Thursday night I gave a book talk at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, VT. The talk was to begin at 6:30 p.m. We did have some lovely sun before dark began to fall, but I barely noticed it because I was too busy indoors making sure I had everything for the talk. Even though we needed to be at the library an hour before the talk to set up all the display items and make sure the Power Point, etc. was going to work, it was already dark when we left home. I was beginning to feel it was bedtime, which is not a good way to feel when one has a book talk in a couple of hours.
Thankfully, the highway was perfectly clear for the drive. Rachel, the librarian, was charming and Caitlin - the Vista worker who created the attractive advertising flyer for the talk and set up the room - was suffering from a cold. The Hayes Room was wonderful with all the bells and whistles for audio-visual presentations and a bathroom right there. I didn't have time to check out the rest of the library, but the room was definitely part of an addition to the old main building. I loved the fact that the old gray facade had been left as is instead of being plastered over. The gray stone (?granite?) is like a castle wall. As I am a castle enthusiast I was in my element. I must go back and explore it. I am beginning to discover that there are a lot of wonderful old library buildings in this state.
The audience was attentive and appreciative and included a couple we know from the JASV who already own a copy of the book. It is always so comforting to have familiar faces in the audience - though soon all became familiar. At the end, there were some questions which elicited such long responses from me that the last of us left the library at 8:30, with me feeling guilty about keeping Rachel at work late and poor Caitlin away from her warm bed.
Ricky is leaving on Thursday. Although it's been a long visit, it never seems long enough for Toshi and me. On top of the usual post-talk let down, the upcoming departure of my son is harder to deal with than usual.
Hold a book in your hands today and happy reading! Susan