With wind chills well below freezing, it is still off-season on Cape Cod, but you'd never have known it by the splendid turnout at the Sandwich Public Library Sunday afternoon for the latest in a series of author appearances and events centered around a comprehensive celebration of the book.
Inspired by the Big Read program introduced a couple years ago by Dana Gioia, the director of the National Endowment for the Arts (and a subject of a recent column I wrote for Fine Books & Collections), the initiative in Sandwich has improvised by focusing on more than one book for community reading, and organized a continuing program centered around one basic theme, in this instance books that have touched people's lives.
Inspired by the Big Read program introduced a couple years ago by Dana Gioia, the director of the National Endowment for the Arts (and a subject of a recent column I wrote for Fine Books & Collections), the initiative in Sandwich has improvised by focusing on more than one book for community reading, and organized a continuing program centered around one basic theme, in this instance books that have touched people's lives.
Speakers thus far have included the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Washington Post, Geraldine Brooks, talking about her best-seller from last year, "People of the Book," and the noted authority and editor of children's books, Anita Silvey, whose "100 Best Books for Children" is a standard reference in the field. Coming up on Feb. 28 is Allen Say,
winner of a Caldecott Medal for "Grandfather's Journey." Sunday was my
turn--my topic was "Continuing Adventures Among the Gently Mad"--and I
had a blast.
I
was asked in advance if I needed anything other than a podium and
microphone for my talk--say a power point projector--and my reply was
that I had a single visual aid, and that I would display it during my
remarks. I have scanned the item, and present it herewith--my library
card for the Sandwich Public Library. This is a home court advantage
for me, you see--I've been spending a good part of every summer in
Sandwich for the past 31 years--and I can say, with absolute authority,
that this is one of the finest small town libraries to be found
anywhere, not just in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but the entire
U.S. of A. Special thanks go out, by the way, to librarian Lauren
Robinson and Gail Ravetz of the Friends of the Library, for their
hospitality.
Let me say, too, that just down the road from the SPL, on Route 6A in East Sandwich--also known as Old King's Highway, and arguably the first highway in British North America--is one of my favorite second-hand bookstores, Titcomb's Book Shop, founded in 1969 by Ralph and Nancy Titcomb--both of whom were at my talk on Sunday--and operated today by their very capable daughter Vicky Uminowicz. I can't begin to tell you how many great finds I have come up with there over the years. Especially gratifying was to see how busy the store was this weekend--the parking lot was jammed, just like an afternoon in July or August.
I would be remiss if I did not mention two other outstanding book stores on the Cape:
Parnassus Book Service, further down Route 6A in West Yarmouth, owned and operated there since 1960 by Ben Muse, and just a few minutes away from the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth Port (a must-see visit for bibliophilies).
Isaiah Thomas Books & Prints ("more nooks and crannies than an English muffin"), owned and operated for the last thirty years or so on Falmouth Road (Route 28) in Cotuit by my good friend Jim Visbeck (we go back to the days a good while ago when he ran this store in Worcester.)
Stop into all of these places--you could do the whole thing in one spirited morning or afternoon--and you'll have had yourself one fine day of booking the Cape. I recommend ending the odyssey with a cup of the local chowdah, a hefty order of fried clams, and a frosted mug or two of Sam Adams lager. Happy hunting.
I
was asked in advance if I needed anything other than a podium and
microphone for my talk--say a power point projector--and my reply was
that I had a single visual aid, and that I would display it during my
remarks. I have scanned the item, and present it herewith--my library
card for the Sandwich Public Library. This is a home court advantage
for me, you see--I've been spending a good part of every summer in
Sandwich for the past 31 years--and I can say, with absolute authority,
that this is one of the finest small town libraries to be found
anywhere, not just in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but the entire
U.S. of A. Special thanks go out, by the way, to librarian Lauren
Robinson and Gail Ravetz of the Friends of the Library, for their
hospitality.Let me say, too, that just down the road from the SPL, on Route 6A in East Sandwich--also known as Old King's Highway, and arguably the first highway in British North America--is one of my favorite second-hand bookstores, Titcomb's Book Shop, founded in 1969 by Ralph and Nancy Titcomb--both of whom were at my talk on Sunday--and operated today by their very capable daughter Vicky Uminowicz. I can't begin to tell you how many great finds I have come up with there over the years. Especially gratifying was to see how busy the store was this weekend--the parking lot was jammed, just like an afternoon in July or August.
I would be remiss if I did not mention two other outstanding book stores on the Cape:
Parnassus Book Service, further down Route 6A in West Yarmouth, owned and operated there since 1960 by Ben Muse, and just a few minutes away from the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth Port (a must-see visit for bibliophilies).
Isaiah Thomas Books & Prints ("more nooks and crannies than an English muffin"), owned and operated for the last thirty years or so on Falmouth Road (Route 28) in Cotuit by my good friend Jim Visbeck (we go back to the days a good while ago when he ran this store in Worcester.)
Stop into all of these places--you could do the whole thing in one spirited morning or afternoon--and you'll have had yourself one fine day of booking the Cape. I recommend ending the odyssey with a cup of the local chowdah, a hefty order of fried clams, and a frosted mug or two of Sam Adams lager. Happy hunting.
I had your lecture in my calendar for months and when the day finally came I packed up my Nicholas Basbanes books and headed out to the SPL. I was not disappointed. Your talk was the best way I can think of to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I visit the bookstores you mentioned on a regular basis and I agree with you it is a wonderful way to pass a day here on Cape Cod.
Thank you for your time, thank you for signing the books I brought and thank you to the Sandwich Public Library.
Please Come Visit Again,
Peter Jefferson
Peter--
Thank you, really, for these generous comments. There is no greater validation for an author than to know that you have reached a reader. It is one of the vital signs of the business, and I am truly grateful for the kind words.
I, too, thoroughly enjoyed your lively talk at the Sandwich Library that Sunday--it was definitely worth the 75-mile drive, and it was a grand way to spend my birthday afternoon! I so appreciated your thoughtful inscriptions in each of my books--few authors take the time or make the effort.
(As for your comments regarding booking on the Cape, my personal experience has always been that I spend hours and hours browsing and decision-making in Titcomb's alone--I'd never be able to cover all your suggestions in just one day!)
Again, many thanks for all the useful, informative and entertaining material you share with us . . . the Gently Mad!
Priscilla Welsh
I enjoy inscribing copies of my books for people, Priscilla, it gives me an opportunity to schmooze with kindred spirits about a shared passion. And yes, I admit, it probably is impossible to do all those stores I mentioned on a single day, but the beauty of these places is that they're always bringing in new stock, and it's always an adventure to return. Happy booking!