Orem Reads

Orem Reads is Orem Public Library’s community-wide reading event. It began in February of 2007.  The National Endowment for the Arts had just finished extensive research in how readers impact their lives and communities for the better.  Their research showed that “reading for pleasure reduces stress, heightens empathy, improves students’ test scores, slows the onset of dementia, and makes us more active and aware citizens. Book clubs and community reading programs extend these benefits by creating opportunities to explore together the issues that are relevant to our lives.”

They created a program called “The Big Read” to help communities promote reading among teens and adults by hosting a community-wide reading event.

Seed money ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 was made available through a national competitive grant process. Orem Library applied and was awarded three years in a row for our 2007, 2008, and 2009 programs. Now that our community reading program has successfully launched, we have continued the program on our own. In 2009, the library received an award from the Utah Humanities Council for excellence in programming.

As we look back, we remember many fun programs and enlightening discussions with some terrific authors and presenters. Please join us this year as we celebrate the Romance genre.

We are excited to announce that we will have several bestselling authors visit us throughout our exploration of the romance genre. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet these authors and get to know their books.

Free copies of select romance novels can be picked up at any Orem Reads program. Books have been selected from a variety of romance genres, including fantasy, historical fiction, Regency romance, young adult, contemporary, and paranormal suspense. Click here to find out what romance novel you should read.

One copy per household.

September 24 | 10 AM–6 PM | Library Hall

Get ready for Orem Reads: Romance Edition! Our kickoff event will be an exciting all-day event featuring romance authors, panels, workshops, games, and more. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Ashton Auditorium | 10 AM 

Ilona Andrews is the pen name of a romantic fantasy duo with over two dozen books published to date. They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial.

This will be a virtual author visit.

Sorenson Legacy Room | 10 AM

A behind-the-scenes look at writing a collaborative series with authors Jules Barker, Trish LeBaron, Tiffany Chandler, Shelly Jasperson, Michelle Reid, and Charity West.

Ashton Auditorium | 11 AM 

Featuring Kortney Keisel, Brittney Mills, and Michelle Reid, this panel will explore the exciting terrain of young adult romance.

Sorenson Legacy Room | 11 AM 

The Psychology of Love panel features therapist Kristin Hodson to teach us about the psychology of lovers! Come get inside the minds of lovebirds.

Sorenson Legacy Room | 12 PM 

Singer/songwriter Mel Soul and rapper Zac Ivie will break down the basics of writing a great love song. Come ready to blush, write, and swoon.

Ashton Auditorium | 12 PM

If all you’ve ever wanted is for someone to love you like you’re in Victorian England or the wild, wild west, this historical romance session is for you. Travel back in time with Katie Condie and Josi Kilpack for deep dives into the research and world-building of historical romances.

Ashton Auditorium | 1 PM 

Sometimes modest is hottest! Aspen Hadley, Nellie K. Neves, and Lorin Grace will discuss their clean sweet romances.

Sorenson Legacy Room | 1 PM

Escritores de Artes de México en Utah van a compartir sus poemas de amor favoritos. Writers from Artes de México en Utah will share their favorite love poems.

Ashton Auditorium | 2 PM

Is it love if you don’t laugh at their jokes? Come ready to guffaw, chortle, and chuckle with Kortney Keisel, Brittney Mills, and Nellie Neves, some of the funniest romantic comedy authors in the game.

Sorenson Legacy Room | 3 PM

Wanna write romances and be your own boss? Link up with our panel of independent authors: Jill Burrell, Angela E. Powell, and Arya Matthews.

Ashton Auditorium | 4 PM 

If you didn’t write them a crown of sonnets, did you even really love them? Share your love poetry for a chance to win $100. For rules and to sign up, email Willy at palomo@utahhumanities.org

Ashton Auditorium | 5 PM 

With over 30 novels under her belt, Josi Kilpack is a master of romance and fiction. Her keynote might even teach you a little something about love.

Saturday, September 24 | 10 AM | Ashton Auditorium 

Ilona Andrews is the pen name of a romantic fantasy duo with over two dozen books published to date. They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 New York Times the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, the rustic fantasy of the Edge, the paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and the Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial.

This will be a virtual author visit.

Saturday, September 24 | 5 PM | Ashton Auditorium 

Josi Kilpack is the award-winning author of over 30 novels, including a culinary mystery series, historical romance, and women’s fiction. Her latest novel, The Valet’s Secret, is a Regency romance which becomes a Cinderella story when an ordinary working woman kisses a handsome valet only to learn he is the heir to the earldom. Don’t miss her presentation as the keynote speaker of Romance Con, the all-day-long kickoff event to this year’s Orem Reads.

Tuesday, October 4 | 7 PM | Ashton Auditorium

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of witty and charming historical romances, including 2020’s Foreword Reviews INDIE Awards Gold Winner for Romance, Forget Me Not, and 2020 Holt Medallion finalist, Healing Hearts. Join us for a reading of Sarah’s work, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Tuesday, October 18 | 7 PM | Ashton Auditorium

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling co-author duo writes both young adult and adult fiction, and together has produced 18 New York Times bestselling novels. Join us for a discussion of their work, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Monday, September 26 | 6:30 PM | Ashton Auditorium

The Princess Bride (PG, 1987) is 35 years old! Inconceivable! Join us for a celebratory screening of the classic romance film you can recite by heart.

Tuesday, September 27 | 7 PM | Ashton Auditorium

Local comedians Adam Broud, Dennis High, Jessica Rynn, and Cheyenne Jackson will explore the lighter side of romance with this all-ages stand-up comedy show.

Thursday, September 29 | 7 PM | Ashton Auditorium

The collaborative touring ensemble Grassroots Shakespeare presents a fun, quick-paced, and very accessible abridgement of the classic tragedy performed by four actors and one musician in under an hour.