MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Linebaugh Public Library will welcome local author Randy O’Brien on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for a book signing featuring his newest release, Ribbon of Dreams. O’Brien will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet readers, sign books, and talk about the story behind his latest historical novel.
Ribbon of Dreams follows a young man nicknamed Skid as he approaches high school graduation in the spring of 1975. Set in a small rural Tennessee town, the novel traces Skid’s struggle to understand who he is and what kind of life he wants to build. His widowed stepfather expects him to take over the family’s vintage car restoration business, but Skid feels the pull of something different—something he can’t quite name.
That search for identity becomes even more complicated when he’s drawn into a protest led by African American students in his community. As tensions rise, Skid finds himself caught between loyalty, fear, and a growing awareness of the social and political forces shaping the world around him. The story unfolds against the backdrop of soldiers returning from Vietnam and the ongoing push for civil rights, giving the novel both emotional depth and historical resonance.
One of the book’s most compelling threads is Skid’s unexpected passion for screenwriting. Through storytelling, he begins to see his hometown—and himself—with new clarity. But when tragedy strikes, he must decide whether to stay rooted in the familiar or take a leap toward college and a future he’s only beginning to imagine.
This is O’Brien’s third novel, following his earlier historical works Gettysburg by Morning and The Farm. Both titles will be available for free at the event while supplies last. Copies of Ribbon of Dreams will be offered for $10.
Linebaugh staff say they’re excited to host a local writer whose work blends Tennessee history with heartfelt storytelling. The event is open to the public, and readers of all ages are welcome to stop by, meet the author, and discover a new story grounded in the rhythms and challenges of rural life.
The Linebaugh Library is located at 105 W. Vine Street, one block off the Murfreesboro square. It is a branch of the Rutherford County Library System. Visit their website: rclstn.org.
