle culture
  • Turn workplace conflict into a source of positive change and growth
  • Help your employees voice their own needs and feel heard
  • Understand the nuances of consent beyond contract negotiations
  • Gracefully acknowledge mistakes
  • Repair relationships with employees, colleagues, and clients

Pavini Moray (they/them) has started, failed, and succeeded at many businesses. As a serial en trepreneur, they have built private practices, a worker collective, and a for-profit company. These experiences have shaped them into an embodied, service-oriented leader. A Montessori educator at heart, Moray has developed a trauma-informed methodology for embodied relationship skills, teaching hundreds of students how to lead and learn. Moray is also a somatic coach specializing in trauma and relationships. Their identity as a queer, trans, non-binary founder gives them insight into outsider culture and accessibility. Moray holds an M.Ed in Curriculum and Design and a Ph.D. in Somatic Psychology.

Jeffrey Kaplan is the Director of Venture Asheville.

Online Book Club from the Library: Bookmarked
Jan 16 @ 7:00 pm
online

 

Buncombe County has an online book club called Bookmarked that meets on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 7 p.m.

Each month Bookmarked will read a title of popular fiction selected by the club. The online book discussion is hosted by one of our librarians.  Copies of the selected books are available at the Fairview Library and you can request any of the books to be sent to your favorite library for pickup. Most selections can be downloaded as an eBook or audiobook from the North Carolina Digital Library. No need to leave your house on a cold winter day – you can share books with other interested readers in your pajamas from your own couch. Read along with us to discover new titles you may not have bookmarked on your own.

You can join Bookmarked any time by emailing prior to any meeting. This book club (and all library events) are listed on the library calendar.

Upcoming Bookmarked Selections

  • Jan. 16 – Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
  • Feb. 20 – People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
  • March 19 – The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
  • April 16 – The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
  • May 21 – We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzoma Lama

Interested in other library book clubs? Join us at Pack Library on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. for our annual Book Club Fair. This program will feature short presentations from representatives from a dozen local book clubs and some time to chat. Find the book club that best fits your interests and schedule.

Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Policy on Tap
Jan 17 @ 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Wicked Weed

In our first Policy on Tap of 2024, we’re talking about business improvement districts (BIDs). Come learn how BIDs can address identified needs in a defined district and about the effort to create a BID in Downtown Asheville.

Our panel includes Downtown Planning Manager Dana Frankel, Asheville Downtown Association Executive Director Hayden Plemmons, and Thrive Asheville Executive Director Casey Gilbert.

Registration is required due to limited seating.

Policy on Tap is the Chamber’s quarterly discussion series highlighting topics that matter to our business community with insights shared by key leaders and experts.

Ginger Pinholster and Mark Hummel
Jan 17 @ 6:00 pm
Live Stream

This is a dual author event featuring Ginger Pinholster and Mark Hummel. The live streamed virtual event is free but registration is required.

Please click here to register. The link required to attend will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

If you decide to attend and to purchase books, we ask that you purchase from Malaprop’s. When you do this you make it possible for us to continue hosting author events and you keep more dollars in our community. You may also support our work by purchasing a gift card or making a donation of any amount below. Thank you!


Ginger Pinholster likes to say that turtles find her. A volunteer member of Florida’s Volusia Turtle Patrol, she earned her M.F.A. degree from Queens University of Charlotte and a B.A. from Eckerd College. Her first novel, “City in a Forest,” won a Gold Royal Palm Literary Award from the Florida Writers Association in 2020. A resident of Ponce Inlet, she serves as vice president for communications at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. Previously, she was the long-time chief communications officer for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where she became an elected Fellow. Long ago and far away, she was a journalist. To learn more, visit: www.gingerpinholster.com

Mark Hummel is a novelist, editor, and teacher. He is the author of the novel In the Chameleon’s Shadow, the story collection Lost and Found, and, writing as Mark Leichliter, the crime novel The Other Side. His work regularly appears in literary journals including The Bloomsbury ReviewDogwoodFugueTalking River ReviewWeber: The Contemporary West, and Zone 3. He is the editor of the nonfiction magazine bioStories. Mark lives in Bigfork, Montana.

Thursday, January 18, 2024
Business After Hours
Jan 18 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
HomeTrust Bank

Mark Your Calendars and Seize the Opportunity to Build Great Connections!

Experience the Chamber’s Business After Hours – an event designed for real connections and genuine conversations. Mix and mingle with fellow professionals and broaden you network, meet potential clients and create a new referral source!
Enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with fantastic food and beverages, courtesy of our monthly host sponsor, with the chance to win fabulous door prizes – a perfect blend of business and enjoyment!

Plus don’t miss the chance to try your luck in our 50/50 raffle!
No cost to attend, just pre-register.

January is hosted by HomeTrust Bank!
My Adopted Aunts: Eleanor Vance, Charlotte Yale, and Biltmore Industries” w/ local author Bruce Johnson
Jan 18 @ 5:30 pm
First Congregational Church
–  “My Adopted Aunts: Eleanor Vance, Charlotte Yale, and Biltmore Industries” with local author Bruce Johnson at First Congregational Church
YPA Professional Development on AI Opportunities
Jan 18 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce - 2nd Floor Boardroom

All Young Professionals are invited to this professional development session to hear an overview of AI with a healthy discussion about governace and ethical use. Artificial Intelligence is permeating every aspect of our careers and personal lives. Come learn what it is, how to use, and how to get an advantage in many tools before you are left behind. This introductory talk on AI will give you the tools and frameworks to get started using AI today. This professional development workshop is led by Venture Asheville’s Director, Jeffrey Kaplan. Jeffrey speaks on AI reguraly, ranging from statewide audiences to local meetups. He was formerly Governor Roy Coopers appointee to the NC Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation and is a technology entrepreneur himself. Prior to a life in entrepreneurship, Jeffrey was a multi-media educator and built the Digital Media and New Technology Graduate Certificate Program at Indiana University.

