2017
May April February2016
June May2015
October September June April March2014
August JulySEE ALL ARCHIVES
May 08, 2013
Peter Geye Reflects on Community Reads
Peter Geye, the author of two of Unbridled Books’ bestselling novels, Safe from the Sea and The Lighthouse Road, comments upon his invitations to community book stores and other gatherings.
Since my first novel came out in the fall of 2010, I’ve visited countless book clubs. More often than not, these book clubs take place in the living rooms of gracious hosts. For an hour or two I’ll sit around with a dozen folks interested in my authorial motives, my writing life, my family. They’ve become some of my favorite gatherings. This is true for all sorts of reasons, not least because these conversations seem the most authentic meeting between reader and writer. They’re honest and informal. And more often than not, I emerge from them understanding my book better than when I went in.
In the last month, I’ve been invited into two Minnesota cities as a part of community-wide reading programs, first in Austin and then in Cambridge. These are small cities, each an hour outside of the Twin Cities. Austin directly to the south, Cambridge directly to the north. I was given the chance to talk with high school students in Austin, and college students in Cambridge. In both cases I met with librarians and teachers. In Cambridge I spent an hour in Scout & Morgan Books, a magnificent independent bookstore owned by Judith Kissner. In Austin, I had lunch at a country club with the committee that invited me. And in both places, a full day was capped off by a talk and reading from yours truly. The response was overwhelming.
I mentioned book clubs a moment ago, and I did so because in both Austin and Cambridge I was made to feel like my novel was the book club pick of the entire community. That’s the point, I guess, and I guess I knew it going in. What I didn’t know is that I could be made to feel like I could have an intimate and honest and informal talk with a whole city. Twice. In one month.
I’d like to say a proper thanks to the good folks to the north, and the good folks down south, all of whom made a couple of days spent with readers the perfect reminder of why I love my job. I can’t help but think of the countless other community wide reading programs throughout this country, of the heartfelt and stimulating conversations happening everywhere, and of the vital role books are still playing in our societies. It’s pretty amazing to be even a small part of that conversation.
Posted in: New Books, New Features, Our Catalog, Authors Blog, | Keywords:
Previous Entry: Reading Group Guide Available for RIVER OF DUST | Next Entry: The Huffinton Post Interviews Virginia Pye
Comments
There are currently no comments for this entry yet.