Carly.Lombardo@amgpubs.com
Isabel Allende was the best reading/signing I've been to. She was funny, shared her craft, and answered questions all in a very short period of time but you left feeling like you knew a lot about her and her writing. I also enjoyed a recent Hunter S.Thompson signing in NYC but that was more entertaining than anything else.

Mimiklein43@aol.com
A few years ago, I worked for Border's Books & Music in Aventura, Florida. We had a wonderful book signing with Peter Duchin. He even played the piano for us. All in all, it was a fabulous evening for all who attended.

FalseMillennium@aol.com
For a while, during the 1990's, the Wilson Center for International Scholarship held a series of literary lectures under the creation of James Morris. Annie Proulx, John Barth, William Gaddis, Gilbert Sorrentino, John Casey, and many other notable authors participated. It was a wonderful environment to be in. The lectures were held in the upper levels of the "Castle" at the Smithsonian. The lecture room was a library, with an upper level gallery reached by a winding cast iron staircase. The gallery went around three-fourths of the room. The other wall, in back of the lectern, held a Gothic cathedral "rose" window. After the lecture, there was a question and answer period, followed by a catered reception in an oval room decorated in the manner of William Morris. It was all incredibly civilized, and I've not seen anything comparable in Washington, D.C. since then. That is one "collective best" memory.

I would have to choose as "individual best" the lecture Don DeLillo gave at the Folger Shakespeare Library following the publication of Underworld, which was part of the PEN/Faulkner Fiction Awards. I remember him speaking of his ardor for reading fiction, up until he entered his fifties, at which time he found he couldn't bear reading it any longer. DeLillo stated he had always believed fiction would be a life-long passion, and he now found himself only interested in reading non-fiction. The other top of the pile reading would have to be Paul Theroux, lecturing on Patronage at the Library of Congress.

ReoneK@aol.com
The best reading that I have ever attended was one that featured Frank McCourt. He is an even better speaker than he is an author. He held a rather large audience captivated for over an hour and was kind enough to ask if anybody had any questions. His sense of humor and love of literature were apparent.

Jcopek@aol.com
Author Tim O'Brien speaking to a group in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I believe it was the year his book Lake of the Woods came out. He wore a baseball cap and very casual clothes, but I will never forgot the respectful way he spoke of writing and how difficult he still found it to be. Listening to him read his novel and talk about his life and his writing have always remained in my mind.

HOKAJO2@aol.com
In 1976, while my father was gravely ill in the hospital, I attended a reading/lecture by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross from On Death and Dying. Her theory was a totally new concept to me that I found startling but fascinating. A week later, sitting at my father's bedside and watching him sleep, he seemed to exhibit many of the characteristics described by Kubler-Ross of the dying person, such as communication with those "on the other side." The next morning he was taken into surgery, where he died on the table. After the fact, I thought it an amazing coincidence that I had signed up to attend this reading before my father was taken ill. Kubler-Ross' explanations from that reading suddenly took on new meaning for me and gave me great comfort in the face of an unexpected tragedy.

MACrumpton@aol.com
When Cal Ripken came to Atlanta and signed after playing extra innings against the Braves, he was greeted by a very long line of fans who was more interested in the author than the book. He gave every single person individual attention, respect and his appreciation for their coming to see him. Truly a quality event by a quality player/author.

Helenme23@wmconnect.com
Last year, at the South Carolina State Book Fair, I was able to meet author Sharyn McCrumb. She is a storyteller, a novelist that carries on the culture of the Appalachian Mountains and I love her ballad series of novels. It was a thrill for me to meet this wonderful woman who I consider my favorite modern author.

Fafajane@aol.com
Stephen King's book signing in Bangor was very enjoyable, as there weren't huge crowds and I actually got to talk to the author for a few minutes.

lorrainegelly@earthlink.net
There are actually two author signings that stand out in my mind. One is with Peter Robinson, who was appearing at a mystery bookstore in Milwaukee in the spring of 1999. My book club had just finished reading his first book (at my suggestion) and we decided to go, all 8 of us, to his signing. It must have been an off night for book signings because there were only one or two other people in the bookstore. We had a great time talking to Peter, asking him questions about Inspector Banks and having him read passages from his new book. We felt like we were having our own private visit with an author.

