The Back Room - Brilliant Storytellers

Written By Natalie

Another wonderful Sunday evening unfolded at The Back Room: Cocktails and Conversations with Your Favorite Authors, hosted by authors Hank Phillippi Ryan and Karen Dionne. This November session featured a talented lineup of authors: James Dodson, Heather Gudenkauf, Vanessa Lillie, and Danielle Valentine. My primary motivation for attending was to meet Heather Gudenkauf, whose books have piqued my interest. However, I had only recently read her novel, “Before She Was Found.” It was a pleasure to meet the other authors who were new to me.

As with each event, the session began with an engaging “get to know you” game. Each author was presented with three questions to share some fascinating anecdotes about themselves. Additionally, each author enthusiastically recommended a book they had recently read. Attending The Back Room is a great way to expand your reading list!

In case you’re interested, here are each author’s book recommendations:

James Dodson: American Eden by Victoria Johnson

Heather Gudenkauf: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing (Already on my wishlist)

Vanessa Lillie: To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage

Danielle Valentine: This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead (Adding to my wishlist)

Next, the breakout rooms were set up, providing each author with an opportunity to delve into their latest book. Hank facilitated Q&A sessions with the participants, enabling them to ask questions and engage in meaningful discussions.

During the first breakout room session, I had the pleasure of meeting authors Vanessa Lillie and Danielle Valentine. I was fascinated by the idea that a book can offer more than just a captivating story. Vanessa explained that her latest book, “The Bone Thief,” raises awareness about the ongoing conversation among Indigenous people regarding the ownership of bones and personal property discovered during excavations. While her novel is a mystery thriller, it also educates readers about the Great Swamp Fight that occurred in Rhode Island. I admire her passion for archaeological digs and the significance of the items discovered.

Danielle was genuinely entertaining. She has a captivating personality, a great sense of humor, and a creative writing mind. To be honest, the cover of her book, “The Dead Husband Cookbook,” initially caught my eye, but I would have passed on it. However, after listening to her talk about the story’s origin, the inclusion of her husband’s Italian recipes, and the overall concept, my perspective completely changed. Now, I’m eager to read this book.

During the second breakout room session, I had the pleasure of meeting authors James Dodson and Heather Gudenkauf. James delivered an engaging history lesson that serves as the foundation for his latest book, “The Road that Made America.” I was captivated by his personal experiences growing up and living in North Carolina and how he first learned about the Great Wagon Road. This book is a must-read for history enthusiasts.

Heather concluded the evening by discussing her latest thriller, “The Perfect Hosts.” In this gripping tale, Heather delves into the world of an image-conscious couple who takes their gender reveal party to an extreme. When 200 of their closest friends gather for an elaborate celebration, one of them is murdered, leaving the couple and their guests reeling. Heather’s candid discussion about her writing process and how it has evolved with each book she’s written was truly enlightening.

The shift in my perspective on Danielle’s book underscores the significance of attending author events. Engaging with authors and learning about their thoughts and inspirations while reading their work provides invaluable insights. I am always grateful for their time spent discussing their books.

You can read my blog posts about my previous experiences with The Back Room below.

 

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Natalie
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The Back Room - Chills and Thrills