Author Talks
Sarada Bonnett
Sarada Bonnett, co-author of Notes of Forgiveness: A Daughter’s Journey and a Mother’s Gift, will hold a special meet and greet at the Covington Branch on May 12th from 6 to 7 p.m. This moving memoir shares the coming-of-age story of Sarada, daughter of rockabilly pioneer Sherry Davis, offering a rare glimpse into life beyond the spotlight during the early rock era.
Through heartfelt storytelling, the book explores themes of faith, family, and perseverance as Sarada reflects on her mother’s struggles with addiction and her unwavering belief in God. Filled with vivid memories—including stories of icons like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly—this powerful narrative reveals the personal side of fame and the enduring strength of forgiveness.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the author, learn about the inspiration behind the book, and engage in a meaningful discussion about resilience, faith, and the bonds that shape our lives.
Jack B. McGuire
Come meet Jack B. McGuire on May 7th at the Causeway branch from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. He will discuss his newest book, Killing the Kingfish: The Huey Long Assassination. The book offers a a comprehensive and revelatory examination of what really happened on September 8, 1935 and explores critical incidents leading up to the assassination, including Long’s investigation of a murder plot in early 1935 and his battles with Judge Pavy.
Jack B. McGuire will also be doing a book signing after his presentation.
Jack B. McGuire served as special assistant to the mayor of New Orleans, press secretary to the mayor, and director of public relations from 1964 to 1970 as well as a councilman-at-large for the city of Mandeville from 1984 to 2000. For over forty years he was an officer of Union Savings and Loan Association in New Orleans. He is author of Win the Race or Die Trying: Uncle Earl’s Last Hurrah and coauthor (with Walter Greaves Cowan) of Louisiana Governors, both published by University Press of Mississippi.
Michael Strecker
Michael Strecker is an award-winning author and stand-up comedian. His comedic New Orleans-based novel "The Knights of Wade," has garnered rave reviews from "Vanity Fair" to "The Times-Picayune." Now in its second printing, the book was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His short fiction has been selected twice as a Tennessee Williams Festival finalist and has appeared in leading literary journals. He is also the author of several acclaimed children’s books, including "The Young Comic's Guide to Telling Jokes, Book 1 and 2" and the NOLA-favorite "Jokes for Crescent City Kids."
He lives in the New Orleans area with his wife, poet Jillian Strecker, and their two children, Stephen and Joseph.
Michael will hold a Meet the Author event at the Covington branch, opens a new window on April 29th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Peggy Sweeney-McDonald
Louisiana author, actress, and speaker Peggy Sweeney-McDonald will bring her inspiring book presentation based on her memoir Life in the A-Zone: How I Embraced the Journey with My Mother’s Alzheimer’s—One Pink Cloud Moment at a Time to St. Tammany Parish Library this spring.
Through storytelling, humor, and heartfelt reflection, Sweeney-McDonald shares her personal journey caring for her mother through Alzheimer’s and the unexpected moments of grace she calls “Pink Cloud Moments.” Her talk explores how love, faith, and resilience can emerge even during life’s most difficult seasons.
Peggy will hold two Author Talks, one on each side of St. Tammany Parish. The Slidell event will be recorded and available for later viewing on this page.
April 28th at the Slidell branch, opens a new window from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
April 29th at the Causeway branch, opens a new window from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Gina Ferrara
2025-2027 Louisiana's Poet Laureate, Gina Ferrara, held a poetry reading, opens a new window at the Madisonville branch on April 15th from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Gina Ferrara is an Associate Professor of English at Delgado Community College. She lives in New Orleans and has five poetry collections.
Her latest, Amiss, was published by Dos Madres Press in 2023. Her work has appeared in many journals, including Callaloo, The Poetry Ireland Review, Tar River, The Southern Review and was nominated for a Best of the Net and a Pushcart in 2024.
Since 2007, she has curated The Poetry Buffet, a monthly reading series in New Orleans.
A recording of this event is still being processed and will be uploaded soon.
David Armand
David Armand was born and raised in Louisiana. He is an associate professor of English and Creative writing in the Department of English and World Languages. He holds an MFA from the University of Arkansas. From 2017-2019, he served as Writer-in-Residence at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he currently holds the Leola R. Purcell Endowed Professorship in English.
The Roads We Travel is a memoir told in the style of Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, Stephen King's On Writing, and Ellen Gilchrist's The Writing Life. Instead of approaching the pedagogy of creative writing in the traditional academic, prescriptive manner, Armand uses his own life's journey to becoming a successful writer and teacher as a way to pass on what he's learned over the years about what makes good writing work (as well as what makes some writing unsuccessful).
But, as previously mentioned, the text is not prescriptive in nature; however, it seeks to teach by inspiring readers, even those who are not necessarily writers themselves, but simply people who want to read a story of perseverance and hope and determination.
David held a Meet the Author Event on April 9th at the Causeway Branch.
Sandra Scalise Juneau
From Sicilian family traditions that have endured centuries of displacement and change, Louisiana native Sandra Scalise Juneau traces the origins and symbolism of this cultural treasure.
Author of the book published in 2021 by LSU Press, Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars, Mrs. Juneau draws from her experiences of learning from her two Sicilian-born grandmothers for bringing to life this unique expression of devotion.
On January 13th, Sandra presented at the Madisonville Branch, with intricate artworks and vintage photographs from the last century of Saint Joseph Altar displays in Sicily, New Orleans and the Northshore.
Chris Champagne
Chris Champagne, a graduate of the Orleans Parish School system and of the University of New
Orleans with a BA in History, gave a presentation of his book and his reflections on the untold sights
of Louisiana. His book, Secret Louisiana - An Unusual Guide, brings readers to a world of hidden
and quirky of Louisiana.
On December 16th, 2025, Chris held a presentation discussing his book and travels at the Covington Branch.
In March of 2026, he held an author talk on his other book, Secret New Orleans.
Jourdana Webber
Jourdana Webber is the bestselling author of Unconventionally, Elle. A corporate dropout and audacious dreamer, she crafts swoony, heartfelt romances filled with humor, vulnerability, and the kind of messy, magical love that feels real. Her work celebrates women’s voices, resilience, and the power of found family.
On November 5th, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jourdana Webber visited the Causeway Branch for a Q and A session for patrons.