Another signing that stands out in my mind was at the same bookstore --- John Sandford. The storeowner always encourages customers to bring their own books for the authors to sign. I had a shopping bag full, and when I got up to the counter, the bag broke. Mr. Sandford was very kind and gracious and helped pick the books up and then signed each one.

MarionK105@aol.com
I went to a Barnes & Noble book signing by Michael Capuzzo, the author of Close to Shore. Because I live in NJ and spent my youthful summers at the Jersey shore, I was fascinated about his story. He wrote what I would like to call "the true story of Jaws" because the first shark fatality in the United States in the 20th century took place in Beach Haven, NJ in 1916. When I was dating my husband, his parents owned a vacation home there. He read a passage from his book with such authority, suspense and conviction that I bought the book on sight and read it in one sitting. It was riveting.

songoden@earthlink.net
I recall the first time I heard Sharon Doubiago read her poetry as one of the most indelible poetry performances. I've also had the pleasure of hearing Terry Tempest Williams read a couple of times and she brings an energy to her readings that enlivens the words. David Mas Masumoto played a homemade drum to accompany a reading of a passage about rain from his first book.

LUCKEEJ@aol.com
I attended the RWA in New Orleans and there were about 200 authors there. I was in book heaven. I still have autographed books that I haven't read since I bought so many.

Carosp@aol.com
The only author signing I remember going to was a year or two ago, to get Omar Vizquel's autobiography for me, my sister, and my brother and get them all autographed. It was great to see Omar just across the table, and I also got two Christmas presents taken care of!

Joyceglad@aol.com
I went to a signing by James Patterson for Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas. It was such a thrill for me to meet him because he is my favorite author. I will always remember that evening.

Buttercupmlm@aol.com
I have been to a number of book signings, but my favorite one was when I was still a teenager: Madeleine L'Engle autographed my favorite book, Ring of Endless Light, at Yosemite State Park. She was speaking at a conference for teachers that my mother was attending, and my mother brought me in after the workshop to get my book signed. Madeleine wrote "Be a light bearer" in the front of my book, and the book has been very special ever since!

Avery85282@aol.com
Sherman Alexie is an outstanding entertainer and he can really sell his books.

Dorbashore@aol.com
Michael Perry, author of Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, is amazing. I gave copies to our son and also a son-in-law. Neither of these guys has much time to read and they both called within a week to tell us how much they loved this book! Coincidentally another son and his wife heard Michael Perry on NPR and immediately thought of getting the book for us!

I cannot give a good enough review of the book to do it justice. I will just say the writing is extraordinary, the subject matter is both serious and very funny at times, and you would have to have a hard heart not to realize this man is indirectly showing you how to live a better life yourself. Please take a look at this book and pass the word. It is worth reading.

bookldy@penn.com
By all means, Chris Bohjalian. I was instrumental in scheduling Chris to speak and sign his books at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (PA) campus last year on January 31, 2002. Chris spoke to writing classes, then did a public reading in the evening on campus. It was extremely well attended and, of course, Chris is so personable. He treats each reader as if he or she is a lifelong friend. His caring, as well as his expertise as an author, comes through, not only in his novels but also in his appearances to share and promote his works.

anneaustex@austin.rr.com
I enjoy hearing Susan Wittig Albert, author of the herb series with China Bayles. As a former college professor, Susan gives an informative, fun, behind the scenes look at what motivates her and the characters she writes about. Over the years, I've seen Susan several times and always come away from her readings and signings with some newfound knowledge.

LorynK@aol.com
The author signing that was the most amazing was when Brian Jacques, author of the Redwall series, was here several years ago from England. There were hundreds of kids waiting. He spoke and did a reading and he was a very dynamic personality. He definitely did not disappoint!

When J.K. Rowling came a few years ago, I sat outside the store in a line around the block with other parents waiting to receive a line number. When school let out, we brought the kids for the signing and lined up in order. But she had no time to talk. Just sign, sign, sign.

fleischmann@mindspring.com
I saw Richard Lewis read at B&N in NYC when The Other Great Depression came out. He was so real. He said that he thought he would die when he finished writing the book. I was amazed. He was a man who you could see growing before your eyes. Of course I bought the book and he signed it graciously. And it was a reading that I replay often and will remember for a long time.

libraryisclosing@yahoo.com
One of the most memorable readings for me was last summer at NY's Summerstage. It was a free, outdoor reading in Central Park. Both Jonathan Safran Foer and Ethan Hawke were reading. My friend and I were really looking forward to hearing from the Foer's critically acclaimed novel. Instead he had written a depressing and very unfocused story just for the occasion. People probably would have left, but Ethan Hawke was reading next, and many people were there just to catch a glimpse of the actor.

