Friends of SaddleBrooke Libraries

Jamie Ford to speak at November FSL Author Luncheon

Rolly Prager

Friends of the SaddleBrooke Libraries is pleased to announce that New York Times best-selling author, Jamie Ford, will be the guest author at the November 20 Fall Author Luncheon. Jamie Ford is well known for his two powerful novels, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and Songs of Willow Frost.

Ford was born in California and grew up in Seattle and that city played an important role in both novels. His experience growing up as a Chinese-American boy also informs his work. In explaining his western name, Ford likes to tell the story about his great grandfather Min Chung who immigrated to Nevada in 1865 and later changed his name to William Ford.

Jamie graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle in 1988 and then worked as an art director before moving to advertising where he was a creative director. Fortunately for readers everywhere Ford turned to writing novels. The latest novel, Love and Other Consolation Prizes was released on September 12 to rave reviews.

Love and Other Consolation Prizes was inspired by the true story about an orphan boy whose life is transformed when he is raffled off at the 1909 Seattle World Fair. Readers are introduced to 12-year-old Earnest Young, a charity student at a boarding school who has a chance to go to the Fair. What seemed like a gift quickly turns into something else when Earnest realizes that he is there to be the prize in a raffle for a healthy boy who will go to a “good home.”

Books will be available for sale and signing at the luncheon. Tickets are on sale for $29 from September 6 at the HOA 2 Administrative office. There are three choices for lunch: penne bolognese, citrus salad and asian chicken salad.