Longtime Vineyarder Merissa Nathan Gerson celebrates the publication of her debut book this week with a reading and author talk on Tuesday, August 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Forget Prayers, Bring Cake: A Single Woman’s Guide to Grieving is a tale of loss but with a celebratory tone. It is part memoir, part self-help guide, a journey of reconciliation with grief after the death of her father.

Chapter titles that include When to Tinder, When Not to: Dating While Grieving and Life After Death: Finding Joy focus on self empowerment when life is at its hardest. There is humor amidst the pain, and sound advice delivered from the heart.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Island musicians Bailey Mae Gardener and Miguel Samuel will perform and, yes, cake will be served.