CityLit at the Library
The ninth annual CityLit Festival was held on April 14, 2012 at the Enoch Pratt Free Library (Central Branch). This was my third visit, however, in many ways I consider it my first. Prior to this year I had been nothing more than a voyeur, but this time around I immersed myself in the culture, connecting with countless writers and fellow readers. It was a satisfying experience, and I walked away, like most, feeling empowered and encouraged.
For those who don’t know, the CityLit Project nurtures the culture of literature in the Baltimore metropolitan area through a wide range of events, workshops, publishing and collaboration, and the CityLit Festival is one of their biggest events, which brings writers, readers and the curious together in a free, day-long celebration of the literary arts – and what a celebration!
There was so much to take in, but instead of following a schedule I opted to roam, canvassing the area, listening to the occasional speaker, and observing an author or two being interviewed by a magazine, newspaper or blogger.
What I enjoyed most was eavesdropping on those quiet off-the-cuff corner conversations between readers, and their love affairs with books, and for some, their infatuation with a particular writer. (Yes, I overheard, "I only read his books!" or "She’s the best! No one writes like her." It was funny, but I can surely understand because I have my favorites, too.)
The highlights for me: Meeting Walter Isaacson (Steve Jobs)… Jennifer Wallace (It Can Be Solved By Walking) – What she read, I liked and I’ll definitely be reading her book, but as for reading to the audience – not the best… Matthew Norman – always a favorite with me and his audience. His book, Domestic Violets, is touching at times, but hysterical. You’re guaranteed to laugh, and for some, relate… The Art Of Living: African-American Poetic Voice – Derrick Weston Brown (Wisdom Teeth) and Alan W. King (Drift), I was genuinely inspired, and to Truth Thomas, thank you for our brief conversation and your purposeful words, "write what you feel – write from the heart"… And, it was finally nice to meet the Executive Director of the Pratt, Dr. Carla Hayden. Our interaction was short, but what I got was beauty, brains, funny and energetic. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to Baltimore’s library. Thank you!
What I missed, but would like to have heard, was Jennifer Bodine speak about her father, A. Aubrey Bodine (a revered artist and Baltimore Sun photographer) and From The Pens of Babes (readings of original poetry by fourth grade students from Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy Charter School).
During this visit, I perused the library, walking the corridors like it was a museum, and in many ways – it is! I guess you would say it’s the museum of books. Both play a unique role as the primary stewards of culture and heritage, but it’s more than that for me. In short, libraries are where knowledge lives, and you can’t beat that. It’s where your imagination is free to roam, especially if you’re a child. It’s where dreams flourish.
I regularly take in the temporary exhibits too, and this time around I saw – The Girl Scouts (Making A Better Baltimore)… Baroque Quake (A selection of works by Baltimore City Public School Students), and Poppies In The Violet Field (Outstanding African American Women in American History), and of course there’s the permanent collection of paintings, which I always admire, especially of the Lord’s of Baltimore.
It was a wonderful day and it ended with cocktails, dinner and a game of Scrabble. Thank you, friends! I await my next adventure. Here’s to all who read this. Have a beautiful week. Cheers! – paerki
Two of my favorite quotes as they relate to books and writing...
"All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn." - Ernest Hemingway
"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway
For those who don’t know, the CityLit Project nurtures the culture of literature in the Baltimore metropolitan area through a wide range of events, workshops, publishing and collaboration, and the CityLit Festival is one of their biggest events, which brings writers, readers and the curious together in a free, day-long celebration of the literary arts – and what a celebration!
There was so much to take in, but instead of following a schedule I opted to roam, canvassing the area, listening to the occasional speaker, and observing an author or two being interviewed by a magazine, newspaper or blogger.
What I enjoyed most was eavesdropping on those quiet off-the-cuff corner conversations between readers, and their love affairs with books, and for some, their infatuation with a particular writer. (Yes, I overheard, "I only read his books!" or "She’s the best! No one writes like her." It was funny, but I can surely understand because I have my favorites, too.)
The highlights for me: Meeting Walter Isaacson (Steve Jobs)… Jennifer Wallace (It Can Be Solved By Walking) – What she read, I liked and I’ll definitely be reading her book, but as for reading to the audience – not the best… Matthew Norman – always a favorite with me and his audience. His book, Domestic Violets, is touching at times, but hysterical. You’re guaranteed to laugh, and for some, relate… The Art Of Living: African-American Poetic Voice – Derrick Weston Brown (Wisdom Teeth) and Alan W. King (Drift), I was genuinely inspired, and to Truth Thomas, thank you for our brief conversation and your purposeful words, "write what you feel – write from the heart"… And, it was finally nice to meet the Executive Director of the Pratt, Dr. Carla Hayden. Our interaction was short, but what I got was beauty, brains, funny and energetic. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to Baltimore’s library. Thank you!
What I missed, but would like to have heard, was Jennifer Bodine speak about her father, A. Aubrey Bodine (a revered artist and Baltimore Sun photographer) and From The Pens of Babes (readings of original poetry by fourth grade students from Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy Charter School).
During this visit, I perused the library, walking the corridors like it was a museum, and in many ways – it is! I guess you would say it’s the museum of books. Both play a unique role as the primary stewards of culture and heritage, but it’s more than that for me. In short, libraries are where knowledge lives, and you can’t beat that. It’s where your imagination is free to roam, especially if you’re a child. It’s where dreams flourish.
I regularly take in the temporary exhibits too, and this time around I saw – The Girl Scouts (Making A Better Baltimore)… Baroque Quake (A selection of works by Baltimore City Public School Students), and Poppies In The Violet Field (Outstanding African American Women in American History), and of course there’s the permanent collection of paintings, which I always admire, especially of the Lord’s of Baltimore.
It was a wonderful day and it ended with cocktails, dinner and a game of Scrabble. Thank you, friends! I await my next adventure. Here’s to all who read this. Have a beautiful week. Cheers! – paerki
Two of my favorite quotes as they relate to books and writing...
"All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn." - Ernest Hemingway
"There is no friend as loyal as a book." - Ernest Hemingway
