Sunday, December 3rd from 12-5 PM will be our Ninth Annual Bookraiser for the Library of Gesu School at Book Beat (26010 Greenfield Dr., Oak Park, MI 48237). 20% of purchases can be donated to the library, along with any books purchased directly for the school library.
Guest author Stephen Mack Jones will attend between 2-4 PM to sign books in his August Snow crime series set in Detroit, including his latest book Deus X. Stephen Mack Jones is a published poet, an award-winning playwright, and a recipient of the prestigious Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship. He was born in Lansing, Michigan, and currently lives in Farmington Hills, outside of Detroit. He worked in advertising and marketing communications for a number of years before turning to fiction.
Illustrator Bea Jackson will attend between 1-3 PM to sign books, including her latest books The Twelve Hours of Christmas and Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington. Bea Jackson is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Parker Looks Up. Bea attended the College for Creative Studies and is the grand prize winner and returned alumni of L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrator of the Future Award of 2007. Bea loves telling stories through her art, from dynamic and diverse character designs, to delightfully fun and energetic children’s books.
Local journalist and author Patricia Montemurri will attend between 1-3 PM. She will be selling her photo-packed books about the Catholic churches, schools, congregations and miracle workers who shaped Detroit-area history. Each book contains 200+ photos. Her newest book, Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit: Detroit’s Oldest Church, chronicles the impact of the sturdy brick church dedicated in 1848 and now in the shadow of Detroit’s Renaissance Center. She also is the author of Detroit Gesu Catholic Church and School (updated 2022); Blessed Solanus Casey; Mercy High School of Michigan and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters of Michigan.
Anita Sevier, Community Outreach Coordinator for the school, says: “Gesu students are like all children who want to read the newest, trendy books. We try to purchase books that are currently popular—those that the students are excited to read.”
Please call Book Beat at (248) 968-1190 with any questions.