BiblioAddict

From Booking Through Thursday:

• Have you ever met one of your favorite authors? Gotten their autograph?
• How about an author you felt only so-so about, but got their autograph anyway? Like, say, at a book-signing a friend dragged you to?
• How about stumbling across a book signing or reading and being so captivated, you bought the book?

The best way I know how to answer these questions is with a story:

When I was in college I took a writing course in “creative” personal essays. As part of the coursework, the professor instructed us to attend at least one book reading at a local bookstore, and write a short, one page summary of our thoughts and impressions. It must have been a slow season, because I had a hard time finding a book reading I was interested in attending. A week before the assignment was due, I finally spotted a book reading in the newspaper which sounded interesting enough: Glen David Gold, CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL.

I didn’t know who Glen David Gold was, or what CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL was about, but I attended the reading anyway, based solely upon title appeal, and the lack of time I had left to be picky. I arrived early, and sat purposely in the back. I saw no need to draw attention to myself as the girl in the front row who obviously hadn’t read the book, and probably never would.

An hour later, I found myself more engrossed in the conversation on magic, history, and mystery than I’d anticipated, and as the other customers pulled out their worn copies of Mr. Gold’s novel for his signature, I wondered if I wanted to buy a copy of the book myself. That may be why the older gentleman seated next to me asked, “Have you read the book?”

“No,” I confessed.

“You should,” he said. “You’ll love it. I almost wish I hadn’t read it yet, just so I could read it again.”

Now there was a recommendation if I’d ever heard one. It was the first time anyone had ever said that to me, so I bit the bullet, dipped into my meager college budget, and bought CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL. I was the last person in line to have my book signed, which should have been enough time for me to come up with something clever to say. Of course, it wasn’t and I didn’t. Instead, I smiled, gave him my book which he signed, said ‘thank you’, shook his hand, and walked away.

Incredibly, that’s the most memorable book signing experience I’ve ever had. What’s even more incredible is that the book was amazing. Gold’s wife, Alice Sebold may have gotten all the attention that year for her novel THE LOVELY BONES, but CARTER BEATS THE DEVIL was the best book of the year for me. I almost wish I hadn’t read it, just so I could read it again.

In fact, if I can ever clean up my “currently reading” list, I just might.