Let’s Talk Books

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” ― Horace Mann

On my Home page here on my website is a line that says my favorite room is a room with windows. Maybe that’s because I too think of stories as windows into other worlds whether I’m the one writing that story or the one reading stories others have written. A book can open up new worlds to a reader and a writer too.

“Reading a book is like re-writing it for yourself. You bring to a novel, anything you read, all your experience of the world. You bring your history and you read it in your own terms.” ― Angela Carter

I went to Springfield to the Washington County Library last week to talk about my new book, River to Redemption, that is based on an event in Springfield’s history. The setting for the book is 1833 and 1845 Springfield, Kentucky. I was hoping for a roomful of Springfield citizens interested in hearing about what had happened in their town back when. A few Springfield people did brave the sudden thunderstorm and came out, but not as many as I had hoped.

I still had plenty to smile about when some reading friends showed up after driving quite a few miles to hear me talk books. One of them came again even though she has been to several of my book parties. Thanks, Margie, for that and for bringing me the homemade peach preserves. See, there are perks to being a writer with reading friends. I didn’t get to snap Margie’s picture. I always get so busy talking books, I forget pictures, but I did take a few before everybody left. Lisa, April and Emma drove a long way, but did a little sightseeing in the area too. I had met them once before so it was great getting to see them again. Lisa sometimes comments here and plays my mystery photo games. So now you are right here in a picture, Lisa. Thanks a bunch for coming to hear my book talk and for laughing at my jokes.

I haven’t often had four-legged furry friends come to my book talks. I remember one other time a dog came with his owner. It was a therapy dog for a man in a wheelchair. I do have to admit that the dog in the picture here probably slept through my talk. She’s a therapy dog too. Blessing had been out with her owner, Libby, visiting nursing homes and bringing smiles to the residents. Blessing looked a lot like my Frankie only without the brown highlights, but I don’t think Frankie could be calm enough to go nursing home visiting. He gets majorly excited every time anybody comes visiting here. I say that, but then my granddaughter fractured her kneecap and is having to use a wheelchair for a while. Surprisingly enough, Frankie goes up to her but never tries to jump on her the way he does the other girls. So maybe he would be okay making friends with nursing home residents.

“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.” ― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

It was fun seeing Susan again too. Susan happened to be at the Derby Dinner Playhouse when my husband and I were there last year and recognized me from Facebook. I never recognize anybody from Facebook. Sometimes even people I should recognize. But Susan was there with a church group (I think) and called my name when I went by her table. Talk about surprised. That was me. And then she and a friend came to my book talk last week. So I had plenty of reasons to smile even if I was disappointed that more Springfield citizens didn’t come to hear about their story.

Have you ever been to an author’s book event?

So thanks to all of you for coming and for those of you who wish you were within driving distance to come to one of my book talks. Maybe I’ll figure out how to have a digital book party. That would be fun. As always, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the book quotes too.

“When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story’s voice makes everything its own.” ― John Berger, Keeping a Rendezvous

Which book quote do you like best?