The Library of Virginia sure knows how to put on an eve! With Bible Babel a finalist in 2 categories, I’m honored to have been in the company of not only the winners of those: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and The Horse in Virginia, but also all the amazing writers and lovers of lit who were present at the gala on Saturday evening. Adriana Trigiani kept us in stitches, David Baldacci lent a delightful sense of humor, Richard Thomas (John-Boy!, be still my beating heart of The Waltons !) showed up to present Earl Hamner with the Lifetime Achievement Award… and that’s just for starters. To list attendees, finalists, and presenters would make my head spin all over again and I have to drive, so trust me: amazing amazing. Next up in my reading list: Belle Boggs’ Mattaponi Queen, winner of the Emyl Jenkins Sexton Lit Award for Fiction. I heart the LoVA.