Among the readers in past summers were Grace Paley and Frank McCourt.

Brakedrum@aol.com
Janet Evanovich, author of the Stephanie Plum series. She put on a whole show.

Britadon@aol.com
Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Lives of Bees. This was the most recent signing that I have attended but was particularly memorable because of the extra tidbits about southern houses and their construction that were exchanged between the author and an audience member. I really had thought her opening scenes with the bees flying around the room at night were just pure fantasy until I heard her.

mtsantoro@enter.net
I've attended many books signings. I have to say they all have their strong points. The most moving are the children's authors. I have attended Jan Brett, Kay Winters, Denise Brunkus, Joyce McDonald, Sally Keehn, Joan Bauer and a few others. The most powerful of all was Denise Brunkus. She stood in front of an audience of children and adults, while creating a picture or her next Junie B. Jones book. It was great how she interacted with the crowd and helped motivate reading and the arts. She was an inspiration.

Felicia.Sinusas@stmartins.com
One signing stands out in my mind in particular because I met my current boyfriend at it! He happened to be a friend of the author and I had worked with the author in the past. As the signing was winding down, I saw one of the author's colleagues that I had met at the beginning of the event come strolling back into the bookstore. With him was a stranger. I went over and began talking with the colleague, and then stuck my hand out and introduced myself to the stranger. We hit it off instantly and still do to this day.

I'm sure that wasn't what you were really asking in your question, and I have to say that the reading was also one of the best I have attended as well. The author selected a funnier part of the novel, kept the audience laughing with dramatic pauses, and little interjections or comments on the text. The more brilliant part was that, when it came time for the signing, if a person was a bit shy, the author would start asking them questions, like "Where are you from?" "What do you do?", making the experience of meeting someone they admired a positive one. Obviously, this is a complete contrast to other bigger authors who perfunctorily read for the requisite amount of time, and attempt to sign each book without even looking up or interacting with the person.

Marleyeep@aol.com
A few years ago, my daughter and I went to see Garrison Keillor at a local reading and signing. After the reading, which was excellent (he even had us sing a hymn together), the line wound around the store. When we finally got to the front, he spent 5 minutes talking to my daughter about playing the tenor sax in her school band. We were having him sign Sandy Bottom Orchestra, which he co-wrote with his musician wife. It was a very classy and inspirational thing to do --- though probably much to the chagrin of everyone behind me.

shirlbiccum@comcast.net
Recently, Michael A. Hawley held a book signing at our local Barnes & Noble for his first mystery novel Double Bluff published by Onyx. He is a sheriff in a community near Seattle. We had read his book for our mystery book club and enjoyed meeting him. He brought along some pieces of equipment used by his department in the past and shared stories of cases (anonymously) that he had been involved in. He is a very personable man and we all enjoyed meeting him.

BAY727@aol.com
The one book signing that stands out in my mind the most is the one I attended in November of 1996 with Rita Mae Brown at a bookstore located in Venice, California. She started out the event by reading from her newest book in her wonderful Mrs. Murphy mystery series. Then she answered any and all questions, but the most wonderful part was when she was signing each person's book. She took the time to talk to each person. She really made me feel that my thoughts and ideas were important to her. She is a wonderful, sweet, nice and pleasant person who also impressed my husband, and believe me, THIS IS VERY HARD TO DO! He is a real cynic about everything. She spent quite a bit of time with each person who had attended the event. I would love to go to another signing of hers.

MLMiller08@aol.com
When I went to Janet Evanovich's book reading and signing near Seattle, Washington a couple of years ago, I was amazed at the amount of books people had brought for her to sign. I mean, bags full of books she had written years previously, before she began writing her current popular mystery series. She read from her current book and, funny as it was, it was even funnier when she read it and told about how she came to write it. She was very gracious and thoughtful to sign all those dozens of older books, as well as the new ones. I enjoyed her very much and look forward to her books.

