Talk of the Stacks

Steve Grove

Minneapolis Central Library - Pohlad Hall, 2nd Floor
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 6:30pm
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Blue books stacked on top of each other
Steve Grove headshot by Sheldon J. Powell
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How I Found Myself in the Midwest by Steve Grove Book Cover

At the end of the day, making our societies better is our opportunity. We’ve just got to commit to working with each other.

—Steve Grove

Minnesota Star Tribune Publisher and Author

Steve Grove is currently the CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Previously, he was Minnesota’s commissioner of employment and economic development. Before moving back to his home state, Grove built a career in Silicon Valley as an executive at Google and YouTube, most recently as the founding director of the Google News Lab and previously as YouTube’s first head of news and politics. 

In his debut memoir How I Found Myself in the Midwest, Grove shares a passionate testimony to the power of moving forward by going back home. With both humor and affection, he vividly portrays the struggles and triumphs of trading his career in Silicon Valley for a position in state government in Minnesota. His story of reinvention takes on new urgency when crisis strikes the world and his community, thrusting Grove’s work into the spotlight. Weathering the storm brings new insights about himself and what binds his community together during a time of stark division. Praised by beloved journalist Katie Couric as “a must-read book about finding meaning and purpose in your own backyard,” How I Found Myself in the Midwest will inspire you, no matter where you choose to call home. 

A graduate of Claremont McKenna College with a master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, Grove also worked as a journalist for The Boston Globe, ABC News, and the Northfield News, his hometown newspaper, and has served as an advisor to the White House and State Department on counterterrorism strategy. He and his wife Mary are the cofounders of Silicon North Stars, a nonprofit that helps underserved youth find career pathways in technology. 

This event is FREE and open to the public, but registration is required. Use the links at the top of the page to register for either the in-person event or virtual option.

This event takes place at the Minneapolis Central Library in Pohlad Hall on the 2nd Floor. Pohlad Hall doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission seating. Registrants must check-in for seating by 6:20 p.m. After this time, any open seats will be released to our standby queue.  

Order the author's featured book from bookselling partner the Minnesota Star Tribune. The book will also be on sale in the event lobby, and a book signing will take place following the talk.

In-Person Event: Accessible and companion seating are available at all Talk of the Stacks events. Check with a staff member or volunteer upon arrival to request this seating. For all other requests, including ASL interpretation services, please email FriendsEvents@hclib.org at least two weeks prior to your event.

Virtual Option: Closed captioning is provided for all virtual Talk of the Stacks events. To use closed captioning during a virtual program, click the "CC" icon and select "Show Subtitles."

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