FARMINGTON – Author Jaed Coffin is the first reader in the University of Maine at Farmington’s Spring 2009 Visiting Writers Series. He will read from his memoir “A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants,” at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, at The Landing in the UMF Olsen Student Center.

The literary event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a book signing.

In “A Chant to Soothe Wild Elephants,” Coffin shares the challenges of growing up with traditions rooted in ancient Thai and modern American cultures. He chronicles how he was ordained as a Buddhist monk when he returned to his mother’s native village in Panomsarakram, Thailand, to fulfill a familial obligation – and in hopes of finding his true self.