F216
- #Appearance or Signing
- #Arts
- #Literary Arts
Join Anderson’s Bookshop for an author event with Brad Ryan, to celebrate the release of Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time, on Wednesday, June 24th at 7:00 pm in our Naperville store.
After Brad speaks and takes audience Q&A, Grandma Joy will join him for the signing/photo line portion of the event.
Event Format
We will begin checking you in approximately 30 minutes before the start time. After a presentation and Q&A with Brad, the line will form in numbered order with the following guidelines:
Posed photo with your camera taken by our staff
There is a limit of 2 books from home to be signed (unless otherwise stated)
There is a limit of 1 personalization (unless otherwise stated)
All events have open seating. The “Order Line Number” on your pdf ticket is your reserved place in the signing line. You will line up to meet Brad and Grandma Joy based on that number.
If you cannot attend, you must pick up your book (if included with ticket) at the hosting store within 30 days of the event. We can ship that book to you for an additional charge of $9.99; please call the store to arrange that.
Pre-registration is required for this event because space is limited.
More about Grandma Joy and Me:
A heartrending, transformative true story following Brad Ryan and his grandmother Joy Ryan as they embark on a seven-year journey to visit every US National Park.
Raised in Appalachia, Grandma Joy lived a life shaped by constraints and hardships, while Brad grappled with the weight of family rifts and unresolved pain. Together, they embarked on a quest not only to witness the majesty of America’s wild landscapes but also to heal generations of struggles and misunderstandings. Over seven years, they sought to visit all sixty-three US National Parks. From the towering peaks of Denali to the otherworldly beauty of the Everglades, each park became a classroom, teaching them profound lessons about nature, resilience, and each other.
Grandma Joy and Me follows a seven-year adventure of intergenerational healing, wherein a grandmother and grandson find themselves released from the injustices—real and imagined—that had long held them hostage. An emotionally charged exploration of love, forgiveness, and resilience, this unique bond between a young man and his ninety-three-year-old grandmother—the oldest person to visit every US National Park—is more than just any travel tale; it is a testament to what makes us deeply human.
About the Author:
Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, social media influencer, and writer from southeastern Ohio. He earned his BA from Miami University in Ohio, an MSc in mammalian biology from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and a DVM/MPH combined degree from The Ohio State University, specializing in wildlife medicine and veterinary public health. For Brad, storytelling is a vehicle for healing—rooted in empathy, inspired by nature, and driven by a desire to help others feel seen and connected. As a keynote speaker, he champions LGBTQ+ inclusion in the outdoors, eliminating stigma around mental health, and the protection of wildlife and public lands. Follow him on Instagram @GrandmaJoysRoadTrip and @DoctorBradRyan.
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Please read these Event Policies carefully:
Anderson’s Bookshop reserves the right to change the format of this event at any time in coordination with the author and publisher. Anderson’s Bookshop assumes no responsibility or liability for any personal injury or other loss you may incur as a result of your decision to attend an event, including the transmission of Covid-19 or related illnesses.
Failure to treat all participants and staff with courtesy and respect may result in your expulsion from the event.
Accessibility:
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, after purchasing your ticket(s), please contact us at andersons@andersonsbookshop.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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