A Day Among Booklovers

“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” -Anna Quindlen

With all the dire reports about the demise of books, the lack of readers, kids interested only in video games, and the changing world of publication, it warmed this author’s heart to see so many adults as well as children eagerly snapping up armfuls of books from an eclectic group of writers at the Southwest Florida Reading Festival. I believe many of the children I saw this weekend will grow up concerned about their bookshelves.

I have not read any estimates as to the size of the crowd, but the festival was very well attended with no slow period at all during the six-hour event. The presenting authors, such as Tess Gerritsen, Dennis Lehane and Jeff Kinney, had standing room only crowds and never-ending lines of eager fans patiently waiting for a turn to have their books signed. Jeff Kinney had so many children waiting for him, that he may still be at the Harborside Event Center signing away.

A memorable part of my day started with my first customer who came by minutes after the fair opened. We talked for a while and she said she’d come back later to buy a copy of The Ride and started to walk away. Then she said, “No, I think I will buy it now before there are long lines.”

I laughed and said, “I haven’t exactly suffered from the long line syndrome in my career—yet, but I do dream about the possibility.”

I loved watching the steady stream of avid booklovers of all ages. Even if I had not sold a single copy, ending the day with restored confidence in the future of books, a renewed dream of success, and a reignited desire to finish my second novel, I’d consider the day an outstanding success. Selling copies of my book on top of all that was like icing on the cake. Thank you Lee County Library System, coordinators, volunteers, sponsors and readers.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Tags: Anna Quindlen, Lee County Library, Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Gerritsen, Tags: Lehane, Kinney, The Ride,