The Bonds We Forge As Readers

For an avid reader, few things are more satisfying than making an "author connection" with another avid reader.  It's sort of thrilling, albeit in a geeky, reader sort of way, when you mention a favorite author to someone, and his or her face lights up.  There's a look she gets in her eyes, a smile spreading fast on his face, and just like that, you've gone and done it: you've made an author connection!

Seriously, though, it's really cool when you discover that someone is as enthused about an author as you are.  Luckily, I am able to make these sorts of connections every day, due to the nature of my job.  Recommending books is something I have to do, day in and day out, and I love it.  And it's also exciting when a library member turns me on to a book or author that I'm not overly familiar with.

Today, as the little storm that was supposed to be a prelude to the blizzard (but ended up being a sizable event unto itself) swirled its white magic around Winthrop, I made an awesome author connection.  I was sitting at the circulation desk when a woman walked in the door and headed to the new non-fiction bookcase.  She is quite friendly, as most people in Winthrop are, and what I would call a semi-regular at the library.  "I need a good book," she said, with just a hint of desperation.  I put on what I like to call my Non-Fiction face, which is something I have to put on for our non-fiction readers.  It's a face I make when I journey inside myself and pray that I'll be able to recommend something even half as successfully as I would if they were asking for fiction titles.  Yes, I admit it, I am one of those fiction lovers who vows every year to expand my non-fiction horizons.

Now, of course I am a professional, and years of working in bookstores and libraries have given me a lot to work with when it comes to non-fiction.  And I am admittedly well-read when it comes to music and literary criticism, and sort of well-rounded in biography.  Anyway, I was going to suggest The Island Of Lost Maps, but at the last minute, something caused me to inquire "do you prefer non-fiction?" to which she responded, "Only when it reads like fiction."  This gave me pause, and I as I thought about my next move, she said, "I wouldn't mind reading a novel tomorrow during the storm."  Well, with that I was up and across the floor, putting on my Fiction Face (which is animated, enthusiastic, and excited), saying "Well, I can recommend lots of those! Who are your favorite authors?"

And this is where the author connection took place.  "I like Richard Russo," she responded, "Amy Tan.  Sue Miller."  Trying to maintain my professional demeanor, I practically shouted at the top of my lungs, "I love Sue Miller; she is one of my favorite authors EVER!"

"Oh, I have read everything by her," she replied, smiling the smile that people smile when they are making an author connection.

"Did you read The Lake-Shore Limited?" I shouted.  Not really, but I was animated.

"No," she said, "I don't think I have!"

"It just came out last year," I replied, almost jumping up and down, suddenly unconcerned with the blizzard that is about to dump another foot-plus of snow on my state.

"I didn't know she had a new one!" she responded, almost shouting herself.

"Yes!" I exclaimed.  "It was my book of the year for 2010," and I practically sprinted into the stacks to retrieve the novel, which I brought to her and handed over like a treasured Christmas present.

"Well, I guess I have found my book," she said, hardly able to contain her enthusiasm.

As she dug out her library card and I prepared to check-out the novel, I decided to take the risk that avid readers often take after making a successful author connection: the risk of suggesting a second author, holding our breath as we wait to see whether this new bond is going to grow stronger or simply rest at this happy plateau.  Now, those who know me might think that I asked her if she liked Anne Tyler, but oh no: I took this one step further and formed the sentence: "Do you like Jane Hamilton?"  "I love Jane Hamilton," she said, and I kid you not, I just about teared up.  Before I could say anything, she continued: "I had two copies of The Short History Of A Prince for the longest time, but I finally gave one to my friend."

Silence for half a second as I collected myself.

WHAT I SAID: "That is so awesome.  She is another one of my favorite authors EVER!"

WHAT I THOUGHT: "Oh my God, you are so cool and easily one of the greatest people I have ever met in my life, and I am so, so glad that I am working today and not at lunch, because that would have been tragic."

So, needless to say, I had a great day at work.  Honestly, though, that is the sort of thing that has happened to me many times throughout my years working in bookstores and libraries.  Author connections are moments that I treasure.  They are what remind me that I am lucky to have a job that I love, and that when I feel like a geek for being a tried and true book addict, I need only remember the kindred spirits out there, clutching Sue Miller books as they head into the snowy day, to drive home and read.  I sure hope she likes the book!