Watch “A Celebration of Reading” on KPRC 2 this weekend 📚

This weekend we celebrate literacy and the important work being done to raise strong readers in our community.

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation recently welcomed several bestselling authors to town to highlight the importance of literacy for people of all ages. We had the privilege of joining them and now we share their stories with you.

Watch “A Celebration of Reading” on KPRC 2 tonight in prime time and tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Featured Authors 2024

Jean Becker (Interviewed by KPRC 2 Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley)

Becker was chief of staff to Pres. George HW Bush for almost 25 years. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story of George HW Bush’s Post Presidency” and editor of “Pearls of Wisdom” which features stories by Barbara Bush.

Becker’s latest book, “Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George HW Bush” features personal anecdotes from heads of state and celebrities about the late president.

Chris Bohjalian (Interview with Lauren Bush Lauren, granddaughter of President George HW Bush)

Bohjalian is known as the author of dozens of #1 New York Times bestselling books. His novels “Secrets of Eden”, “Midwives” and “Past the Bleachers” have been adapted into films. His book “Flight Attendant” is the inspiration for a television series on MAX starring actress Kaley Cuoco.

Bohjalian published her latest book, “The Princess of Las Vegas,” in March.

Gary Gulman (Interviewed by Houston Life host Derrick Shore)

Gulman is a stand-up comedian who has appeared on every major late-night comedy program and has five comedy specials, including HBO’s “The Great Depresh.”

Gulman credits the traumas in his life with making him the person he is today and speaks openly about his battles with anxiety and depression in order to help others.

His first book “Misfit: Growing Up Awkward in the 80’s” was released in fall 2023.

Brad Taylor (Interviewed by Pierce Bush, grandson of President George HW Bush)

Former Special Forces officer Brad Taylor is a New York Times bestselling author. He has written 18 books, including his most famous series which features the main character Pike Logan.

The most recent novel in the series “Dead Man’s Head” brings Logan face to face with Vladimir Putin.

Taylor served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also worked as an assistant professor of military science at The Citadel.

Ruth J. Simmons (Interviewed by KPRC 2 anchor Candace Burns)

Simmons most recently served as president of Prairie View A&M University, the oldest historically black university in Texas. Before that, she held the top position at Smith College and Brown University. She is also the former vice provost of Princeton.

Her memoir “Up Home” chronicles her life from her childhood in the segregated South to her making history as the first black president of an Ivy League university.

Watch “A Celebration of Reading” May 11 at 7 p.m. and May 12 at 1 p.m. on KPRC 2 to hear the stories of each of these incredibly talented authors.

Visit the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation to learn more about the organization and how you can support its mission.