Magness launches ‘Lunch at Library’
Magness Library is proud to announce a new series of events called “Lunch at the Library,” where the public is invited to bring a brown-bag lunch, beverages will be provided, and come to the library where they will get to hear a variety of interesting and educational speakers. The speakers will be authors or other individuals who will discuss their work or topics of interest to the community. The first lunch will be held Tuesday, April 13 at noon with author Anne Holt as the guest speaker.
The Lunch at the Library events will be held every other month, with the first this month, then again in June, August, October and December of 2004.
Those wishing to attend the April 13 lunch should make reservations by calling the library at 473-2428 no later than Monday, April 12 at noon. There will also be a booksigning and reception for Ms. Holt at the library Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are not required for the booksigning and reception.
“I’m really excited about having her,” said Library Director Mary Robbins, “for several reasons. It’s rather unusual for a writer of western fiction to be a woman, a writer at 68-years-old and a college student at 68.”
Anne H. Holt did indeed begin her new career as a novelist at 68, a time when most people are enjoying a well-earned retirement. She was lucky enough to have her very first novel, “Silver Creek,” published by Avalon Books in June of 2003. Holt actually wrote the book in less than three months, starting it in June of 2002 and finishing in August.
Holt describes her novel as “an old fashioned western,” which is not surprising since she has been steeped in western literature and history from the time she was a youngster in her native Virginia.
Holt says her father taught her to love books and he was partial to westerns. As a child she read novels by Zane Grey, Janice Holt Giles, Louis L’Amour, Don Coldsmith and Elmer Kelton, which played a big part in her decision to write westerns, as did her upbringing on a large Virginia farm.
Holt will also be talking about her new book, “Kendrick” which will be coming out this month.
“She’s really articulate,” said Robbins. “Very interesting, and I think we’re just really fortunate to have her come.”