SANDPOINT — Everyone has a story.

And, at next week's Curious Conversations, area residents have a chance to "check out" a living book (or two, or three) at the Sandpoint Library's second annual event featuring one-on-one conversations.

The event is planned for Friday, Nov. 13, at the Sandpoint Center, 414 Church St.

Set for 5:30 to 9 p.m., the event offers a way for the community to connect with one another as they enjoy a mocktail party with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and desserts.

The East Bonner County Library District event is designed to give residents a chance to hear the personal stories and life experiences of "living book" participants as well as fellow attendees through facilitated conversation prompts.

"This is a unique opportunity for people to listen to a 'living book' tell his or her own story or share an experience of their life in a one-on-one conversation and have the chance to ask questions and dialogue," Joyce Jowdy, EBCLD community engagement and adult programming coordinator, said previously.

The concept of living books is simple: attendees can "borrow" real people to hear their personal stories and life experiences in one-on-one conversations.

"It's a chance to be inspired, gain fresh perspectives and insights from the stories behind the faces of our community," Jowdy said.

Among the event's living book collection are "A Different Kind of Honeymoon: 45 days paddling in Patagonia;" "From Street Gang to Summer of Love;" "Happiness is an Inside Job: Why I became a Buddhist Nun;" "Reflections from My Youth in Israel;" "Rich, Famous and Happy? Lessons I Learned at the Playboy Mansion;"

"Small Town Rag: Publishing a Print Community Newspaper in a Digital World;" "Sunsets in the Dark: Finding Light, Beauty and Purpose After Sight Lost;" "The Pagan Path: A Practicing Witch’s Story;" "This is Me: My Journey as a Transgender Woman;"

"Travels with Kahzibjek: Touring by car through roadless Mongolia;"

"Walking Through Grief: Finding My Way Forward on the Idaho Centennial Trail;" "Where the Butterflies Bloom: Living Wild Six Months Under an Open Sky" and "Who’s Gonna Stop Me: Life Through Action Instead of Preparation."

A special featured living book release is titled, "My Life as a Listener: What Happens When the Person Everyone Underestimates Gets the Mic."

Curious Conversations is a community-initiated project that aims to strengthen the community through unique, one-on-one conversations, Jowdy said.

"Our intention is to cultivate awareness of and access to our neighbors by exploring a chapter of their lives, also known as a living book," she said previously. "We accomplish this through dialogue to better understand and inspire each other, therefore learning more about ourselves and our impact on each other and our communities."

This project is a chance to connect through real-life, personal stories, conversation and curiosity. The goal, Jowdy said, is to encourage honest conversations in a safe environment.

For more information, go online to ebonnerlibrary.org/events.