Fun, Books, and Coffee!
These days, just like in Erich’s time, coffee houses were places for people to meet, talk, and share stories over java and pastries. And so it was at my first solo book signing at High Grounds Espresso and Books, Highlandtown’s favorite coffee and book bar!
I’ll have more pictures when my trusty PowerBook comes home from the shop, but in the meantime here’s a great shot that Mary Jo took.
We had a great turnout! My friends Peg and David drove up from Washington to have lunch with us before the signing, and helped me set up. Bruce Lindstrom, High Grounds’ book buyer and a long-time friend of Canton’s book readers and writers, brought around the tables and chairs while java-meister extraordinaire Brett Bixler served up warm mugs of coffee to take the chill off from the windy day outside. (If you haven’t tried their hot chocolate, definitely do so — it’s the best!)
The traffic was steady throughout the afternoon and I had the opportunity to meet and chat with a wonderfully wide range of people from the neighborhood. I even had the pleasure of meeting two people who were regular contributors to The Canton Connection, which I used to edit for the Canton Community Association. How nice it was to put faces to their words! (Hi, Darlene and Katie!)
Bruce had ten copies on hand, and I sold eight! Not bad at all.
My favorite moment, though, had to be when Peg re-emerged from the back of the store with a giant stack of used books that went up to her chin! I wish we had snapped a picture — it was classic! Everyone, including Peg, had a good laugh.
I almost never leave High Grounds without finding at least one gem, often recommended by Bruce, who remembers everyone’s tastes. When the signing wrapped up and we bade our farewells, the gem I took away this time was the memory of a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and conversation amid the mingled scents of freshly roasted coffee and old paper. Now that just can’t be beat.