Baltimore’s own Laura Lippman, the award-winning crime novelist, shared a powerful message at this year’s Cleophas Lecture: don’t let your life shrink to fit a single story. Lippman, who’s called Baltimore home for 25 years, opened up about defying expectations—especially for women writers—and how embracing the unexpected shaped her career. She reminded the crowd that while stories help us make sense of life, real growth comes from staying open to new paths, not just following a set narrative. How do you balance the stories you tell yourself with the surprises life throws your way? #Entertainment #Books #Baltimore