LA GRANDE, ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap and the Cook Memorial Library will present two in-person events with Oregon author Molly Gloss as finale events for this year’s Fishtrap Reads, which featured Gloss’ book “The Jump-Off Creek.”

Gloss will present at the Cook Memorial Library, 2006 Fourth St. in La Grande, on Tuesday, March 21, 3 p.m.

On Wednesday, March 22, Gloss will give a keynote address at Fishtrap, 107 W. Main St. in Enterprise, starting at 7 p.m.

Both events are open to the public, offer a book signing and give readers an opportunity to visit with Gloss. Those not able to attend the keynote address in person can view it online at fishtrap.org.

The award-winning novel “The Jump-Off Creek” takes place in Eastern Oregon.

“I’m always looking for reasons to come over the mountains to Eastern Oregon, a landscape I love and the setting for so much of my writing” said Gloss, who lives in Portland. “I couldn’t be happier that Fishtrap Reads will be bringing me back to my favorite part of Oregon and the place where The Jump-Off Creek was first conceived.”

“We’re excited and grateful to be a part of the Fishtrap Reads program and thrilled to have author Molly Gloss come to Cook Memorial Library,” said Carrie Bushman, Cook Memorial Library director. “We hope everyone in Union County can attend this event and read ‘The Jump-Off Creek.’ “

Gloss is the author of several novels, including “The Dazzle of Day,” “Wild Life,” “The Hearts of Horses” and “Falling From Horses,” as well as the story collection “Unforeseen.”

She writes both realistic fiction and science fiction, and her work has received, among other honors, a PEN West Fiction Prize, an Oregon Book Award, two Pacific Northwest Booksellers Awards, the James Tiptree Jr. Award and a Whiting Writers Award.

Fishtrap has also partnered with the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City to provide weekly online video presentations exploring the life of an Oregon homesteader and to inspire discussion of the novel’s setting and characters. Video presentations include a look into a day in the life of a woman on her homestead, a tour of a fur trapper’s cabin and an exploration of a woman’s role in the pioneer west. These special presentations are suited for all ages and available to view at fishtrap.org.

About the program

Fishtrap has presented a Fishtrap Reads or NEA Big Read every winter since 2006 as a way to bring a great work of literature to the local communities by providing public events, discussions and free books to Wallowa County and Union County schools, libraries and the general public.

Fishtrap has partnered with many organizations to bring the Fishtrap Reads to Northeast Oregon communities, including Art Center East, Cook Memorial Library, Eastern Oregon University Library, and the schools and libraries in Wallowa and Union counties. The program is supported with grants from the The Oregon Arts Commission and Pacific Power and locally by community sponsors, Community Bank and The Bookloft.

All programs for this year’s Fishtrap Reads, featuring “The Jump-Off Creek” by Molly Gloss, can be viewed at fishtrap.org.