Summer Reads: She Talks to Fish with Brian Hester

Meet Brian Hester, author of She Talks to Fish, artist, and fly fisherman, at this special program. Brian will be in conversation with Ted Zaleski of the Two Sides to the Story podcast. Books will be available for purchase and signing. 

About She Talks to Fish

Embark on an unforgettable journey with She Talks to Fish – a novel that offers a rich tapestry of experiences for every reader. Set in the mid '80s, Maya Jones, a young, Black woman from the mountains of North Carolina, is introduced to fly-fishing through her mentor, Ed Myers. This introduction and subsequent passion for fly-fishing offers an intriguing and imaginative story of respect, acceptance, loyalty, and courage. As Ed mentors young Maya on her coming-of-age journey, her struggles are met with brazen resilience as she defies stereotypes, bigotry, nature, and even death with immeasurable perseverance. Fish are her counsel and through the extension of a fly rod, Maya finds her space of belonging. 

About the Author

Brian Hester, a native of Boone, North Carolina, grew up waist deep in whatever river water he could find so he could develop his craft and love for fly-fishing. He found the outdoors and the Blue Ridge Mountains to be a limitless sanctuary that cultivated his interest in art and acted as a channel for him to embrace his observations and surroundings while fishing the waters from Sylva, NC to West Jefferson, NC. “The mountains of North Carolina are home to me, and it is where I can breathe.” Brian has been a visual arts teacher for 30 years. In addition to teaching in the classroom, he's also taught hundreds of people to love fly-fishing almost as much as he does. He is a professional painter, sculptor, and author.