Discovering New Authors
by Teresa Hughes
I have always loved reading and attend author events and book festivals frequently. I have attended all five Gaithersburg Book Festivals and eagerly anticipate the sixth this Saturday. What I didn’t realize initially is that I would discover new favorite authors and books simply by visiting the event. I would walk by a pavilion and end up sitting down to quickly become engrossed in a new topic. The open, casual atmosphere of an outdoor festival is the perfect venue to explore.
In 2010, I discovered Eugenia Kim’s “The Calligrapher’s Daughter,” a fictional account inspired by her mother’s life in Korea. I had no previous knowledge of Korean history and loved reading the story of the smart, headstrong Najin Han.
Siobhan Fallon’s unforgettable short stories in “You Know When the Men Are Gone” center around the families at Fort Hood. They were so moving to me as my father is a veteran and we grew up moving frequently and living on Air Force Bases.
The 2011 keynote speaker, Wes Moore, author of “The Other Wes Moore,” drew an enormous crowd. His non-fiction account of two young boys – same age, same name and same time period in Baltimore – one grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar and White House Fellow, while the other is serving a life sentence for felony murder charges – is more haunting now than ever. The unsettling similarities and differences between the two are heartbreaking.
Buzz Bissinger, the author of “Friday Night Lights” offered a very personal memoir in his 2012 “Father’s Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son.” His presentation was truly memorable.
And, I loved seeing my favorite Washington Post columnist, Donna Britt, speak about her book “Brothers (and Me): A Memoir of Loving and Giving.” Her editorials and gifted writing always induce empathy.
I understand the Maggie Stiefvater fandom following her 2013 presentation for “The Raven Boys.” Her urban fantasies are like no other. As a musician, artist and writer, creativity reigns in this author.
My mother and I attended Marcella Kriebel’s cooking demonstration. Marcella Kriebel wrote and illustrated “Mi Comida Latina.” An unexpected perk was that she offered samples of her cooking to the audience, too. Delicious!
“One Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver” by Mark Shriver was inspirational. He shared a personal letter his father had written before his descent into Alzheimer’s ~ what a humble, generous, faith-filled man.
The highlight of the festival for me last year was hearing Anthony Marra speak about his first book, “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.” I found myself wanting to know more about Chechnya.
It’s amazing what a book festival can do. You become more interested in history, other countries, other cultures, social issues, cooking, the arts… Are you excited yet? I hope to see you this Saturday. Explore the 2015 GBF! With more than 100 authors presenting, you are sure to discover new favorites, too.