Joplin Public Library announces the title selection for Joplin Reads Together 2025

Joplin Public Library is excited to announce The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal as their 2025 Joplin Reads Together book selection.  

The second of Stradal’s three published books, The Lager Queen of Minnesota became a National Bestseller in its first week of release, was named one of the best books of 2019 by NPR, USA Today, and Booklist, and won the 2020 WILLA Literary Award from Contemporary Fiction.  

A contemporary fiction novel, The Lager Queen of Minnesota features two sisters living in Minnesota navigating the ups and downs of life, family, and brewing beer. 

In its third year, Joplin Reads Together is a community-focused, month-long campaign centered upon one adult novel. Community members are encouraged to read the selected title and have the opportunity to further explore the themes and topics in the novel by attending book discussions and programming events offered throughout the entire month of April. This year’s lineup includes the following:

• March 27, 5:30-7:00 pm: Post Art Library My Midwest Art Reception (art display runs March 27-April 27)
• April 1, 6:00-8:00 pm: Chat & Craft: Cookie Cutter Stamped Tea Towels
• April 3, 5:30 pm: Friends of the Joplin Public Library: From Page to Pint: Celebrating The Lager Queen with Local Brews. This is a Friends member only event @ Chaos Brewing. 
• April 8, 6:00-7:00 pm: MSSU Dr. Megan Bever: “Beer, Bodies, and Being: Gender and Identity in American Culture” @ JPL
• April 9, 11:00am Take-Home Kit: Painted Cork Coasters (while supplies last)
• April 12, 2:00-3:00 pm Board Games & Brews @ Chaos Brewing
• April 15, 6:00-7:00 pm Pie Making with Carla from Big R’s Pies
• April 17, 11:00am Makerspace Take & Make Kit: DIY Bread in a Bag (while supplies last)
• April 17, 1:00-2:00 pm Let’s Dish Book Discussion
• April 17, 6:00-7:00 pm Let’s Dish Book Discussion
• April 22, 2:30-3:30 pm MSSU Dr. Megan Bever: “Beer, Bodies, and Being: Gender and Identity in American Culture” @ MSSU Spiva Library
• April 22, 6:00 pm Dontcha Know Midwest Trivia Night

The program culminates with a visit from author J. Ryan Stradal on April 24, at 6pm, at the Joplin Public Library, where he will discuss his book and sign copies. 

Joplin Reads Together aims to increase awareness of the Library and its services, provide a shared experience, promote reading, and foster connection to local organizations.  Community members can participate by reading the book, contributing to the Joplin Reads Together group on Facebook, and joining programs offered by the Library and its community partners throughout the month of April. Community partners include Friends of the Joplin Public Library, Post Art Library, and MSSU Spiva Library. 

“We are really excited to share the 2025 book selection with the community”, stated Sarah Turner-Hill, Adult Programming Coordinator for Joplin Public Library. “With the help of our community partners and community organizations, I think we’ve created a fun lineup of programs to accompany J. Ryan Stradal’s visit to Joplin.” 

Joplin Public Library has purchased additional copies of the book in physical, ebook, and audiobook form, to ensure interested patrons have the opportunity to participate. Books will also be available for purchase at the Library from the Friends of the Joplin Public Library, starting February 10.

For more information about Joplin Reads Together, visit joplinpubliclibrary.org/joplinreadstogether/ or contact Sarah Turner-Hill or Lori Crockett by phone at 417-623-7953 or email at sturnerhill@joplinpubliclibrary.org or lcrockett@joplinpubilclibrary.org.