Grandma Joy and Me Featuring Author Brad Ryan & Grandma Joy

Copies of the book will be available for purchase on-site through Overbooked.

To purchase in advance please visit: https://bookshop.org/a/120608/9781668099261

Join author Brad Ryan for an unforgettable evening about family, forgiveness, resilience, and the cross-country adventure that brought him and his grandmother back to each other.

When Brad invited his 85-year-old grandmother, Joy, on a trip to see her first mountain, he hoped the experience might help repair a relationship that had been strained for nearly a decade. That tentative first journey grew into a seven-year adventure to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. Along the way, the two encountered breathtaking landscapes, confronted long-held family wounds, and discovered new ways of understanding one another.

In his book, Grandma Joy and Me: A Journey of Healing, One National Park at a Time, Brad shares the true story of their travels and the lessons they learned about nature, aging, family, and the possibility of personal transformation at any stage of life. More than a travel story, the book is a moving reflection on what can happen when people choose to reconnect and begin again.

An audience Q&A moderated by Mayor Josh Boschee will follow the presentation. This in-person evening offers a chance to reflect on the relationships that shape us and the journeys, both physical and emotional, that can lead us back to one another.

About Brad Ryan

Brad Ryan is a veterinarian, wildlife conservationist, writer, speaker, and social media creator from southeastern Ohio. He holds degrees in biology, wildlife medicine, and veterinary public health. Through his writing and public speaking, he explores storytelling as a source of healing and connection, drawing inspiration from nature and his experiences traveling with Grandma Joy. He also advocates for mental health, inclusion in the outdoors, wildlife conservation, and the protection of public lands.

About Mayor Josh Boschee

Josh Boschee became Mayor of Fargo in July 2026 after more than a decade in the North Dakota Legislature. He served 12 years in the North Dakota House of Representatives, including three sessions as House Democratic-NPL Leader, before being elected to the North Dakota Senate in 2024.

This event is presented in partnership with the Fargo Public Library and Overbooked.