A free Big Idea Talks with author Alexis Smith will be from 7-8 p.m. on March 23 at Walla Walla Public Library, 238 E. Alder St. Smith will discuss her novel “Marrow Island.”

A dessert reception with the author will be held at 6:30 p.m.  

The novel was shortlisted for the Pacific Northwest Book Award and was a June 2016 Indie Next Pick. Her book “Glaciers” was a finalist for the Ken Kesey Award for Fiction. She received a fellowship from the Oregon Arts Commission.

“Marrow Island” is a gripping tale of how a secretive community has mysteriously rescued a young woman’s hometown from a natural and chemical disaster — as well as taken a hold of one of her oldest friends.