Randall Library is hosting the annual Thirsty Tome at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27. This UNCWelcome event features local writers reading aloud from their work. The program will take place on the first floor of Randall Library. Free refreshments provided.

This year's special guest is Virginia Holman, noted author of Rescuing Patty Hearst: Growing Up Sane in a Decade Gone Mad. Hailed as "Electrifying, like lightning in a Mason jar," by USA Today, this memoir poignantly traces the author's mother's descent into schizophrenia.

Holman is currently at work on her first novel, due out soon from Simon & Schuster. Other featured readers this year are UNCW Creative Writing MFA students Tom Dunn (fiction), Alison Harney (poetry), Lukis Kauffman (fiction), Jessica Smith (creative nonfiction), Kate Sweeney (creative nonfiction), and Jennifer Weathers (poetry). Following the readings, attendees are invited to share their pieces during an open mike session.