Oh, you missed it. I’m so sorry you missed it. When author Sheri Reynolds came to Radford last Friday night, a nice crowd of people, most from here but several from Roanoke, or Wytheville, or slightly farther afield, was treated to a rare night over at Baker’s Best. With “heavy” hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar, that beautiful view over the New River looking across to Radford in the background behind the audience, we listened with rapt attention as this bestselling, Oprah Book Club selected writer read from published and not-yet-published fiction.
It began in 2005, this project of trying to bring a nationally known author to town to spend some time with the people here reading their books from the shelves of the library. Connecting readers to the creative power behind the books they loved became a mission, when, against all possible odds, librarian and former colleague Dianne Hollandsworth persuaded Adriana Trigiani to come to Radford and read from her works. For free. Not only did this well-loved writer come, she donated money to match all the books sold that night, and the event became the first major fundraiser for the building fund the Lamplighters used to help complete last year’s addition to the library. Ms. Trigiani was a big personality and a crowd pleaser, and we crammed nearly 200 people into a room that could not accommodate so many. The caterers cooked up a lasagna recipe from Adriana’s own published cookbook, and we had quite a night.
Next came Patrick County judge and author Martin Clark, who read against a wild thunderstorm in those big windows behind him. Then, storyteller extraordinaire Sharyn McCrumb came and read from St. Dale out at the Motor Mile Speedway. The next year, we were delighted by Robert Morgan, author of Gap Creek reading from his new Daniel Boone biography out at Selu, with a little fiddle music playing in the background. Last year, we hosted James “Bud” Robertson from Virginia Tech, reading from one of his Civil War books at the dedication of the new addition.
It’s been so much fun we’d like to keep doing it, but you have to come. Ideas on how to make it something you’d attend? Please email me at afisher@radford.va.us and tell me if cheaper tickets, a different author, April instead of May, or any other change would tempt you. Bear in mind, however, that big name authors like David Baldacci and John Grisham charge something like $20,000 to do such an event and so are ‘way out of our league. We’ve had great success with authors who live not too far away and generously donate their time or charge just for travel.
You’ll have to trust me on this: Sheri Reynolds was fabulous.
