National Museum of the Great Lakes Kicks Off 2025 Virtual Book Club with Live Author Discussion

January 8, 2025 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes announces the next installment of its Great Lakes Book Club, a free virtual discussion diving into stories and fresh perspectives from the Great Lakes region. The first meeting is Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 12 pm to discuss Trouble Island by Sharon Short. Exciting bonus—the author will join us live via Zoom to answer participants’ questions. This engaging virtual lunchtime book club is open to all, with free registration available online at nmgl.org/events.

“We are thrilled to host Sharon Short and explore her suspenseful tale, which captures both the history and intrigue of the Great Lakes during the Prohibition era,” said Ellen Kennedy, Director of Museum Operations. “The Great Lakes Book Club is an excellent opportunity to dive deeper into literature that celebrates the richness of our region.”

Trouble Island is an enthralling historical suspense novel set in the winter of 1932 on a remote island in Lake Erie. Inspired by a real-life location and true events from the author’s family history, the story weaves together a gripping locked-room mystery with a richly evocative portrait of life on the Great Lakes during a tumultuous time in American history. As participants explore the fascinating world of bootlegging, betrayal, and survival, they will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Short about her inspiration and writing process during our event! 

To sign up for the event, visit nmgl.org/events. After registering, participants will receive an email with Zoom access details.

For those wishing to purchase Trouble Island, copies are available in the Museum Store and online at nmglstore.org. Proceeds support the museum’s programming and mission.

Future reads include The Raging Erie by Mark S. Ferrara (March) and The Salmon Capital of Michigan: The Rise and Fall of a Great Lakes Fishery by Carson Prichard (April).