FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Author Sam McLeod will be at Page & Palette June 23, from 5-7 p.m., to sign copies of his latest book, “Big Appetite: My Southern Fried Search for the Meaning of Life.”

It’s a warm, laugh-out-loud funny memoir for anyone who has ever collected lightning bugs in a quart-size Ball jar, been in a watermelon fight, fallen asleep to the sound of grown-ups talking on the porch or been told you’re eating a bite, whether you like it or not.

“This book brought back great memories of family, friends and food. It made me laugh and made me hungry,” said Joe Rogers Jr., chairman and CEO of Waffle House Inc.

McLeod was born in Nashville, Tenn. in 1951, and grew up there.

He attended college and graduate school at The University of Virginia and Washington & Lee University.

He then worked as a banker, a lawyer and a venture capital investor, and moved to Detour Farm with his wife, Annie, in 2004.

Since moving to the farm, McLeod has written several books, produced an audio book, hosted a live variety show, written a newspaper column and told his stories to anybody who’d listen.

Sam and Annie have three wonderful daughters, horses, alpacas, dogs, chickens and a cat that thinks she’s a dog.

Their farm, located near Walla Walla, Wash., is devoted to wildlife and habitat conservation.