A Sad Farewell

by Marlyn Beebe.

I just got home from Book'em Mysteries, a bookstore in South Pasadena, California.
Book'em has been in existence for almost 24 years, opening in a new location down the street from the original, which was destroyed by an arsonist less than a year after it first opened.

Sadly, Book 'em will be closing at the end of this month, because owners Mary Riley and Barry Martin are going to retire.  Today, they had their final author event, featuring Naomi Hirahara, Wendy Hornsby, and Sue Ann Jaffarian.

Naomi asked to facilitate the event, as she had grown up in Pasadena and thought of Book 'em as her neighborhood bookstore.

Naomi shares her fondness for Book'em

Wendy, Sue Ann, and Naomi each shared a bit about their most recent books, there were questions from the audience, and then a few members of the crowd described the significance of Book'em in their lives.  

Wendy Hornsby (left) and Sue Ann Jaffarian

One woman said that it became a place where she knew she'd feel welcome when she first moved to Pasadena in the early 1990s, and members of reading and writing groups which have been meeting at the bookstore talked about having to find new locations.  Mary Riley and long-time manager Jean Utley said a few words, too.  

Besides the featured authors, there were others on hand to pay their respects, including Timothy Hallinan, whom I was fortunate to have sitting beside me, and Linda O. Johnston, who slipped out before I had a chance to greet her. 

Timothy Hallinan

Too many members of the local mystery community were present for me to list them all (even if I could remember the names to go with the faces), and the atmosphere was convivial but melancholy.

I feel badly that I haven't visited Book'em as often as I could have.  It's only about 25 miles away, but Southern California freeway traffic and the busy-ness of life are strong (though perhaps not good) excuses.

Farewell, Book'em. You will be greatly missed.

When Writers Shouldn't Read

By Peg Brantley
Evocative Characters. Intriguing Crime. Compelling Stories.



Last Sunday I participated in an author event at a local library. (A shout out for Douglas County Libraries and their support of indie authors!) At that event, and an earlier one for a major bestselling author, sponsored once again by Douglas County Libraries and Tattered Cover Bookstore, I heard authors read from their books.

Readings have historically been an expected part of author appearances. The author shares a little about their process, or their life, or something relevant to their book, and then they choose a passage or two to read aloud to the audience. It's a time-honored tradition.

I'm going out on a very long limb here to say it's a bad idea. And in some cases, a very bad idea.

It doesn't matter how well you think you read, and how much you love your book (I think I read aloud exceptionally well), you need to take a pass. Unless you've had professional training as an actor, the words you've written are best left to the ears and minds of the reader.

Most of the readings I've heard have sounded flat to my ear. Boring, really. Misplaced inflections, odd pronunciations, and either too fast or too slow. My mind begins to wander and I mentally check out.

Unless you've written a children's book and have a room full of four year-olds, reconsider including a reading in your author appearance. You'll probably be ahead of the game.

What do you think? Is it just me?