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Hamilton Reads Finale with Vinh Nguyen
In-Branch Program
Wednesday, November 25
6:00pm - 7:30pm
West Harbour Branch
West Harbour- Library AreaA celebration of 2026 Hamilton Reads author Vinh Nguyen's book The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse.
Attend a live reading with Hamilton Reads author Vinh Nguyen, in conversation with Kim Echlin, about his book The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse. Winners of the 2026 Hamilton Reads Writing Contest will also read from their work.
Check out the HPL catalogue to borrow the book.
Stay up to date with HPL’s Author Series events and workshops. Subscribe to the Literary Lowdown eNewsletter.
Vinh Nguyen is a writer and educator whose work has appeared in Brick, Literary Hub, and The Malahat Review. He is a nonfiction editor at The New Quarterly and co-editor of several academic works on refugee and diasporic writing. His writing has been shortlisted for a National Magazine Award and received the John Charles Polanyi Prize in Literature.
Kim Echlin is a Canadian novelist, translator, editor and teacher. She served as Mabel Pugh Taylor Writer in Residence at the Hamilton Public Library and McMaster University where she enjoyed the extraordinary hospitality and talents of the Hamilton literary community. She has lived and travelled around the world for her research. Her novel, The Disappeared is translated into 20 languages, won the Barnes and Noble prize and was short-listed for The Giller. Speak, Silence, about women and justice at the International Criminal Court, won the City of Toronto Book award. Kim won the CBC Creative Nonfiction award and the Dalton Camp award for nonfiction. Her new collection of essays, Tell Others, reflects on literature and witness. She is a board member of PEN International. Author proceeds for this book will be donated to PEN.
West Harbour Branch
The temporary West Harbour Branch at Pier 8 (formerly the Canadian Marine Discovery Centre) officially opened Wednesday, July 29, 2026. This space will offer core Library services, programs and an Indigenous-focused collection of books and resources, an 'Intention of Water' art installation, and create opportunities to connect, learn and gather on the waterfront.
The long-term Discovery Centre Project Study is underway. Hamilton Public Library and the City of Hamilton's Indigenous Relations Division, in collaboration with consultant Lord Cultural Resources, are developing a Program Design and Development Study to guide the future of the site. The vision includes a new library branch, an Indigenous gathering space, a café and visitor amenities.
Community input will continue to shape this work through public outreach and updates. Study recommendations are expected to be presented to City Council in 2027.
Note that the patio is not available for use at this time. Please enjoy indoor seating by the windows facing the lakefront.