JWells7908@aol.com
I just came home from a reading at Elliott Bay Bookstore in Seattle where Ian McEwan read and signed his books for a large audience tonight. The rains POURED down hard and I live in Seattle's suburbs, but I knew I owed it to MAD to make it to the reading and report on Ian's appearance.

I parked near Pioneer Square, and like a real neophyte walked through the area "where angels fear to tread" in my Donna Karen mini suit. One of the homeless asked me for "change," but I was too nervous to get into my purse so I apologized and quickly tapped-danced away on my power heels across the square's redbrick grounds. I report it as it happened. I entered the bookstore and went downstairs where the reading would take place in 20 minutes. The room was already filled with Seattlites, fans, literati, TV cameramen (from Vancouver B.C.) Bravo and CBC (Canada). While I questioned the house manager at the velvet-rope, suddenly, out of nowhere, Ian McEwan walked by (I'm as stunned as you, but there he was, crossing the basement floor, literally within two feet in front of me).

Straight away I opened the portfolio I had with me and showed him a photo-page from the British GQ of him and Martin Amis at some London nightclub. He looked at it, and asked me where it was taken. I said "Don't you remember?" He looked again and I ventured "It may have been at The Groucho Club in London." Then he eyed it more closely and replied, "Oh, it was at London's Polish Club where Martin had his opening party for Money." Not to be contrary, I nodded it was indeed there (but between you and me, it was at the press party for London Fields). I asked him if Martin and Julian (Barnes) were speaking again, and he looked quite seriously at me, shaking his head back and forth, and replied a two-syllable "No-o."

I then asked if "he" was talking to Martin, and Ian immediately shot back, "Oh yes! he's my good friend." I told him I was flying to Oxford next week to see Martin, and he informed me --- as he started up the stairs --- that "Martin is coming here!" [America]. I quickly retorted, "I mean Oxford, Mississippi, where he's kicking off his American book tour." "Oh-h yes," he said, and continued up the stairs.

Ian joined a camera crew where they shot some film on him. About 15 minutes later, he passed by me on his way to the reading area and I interjected, "Do you ever read MAD? I mean, Martin Amis Discussion site?"

He looked at me, nonplussed, so I added: "On the Internet! It's a website where we talk about him and his books created by Professor James Diedrick who wrote Understanding Martin Amis. Ian replied: "Oh, I will have to tease him about it."

I found my way into the reading room, a large, open room filled with wooden chairs surrounding a slightly raised stage and podium, and sat diagonal to the stage, second row back.

Mr. McEwan was introduced by the house MC and greeted by hearty applause by the [roughly] 200 attending audience members. McEwan is a slightly built man, aristocratically slim, about 5'9; he looked middle-40's, wearing glasses and sporting an expensive haircut.

He then began reading from the first chapter of Amsterdam as we all sat transfixed and entertained by his Oxfordian, modulated voice. He read for an hour. Like almost all authors, Ian is no Robert DeNiro, but his punched "dramatic" reading added to his attempt to please his audience. We loved it. One memorable sentence, describing the newspaperman Vernon: "He'd "send the paper to the grave in perfect syntax." The room filled with laughter while I thought only of Professor D.'s utter frustration with my constant grammatical errors.

When the evening opened up for questions and signings, the MC asked us to be brief since this was our author-guest's last stop before returning to London the next day, and as expected, he was fatigued from a long American book tour.

Then, out of the audience behind me, a voice rang out sharply. "WHAT IS THE POINT?"

Mr. McEwan looked taken aback, as we all were, and replied, "My book? … to entertain, I guess." The cronish and clearly mentally deranged, grayly disheveled woman blurted out again: "I mean, it certainly didn't deserve The Booker!"

The room sat appalled at this rude and unexpected outburst. Mr. McEwan was clearly shaken (a woman in the signing line later commented to me she saw him blush). The din of disapproval, shudders and excited whispers crossed over the room. I heard myself say in a normal tone, "If you didn't like it, then why don't you go home?" heard only by those around me.

It was quite an awful moment but Mr. McEwan quickly composed himself and asked for other queries and proceeded the evening's Q & A. The abject rudeness of this psychotic crone stayed in the air and none of us, including Mr. McEwan, completely recovered. Ian explained the title of his novel Amsterdam to a questioner and I will report on that later in another post. Waiting for his signing, a CBC director interviewed me, along with others, on camera in the long line, and I was told the program will be seen on BRAVO in the next few months. At his signing desk, I felt impelled to remark, "Your audience viewed you with adulation tonight, Ian. I apologize for that horrible intrusion. I am sure you have your mentally-ill and crazies in England too." Ian replied, "Oh yes, I wrote a whole book about them."

