I’ve been coming to and participating in the Virginia Festival of the Book for many years, now. Eleven, to be exact. I’m sorry that I missed the first five, but I don’t intend to miss any more of them! There’s always something or someone new at VA Book.
This time around, the “new” thing will be appearing as an author. Last November a book I co-authored with Charlottesville resident John Thompson came out from National Geographic Books. “An Uncommon History of Common Things” is a popular history of all sorts of everyday items, from the safety pin to ketchup to the ATM machine and high-heeled shoes. It was a great deal of fun to write, and I hope it’s a fun read, too.
I’ll be one member of a panel called “The Uncommon History of Many Things.” While I’m chuffed that the title gives a nod to my book, by far the most significant book on the panel is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot — more on that in another entry. Rebecca and I will be joined by Jason Vuic, author of “The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History.” (I’ve just finished reading “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea” by Chelsea Handler, and Yugos play an important role in that book…I think I’ve got some questions for my fellow panelist already!)
I can’t wait for that panel, but I’m really knocked out by the idea that this year, at the Author’s Reception I’ve attended many times, I’ll be…one of the authors! It’s a special feeling to have started out as a Virginia Festival of the Book spectator, then to have been a Publishing Day vendor (for PAGES magazine), then to become a moderator, and now to appear as an author. Since I’m also a UVA alum (GSAS ’92), this is a true honor. Thank you, Festival Committee!
