I learned to love reading long before I first stepped inside a Bookmobile. Mama taught me the value of story by reading to me most every night.

But it was more than love of great books that made me linger inside that Muskogee County Bookmobile parked on the corner of Lake Forest Trailer Court in Columbus, Georgia.

Air Conditioning. The Bookmobile had AC. Real AC. Sweet. Cold. Freon.

I was always the first one on and the last one off.

I haven’t been inside a Bookmobile in decades. I have my own air conditioning now, not that we really need it, living in Oregon and all. At least we don’t need it the way Georgians need it, which is to say desperately.

So when George Wright invited me to join the Crazy Eights Author Tour, I jumped at the chance. Instead of trucking in books to readers, George got this hair-brained idea of trucking in authors to readers. It has been one of the most delightful tours I’ve been on as an author. I love everything about it. Meeting other authors. Meeting all those wonderful booksellers. And lastly, meeting whole communities of readers. I have made friends all along the way.

Eight authors talking for five minutes each. It was indeed a crazy notion but in that entirely genius way that is all George.

We will be wrapping up the tour this week with stops in Lake Oswego and The Dalles. Come on out. Bring a friend, a wool coat, and your own memories of the Bookmobile to swap.

Graham’s Book & Stationery, November 15

Hosted by
Graham’s Book & Stationery

Graham’s Book & Stationery
460 2nd Street, Lake Oswego
November 15, 2012 • 7:00 p.m.

The Crazy 8s Author Tour makes its way to lovely and cozy Lake Oswego for its seventh stop.