Readings and Conversation with 2026 Oregon Book Awards Finalists at Newport Public Library on May 8Literary Arts, in partnership with the Newport Public Library, presents a reading and conversation with three 2026 Oregon Book Awards finalists, as part of the Oregon Book Awards author tour on Friday, May 8th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the McEntee Meeting Room of the Newport Public Library, located at 35 NW Nye St. in Newport.The tour showcases acclaimed finalists in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction and the Newport program features:Jennifer Perrine – Winner of the 2026 Oregon Book Award Stafford/Hall Prize in Poetry for Beautiful Outlaw (Kelsey Street Press). Perrine is the author of five award-winning books of poetry: Beautiful Outlaw, Again, The Body Is No Machine, In the Human Zoo, and No Confession, No Mass. Perrine is a two-time winner of Arts and Culture Diversity and Inclusion Awards from the Asian American Journalists Association.M.L. Herring - Finalist in general nonfiction for Born of Fire and Rain:Journey into a Pacific Coastal Forest (Yale University Press). Herring is associate professor emerita of science communication at Oregon State University, where she continues to lead workshops to inspire people to experience the world through observation, art, and ecology.Jamie Mustard - Finalist in general nonfiction for Child X: A Memoir of Slavery, Poverty, Celebrity, and Scientology (BenBella Books). Mustard is a conceptual artist, artistic director, culturist, and writer, including his work on perception in the physical world relating to art, imagery, and ideas. In 2025, his first graphic novel, HYBRED, will be released—a world written, conceived, and art directed by Jamie. This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Newport Public Library at 541-265-2153.