The McCall event...like old home week!

     "Well, what was it like?"
     When I got home last night, my neighbor met me in the apartment breezeway and asked me that question.  I was returning from the John Clark McCall book event at the library.
     John was invited to talk about his little memoir titled "Tales of a Southern Palazzo," the magnificant mansion on Tallokas Road that served as a backdrop for his story.
     "Oh, hey, you should have been there," I said.  "It was like old home week."
     "What do you mean?"  She stood with her hands on her hips and waited for a reply. 
     I was anxious to get inside and get my shoes off, but I knew this was a golden moment to talk to someone who does not read books, does not attend book events, and hardly ever comes to the library except for a meeting or two.
     "Well, first of all, most everyone who walked through the door knew John McCall.  And most everyone got a big hug and a peck on the cheek or a big handshake.  And believe me, they came pouring through the doors."
     "So, who was there?" she asked.
     "Oh, I wish you could have been there to see everyone.  You probably would have known most of them.  There was Mimi Platter and Katrina McIntosh, Haley Hall Rosenberg and her dad Howard Hall, Joan Holman, Cooka Hillebrand, Carolyn and Jack Chastain, Betty Henrick and Ginger Horkan, as well as Nancy and Jim McGilvray, and Ola Newton.  I can't remember all of them.  But really, it was like old home week."
     I guess my neighbor still wasn't convinced about how good the evening was.
     "What did he talk about?" she asked. 
     Somehow, I wished I could convince her to read the book.  But I'd tried that before.  Couldn't even convince her to see a movie made from a book, like "The Help," the book by Kathryn Stockett, that I just went to see.
     "Well, he talked about the people who have lived in the palazzo, and his family members, and some of his friends.  He explained what prompted him to write the book, and he talked about how much he loves Moultrie.  And he said that he's already started on another book, a collection of short stories that everyone keeps saying he should write down."
     I stood and stared at my neighbor, waiting for something profound, hoping I'd hear that she would attend the next book event at the library because the McCall one sounded so good. 
     When she didn't say anything fast enough, I finally asked, "Sandy, why don't you come to the next book event we have?  Then you can see for yourself how good they are.  I mean, you don't have to read the book first to come to a book event.  And if you like what you hear, you can purchase the book right there and have the author sign the book, too."
     "Humpf."  That was all I heard.
     Well, win some, lose some, I thought.  I slipped out of my shoes right there in the breezeway and started toward my door.
     "When's the next one?" she said.
     Yes!  Contact! I thought.
     "The next author's book event will be in November.  Of course, if you want to learn something about writing grants, you should attend Dr. Anne Holt's September 24th event.  It's from noon to 3 p.m. and will cost you only $30 to learn about guidelines, budget, tips on finding matching funds, and things like that.  But if you want an author's event about a book, that will be November 8th at 6:30 p.m. when Janisse Ray comes again to talk about her new book, "Drifting into Darien."  The last time Janisse came for a book event, we drew well over 100 people.  We had them standing in the doorway and in the hall.  You should plan to come to that one.  That's going to be like old home week, too!"
     I thought I heard "humpf" again, but I wasn't sure.
     "Well," she said, "I might just do that.  You seem to get all hepped up about these things.  Guess I ought to come see what you get so excited about.  I'll let you know when the time comes."
     And with that she turned toward her apartment, waving her hand and saying, "See you tomorrow."
     I watched her walk away and wondered what else I could do to get her interested in reading books.  She is a challenge.  But I love a good challenge.