The Celebrants: An Evening with Steven Rowley

The Book Stall (811 Elm Street in Winnetka) is excited to host Steven Rowley, the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Guncle, for a discussion of his new book, The Celebrants on Monday, June 5 at 6:30 pm! This novel, inspired by his rewatching of the 1983 cult-classic film The Big Chill, is a moving tale about the false invincibility of youth, and the beautiful ways in which friendship helps us celebrate our lives. Electric Lit says, “Rowley’s novels deftly oscillate between tear-jerker and knee-slapper, books that brim with all of life’s big and small emotions, and his latest is no exception. It might just be his best yet.”

This is a ticketed program. Tickets include a copy of the book, and Mr. Rowley will be happy to sign his works following the discussion. To purchase your tickets, please visit our website..

More About the Book: It’s been a minute—or five years—since Jordan Vargas last saw his college friends, and twenty-eight years since their graduation when their adult lives officially began. Now Jordan, Jordy, Naomi, Craig, and Marielle find themselves at the brink of a new decade, with all the responsibilities of adulthood, yet no closer to having their lives figured out. That’s not for a lack of trying. Over the years they’ve reunited in Big Sur to honor a decades-old pact to throw each other living “funerals,” celebrations to remind themselves that life is worth living—and living well.

But this reunion is different. They’re not gathered as they were to bolster Marielle as her marriage crumbled, to lift Naomi after her parents died, or to intervene when Craig pleaded guilty to art fraud. This time, Jordan is sitting on a secret that will upend their pact.

More About the Author: Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of four novels including Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016; The Editor, an NPR Best Book of 2019; and The Guncle, finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor and Goodreads finalist for Novel of the Year. His fiction has been translated into twenty languages. He resides in Palm Springs, California.