The Power of Food, Memory, and the Joy of Being Present

“Bite by Bite is a beautiful, meditative book, one that allows us to examine family and legacy through an original lens as well as encouraging us to question what we know about the foods we love.” - Roxane Gay, The Audacious Book Club

----

Perhaps better than anything else, food has the unique power to transport us back in time and evoke memories, a feeling, or a moment of our lives. In Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances—a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia. It is an illustrated, lyrical memoir told in short essays that reminds us all to slow down and reflect on food's universal power to shape who we are, how we connect with others, and the joy of being present.

Born to a Filipino mother and Malayali Indian father, Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of five books of poetry, Bite by Bite is her second essay collection, which was named a Barnes and Noble Best Book of 2024. Aimee is known for her dynamic and joy-filled teaching. For a decade, she served as the poetry editor for Orion and Sierra magazines. A professor of English and Creative Writing for over twenty-five years, she also serves as a firefly guide for Mississippi State Parks.

Join us at the City Club, and in partnership with the 2026 Cuyahoga County NEA Big Read, as author and poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil discusses how food marks our experiences and identities and explores the boundaries between heritage and memory.

-----

This program is part of “BITE INTO BOOKS,” the 2026 Cuyahoga County NEA Big Read led by Heights Libraries in collaboration with Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, East Cleveland Public Library, Euclid Public Library, Rocky River Public Library, Shaker Library, Westlake Porter Public Library, and various community partners. Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Dig in at cuyahogareads.org.

----

Online ticket sales for this forum will conclude on Tuesday, April 28th. For more information regarding ticketing/registration, contact Stacy Rogers at (216) 621-0082.

----

The livestream will be available beginning at 12:00pm. Have questions? Send a text to 330.541.5794.