Hope is something we all have inside us. It pushes us on when we need it most, and it is a vital part of human life. On April 23, the Lakewood Public Library hosted a “Meet the Author” event, and it felt reflective—the kind of quiet where people are thinking.
This event hosted Joy King, author of “Hope: Reignite Your Hope & Rewrite Your Story.” Throughout the event, she spoke about how hope is not just a feeling, but something that requires action and consistency. King highlighted why it is so important in our everyday life and how we can find it in ourselves when we need it most.
“Let’s be honest, hope isn’t always easy. One part of you wants to move forward and believe in yourself. Another part wants to stay stuck, blame others or remain where things feel familiar and safe,” King said.
It can be a struggle to find hope in yourself since it is a two-sided issue. On one side, hope means there is a possibility of change and happiness ahead, but on the other, it forces you to stray from what is known, and staying where you are is easier than taking the next step.
“This book is about turning toward the part of you that still believes. Hope is what allows you to face your fears, confront setbacks, and reimagine your future,” said King. “Yes, sometimes it can feel like hope works for everyone else but you. I get that. We’ve all had those moments, but here’s the truth. Hope hasn’t failed you. Sometimes we’re the ones who stop showing up for it, and that’s okay.”
The audience members held this message on a personal level. As the talk continued, it became clear that many people were not just listening passively, but quietly connecting the ideas to their own lives and experiences.
“I came in thinking this was going to be like every other author talk, where you hear a message about hope and then move on with your day,” said attendee Amy Overman. “But the way she explained it made me actually think about how often I give up on things in my mind before I even try. When she said hope is something you choose, not something you wait for, it kind of resonated with me in a different way.”
Events like this also show how ideas can feel different when moved from the page to a shared space. Hearing King speak about hope in person created a sense of connection that went beyond the book itself.
These events are so important for the local community. Meet the Author lets you learn about all kinds of books, from local history to self-help, and more.
“We’re always on the lookout for interesting books about local history,” said event organizer Lisa Calfee. “A lot of the time people approach us, and other times we reach out, but either way it’s great because we usually get a really strong local turnout.”
By the end of this meet-the-author event, hope felt more attainable. It felt like more than an abstract idea, and it could be found in everyone’s life if they were willing to do the work. In a crazy world where we all need a little hope, Joy King reminded us that we can find it within ourselves.
These meet-the-author events are open to anyone interested in attending them. They are a great way to meet local authors and find out new information that you had never known before. I hope you will go and see for yourself.
