For many visitors, Shanese Hall is a familiar face behind the bar at the Round House Bar. Now, the seasonal Put-in-Bay bartender can add another title to her resume: published author.
Hall has officially released her debut memoir, The Weight of Forever, a book inspired by her own life and the unexpected journey that brought her from Jamaica to Put-in-Bay.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Journalism from the University of the West Indies before traveling to the United States for seasonal work. What began as an opportunity to spend a summer on South Bass Island ultimately became the inspiration for a story she felt was too meaningful not to share.
“I believed my new experience was worth more than just a simple social media post and needed to be documented and shared with the world,” Hall said. “And so as a typical Journalism student, I started writing.”
Hall began working on the book in January 2023 during her final year of college. Balancing school, seasonal work on Put-in-Bay, and later writing during the off-season, the project took nearly three years to complete.
She said the greatest progress came during the winter of 2025-2026.
“I was determined to get it ready for summer 2026, and that’s what I did,” she said.
Described as a memoir based on true events, The Weight of Forever follows Hall’s real-life experience after leaving Jamaica to work on Put-in-Bay, where an unexpected relationship changes the course of her life. While the story includes minor changes to protect identities, Hall says it is largely drawn from her own experiences.
“This story is influenced almost completely by my own life experience, with the exceptions of minor details and the correct names of individuals,” she said.
Rather than writing a traditional romance, Hall hopes readers connect with the honesty behind her story.
“Unlike many romance stories, my story is unique, as it was not made up but lived,” she said.
In the book’s preface, Hall shares that she hopes her journey encourages readers—especially young women—to pursue their dreams, remain resilient, and never allow their circumstances to define their future.
Visitors and residents will have an opportunity to meet Hall later this month during a book signing at Country House Gifts on Put-in-Bay. The event will take place Thursday, July 30, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the shop’s front porch.
The Weight of Forever is available now in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions through Amazon. It will also soon be available for purchase at Country House Gifts in Put-in-Bay.