I was driven to my car by the lady I met in line, and as we turned the corner, Mr. McEwan came out of the corner bookstore building with two other gentlemen [flanking him] and crossed the street. Impulsively, I rolled down my car window and yelled out, "Seattle loves you, Ian!" His refined, serious face broke into a huge smile as he waved his hand.

Toad0212@aol.com
Bob and Brian Griese wrote a book together and had a signing in Denver. There was a fan of Bob Griese in line just in front of me who wanted his book personalized and asked Bob to do it. Bob did. Then the fan hung out next to Bob Griese trying to monopolize his time. At one point, the fan asked Bob if he had a business card with him. The fan had been a pest and, even if a business card were available, this guy wasn't getting one. Just as Bob told the fan no, he didn't have a card with him, young Brian giggled and looked away from his father and tried to get his giggles under control. A few of the fans behind me heard what had happened. They were stumped by Brian's apparent unprovoked attack of the giggles. I just winked at Brian, collected my signed book from Bob, shook his hand, thanked him for the wonderful memories and got out of the bookstore! I giggled all the way home myself.

GandmaRI@aol.com
I attended an author night and heard author Philip Gulley speak. He reminisced about small-town America and it was a real hoot. He's warm, accessible and funny. It was a pleasure to meet him.

Linpeace1@aol.com
E.E. Cummings reading his poetry a long time ago.

jacobson312@earthlink.net
William Gass and Grace Paley read from their works at the Printer's Row Book Fair in June 2002. They brought more meaning to each piece --- it was a standing room only event despite the heat.

pkmiller@att.net
Actually, there were TWO --- both "local boys make good": Bill Kennedy, who toiled for years as a newspaper reporter before finally making it REALLY big with Ironweed. Many of us know of the people of whom he writes --- factual and otherwise. And Gregory Maguire, my old friend, who had a modest career writing children's books before making it big with Wicked about the "Wicked Witch of the East."

Both of these took place in The Book House, our wonderful local independent bookstore. For Greg and I, it was a chance to meet each other's Partners (and I assured him, having known his dad for many years, I think his dad would have understood about Greg being gay and approved) and catch up to old times. Greg doesn't get back to Albany (NY) as often as he used to, and every time The Book House has him here for a signing, it's a special day.

Mvourneen@aol.com
Sandra Cisneros is wonderful at her readings. No other author comes close. I have friends who will travel miles to hear her give the same reading they heard the day before.

HeyNay@aol.com
I went to see Margaret Atwood at the University of Chicago reading from her new book, Cats Eye. The room was very crowded, and as my friends and I entered, she was asking people to please move forward, which we did. It seemed Ms. Atwood wasn't satisfied with our placement in the room and invited us to come and sit on the stage. We did as asked and it was a wonderful experience to be so up close and personal. I just sat there mesmerized listening to her read, and even though the room was completely filled, I felt as if she was reading to me personally. It was an evening I will never forget.

Endorra@aol.com
Quite a few years ago, when I was working in Manhattan, I went to Barnes & Noble for a book signing by George Will. The book was Men At Work, which was to be a birthday present for my husband. Prior to this signing, I had read an article by Mr. Will recommending Books on Tape and how much pleasure he derives from them. I rented and I listened and became a confirmed listener. I was determined to relate this to Mr. Will if time permitted. When it was my turn for the signing, he asked me who to address it to. I told him and then I went into how much I owe him for introducing me to books on tape. He looked up, rose from his seat, shook my hand and said, "Aren't they the greatest?" We discussed for a few moments, we thanked each other and this turned out to be a memorable signing for me. As for George Will --- well, who knows!

TALC53@aol.com
I went to a book signing in Palm Beach Gardens in February and met a new author, James Kirvin. He is a local surgeon and I was curious. He was very pleasant and spent a great deal of time discussing his book with me. I noticed he did the same with every other visitor. I bought his book, The Referee, and loved it. It was the first book signing where I felt the author was there to meet people, not just sell books. If you have the opportunity to meet him, you should. I would like to see an interview with him.

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