The event will give readers a chance to converse with the author and connect with their local community.
November 18 marks MahtoREADi’s 23rd annual “One Community, One Read” event. Created for the White Bear Lake area, it is one of the longest-standing community read opportunities within the country. The event hosts a Minnesota author to discuss their written works, and this year’s pick is award-winning Duluth author Leif Enger and his novel, I Cheerfully Refuse.
Set in a near-future America, the novel follows Rainy, a grieving musician who sails across a sentient Lake Superior in search of his lost bookseller wife. Navigating eerie storms, a crumbling society and rising corpses, Rainy finds unexpected allies—including a young girl—and grows from a solitary seeker into an unintentional rebel.
Holly Johnson, a volunteer member of the MahtoREADi committee, shares more event details.
How did the MahtoREADi event start back in 2003?
In 2003, MahtoREADi was established with the goal of promoting literacy, community, intergenerational connections and encouraging exposure to diverse cultures. Since then, Washington County Library, Mahtomedi Community Education and community volunteers have partnered together to present the reading for Mahtomedi and the White Bear Lake community.
What are the main criteria the committee uses when selecting a book each year?
The committee gathers books from sources like Minnesota Book Awards nominees to nominations from the committee. Committee members read and share notes on potential books of interest before aligning on a short-list of books that are likely to engage the audience in meaningful discussion. The committee then reaches out to the selected book’s author to invite them to speak at the fall event. The committee also tries to offer a good variety of book topics relative to previous authors and selections.
What made I Cheerfully Refuse stand out this year?
I Cheerfully Refuse, a New York Times bestselling book by Leif Enger, has received several honors, including being named a 2025-26 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Selection. Multiple committee members read it and gave the novel high marks as a timely and interesting read for our community.
Author Leif Enger. Photo: Robin Enger
Does the book touch on any themes relevant to Minnesota or the White Bear Lake community?
Lake Superior figures prominently in the story as almost its own character. Our local communities have the fortune to live near bodies of water like Bald Eagle and White Bear Lake, so we share a natural, innate connection to water, its moods, its mysteries, its ever-changing weather and its timeless presence in the ebbs and flows of life.
How does the committee define success for each year’s read?
Beyond the annual event itself, we hope these evenings inspire both long-term and new readers to share their love of books with others. We hope to keep our greater White Bear Lake community connected and curious while broadening our insights into the world through the stories of talented Minnesota authors.
Where can community members get a copy of the book locally?
You can buy I Cheerfully Refuse at Lake Country Booksellers’ bookstore. They will also sell a limited number of copies of the book at the event. Also, there are copies at your local Washington County or Ramsey County library. The Libby app is another great free resource that taps into [Metropolitan Library Service Agency’s] offering of audiobooks.
Is registration required for the event?
Registration is not required, but free and handled through Mahtomedi Community Education. You can register online at mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com. The event is held at Mahtomedi High School’s Chautauqua Fine Arts Center at 8000 75th St. N., Mahtomedi with free parking. There is no requirement to complete the book before the event but [doing so] will give readers a chance to develop questions.
What is the schedule for the evening of November 18?
The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:
- 6:30–7 p.m. Book signings by the author.
- 7–8 p.m. Author discussion with Leif Enger.
- 8–8:30 p.m. Question and answer with the author and audience.
MahtoREADi
651.407.2018
Facebook: Mahtomedi Community Education
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