

A couple of weeks ago, I was scheduled to give a reading at Bookery, Manchester, a new independent bookstore in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. I’d never been there before, and as a debut author, I was naturally worried that no one would show up.
I arrived at the venue in plenty of time and had an enjoyable conversation with the magenta-haired marketing assistant.

As the minutes ticked by and the chairs remained empty, I was already composing the ironically sanguine gotta-pay-my-author’s-dues blog post, when my nephew Andrew and his girlfriend Shannon arrived. We had a lovely family catch-up while the rest of the chairs stayed empty. I finally asked them in an ironically self-deprecating way if I should just read to my family. Of course, they said yes.
So I told them about the inspiration for Telling Sonny, a little awkwardly at first, but when I began to read, something magical happened. I could feel myself reconnecting with the book and sharing that connection with Andrew and Shannon, a connection of writing and family that is at the heart of who I am.



When the reading was over, we didn’t want the evening to end. We found a place close-by to eat Italian food and get loud in a public place, in the best Andrew tradition. (As a two-year-old, he had once gotten so loud in a restaurant in North Carolina, the family was summarily ejected.)
I couldn’t have asked for a better reading if attendance had been standing room only.

Wonderful! I’m so glad for you, Liz.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Mystic Dee.
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Awe… God bless you, Liz! How precious is family? Very! As I am very fond of saying, all the time when things don’t quite go as planned, “If that’s the worse thing that happens…I think I’m going to be okay!” Cheers friend!
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Thank you, Kevin! Family is very precious indeed. They become ever more precious with each year that passes.
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A memorable moment, you are loved Liz.
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Thank you! (I’m sorry for the late response. I found your comment in the spam folder.)
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Liz,
I so enjoyed your book, and now I’m happy to visit the Bookery the next time I head to Manchester—thank you!
B
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What a wonderful evening, even if it didn’t turn out as you thought! It just goes to show how a story can make people connect on a deeper level – and good for you that you decided to share that moment with your family.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Therese. In my family, the tradition of connecting through story was started by my dad. He was a master of the hyperbolic and apocryphal family story.
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Thanks, Barbara! It’s good to see you. I haven’t had a chance to connect with any of the old Granite State gang since I went to Champlain. This week I’ve been working with the librarian on information literacy for the workplace. It’s a lot of fun!
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We were at a gathering recently and many fewer people showed up than usual. It was delightful. Yours was meant to be, making for such a delightful post. I’m a little nervous about giving a talk Tuesday, but if no one shows up, maybe I should just practice anyway! (Hubs and my sister will be there.)
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Yes, I think you’re right. It was meant to be! Good luck with your talk. I’m sure it will go well.
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What an absolutely lovely post! I am so glad your nephew came to support you – that book store looks fabulous too!
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Thank you! I was thrilled when Andrew and Shannon walked through the door. It is a great book store. We’re getting some good independent bookstores in our neck of the woods with the goal of becoming vibrant community hubs.
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Perhaps your reading was not very well advertised. I am sure you felt good having your family show up. Best of luck next time!
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That’s my husband’s opinion. Thanks for the good wishes, Peter.
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It’s great that you gave your talk, Liz, Doesn’t matter if the audience is one person or 100!
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Thanks, Shayne!
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Being a newer bookshop, it probably doesn’t have a strong “following” yet. It still turned out to be such a lovely evening shared with family! Congrats, Liz.
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Thanks, Becky! It was a lovely evening.
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Funny how things turn out. Glad the occasion ended well for you.
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Thank you, V.J.
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Welcome Liz!
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‘… something magical happened’ – wonderful!
The performance is everything.
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Yes to performance! There is nothing like connecting with a live audience. In fact, I need to get back to going to the theater.
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Real books!
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Oh, yes, lots of them! My husband and I couldn’t resist buying a book about the history of Moxie, from which we learned that this healthful nerve tonic (now sold as soda) was made with no alcohol, heroin, cocaine, or poison.
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This is wonderful! So happy for you. 💜
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Thank you, Angela!
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You’re welcome.
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I don’t do book readings since I don’t write about “hot topics” such as political scandal. My songwriting classes, on the other hand, have had everything from only 8 people to huge crowds. Sometimes, it’s just the time of the year, the weather and who knows what? If you had family there with you, you were well ahead of the game!
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I suspect you’re right about the unpredictable nature of attendance at these events. I was definitely ahead of the game with my family there. (My husband is my biggest fan and promoter.)
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It’s good to keep it in the family. My wife does cover designs and some of my editing.
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Yes, it is. I’m reading a book now written by a mother and daughter team. I’m enjoying the sense of the mother telling the daughter the story of her childhood at the same time the book’s narrator is telling the story to me.
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An author experience that went to the heart of your book, the heart of your values, and the heart of your very personhood. It doesn’t get any better than that. Thank you for this beautiful story, Liz! (And I loved the photos, along with the helpful captions. Really helped me be there.)