Please register for this event in order to help us plan accordingly.

The Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking for Asheville professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. For more information or to join, please visit Young Professionals

 

YPA Professional Development: AI – The Boundless Opportunities
Jan 18 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

All Young Professionals are invited to this professional development session to hear an overview of AI with a healthy discussion about governace and ethical use. Artificial Intelligence is permeating every aspect of our careers and personal lives. Come learn what it is, how to use, and how to get an advantage in many tools before you are left behind. This introductory talk on AI will give you the tools and frameworks to get started using AI today. This professional development workshop is led by Venture Asheville’s Director, Jeffrey Kaplan. Jeffrey speaks on AI regularly, ranging from statewide audiences to local meetups. He was formerly Governor Roy Coopers appointee to the NC Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation and is a technology entrepreneur himself. Prior to a life in entrepreneurship, Jeffrey was a multi-media educator and built the Digital Media and New Technology Graduate Certificate Program at Indiana University.

 

5:30-6:30 – Social Hour (snacks and beverages provided)

6:30-7:30 – PD Session

 

Please register for this event in order to help us plan accordingly.

The Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) provides outstanding professional leadership development opportunities through educational seminars, service opportunities and networking for Asheville professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. For more information or to join, please visit Young Professionals

Friday, January 19, 2024
2024 Legislative Update
Jan 19 @ 8:15 am – 10:00 am
UNC Asheville's Wilma M. Sherrill Center

Hosted by Brian Lewis and Skye David, the dynamic duo behind the Do Politics Better podcast, the event will feature a conversation that delves into the intricate workings of the North Carolina legislature.

Speakers:

  • Brian Lewis: A seasoned lobbyist and expert in state politics, Brian leads strategy and messaging at New Frame, a bipartisan lobbying and communications firm. His extensive experience will provide valuable insights into the legislative landscape.
  • Skye David: With a background in policy, legal, and regulatory issues, Skye has become a trusted figure at New Frame. Her work has garnered attention in major media outlets, and her expertise will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of legislative matters.

The discussion will highlight key aspects such as a reflection on the 2023 NC General Assembly session and forward-thinking insights into the expectations for the 2024 short session.

Agenda:

  • 8:15-8:45 a.m.: Registration & Networking (Enjoy light pastries and coffee)
  • 8:45-10 a.m.: Program

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain first-hand insights, network and stay ahead of the legislative curve.

Sunday, January 21, 2024
Dani Shapiro in conversation with Maia Toll
Jan 21 @ 11:30 am – 2:00 pm
location will be provided to ticket holders

HappyWomenDinners invites you to an exclusive brunch, booksigning, and discussion with NY Times Bestselling Author Dani Shapiro in Conversation with Author Maia Toll.

This is a private event in Asheville, open to a limited number of guests. Click here for more information and to register via email to [email protected].
The registration deadline is January 7th. The location will be provided to ticket holders.
Tickets are $125 and include:
~ Entry to the event
~ Brunch
~ A signed copy of Signal Fires, by Dani Shapiro. 

Malaprop’s will be on hand with previous books by Dani Shapiro available for purchase.


Signal Fires cuts a gleaming window into our alternate lives so meticulously and gloriously that it is quite nearly a primer on how to not only live in the present, but in the past and future as well. Shapiro has crafted a stunning future classic.” – Lisa Taddeo, author of Three Women

“A haunting, moving, and propulsive exploration of family secrets.” —Meg Wolitzer

Dani Shapiro is the author of eleven books, and the host and creator of the hit podcast Family Secrets. Her most recent novel, Signal Fires, was named a best book of 2022 by Time MagazineWashington Post, and others, and is a national bestseller. Her most recent memoir, Inheritance, was an instant New York Times Bestseller, and named a best book of 2019 by Elle, Vanity Fair, Wired, and Real Simple. Dani’s work has been published in fourteen languages and she’s currently developing Signal Fires for its television adaptation. Dani’s book on the process and craft of writing, Still Writing, is being reissued on the occasion of its tenth anniversary in 2023. She occasionally teaches workshops and retreats, and is the co-founder of the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy.

Maia Toll is the author of Letting Magic InThe Night School, and the Wild Wisdom series, which includes The Illustrated Herbiary, The Illustrated Bestiary, The Illustrated Crystallary, and Maia Toll’s Wild Wisdom Companion. After earning degrees at the University of Michigan and New York University, Toll apprenticed with a traditional healer in Ireland, where she spent extensive time studying the growing cycles of plants, the alchemy of medicine making, and the psycho-spiritual aspects of healing. She is the co-owner of the retail store Herbiary, with locations in Asheville, NC and Philadelphia, PA. You can find her online at maiatoll.com.
Kate O’Hara is the illustrator of the Wild Wisdom series, and a freelance illustrator based in Reno, Nevada. She received a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Her work combines intricate nature drawings with decorative hand-lettering and rich color schemes. She can be found online at kate-ohara.com.

Event address:
In Person-Location TBA
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The Book + Bee Cafe + Tea
Jan 23 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
The Book & Bee Cafe & Tea

This charming English-style cafe and tea room features literary decor and a wonderful menu. If you like tea 🫖 and books 📚 you will love this cafe! I’m looking forward to having a nice, hot pot of tea during the cold and dreary month of January. Come join me!

To see the menu and photos of this charming cafe go to thebookandbee.com.

For lunch it’s first come/first serve.