I stumbled across the North Richland Hills Public Library recently on-line as I was following Gretchen Rubin on social media. Gretchen’s newest book The Four Tendencies releases today and she will be talking about her publication at the NRH library this Friday – free to the general public from 1-2 p.m. Easy to get to from Fort Worth, the library is a beautiful building in the middle of Home Town community and retail space.
As I was looking through the library’s webpage, I stumbled across their “Behind the Book” series and couldn’t believe some of the well-known authors they have scheduled in their series. After I registered to attend the ticketed reception with Gretchen Rubin (which is now sold out), I also registered to meet Tess Gerritsen known for her crime novels which inspired the Rizzoli and Isles series on the TNT network.
The $35 ticketed reception includes entrance to an exclusive author meet-and-greet, a personalized signed copy of the author’s book, time to socialize with other book lovers, delicious refreshments prepared around the theme of the book and reserved seating at the author’s speaking engagement open to the general public.
The library staff did an outstanding job with all the touches throughout the event from the personal greeting in the lobby when you arrived to the food and decor. The light luncheon was beautifully presented and their clever touches of recipes like “Boston Cream Pies” – – Gerritsen’s characters work in Boston — and the crime scene markers to identify the food on the buffet was inspired! I took away some clever ideas to use for my Mrs. Twist Reads This book club.
After lunch we ventured upstairs to the general reception to find more props like evidence collection bags, crime scene tape and scene markers inspired by the characters of the series.
Actresses Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander star in the Rizzoli and Isles TNT series
Dr. Maura Isles and Detective Jane Rizzoli
We found our reserved seating and from 1-2 p.m. heard from Tess Gerritsen and the inspiration she finds for writing her books which have sold over 30 million copies. Gerritsen shared that she scours three newspapers every morning for inspiration to delve into human relations. She went on to share some examples of how real life crime stories have been re-imagined onto the pages of her books. She also shared some new projects she is working on which includes a limited series for Sasha Alexander who played Dr. Maura Isles in the TNT series. Sasha shared with Gerritsen that she wasn’t ready to give up her character despite the ending of the TNT series. She concluded the hour by taking questions from the audience. It was a fascinating time learning about the publishing and television industry.
After the event I signed up to be a member of their Friends of the Library program which affords its members discounts and notifications of upcoming events. Most libraries offer a program similar to this so be sure to inquire at your local library. Plus, it goes toward improving literacy for all ages. There are two more “Behind the Book” events in October. Check them out here for more information and to sign up.
I had a great time and I look forward to returning this Friday to hear from and meet Gretchen Rubin!
Hospitality is in my DNA. I founded Home with a Twist, a daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions, in memory of my mother to celebrate her life and the gifts she shared with me. Mother loved to celebrate life’s occasions – big and small.
