It one thing to read an author's words. It's another to hear the author read them. I had this pleasure last night in Chicago when Open Salon blogger Gwendolyn Glover read from her first novel, "Cast the First Stone."
The setting was "The Book Cellar" in Chicago. The venue itself would have been worth my trip from the northern suburbs. It's exactly the kind of place that usually can't make it in the burbs, much to their detriment, and mine. The same guy who introduced the authors rang up my Italian grilled cheese (provolone panini with sliced tomato and basil, a delight). I noticed while browsing that the racks are filled with the lesser known works of popular authors. Mark Twain, for example, isn't represented by The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, but by "Life on the Mississippi," along with a very convincing handwritten essay explaining why you, the browser, should read this rather than the other, which you probably read in Junior High, anyway.
It's obviously a labor of love. It reminded me the beloved record stores of my youth, the single-owner kind of place where they let you put a record on a turntable while deciding whether to make the purchase. I now regret not quizzing the guy, but I was too busy eating and meeting Gwen. Her ravishing red hair makes her pretty easy to spot in a crowded room, and it was Standing Room Only shortly after I arrived, 30 to 40 people.
Speaking of ravishing, I was joined by a lovely woman who clearly knew how to spot a winner, or perhaps was intrigued by the only open seat left in the place. We had plenty to talk about at intermision, as she has taken up the challenge of National Novel Writing Month.
Seriously, I am married and was merely solo for the evening. But were that not the case, I can think of a lot worse places to meet people than The Book Cellar. You don't need a clever opening line. Just say, "So, tell me about your novel."
I digress. Hearing authors read (there were four) was a distinct pleasure. I recall being dropped off at the library every Saturday for Children's Hour. I soon grew old enough to ditch out on these, but I did so in order to sneak down the street and buy comic books, so the readings were successful at sparking my love affair with stories. I probably haven't been read to since, now that I think of it.
Gwendoln started. "Cast the First Stone," tells the story of two teen girls in Oklahoma. A couple of descriptions from the passage she read stick with me today.
"Dusk had settled in and the parking lot lights made everything glow like a seedy European film."
" ....we pulled into a cardboard apartment complex. The trees were all small and scrawny."
"The apartment smelled like old socks and beer."
Perfect pictures there. Just enough to offer a sense of place while the easy but surprising dialogue rolls along, like this, which I found in another chapter:
"You have Jesus. I have Bob Dylan....Maybe at the end we'll find out it's the same guy."
It is classified as Young Adult Fiction, but a quick scan of a couple of chapters this morning indicates it would not be a turn-off for grown ups (whose ranks I hope to join someday.)
One of my favorite authors is Judy Blume, who makes girls and women more real to me than anyone I've ever read. I don't mean to engage in dust- jacket hyperbole here, not having read the book, but I was reminded of Blume while reading the opening chapters of "Cast the First Stone."
I was intrigued enough to plunk fifteen bucks down on the counter, and if anyone reading is so intrigued they can do the same at www.gwendolynglover.com.
The Book Cellar is at:
4736-38 North Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60625
And at:
http://bookcellarinc.com/calendar/
Also reading were Chicago authors J. Adams Oaks (Why I Fight), Diane Meyer Christian (Switcher) and Pamela Todd, whose book (Blind Faith Hotel) might have gone home with me had I not already invested in Ms. Glover and that perfect panini.
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Comments
R!
{sigh}
Glad you had such a great time! I envy you, getting to meet Gwen. I'll check out the book, as I have two teen fem. Readers, with a capital R, in my home.
AtHomePilgrim--Ah, the sandwich! All that is needed to transform the boring American cheese glob is some real cheese, a thinly sliced tomato and a couple of basil leaves. If cooking is love, those guys love me.
Gwendolyn--The pleasure was mine. I thought you read beautifully and also came across very well in the Q&A session afterward. My only complaint is that the sandwich was served with those super crunchy potato chips, which I was afraid to eat for fear of distracting the authors. I kept thinking of Kevin Kline in "A Fish Called Wanda," shouting out Wily Loman's lines for the hard-of-hearing crowd of soup-slurpers in Florida.
Delia--That's a shame. I'll bet there were a few pre-Katrina. While I enjoy the big bookstores in the 'burbs, there's no comparison in terms of warmth, charm and, did I mention the food?
bobbit--I've been waiting for a 'B'-centric subject just so I could use that word. If you ever show up around here, I'll be able to use it again.
scanner--I certainly did. I had a clever double-entendre bit in there about never having gotten an author's signature before, which meant that "she was my first. And when was the last time a guy told you that?" Then I remembered that I had the aquaintenance of Bears Coach Mike Ditka when I got married and got him to sign copies of his bio for me and my groomsmen. So she's not my first. The prettiest, but not the first.
lorainne--A delightful evening all around.
bbd--Not enough joints like that around, are there? As for Gwen, I think our world can use some insight into the lives of young women. Kudos, indeed!
Chuck--Thank you.
Connie--Sounds like a great place to write a novel. Let me know when you open.
Man, I'm going to fill my shelves with books from OS writers.
Anyone want to buy a screenplay?
The Book Cellar is, I'm guessing the fantasy bookstore of 90% of the people on OS. (Including the 10 who read you and the 9 who read me of course---and yes it's up to 9)
Exactly as you described with your usual extraordinary talent. All the treats a guy could ever imagine there.
When I wrote of Gwen's reading from her delightful book, it was from a store called "Women and Children First." A 30 year old instituition, a wonderful independent bookstore----but I think it's fair to say that they meant what they said when they named the place. So I got a pretty different reaction when I went around asking women about their novel. . . . .
Of course I just checked my posts and can't find the review and I don't know why. I think I confused the new OS editor when I took them on a tour their first day. . .so they probably removed it for the annual "Best of Chicago Guy" cover. . . . . which I am sure is coming any time now. . . .along with the check in the mail. . . .
Julie--Will you feed me if I buy it?
Monte
Monte--I try to explain records to my high school senior and she's dumbfounded. Particularly when I tell about the post that went in the center of the turntable to adjust from LP's to 45's.
Julie--Medium rare, please.
Lea--It was just a very cool scene. And, yeah, I did feel fortunate. Missed Dave when he was around, though.
Steve--Thank you. But it felt more like I got invited to a nice party.
Frank--Speaking of reportage, I attempted to get a video with my new i-pod thingee with Gwen saying 'hello' and answering questions, but failed miserably. This is why God gave me teen-aged daughters. Next time, I'll consult before an event.
What a special night.
Congrats on the book, Gwen!
Thanks for the suggestion about readings...I think you could be right!
And I'm not jealous at all, which might mean that I'm finally maturing enough to enjoy someone elses sweet and deserved success
Sincere congrats, Gwen
and thanks Jim for lighting the torch
Buffy--Here's the trick. Arrive early so you get a table. Place your stuff on a seat next to you. Wait for the room to fill up. Then, when someone yummy walks in, remove your stuff from the chair. Never trust fate to handle this stuff.
Angus--Nothing wrong with being inspired by the work of others. That's kind of why I went.
sigh. My town could use a 'lil of this. Enjoyed this.