The Experts Of Summer Reading

The Seattle Public Library kicked off its new adult summer reading program, Step Into Reading, with a big event at the main branch last night.

KUOW book reviewer, former director of the Washington Center for the Book, author of the best-selling Booklust and librarian action figure Nancy Pearl interviewed four local authors.

It was a tribute to fun summer reads. G. M. Ford (bluff) and Elizabeth George (unflappable) write mysteries. Jayne Ann Krentz (sharp) writes paranormal, contemporary, and historical romances under three different names. Greg Bear (grumpy) is a best-selling science fiction author.

All four agreed on the merit of so-called 'genre' writing ("Comfort food, like meatloaf in February," says Ford), and agreed that reviewers are the scum of the earth ("Those who can't do, review," says Bear). In short, a good time was had by all.

The real news is that Seattle Public Library events apparently include free Starbucks coffee and cookies, and more free Starbucks coffee can be earned by participating in this Step Into Reading Program. Review three books briefly, turn in the form, and you get a $4 Starbucks gift card and an entry into a drawing for a 'Booklover's Basket' of goodies at the end of the summer. It's about time grown-ups started to get in on that encouraging-kids-to-read action.