My mom and I went to our favorite annual event yesterday – the Words Alive luncheon. Every year, this fantastic organization, which promotes literacy in so many important ways, invites two authors to speak to an ever-growing audience which makes me realize that San Diego has become a far more literary city than I gave it credit for when I moved here from New York 13 years ago.
Over the years we have eaten a lot of delicious meals and met Chris Bohjalian, Jane Smiley, Lisa See, Gregory Maguire, Robert Goolrick and Elizabeth Berg – just to drop a few names. This year’s authors were Hillary Jordan and Jasmin Darznik, and my mom and I were especially excited because Hillary’s Mudbound is one of our favorite books ever.
Jasmin spoke first and shared the story behind her memoir, The Good Daughter – which is really her mother’s memoir. Born in Iran, Jasmin moved to the United States as a toddler. Two decades later, she discovered a photo of her mom as a bride – but the groom was not Jasmin’s father. Her mother refused to talk about it until a few months later when she sent Jasmin the first of ten tapes on which she had recorded her secret life story – a story which the two women turned into what sounds like a fascinating read.
Hillary then read us a little from her new novel, When She Woke, a futuristic version of The Scarlet Letter in which a young woman is literally turned red after undergoing an abortion. This is a chilling cautionary tale about what happens when there’s no separation between church and state. What’s more shocking than the actual story is the fact that, in the current political climate, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched.
Despite the dark subject matter, Hillary was hilarious, sharing the bizarre Google searches she did as research for the book (“symptoms of gonorrhea,” “Bible verses about women”) and telling us about her experience at the Canadian border, where she explained that she was trying to find the best way for her “heroine” to cross illegally. Unfortunately, her well-intentioned French was interpreted by the guard as “heroin,” and she had to undergo a major drug search!
Hillary ended by thanking Rick Perry and Michelle Bachman for potentially making her book a best-seller! Ha ha!
I want to thank Hillary and Jasmin for bringing their books to life for us; Martha Barnette (who I finally got to speak to in person – yay!) and Grant Barrett of NPR’s A Way With Words for hosting the event with their signature wit and intellect; Ellen Mitgang for putting together this amazing luncheon; Laurie Doyle for all her volunteer work; Leslye Lyons for founding Words Alive; and whoever made the yummy chocolate cake we had for dessert.
I brought home a couple of copies of When She Woke to give away. They would have been autographed by Hillary – who I really wanted to talk to so I could tell her how much I loved Mudbound – but I ran into my son’s extraordinary third grade teacher (my son is now a college senior) in the ladies room and by the time we were done hugging and reminiscing, the authors were gone. Sorry! And, Hillary, I loved Mudbound!
Anyway, if you’d like to be entered to win a copy of When She Woke, just leave a comment below – about these books, any books, any authors, whatever!
And if you live in San Diego, definitely plan on attending next year’s Words Alive luncheon. If you live somewhere else, well, the luncheon is a great reason to take a trip out here!
loved seeing you & your Mom at the Words Alive event. Yea for all the lovers of reading who attend the lunch each year.
Ditto!
What a wonderful function! Amd may I add that I loved Mudbound! It brought up every emotion I had, and then some. My husband loved it too.
Such a great book!
Loved this post today!! Would love to read both, all of the books mentioned!! Can you post some more info about the Words Alive luncheon-date, place, etc?? Thank you!
It’s every year in either October or November. Will definitely put out the word early next year so maybe we can put together a StyleSubstanceSoul table!
Lois – Thank you SO much for the very nice piece on yesterday’s luncheon! We thank YOU for your continued support of Words Alive every year! I also loved Mudbound and my husband ( one of StyleSubstanceSouls’, book reviewer) loved it too:):) I look forward to reading BOTH author’s books too!!
So much fun sitting with you and all the amazing women at that table!
In addition to having lunch with Lois, I look forward to the Words Alive luncheon for many reasons. The speakers are inspirational, the authors make me want to read everything they’ve written and it’s obvious the people who support Words Alive are a dedicated group. The enthusiasm and camaraderie at the luncheon are catching. I hope to meet many of you next year.
Going with you is my favorite part. xo
I wasn’t able to go this year due to a conflict but have attended the Words Alive luncheon as Leslye Lyon’s guest for the past 7 or 8 years. It’s a wonderful organization that does great things for kids and literacy. I will definitely attend next year as I really missed not going. They always put on a great meal and program.
Would have loved to meet you finally! Next year for sure.
I loved Mudbound, it was so deserving of the Bellweather Prize. I’ve looked forward to her new book, since I first saw it.
I work at the Newton County Library in Covington, GA, and our funds have been deeply cut. If I can snag a copy, I’ll read it, and promptly add it to our collection, to share with my community.
Suzanne, we will get you a copy. Send your mailing address to me at lois@stylesubstancesoul.com.
I’m very happy to hear the luncheon was so great. I really miss being there, especially after being so involved in Words Alive for so many years; planning the luncheons was always fun, but my favorite part was working in the classrooms with the kids and being a site chair; it was such an excellent opportunity to make a diffrence in the community. Kudos to Words Alive for being such an amazing organization.
Missed you there!
I’m getting ready to teach Scarlet Letter again to my Advanced Placement students. Sounds like a good book to read and compare.
Sylvia, if you send your mailing address to me at lois@stylesubstancesoul.com, we’ll get a copy to you. Would love to hear what your students think.
Thank you so much! My library is short on New Literature these days. I am so grateful!
It was so wonderful to have the opportunity of providing photography for the 2011 Words Alive Authors’ Luncheon. Such a pleasure meeting all the beautiful people who make up the group “Words Alive”. Very much looking forward to working with you again on future events. Best wishes to everyone for a successful 2011 and a sweet and wonderful 2012.
Jeff Schermer
Jeffrey Schermer Photography