Comfort for the Self
October 21, 2012

The wingchair and ottoman that I spoke of in last week’s letter had, in only two days, inserted itself into my soul so deeply that I have ceded most of my reading time to it. It is upholstered in a gorgeous two-toned seafoam green fabric. And it is so comfortable, and comforting, that I find myself seeking it for soothing time as well as reading time.

When I do my annual gift list for BiblioBuffet’s readers I always include some furniture, mostly chairs, that are offered for the “reader.” But the truth is that reading can and is done everywhere. Many of us have our favorite places, of course, but when the urge to read strikes any place will do; a line at the grocery store can suit as well as a comfortable sofa at home. But what I seem to have learned with this chair—now only a week old to me—is that I am very, very lucky to have found not just a chair for a wished-for reading nook in my bedroom, but a chair that has bonded with my soul. I doubt it’s the style or the color, though I love both, or any other arbitrary factor, but somehow, in some way, it has become my comfort place of choice.

I have read in it this week though browsed would be a more accurate word. No matter. The impatience I felt regardless of what book I picked up seemed to melt away as I settled in. (Settling in means forcing the cat that has currently claimed residence on it—all three have decided that this is their chair and they are not getting up for anyone else—to move before I can sit down, but it’s worth it.) It didn’t matter that I browsed rather than read. It only mattered that my time with the book in that chair felt good.

So as I seek to give myself some good, calm advice about different life situations I am grateful to have a special made-for-it space that allows me to do that. The fact that it also encourages reading is a bonus. A nice bonus.

Upcoming Book Festivals and Fairs:
Texas captures most of the literary events that are coming up this week and next weekend, but other states are also showing off their excellent fairs. Is one near you?

Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Site: Rose State College (Tom Steed Community Learning Center)
Festival: Mildred Laughlin Festival of Books for Young People
Date: October 25
This is more of a conference than a book fair, and it is geared to adults with an interest in children’s literature. Two authors and one illustrator will meet to present to librarians, teachers and others with a love of young people’s literature. From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, attendees have the opportunity to hear two renowned children’s authors/illustrators and one young adult author talk about their work, purchase personally autographed books, examine the Preview Collection (a display of recent titles for young people), and network with professionals from around the state. Registration is limited to 200 people, and the cost, which includes lunch on campus, is $80.

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Site: State Library, State Capitol, State Museum and other nearby locations
Festival: Louisiana Book Festival
Date: October 27
From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, festival goers will find a superb array of events. More than 145 authors, poets, and panelists will give readings and book talks, and sign their books. Nearly eighty exhibitors will be showing their wares and presenting their information. For teens and children, there will be storytellers and other entertainers in the Young Readers Pavilion. Also include are “Wordshops” for the writers, the One Book, One Festival discussion group, plenty of food and music, and the Authors’ Party on Friday night (admission is $50) will feature music, Louisiana cuisine, wine, beverages, and great literary company.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Site: Copley Square
Festival: Boston Book Festival
Date: October 27
Featuring more than 125 presenters, dozens of sessions for kids and adults (including fiction, nonfiction, children, and young adults), a bustling street fair, workshops for aspiring authors, an outdoor music stage, an all-day audio flash-fiction project, and more, this fair, running from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm is sure to have something for everyone. With the exception of the Page to Screen kickoff event, everything is free but tickets to the most popular events go fast.

Location: Austin, Texas
Site: Various venues in East Austin
Festival: LitCrawl Austin
Date: October 27
In collaboration with the Texas Book Festival (below), the annual LitCrawl promises an evening of “readings, screenings, and literary mayhem.” The first round of events occurs from 8:00 to 8:45 pm; the second from 9:00 to 9:45 pm. And from 9:00 to 10:3o, there is a special Moonlight Tour of the Texas State Cemetery. All good stuff.

Location: Houston, Texas
Site: Stafford Centre
Festival: Houston Vintage Book & Paper Festival
Date: October 27-28
From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Saturday and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, dealers in used, rare and collectible Books, ephemera, autographs, photographs, maps, prints, postcards and more will gather to share their knowledge and their wares with attendees. Admission is $3; children under age twelve are free.

Location: Austin, Texas
Site: Various  rooms in the Capitol as well as tents set outside
Festival: Texas Book Festival
Date: October 27-28
More than 250 authors will be here to share the exciting events of this fair with attendees. Among those events are the First Edition Literary Gala as well as an amazing line-up of panel presentations, talks, book signings, interviews, cooking demonstrations, music, exhibitors (eighty-three literary and eight food), and an almost unbelievable array of children’s entertainment and workshops. This one is not to be missed. (Lit Crawl Austin, above, is a co-production of this festival.)

Location: Austin, Texas
Site: Jewish Community Center
Festival: Austin Jewish Community Book Fair
Date: October 28 - November 1
The opening night event will feature Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Jerusalem: The Biography; the evening is free to attendees. Other events include the Book Club Night, Jewish History Mystery Night, Book Lover’s Luncheon, and the special Closing Night Event with Harry Ostrer, MD.

Currently Reading:
It’s been a non-reading week for the most part. Just some browsing through old magazines.

The Pub House:
Deer Valley Press is a California publisher, focusing on fire training guides, trail guides, and some history. Few if any of our readers are interested in fire training guides but I did find several wonderful books that might be worth checking out. First up: History of a Place Called Rescue. Rescue may be a small, rural community (in the heart of California’s gold country) but it possesses an outsized history. It would have to in order to fill 380 pages with over 800 photographs and other graphics. It begins with the discovery of gold in 1848 and goes to the 193os, and includes tours along prominent roads as well as the history of the schools, cemeteries, post offices, mines, Pony Express, and Lincoln Highway, and the various families who moved here. Perfect for anyone interested in the gold country and history in an intimate way. Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire is an in-depth look at the devastating fire on Storm King Mountain in 1994. Though the description notes that it is geared to firefighters (hopefully preventing them from making mistakes that killed fourteen of their colleagues then), it also provides a startling look from the inside of a fire and its consequences.

Imaging Books & Reading:
I am an adamant non-smoker, but these Tank Books, which are miniature books packaged in flip-top cigarette style cartons with silver foil wrapping and cellophane have always interested me. And no lighter would be needed.

Of Interest:
Keith Richards, guitarist for the Rolling Stones, is a well-known reader. In the first three minutes of this of a four-part interview that took place at the New York Public Library in October, 2010, he talks briefly about libraries: “You got this sort of hint where maybe there was this thing called civilization.” , too, weighed in on his reading tastes shortly before a concert.

Until next week, read well, read often and read on!

Lauren