AAP LibraryReads Best in Debut Authors: 2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting

The Association of American Publishers collaborated with LibraryReads to host an event that spotlighted six new authors. Each author spoke for about 10 minutes about what libraries mean to them and how they got started with their first books. The books presented were:

• Kaitlyn Greenidge: We Love You, Charlie Freeman.
• Shobha Rao: An Unrestored Woman.
• Trudy Nan Boyce: Out of the Blues.
• Steve Toutonghi: Join.
• Victoria Kelly: Mrs. Houdini.
• Steve Rowley: Lily & the Octopus.

It amazes me that an author can talk about their background, love for libraries, and inspiration for their first book in just 10 minutes. Some of their comments were so heartfelt that they brought tears to my eyes. Shobha Rao spoke very passionately about the women who were kidnapped during the 1947 partition of India, and how they were "recovered" but never "restored." Steve Rowley discussed his love for his dachshund Lily and how writing the fictional Lily & the Octopus helped him heal after her death from a brain tumor. All of the authors were engaging and funny speakers. A great program!