As a long time librarian I have had many opportunities to enjoy the books of the day's leading writers; but I have rarely had a famous writer all to myself for more than a minute or two.  That's why it was a thrill to have the opportunity to chat with Richardson Reads One Book author, Chris Bohjalian, during a recent phone conversation from his home in rural Vermont.

Although Bohjalian has gotten the magic call from Oprah when she selected "Midwives" for her book club, you don't have to be Oprah Winfrey to have a personal book discussion with Chris Bohjalian.  He is a life long advocate of libraries and reading and supports book clubs by joining their discussions via speaker phone.  Book clubs can make appointments to visit with him through his web site www.chrisbohjalian.com.  P.S.  It's OK if you want to tell him why you DON'T like one of his books!

Asked if he felt that librarians are losing the good fight to preserve books and reading in a high tech world, Bohjalian responded that today's librarians "are not just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic" as some claim.  "Twenty first century libraries", said Bohjalian, "are a Mecca of information and entertainment, gloriously multigenerational", and a "gateway to diversity in the community".

The Richardson Reads One Book pick for 2008, "Before You Know Kindness", was born on a Denver runway where Bohjalian's plane was grounded during a book tour on September 11, 2001.  Separated from his family for a week, he decided to scrap his plans for the novel he was writing on seventeenth century Boston.  Instead he decided to follow his own advice to young writers and write about a memory.  He chose the memory of his mother-in-law sitting on her front porch at her summer home in Sugar Hill New Hampshire explaining the difference between crows and ravens to his daughter and niece.

For those who have already read the book, the answer to the autobiographical question is YES...the book contains many details from the author's own life.  The book's Nan Seton is Bohjalian's mother-in-law.  His niece and daughter appear in the book as "summer pals" Charlotte and Willow.  Like his character, Spencer, Bohjalian has been a vegetarian for many years ever since a summer job cleaving live lobsters at a restaurant in New Hampshire.  Thankfully, unlike in the book, nobody in Bohjalian's family has shot anyone.

Chris Bohjalian pronounced himself "thrilled, flattered, and grateful" that his book was chosen as the 2008 Richardson Reads One Book selection.  He still recalls a time in college when the distinguished writer-in-residence advised him to "be a banker".  He also remembers the years when no one was buying his books who wasn't named Bohjalian.

Fortunately for readers in the Richardson community, Bohjalian stuck to his writing and will be in town September 16 to present a lecture at 7:30 at the Richardson High School Auditorium.  Required Complimentary tickets may still be available.  Call the Library at 972-744-4350 for more information.

                                                              Janet Vance

                                                              Community Services Supervisor

                                                              Richardson Public Library