Austin is diving into a book for the 15th time as the Austin Page Turners are getting ready to share about their latest and past reads.

The Austin Page Turners are ready to come together at Austin Public Library at 7 p.m. on April 28 for a discussion with Allen Eskens on his book, “The Life We Bury.”

But it’s not going to be a typical year for the group as it celebrates a milestone.

With it being the 15th year of Page Turners, members will share memories, some quotes from past authors and stories before Eskens talks.

The Austin Page Turners started simply. In 2002, Bonnie Rietz, now a Page Turners member, read about a citywide read in another community and the idea inspired her to go to one of the librarians to talk about bringing the idea to Austin.

“I thought, ‘We could do that,’” she said. “We could that in Austin and it would be really neat.”

Rietz said the readership has grown over the years, more and more readers have participated in the event.

Many Austin book clubs put the Page Turners book on their reading lists around March or April, and the library has seen many people checking out the more than 30 copies of “The Life We Bury.”

“It’s kind of become a nice part of the rhythm in our community, in our reading community,” Rietz said.

Looking back, Rietz has many fond memories from the Page Turners’ 15 years, but she said Tim O’Brien’s 2003 talk and Lorna Landvick in 2007 standout.

Though one of the most expensive authors, O’Brien was one of the most well known authors to visit, and he was born in Austin before moving to Worthington as a boy.

Rietz remembers him speaking to a rapt audience in a full auditorium at Austin High School, and remembers the children being enthralled by the stories he shared from his acclaimed book, “The Things They Carried.”

“You could’ve heard a pin drop,” she said.

Landvick was a highlight for Rietz because her presentation capitalized on her experience as a comedian and actress.

“Her presentation was so good, it was so funny, so entertaining,” Rietz said of the 2007 program, which gave readers the chance to pick any of Landvick’s novels.

The Page Turners are showing few signs of slowing down as Rietz said they’re already looking ahead to next year’s book selection.

“The Life We Bury” is available to check out at the Austin Public Library and is for sale at Philomathian Religious Books, 309 N. Main St. The book will also be for sale at the library the night of the Page Turners event, and Eskens will host a book signing after his talk.

But the April 28 event is just the culmination of several public events.

Riverland professor Rich Campbell will give a talk at the Riverland Community College Library at noon on April 18 on writing called “Mystery, Metaphor, and Meaning: Unearthing The Life We Bury.” Anyone is welcome to attend the free event, but people are asked to register in advance by contacting Jeannie Kearney at jeannie.kearney@riverland.edu of 507-433-0533.

At 6:30 p.m. on April 21, attorney John Beckmann will present a talk called “Executing the Innocent: Some footnotes to ‘The Life We Bury’” at the Riverland Community College Library focused on solving mysteries.

Both events are open to the public.

At 10:30 a.m. on April 28, Eskens will host a writing seminar with a lunch at the Austin ArtWorks Center. Anyone is welcome to attend the free event, but people are asked to register in advance by contacting Courtney Wyant at cwyant@selco.info or 507-433-2391.

The Austin Page Turners is supported through money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

To become a member of the Page Turners, contact Wyant.

Austin Page Turners 2016 schedule

 April 18, noon

Riverland Community College Library

“Mystery, Metaphor, and Meaning: Unearthing The Life We Bury” discussion led by Rich Campbell

Call or email Jeannie Kearney to register for the lecture and lunch at jeannie.kearney@riverland.edu of 507-433-0533. No cost but people must register in advance.

 April 21, 6:30 p.m.

Riverland Community College Library

“Executing the Innocent: Some footnotes to ‘The Life We Bury’” led by John Beckmann.

Free and open to the public

 April 28, 10 a.m.

Austin ArtWorks Center

Coffee Writers’ Workshop, 10:30 a.m.

Free and open to the public but people must register in advance by contacting librarian Courtney Wyant at cwyant@selco.info or 507-433-2391.

 Reception, 6:30 p.m. 

at Austin Public Library

Free and open to the public.

Main Page Turners presentation by Allen Eskens, 7 p.m. in the main portion of Austin Public Library. The event is free and open to the public and will feature a presentation, questions, discussion and a book signing.