Authors aren’t often treated like rock stars but that’s exactly the case in Grand Rapids.
“In all of our history - I've been doing programming at KDL for over 25 years - I've never seen the kind of response we've had to this event.”
Kent District Library Manager of Outreach and Programming Henny Vaandrager says this is the third year of the “On the Same Page” county-wide book club with programs culminating in a free author visit and community discussion.
This year features best-selling authors Kristin Hannah discussing her book “The Women,” and Megan Chance with “The Vermillion Sea.”
“We still have people waiting to get in. So, it’s incredibly heartwarming to see this kind of community response to literature and books and just coming together.”
The interest was so big, organizers had to change venues, scrambling to find a site large
enough.
“We booked Kristin Hannah and Megan Chance about a year ago and if I had suggested Van Andel Arena at the time, I probably would have been laughed out of the room.”
The massive draw is largely due to Hannah, a household name whose historical fiction books feature strong female characters.
“Firefly” is now the basis for a hit Netflix series and “The Nightingale” is an upcoming film.
“She is kind of that level of celebrity that you don't always see in an author. She doesn't do many of these events, so I think, because it's rare people really want to be there for it. People love her books.”
Any spoilers for next year’s author?
“Oh, top secret information! But we are working on it. I don't know how we're going to top this year. It's going to be tough.”
