If you don’t have three hours to spare at your local movie theater watching Christopher Nolan’s rendition of an epic poem from more than 2,000 years ago, perhaps a shorter conversation about a contemporary odyssey will tickle your fancy.
Author Irena Smith penned Troika, published in April, about a California road trip with her mother and daughter. Scenes in Buellton, Solvang, Ballard, and Paso Robles breed discussion about pop culture, Greek mythology, memes, and Russian proverbs in pursuit of delicious coffee and pastries.
“The result is an ode to migration—both the stirring immigration story of Smith’s own Soviet Jewish family to the U.S. and Smith’s modern-day odyssey as she shuttles her family through a literal storm, determined to get along,” according to press materials.
One stop on the journey is Bob’s Well Bread Bakery, which is hosting an upcoming book talk. On Aug. 7 at 10:30 a.m., Smith will talk about the story with New York journalist Sandee Brawarsky followed by a question-and-answer segment with the audience.
The event is free to patrons, and Bob’s Well Bread will serve complimentary snacks and beverages. It’ll be held at the bakery’s Ballard location at 2449 Baseline Ave. Call (805) 691-9549 with questions.
This article appears in July 30 – August 6, 2026.
