Name: Why Stories Matter: A Conversation on Books, Censorship, and the Freedom to Read with Rebekah Cummings and Jennifer Nielsen
Start: 2026-10-02
End: 2026-10-02

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Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

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What happens when books become the center of public controversy- and what do we lose when stories are removed from shelves? Join bestselling author Jennifer Nielsen and librarian and freedom-to-read advocate Rebekah Cummings for a timely conversation about books, censorship, and intellectual freedom. Drawing on their experiences as an author and an advocate, Nielsen and Cummings will explore why stories matter, what the current wave of book challenges in Utah means for authors, libraries, schools, and young readers, and why the freedom to read remains essential. The evening will include plenty of time for conversation and audience questions.This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

Why Stories Matter: A Conversation on Books, Censorship, and the Freedom to Read with Rebekah Cummings and Jennifer Nielsen

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