One Grand Read to Unite Community Through Shared Storytelling

The Chronicle News
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2026 selection, There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib, to inspire discussions, events, and a special author visit in Sept.

Courtesy Photo: Enjoy an afternoon with author Hanif Abdurraqib. Abdurraqib will discuss his book, There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to make it, who we think deserves success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and the very notion of role models, all of which he expertly weaves together with intimate, personal storytelling. — Courtesy Photo: Enjoy an afternoon with author Hanif Abdurraqib. Abdurraqib will discuss his book, *There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension*, a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to make it, who we think deserves success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and the very notion of role models, all of which he expertly weaves together with intimate, personal storytelling.

LANSING, Mich. (June 26, 2026) — One Grand Read returns for its second year, continuing a reading initiative designed to bring people together through the power of a shared story. Delivered in partnership

with Capital Area District Libraries (CADL), East Lansing Public Library (ELPL), and Michigan State University (MSU), One Grand Read invites everyone in our local communities to read, reflect, and engage with this year’s selection, There’s Always This Year, by award-winning poet, essayist and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib.

“Last year, One Grand Read showed us that our community is looking for ways to connect around shared stories,” said CADL Executive Director, Jenny Marr. “In our second year, we’re excited to build on that momentum and explore the themes of There’s Always This Year and to welcome Hanif Abdurraqib to the campus of Michigan State University.”

Abdurraqib’s newest release, There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension (Random House, 2024) was a New York Times Bestseller and was longlisted for the National Book Award in nonfiction. His previous book, A Little Devil in America (Random House, 2021), was a winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal and the Gordon Burn Prize. In 2021, Abdurraqib was named a MacArthur Fellow, and in 2024 he was named a Windham-Campbell Prize recipient.

“There's a reason There's Always This Year connected with so many readers; it captures the ache and beauty of rooting for something bigger than ourselves, whether it's a team, a hometown, or a dream,” said ELPL Library Director Chrissie Evaskis Garrett. “I couldn't be more excited to welcome Hanif this September. His talk will be unforgettable, and I hope it leaves our community thinking deeply long after

we've closed our books.”

Beginning in August, One Grand Read will feature a series of free community programs inspired by the book’s themes, offering opportunities to connect with neighbors through conversation and shared experiences. The 2026 program will culminate in a special visit from Hanif Abdurraqib at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Mich., offering attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the author whose work has captivated readers nationwide. Reserving tickets to Abdurraqib’s visit is recommended and all events are free.

Residents are encouraged to check out a physical or digital copy of There’s Always This Year at any of CADL’s 13 branch libraries or ELPL or purchase a copy at a local bookstore. Details about upcoming events, Hanif Abdurraqib’s visit, and additional resources can be found at OneGrandRead.com.