Monday, June 2, 2008

Happy Sigh~

Over the weekend, I went to Leif Enger's book signing in Pittsboro, NC. (Apparently, the book store in Fearrington Village is a big deal and gets lots of great authors to come there to do book signings - who knew?) It was absolutely awesome. I was a few minutes late, due to the fact that I knew where Fearrington Village was, but I didn't know where in Fearrington Village the book store was. So I snuck in late and sat in the back. Apparently, I missed him telling the story about the first time he came to Fearrington Village and how lost he and his wife got! So I was in good company on the getting lost. He read two selections from his new book, talked about his childhood a little, and took questions. He was very nice and personable and had a great reading style. Then, he moved to another room where a table was set up for him to sign books. I was second in line, due to the rest of the crowd being slow walking senior citizens! Score! As he was signing my books, I asked him my question. I knew from an interview that he and his wife had home schooled their children, so I asked if they had used a curriculum or knew of one that they would recommend. He told me I should ask his wife and that she was there. His description of his wife? "She's wearing a black sweater over a floral print shirt. Gorgeous. You'll find her." Is that not the sweetest description?! I did find his wife and she and I had a great discussion about home schooling and what books they had used. They were both just lovely people.

8 comments:

Pickles and Dimes said...

That is so fantastic! I love hearing how nice authors are in real life. If he's anything like his brother, he is a sweetheart and just the greatest guy around.

I think before I said Leif and Lin were twins, but they're not, are they? They just look incredibly alike. I don't know where I got that, sorry!

Shelly said...

Shauna - he did seem like the nicest guy! I asked him if he had submitted his book for consideration for the Pulitzer and he just laughed.

No, I don't think they are. He told a story that involved his brother and said that he is 10 years older. I wondered if that was Lin or if he had another brother. That's fine! It's still cool that you knew his brother.

Phil said...

Leif is the youngest of four kids; his oldest brother is about 10 years older, sister 7 or 8, and Lin is 5 years older.

Alice said...

i've added leif to my Official Book List (Comprised Entirely of Suggestions From Bloggers) :-)

so fantastic that they were nice in person! that's always so great... i hate the disappointment of someone i think is awesome actually ending up being a jerk.

Shelly said...

Um, hi Phil! You know a lot about Leif Enger. Are you a friend of his? Thanks for the info, that's awesome. I just want to be clear that I'm just a fan of Leif's, not a crazy stalker.

Shelly said...

Alice - I hope you enjoy his books - I loved them. And I know what you mean about book recommendations from bloggers. I just finished Lamb, recommended by Tessie, and I have The Rabbit Factory recommended by Shelly Overlook, and The Woods recommended by JMC.

And I agree completely! I was delighted that they were so nice. It would have been crushing if they weren't, because I love his books so much.

Pickles and Dimes said...

Are you going to read Lin's new book coming out? I can't wait to read it, and now thanks to you I have to pick up Leif's book too!

Shelly said...

Shauna - yes, I definitely am! If he's anywhere near as good as Leif, I'm sure I'll love it. I read the description on the site you linked for me before, and I remember being really interested in it.