I got to go to a book reading by Ross Gay at the Mill Valley library on Friday night. I have read both of his Book of Delights, which I think are absolutely fantastic. He recognizes the delight in every day, often obscure things, and even things that at first glance don’t seem to be delightful (like adults with braces!). He has a very wry sense of humor, I often found myself laughing two or three sentences on once I realized the implications of what he had written in an earlier sentence. He incorporates social justice issues in his essays, highlighting oppression and inconsistencies in the way people are treated that some readers might not have otherwise recognized. Being able to hear him speak live was such a treat. The talk was at 7pm, and the doors opened at 6:30. I arrived by 6:10 and there was already a long line outside the library. Actually, there were two lines, one for folks who had pre-registered like me snaking one way from the library doors and a second line going the other way for those on the waitlist. It was a friendly group, I was definitely on the younger side of the attendees. I chatted with the others standing nearby about what brought us to the event, where we lived, etc. It was chilly, though luckily the rain that had come earlier in the day and was predicted return held off. At 6:30 the line finally began to move, and we all gratefully shuffled into warm library. There were rows of chairs set up in front of the fireplace where normally there are several couches and tables. After picking up a complementary glass of wine from the library foundation, I found a seat in the fourth row near the middle. There was an excited anticipation in the air as the head librarian started the program. She admitted that she had not heard of Ross Gay before a patron who knew him personally approached her about inviting him to read and sign books. The librarian picked up his books to get acquainted with his writing before the event but confessed she’d only had time to read three of his stories from the first book of delights. The author was standing off to the side, reviewing his much post-it noted book, laughed at her admission. I noticed that they had added a few more sections of seating in different annexes around the library. This was obviously a very, very popular event. Finally, Ross Gay took the stage. It was such a treat to hear his stories in his own voice and cadence, it made them even richer. It also helped that he would occasionally stop to expand on a certain passage, giving more background. At one point even going over to pick up a copy of his first book of delights, so he could read one of the stories in it that related to a story in the second book of delights! Even though at times his speech was a little mumbling and garbled, it only added to the authenticity of the stories. He would talk faster then slower to emphasize the rhythm in the story. We learned about his friends, his mom, birthday celebrations, and more. After that was a Q&A with the local resident who had been the liaison to set up this event. Unfortunately, she was quite a smug individual and several times referenced her animosity towards Mary Oliver, a much beloved poet to me, and I suspect many in the audience given our collective reaction to her negative words about Mary Oliver‘s work (I leaned over and asked the woman next to me if it was ok to boo the interviewer). I felt that was completely irrelevant to the conversation with the author. She brought it up because at one point he referenced Mary Oliver in a story. I felt it was her way of conveying to the audience how intellectual she was. Frankly, I just thought she was a bitch (and possibly an overlooked poet). Luckily, they soon veered off that topic, and it was an enjoyable rest of the Q&A. I did not join the very long line to get a book signed and headed home enjoying having enjoyed a wonderful end to a very busy week.
