As always, Pam Houston delighted a full house audience with tales (tails) of all she's learned in her life from the animals she's loved. From a deep understanding of protection from the dogs that accompanied her as an infant in a stroller, to the powerful horses she now rides in Iceland, Pam learned: How to play. How to rest. How to love. How to die. How to be present with the dying. How to be present with the living and with the Earth. How to find joy in the least likely places. How to find joy, literally, everywhere. Signed copies of "Animals Taught Me Everything" ($18.95, paperback) are available at the store.

A fascinating and rich conversation took place between author and thought provocateur Stan Biderman and CWB's Events Producer, Cecile Lipworth, about his book, The Secularist's Bible. Their witty banter and spirited exchange explored the timely questions of religious fundamentalism and the importance of separating religion and state. Our enthusiastic large audience had their own interesting opinions and questions to ask of Stan. Signed copies of the beautifully designed book are available at the store - $35, hardcover.

A note: We had some technical difficulties for the first 8 minutes, so the video begins mid-conversation. Two-time Oscar nominee and five-time Emmy winner Jon Else and investigative journalist Alicia Inez Guzmán discussed the history of Frenchman's Flat in Nevada, where, in 1957, a 37-kiloton atomic bomb dubbed "Priscilla" was exploded above a custom-built mini-civilization. Jon and Alicia engaged an enthusiastic audience in the subject of America's stockpiling and testing of nuclear weapons and his belief in our success in preventing nuclear war by deterrence, diplomacy, and luck. Signed copies of Frenchman's Flat: The Rise and Fall of Atomic Bombs are available at the store.

An afternoon spent amongst friends talking about a book about friends! MaryFrank Sanborn read from and talked about her novel, The Lightning Field, with her dear friend and fellow book clubber, Ardis Burst. The conversation brought to light Mary Frank's own similar journey to New Mexico and the friendships she's cultivated over the 40 years she's lived here.

It’s always a special treat to welcome three-term U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo to the store. A full house was enthralled as Joy read from her newest anthology, Cloud Runner, a deeply moving tribute to her daughter, Rainy Dawn, whom she lost to cancer. Coming during a week of heavy rains in Santa Fe, the evening felt especially poignant—and moved every one of us.

Barbara Rockman's poignant reading of some of her newest work from "Night said" had the audience so transfixed that you could hear a pin drop. And her conversation about the work with Kyce Bello added a layer of depth and personal history to the reading.

What a joyful afternoon listening to Désirée, Michelle and Margo read their works and talk about the magic of words, the power of writing communities, and the importance of Latina representation in literature.

Dance and cultural historian and memoirist, Elizabeth Kendall spoke with Balanchine-trained dancer and founder of NDI, Catherine Oppenheimer, about the contradictions of the visionary Russian-American ballet choreographer who was recognized as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century.

A perfect dynamic duo! As Annette McGivney shared the premise of "Plastic Shaman" and Betsy Gaines Quammen of "This Haunted Land," it was extraordinary to see how both books reckon with the ghosts of colonialism—and how the appropriation of Indigenous cultures, exploitation of the land, and unresolved histories continue to shape our relationship to place, spirituality, and one another.