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Thank you for your kind words, Ranee. They mean a lot to me.
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Lovely shop, nice venue and good that you went through with it. Good practice for a full house next time.
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Thank you! I like your perspective.
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Doesn’t matter how big or small the audience. What matters is you did it. Look at it as practise for the many readings to come. Congratulations!
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Thank you for the encouragement, Ron!
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Daughter Kathryn, VP, Population Health at our local Hospital, just last week had a similar no-show experience at an 0645 presentation for doctors. Twelve hours prior we were the recipients of her prep-presentation. We learned a lot about the availability of services in our and close by communities for an individual when discharged from the hospital. I guess the Discharge Planners would have been better served with this information.
Having graduated from the old New Hampshire and knowing you electronically, were I still in the neighborhood I would have made your audience a threesome. The meal sounded good also.
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Happens to the best of us, eh? Thank you for saying you would have come. We would have loved for you to join us.!
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A special night with special people, what could be better?
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Nothing could be better! It still makes me happy to think about it.
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That is what success feels like..
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Yes!
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So precious!!! I have learned a lot over the years about numbers….they are not all that important. The quality of the meeting or wherever you are speaking is more important than the amount of people that come! So glad it turned out so well!
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Thank you, Valerie! I’ve also learned that numbers aren’t all that important. It’s the individual connections with people that are most important.
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So true!
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Such a blessing that you had the opportunity to share your story with loved ones, Liz… Bet they’ll be telling everyone they know! ❤
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Thanks, Bette! It was a blessing.
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That’s a great venue. I went to a reading there last winter. It’s a pretty bookshop. Cheers
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Yes, it is. Do you make it up to New Hampshire often?
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I live in Brookline, NH. One of my jobs is in Manchester.
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Oh, I didn’t realize that you live in New Hampshire!
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Sometimes certain things that happen are a blessing in disguise Liz. ‘Telling Sonny’ is on my list!
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You’re right about blessings in disguise! I do hope you enjoy ‘Telling Sonny’.
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A spontaneously creative event.
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That’s a good way to look at it, thanks!
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Congratulations! Your blog has been included in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2019/10/friday-fossicking-11th-october-2019.html
Thank you, Chris
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Apologies, incorrect link posted above… this is the correct one…
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2019/10/friday-fossicking-4th-october-2019.html
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Thank you very much, Chris!
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You’re welcome, Liz..
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Reading your writing to listeners can be magical. I’m glad you had that experience.
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Reading your writing to listeners can be magical. I’m glad you had that experience.
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Thanks, Audrey! I hope you’ve had that experience, too.
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Liz, that is wonderful that the evening turned out well for you!
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Thank you, Charles!
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I haven’t hosted a reading yet, Liz, and I think the reason why is that I’m secretly afraid no one will show up. Hmmm. Thanks for being brave and then sharing your experience. Maybe it’s time for me to do the same. 😀
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Yes, I would encourage you to take that leap of faith. 🙂
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A rule of thumb in theatre: if the audience has more people than the cast, the show goes on. You did the right thing. I have read to 4 and to 2000, and the 4 were precious readers: they drive through a storm to be there.
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Thank you for your comment, Rachel! I like the theatre rule of thumb.
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Drove!
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You certainly took the attendance issue in the right spirit, Liz. I’m sure the reading was wonderful!
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Thank you, Mitch! It was.
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Giving a reading and throwing yourself out there not knowing who might show is not for the faint of heart, Liz. On the other hand, you connected with two people on a much deeper level than you might have with twenty strangers in the room. I admire you for making the best of a challenging situation.
I also believe it will be easier if you are ever in that situation again. I dreaded public speaking when I was in high school, but over time and with some positive experiences, I learned I could do it and felt better about myself in the process.
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Thank you, Pete. I was terrified of public speaking when I was in college, and I was given a choice of courses in general education, so I didn’t take it. Then, every professional job I’ve ever had has involved public speaking. Readings are a little easier because I can read as the characters and not myself.
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I was that shy kid who hated being the center of attention. When I became a young adult, I finally found my confidence. From that point on, I tried to offer safe public speaking situations for my elementary students. I hear what you’re saying about reading aloud. It feels much safer to get into someone else’s character and voice.
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In elementary school, I was painfully shy, to the point of dreading spelling bees. You did such a valuable service to the children you taught by introducing them to public speaking in a safe and supportive way so that they wouldn’t fear it when they got older. I’ll be they appreciated it!
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What a wonderful post, Liz. Of course you stayed and read aloud. Magic does happen when we hear the written word. And family really is the best. The bookstore looks terrific.
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Jennie! The Bookery does add something special to downtown Manchester. It’s been there about eighteen months. It’s so good to see new independent bookstores take hold.
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My pleasure, Liz. I love seeing independent book stores pop up. I noticed that the children’s books on display behind your family were good books. 🙂
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Isn’t that funny that you noticed the children’s books! While I was poking around the displays before the reading, I did wonder whether the children’s books were Jennie-worthy for reading aloud.
