National Reading Group Month -- NY Kickoff Event

I attended a wonderful event last night -- the NY National Reading Group Month event, hosted by the Women's National Book Association. There were five reading group authors on a panel moderated (with her usual consummate skill) by Carol Fitzgerald of ReadingGroupGuides.com as well as a 150-plus crowd of book group members and publishing folk. The space was terrific -- the New York Center for Independent Publishing and the panel was interesting and lively with authors talking about their work as well as reading. Wally Lamb, whose most recent book is I'll Fly Away: Further Testimonies from the Women of York Prison spoke about what it's like to be an Oprah book club pick -- twice -- while Matthew Sharpe, author of The Sleeping Father talked about his experience as a Today Book Show pick, how he was chosen by Susan Isaacs and the fun of being interviewed by Katie Couric. Beverly Swerling, author of City of Glory discussed what it's like to write historical fiction, and how many people have told her that they wish she had been their History teacher back in school.

Laura Dave, author of London is the Best City in America (I love this title) discussed her forthcoming book, The Divorce Party as she ruminated on family ties and the stages of relationships. Lastly, book group maven Adriana Trigiani spoke about what it means to be Italian and as well as her many experiences with reading groups on the phone and in person and generally cracked the audience up reading from Rococo. 

Also on hand was Shireen Dodson, author of The Mother-Daughter Book Club book, to offer advice on starting and maintaining a reading group. Stay tuned for a report from the NJ event, held tonight.