Join your Pine Island neighbors in reading our 15th annual One Town One Title selection:
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
Two sisters, one farm. A family is split when their father leaves their shared inheritance entirely to Helen, his younger daughter. Despite baking award-winning pies at the local nursing home, her older sister, Edith, struggles to make what most people would call a living. So she can’t help wondering what her life would have been like with even a portion of the farm money her sister kept for herself.
With the proceeds from the farm, Helen builds one of the most successful light breweries in the country, and makes their company motto ubiquitous: “Drink lots. It’s Blotz.” Where Edith has a heart as big as Minnesota, Helen’s is as rigid as a steel keg. Yet one day, Helen will find she needs some help herself, and she could find a potential savior close to home. . . if it’s not too late.
Meanwhile, Edith’s granddaughter, Diana, grows up knowing that the real world requires a tougher constitution than her grandmother possesses. She earns a shot at learning the IPA business from the ground up–will that change their fortunes forever, and perhaps reunite her splintered family?
Here we meet a cast of lovable, funny, quintessentially American characters eager to make their mark in a world that’s often stacked against them. In this deeply affecting family saga, resolution can take generations, but when it finally comes, we’re surprised, moved, and delighted.
One Town, One Title Events
Book Distribution Begins
January 29 Van Horn Public Library, Pine Island City Hall, and South x SouthEast Brewing Company. Get your free copy while supplies last!
Minnesota from the Road
Friday, February 4 @ 6:30pm
Pine Island City Hall – Upstairs
Author and photographer Doug Ohman will take you on a grand tour of Minnesota’s most beautiful landscapes, buildings and historic sites.
This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
About the presenter: Doug Ohman is a popular speaker, storyteller, and photographer with strong roots in Minnesota. His popular Minnesota Byways series of six books contain images of Minnesota’s natural beauty and its rich history. Doug tells the stories behind the pictures with humor and insight and makes the photos come to life for his audiences. He also tells his own story of how he took his passion for history and love of photography and combined them into a successful career.
Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting
Tuesday, February 22 @ 6:30pm
South x SouthEast Brewing Company
Registration required! Contact the library (stop in, email pipl@selco.info or call 507-356-8558) to register.
Pine Island’s own brewery has agreed to host a tour and tasting for this year’s 1T1T programming! If you’ve ever wanted to see how beer is brewed, here’s your chance. Tessa Leung, brewer and owner, will be on hand to show us around and answer questions. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample SxSE beer, so attendees must be over 21.
J. Ryan Stradal Author Talk
Tuesday, March 1 @ 7:00pm
Pine Island City Hall – Upstairs
Author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota, J. Ryan Stradal will join us via Zoom to talk about what inspired the book, read a short excerpt, and take questions from the audience.
Book Discussion
Wednesday, March 9 @ 6:30pm
Pine Island City Hall – Upstairs
Join us to discuss the themes, plot and characters of The Lager Queen of Minnesota. We will be using discussion questions found at Reading Group Guides. All are welcome!
