• On Aug. 13, Bridge Michigan hosts its latest Culture Club event, discussing the novel ‘I Cheerfully Refuse’
• Author Leif Enger will join the discussion
• Participation is free but requires registration

Bridge Culture Club returns from noon to 1 p.m.  Aug. 13 to discuss “I Cheerfully Refuse,” a novel by author Leif Enger that follows a musician’s journey through a transformed America where hope and human connection become acts of resistance.

“I Cheerfully Refuse” tells the story of a man who finds himself on an unexpected journey after tragedy strikes. As he travels through a country facing upheaval and uncertainty, he encounters strangers who restore his faith in humanity through small acts of kindness and the enduring power of music and storytelling.

From the bestselling author of “Peace Like a River,” this story explores what we’re willing to risk for the things that make life worth living — and how human kindness and creativity refuse to be silenced, no matter the circumstances.

Please bring your lunch and join Bridge Culture Club on Zoom to discuss the book.

You’ll have an opportunity to submit questions for Enger during the event, which will be moderated by Bridge Michigan fund development specialist Jackie Garrett.To receive an invitation and link to this virtual discussion, please complete the event registration form on Eventbrite.

How to read the book 

For Bridge Club members: We will provide access to the book as a membership benefit when you complete the request form that was emailed to you on July 22. 

RELATED STORIES: 

• Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of ‘Shadows Beyond the Pines’ with author Donna Cross Toran
• Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of ‘Enough to Lose’ with author RS Deeren
• Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of ‘Know the Mother’ with author Desiree Cooper

If you’re not already a member: Join today for as little as $1 and support our nonprofit newsroom.

We look forward to discussing the novel with you on Aug. 13.

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Bridge Culture Club returns to discuss ‘I Cheerfully Refuse’ book

by Jackquelyn Garrett, Bridge Michigan
August 5, 2025

<h1>Bridge Culture Club returns to discuss ‘I Cheerfully Refuse’ book</h1> <p class="byline">by Jackquelyn Garrett, Bridge Michigan <br />August 5, 2025</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>On Aug. 13, Bridge Michigan hosts its latest Culture Club event, discussing the novel ‘I Cheerfully Refuse’</strong></li> <li><strong>Author Leif Enger will join the discussion</strong></li> <li><strong>Participation is free but requires registration</strong></li> </ul> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <p>Bridge Culture Club returns from noon to 1 p.m.&nbsp; Aug. 13 to discuss "I Cheerfully Refuse,” a novel by author Leif Enger that follows a musician's journey through a transformed America where hope and human connection become acts of resistance.</p> <p>"I Cheerfully Refuse" tells the story of a man who finds himself on an unexpected journey after tragedy strikes. As he travels through a country facing upheaval and uncertainty, he encounters strangers who restore his faith in humanity through small acts of kindness and the enduring power of music and storytelling.</p> <p>From the bestselling author of "<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227571.Peace_Like_a_River">Peace Like a River</a>," this story explores what we're willing to risk for the things that make life worth living — and how human kindness and creativity refuse to be silenced, no matter the circumstances.</p> <p>Please bring your lunch and join Bridge Culture Club on Zoom to discuss the book.</p> <p>You'll have an opportunity to submit questions for Enger during the event, which will be moderated by Bridge Michigan fund development specialist Jackie Garrett.<strong>To receive an invitation and link to this virtual discussion, </strong><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bridge-culture-club-i-cheerfully-refuse-tickets-1512886938559?aff=oddtdtcreator"><strong>please complete the event registration form on Eventbrite.</strong></a></p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How to read the book</strong>&nbsp;</h2> <p>For Bridge Club members: We will provide access to the book as a membership benefit when you complete the request form that was emailed to you on July 22.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>RELATED STORIES:&nbsp;</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/events/watch-bridge-culture-club-talk-shadows-beyond-pines"><strong>Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of 'Shadows Beyond the Pines' with author Donna Cross Toran</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/events/watch-bridge-culture-club-discussion-enough-lose-author-rs-deeren"><strong>Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of 'Enough to Lose' with author RS Deeren</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/events/watch-bridge-culture-club-discussion-know-mother-author-desiree-cooper"><strong>Watch Bridge Culture Club discussion of ‘Know the Mother’ with author Desiree Cooper</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>If you're not already a member: Join today for as little as $1 and support our nonprofit newsroom.</p> <p>We look forward to discussing the novel with you on Aug. 13.</p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://bridgemi.com/center-michigan/bridge-culture-club-returns-to-discuss-i-cheerfully-refuse-book/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://bridgemi.com&quot;&gt;Bridge Michigan&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;&lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://bridgemi.com/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=64788&amp;amp;ga4=G-1E2G9MSHX5&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://bridgemi.com/center-michigan/bridge-culture-club-returns-to-discuss-i-cheerfully-refuse-book/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/bridgemi.com/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</p> Copy to Clipboard

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