We’re thrilled that Ayana Gray will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives in support of The Friends and libraries. In preparation for the big event, we asked Ayana a few questions to help fans get to know her better. This is an #opusexclusive.
Tell us something people might not know about you.
A thing most people don’t know about me (unless we’re sharing a meal) is that I’m a lifelong vegetarian. Neither of my parents are vegetarians, and neither of them encouraged me to be one as a kid, I was just very influenced by E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. (The opening line of that book is: “Where’s Papa going with that ax?”).
What is one thing about your book you are proud of and why?
My most recently published book, I, Medusa, reimagines the iconic Medusa from Greek mythology as a young Black woman caught between the whims of rivaling gods. I’m proud of the way I got to talk about predatory behavior, sexual violence, and the nuances of consent within the pages of that story. These are topics that are layered and that pop culture often gets wrong. Hearing from survivors who read the book and felt validated by the story has meant the world to me.
Tell us what you love about libraries.
I love libraries because they’ve always felt like home. In part, that’s because I am the granddaughter of two librarians who introduced libraries and books to me at a young age. I think though, it’s also because I was a kid who moved around a lot between the ages of 9 and 14. Whether I was living in Florida, or Georgia, or Arkansas, the library always brought me a sense of calm when the world felt turbulent.
Meet Ayana and the rest of our bestselling lineup on October 11 at the RiverCentre in downtown Saint Paul!
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