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Local author David Lewis visits the Bexley Public Library to discuss his book The Ride of My Life: A rant about cars, love, family, music and the search for healing.
Local author David Lewis visits the Bexley Public Library to discuss his book The Ride of My Life: A rant about cars, love, family, music and the search for healing. As winding as life's journey, The Ride of My Life is by turns funny, sad, traumatic, redeeming, reflective, and, most of all, touching. Join us for what is sure to be an engaging evening of conversation with author David Lewis. David will be in conversation with his editor Cara Laviola.
Books will be available for purchase along with a book signing following the discussion.
About the Author:
David H. Lewis began his career as the inaugural managing editor of SLAM Magazine at just twenty-three and later became a TV presenter covering the NBA in the U.K. His writing has appeared on MTV, CBS, and VH-1, and in Vibe, Teen People, and SLAM. He is the author of Michael Jordan: Life Lessons from His Airness (St. Martin’s Publishing, 2022).
David is also the founder of The MindFuel Method, a coaching practice that helps student-athletes build clarity, resilience, and purpose on and off the field. Originally from New York City, he is a longtime Bexley resident who lives with his sons, Sebastian and Ezra.
About the Moderator:
Cara Laviola has a deep love for language, books, and poetry—and for how stories can spark empathy and connection. With a background in communications and business strategy, she now leads upsell demand marketing at Toast, where she keeps the customer at the center of the work. She also gives back as a member of the Conservation and Sustainability Committee at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
Cara’s editorial work on The Ride of My Life shows her gift for shaping authentic, powerful stories. More than an editor, she was a thoughtful collaborator—bringing heart, clarity, and structure to every page.
She resides in Columbus.
About the Book:
David Lewis takes us on a spiritual journey through his life, as seen through the lens of his love for cars. Don’t be fooled by The Ride of My Life—this isn’t a book for car enthusiasts, though they may enjoy it. It’s a memoir about a kid growing up in NYC who fell in love with cars during some of the city's most turbulent decades.
So, how does a kid from New York fall in love with cars? In a city where public transportation is the ride of choice? When his mother never owned one, and his father was one of the worst drivers to ever sit behind the wheel?
David answers these questions and more, detailing his codependency with women, friends, and things (cars), while exploring the traumas tucked under the hood of a life well-examined.
His journey is funny, sad, traumatic, redeeming, reflective, and, most of all, touching. We learn what drives a white boy from NYC to drive. We see how the pain of having divorced parents leads to two failed marriages of his own. We discover that he isn’t a fish out of water when he moves to Ohio, raises two kids, and navigates mental health challenges—all while driving a car of his choice to wherever life takes him.
Reading this book, you might not learn much more about cars than you already knew (hell, David can barely change a tire himself), but you will, hopefully, enjoy the ride.
If you would like to receive an email reminder about this event, please register. Join us in person, or live stream this program on BPL's YouTube channel.
Bexley Public Library was founded in 1924 and first housed in Bexley High School, now Montrose Elementary School. The present building opened in 1929 and was designed by architects O.C. Miller and R.R. Reeves who drew upon French and Italian architecture from the 17th century for the design.
The library is located at 2411 East Main Street, at the intersection of East Main Street and Cassady Avenue. Parking is available in our parking lot on Euclaire Avenue and in front of the library on Main Street. Main Street is a No Parking Tow Zone from 4:00-6:00 p.m. weekdays.