Event and Book

The National Writers Series is thrilled to welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner to the City Opera House stage. 

Weiner is known for her moving, humorous, and always emotionally gripping novels about friendship, love and family bonds—especially those between sisters. Two of her most beloved and bestselling novels, Mrs. Everything and In Her Shoes, delve into sisterhood like none other.  And now with The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits she may have written her best yet.  

It’s the story of two sisters, close in age, and to each other, but seemingly worlds apart: Zoe—charming, beautiful, hungry for fame; Cassie—a musical prodigy whose insecurities have driven her to retreat inward. On the brink of adulthood, destiny intervenes, catapulting the sisters into the spotlight for a brief shining and indelible moment during the Golden age of pop music in the early 2000s. Then just as quickly as they skyrocketed to fame, The Griffin Sisters disappeared. 

Fast forward to 2024 and the sisters—once inseparable—haven’t spoken in 20 years. But when Zoe’s teenage daughter decides to follow the path to pop stardom, it sets in motion a journey that may reunite the sisters once more—if the secrets from the past don’t break their bond forever. It’s a beautiful and heartbreaking story that examines the cost of fame and celebrates the power of love, forgiveness, and family.

At the core of the book is a powerful and moving story about sisterhood, and the relationship between mothers & daughters: the identities we forge and carry from childhood, the competitiveness, the bonds that get tested, the hurt we inflict on each other and the tremendous love and loyalty that can overcome all odds. All this is layered with Jen’s deep knowledge and passion for the intersection of pop culture and feminism, as seen in her NYT op-eds. In The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, Wiener sets the stage for a story that’s partially set in the early aughts and features just the right amount of nostalgia, while casting fresh eyes on the experience of being a young woman and the price of fame during the seemingly Golden age of pop music.

EVENT DETAILS

NWS has virtual and in-person ticket options for all of its events. You can see Jennifer Weiner in-person at the City Opera House, 106 E. Front Street, Traverse City, Michigan, or buy livestream tickets and watch from anywhere in the world. For in-person ticket holders, the City Opera House doors open at 6 p.m. with live music. The event begins at 7 p.m. and includes a Q&A. Jennifer Weiner will personalize books after the event. For virtual ticket holders, the livestream opens at 6:50 p.m. and the event starts at 7 p.m.

Each ticket comes with a HARDCOVER copy of The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits. The book is discounted 20 percent from its original cost of $30.

Student tickets do not come with a book. City Opera House and virtual ticket fees will be added to ticket prices below. Signed books are only available at the event. Please note that the book publishes on April 8, 2025.

TICKET INFORMATION:

TIER TWO ticket is $17 plus book:
$42.50

TIER ONE ticket is $27 plus book:
$52.50

VIRTUAL TICKETS are $15 plus a book (ticket fees not included):
$40.50

STUDENT TICKETS: (Books are not included)
$10

Why do I have to buy a book with my tickets?
NWS will often include a book with every ticket (or two tickets). We sometimes bundle a book with a ticket to lure a high-profile author to our fine small town. This is now a common practice with authors on book tours—their publishers require the bundle, not only to introduce the author to his or her readers, but also to sell books. Please note, all books are 20 percent off.

What if I already purchased the book?
If you already have the book, the book with your ticket makes a great gift for friends and family. Or, you can donate your book by contacting our office manager at [email protected]. 

Is this event kid friendly?
Most of our events are not appropriate for children.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jennifer Weiner’s books have spent over five years on the New York Times bestseller list with over 11 million copies in print in 36 countries. Jennifer has appeared on many national television programs, including The Today Show and Good Morning America, as well as #RichkidsofBeverlyHills and, as herself, on Younger. Her essays, including “Mean Girls in the Retirement Home” and “First, I Cried; Then, I Rode My Bike,” have topped the list of trending online articles in The New York Times and been reprinted in newspapers and media outlets across the world.