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They’re good ones. They’re for slightly older children. Thanks, Liz! 😀
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Thanks, Jennie. I’ve been so inspired by your chapter book posts that I would really like to give my two nephews books for Christmas. Do you have any guidelines on your blog about selecting chapter books for children? Maybe “The Poet’s Dog” for the fifth grader?
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Tell me more about your nephews. What do they like? Do you know some of the books they have already read?
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I don’t know what books they’ve already read, but they’re both really into team sports. The older boy plays the saxophone in the school band.
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I highly recommend The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown, and Bob, by Rebeca Stead. And of course, The Poet’s Dog. 🙂
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Thank you, Jennie! I have now begun my 2019 Christmas list.
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Yahoo! You’re welcome, Liz.
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What a beautiful and inspiring post. I sense that you spoke from your heart and that is where the ‘magic’ began. When we speak from the heart, our audience may only be one, but numbers do not matter…the words become real. And the fact that it was family made it all the more transformative. Family and friends are such blessings!!!
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Yes, family and friends are such blessings! I count myself very fortunate to have them. Thank you for your thoughtful response, Linda. I appreciate it.
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A wonderfully positive experience, beautifully described!
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Thank you so much, Meryl!
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Good for you for staying and reading to your family! I think those kinds of signings and readings are the hardest part of being a published author. Even a writer as successful as Ann Patchett has so many stories of readings where no one showed up, and she spent the evening chatting with the bookstore staff. You were very wise to simply adapt to the environment and appreciate the support you had form your nephew and his girlfriend…and then to turn it into a meaningful evening was just priceless! I have a feeling you’re going to be just fine!
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Ann–and the encouragement!
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Sounds lovely! Congratulations!
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Thank you, Cecelia!
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That is my nightmare–that I’d have a reading and no one would show–but you made this work. Or your family did. Kudos. I love how the magic happened.
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Thank you for your comment, Jacqui. I am very thankful for my family.
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I was started a reading to a practically empty room. I was just scheduled for half and hour and after about ten minutes a huge crowd came in (Later I found out they had arrived to hear the next reader). It turned out to be a fantastic experience for me and it seems then as the second reader mention later to me how much they had talked about my reading. I did have a lot of funny stories, plus I always have gifts for the attendees–this time it was hand clappers.
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Thanks for sharing your reading experience, William! From reading your blog, I’d say that you probably know how to work a crowd.
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I loved your post, Liz. I am so glad you could reconnect with your book and explain how it came to be to your family. The problem with these sorts of events is they usually aren’t advertised. I have had similar experiences. I love your book and wonder if you are considering writing another?
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Thanks, Robbie. It’s good to hear that I’m not alone in this. I’m working on short stories right now. I’m thinking seriously about doing a collection of Enosburg stories.
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It sounds wonderful.
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Thanks, Robbie!
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You couldn’t have had a better audience; two people deeply interested in what you had to share. Hopefully they will remember this precious time together and pass it on to future generations. And with each telling it may grow in the tradition of your father’s story telling.
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Thank you for your lovely comment, Ann. Right now, I’m imagining that my father has heard your comment, and it means the world to him.
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I like that idea!
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🙂
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This is best thing I read all day. Such a beautiful outlook on life you have. Your family is so lucky. Thank you for sharing your pictures with us.
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Oh, my goodness, thank you, Bryan! !
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I enjoyed your storytelling of your reading Liz! Great pictures too!
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Thank you so much! I appreciate your reading and commenting.
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This is my third time reading your post. The idea of reading aloud has profound outcomes, both for the reader and listeners. It is as if the words take flight as they are spoken, lifting the mood, inviting us to come closer, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Clarity of vision and a greater understanding of ideas fill our mind with possibilities, with inspiration, with joy. Recently, I was reading a poem to myself – no one else was in the room, and I found myself in tears with the loveliness of the words. As William Wordsworth once wrote: “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” Thank you for a marvelous post.
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I’m glad my post touched something in you, Rebecca. I’ve had the same experience of being in tears with the loveliness of the words of a poem. Particularly lyrical prose will do that as well. Your comments brought to mind an experience I had with a colleague as we were driving to a work event. She’d brought a copy of Toni Morrison’s Beloved with her, and she read to me as I was driving. I’ve never forgotten how much that meant to me.
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They filled the room with love.. and I bet savoured every word..x
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🙂
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I would have loved to attend!
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Thanks, Cindy! We would have loved for you to join us.
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Yea I like this. The first person a book must move is the author.
Sometimes it takes years for others to catch
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I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for your comment.
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A heartwarming story of your inner strength, the power of family love and care and the magic of words! I’m in awe of your calm and deeply touched by the warmth of the evening for you all. Inspiring! Btw. The bookshop looks divine,somewhere I would happily spend some hours browsing!
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Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments, Annika!
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