The Read With Us Lounge: Author Talks

Last week Dale and I had the wonderful opportunity to go hear Chris Bohjalian talk about his new novel, The Amateur, in Cohasset. It’s a distance of about 45 minutes for us, which is pretty negligible and I jumped on the $30 tickets as soon as I heard about the event. It was sponsored by Buttonwood Books and Toys, an independent book store, and the price was more than fair as it included not just the discussion with Chris, along with local author Jenna Blum, but also a really fabulous brunch.

If you follow me on Instagram or TikTok you have likely already seen the video I made about my experience. It was informative and fun and shed a lot of interesting light on the book. Chris (we’re on a first name basis now) talked about his writing process (8am until 1pm every day), how much of himself he put into the character of Mira and also Kenny in the book, how the story just poured out of him in the course of 90 days, and how he never could have written and published this book if his parents were still alive. Jenna asked him great questions and also talked about her own writing process and books.

Author events, much like book clubs, are a great chance to deepen your understanding of a book and an author. They are an opportunity to meet with like minded people and share ideas and, in my instance, a really fun way to get a shout out and recognition from an author as Chris immediately announced to the room that “Carole the Librarian” is here when he saw me in the audience. Talk about a fan girl moment!

I tend to be an introvert and I think many readers are the same. I’m content in the lounge with my books as company and it takes a lot to get me to leave that space and interact with others. Yet I never regret it and I always learn something new.

Have you been to any author talks? And how did you feel about it?

Thank you for your participation in the RWU Lounge. We we weren’t exactly sure if our “anti-book bingo” idea would work but you have helped to make it a rousing success with your thoughtful comments and discussion, no matter what the topic was. We have a small thank you gift, but we need your address to send it to you. If you’re comfortable with this, please send me your address via email and we’ll send your parting gift to you. Thanks again; we really appreciate your commitment to No Rules. Just Fun!