10th annual Vernon County Reads begins June 1

May 18, 2026

Vernon County public libraries are pleased to announce Wisconsin author Susan Apps-Bodilly, will be the featured author for the 10th annual Vernon County Reads adult reading program. Vernon County Reads begins on Monday, June 1 at all participating libraries. The event will conclude on Thursday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westby Area Performing Arts Center, located at 206 West Avenue South, in Westby, WI. At the August event Susan will speak about her well-crafted books and the time spent working alongside her father Jerry Apps.

Susan R. Apps-Bodilly is a retired educator who taught in elementary and middle schools. She has a degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a master’s degree from UW-Madison.

She is the author of One Room Schools, Stories from the Days of 1 Room, 1 Teacher, 8 Grades and Seeds in Soil: Planting a Garden and Finding Your Roots, as well as the co-author of two books with Jerry Apps: Old Farm County Cookbook and Timber. A Northwoods Story of Lumber, Logging, and the Land (all published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press).

She appeared in a PBS Wisconsin television show: Jerry Apps, Food and Memories, that featured the cookbook.

This year, Vernon County Reads will highlight four books penned by the author. Participating libraries will have extra copies of One Room Schools, Seeds in Soil: Planting a Garden and Finding Your Roots, Old Farm County Cookbook and Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumber, Logging, and the Land.

This free event is made possible by the following libraries participating in Vernon County Reads—including Lawton Memorial Library, Bekkum Memorial Library, McIntosh Memorial Library, Ontario Public Library, Hillsboro Public Library, and Knutson Memorial Library—in collaboration with the Driftless Writing Center.

Readers are encouraged to check out Susan Apps-Bodilly’s work at their local libraries and come prepared for an evening of laughs, intrigue, and literary connection. Books will be available for purchase, and a signing will follow the presentation on August 13, 2026. For more information visit www.mcintoshmemoriallibrary.org, like the “Viroqua Library” page on Facebook or call 608-637-7151.