Brad Ryan Author Visit - Grandma Joy and Me Book Release

A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time

Veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, and writer Brad Ryan visits BPL to celebrate the release of his book Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time.

Veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, mental health advocate, and writer Brad Ryan visits the Bexley Public Library to celebrate the release of his book Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time -- "a heartrending, transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan as they embark on a seven-year journey to visit every US National Park." Brad will be in conversation with writer, poet, and naturalist Jarod K. Anderson. Book signing with special guest Grandma Joy to follow the discussion thanks to Gramercy Books.

This event is presented in partnership with Gramercy Books.

Register for this program through the GRAMERCY BOOKS EVENT PAGE HERE.

About the Book:

Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings. Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.

Grandma Joy and Me follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing, wherein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injustices—real and imagined—that had long held them hostage. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, this unique bond between a young man and his ninety-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park—is more than just any travel tale; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human.

About the Author:

Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, mental health advocate, and writer from Southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria, and both a DVM and MPH from The Ohio State University, specializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health.

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. He has published three books of nature poetry as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his lifelong struggle with depression and the healing power of the natural world. His contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. Jarod's work has been featured in diverse places such as Asimov's, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, musical adaptations performed at Carnegie Hall, and even on Patagonia brand clothing. He has been a featured guest, workshop teacher, and speaker for organizations including Georgetown University's Earth Commons program and The Henry David Thoreau Foundation. He lives with his wife and son in a little white house tucked between a park and a cemetery.

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