Authors Tara Downing, left, and Kelly Dolejsi during their reading event Friday at Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse. The selections by the authors grabbed the emotions of the large group of listeners with some light chuckles and teary eyes. Books by both authors are available for purchase at Samizdat. If you haven’t been there to browse, you will be delighted with all the new books and more being offered by owner Jill Lang. For more information about the authors, see https://losalamosreporter.com/2026/02/28/142372/ Samizat is located at 174 Central Park Square in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from the well-attended authors’ reading event Friday evening at Samizdat. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Tara Downing, left, reads from an enchanting story about a small bird that fascinated listeners Friday evening at Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

Scene from Samizdat Bookstore’s Friday event as the audience listens to local authors Tara Downing and Kelly Dolejsi. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com