Ariel, many thanks to you and Todd for sharing your memories of Pat Conroy. After reading through The Book Tide’s posts this month about Pat, I decided this evening that it’s time to reread Beach Music and South of Broad. The publication of any of his books were definitely an event for me in my reading life just as Todd was describing Pat’s publications were events for the publishing world. Living just a couple of hours from the Lowcountry, I would always drive to his closest book signing be it Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah, or Jacksonville. Once, even in Los Angeles, at an American Booksellers Assoc trade show. I treasure those few moments I had with him over the years to just say Thank You and to connect over a shared love of the Lowcountry. I also enjoyed meeting his wife, Cassandra, when she came through Jacksonville a few years ago on her tour for Tell Me a Story. It’s been a little bittersweet to think back over his books along with other Book Tide friends this month knowing that (at least in my lifetime) there will never be another author to match Pat Conroy’s talent.
Ariel, many thanks to you and Todd for sharing your memories of Pat Conroy. After reading through The Book Tide’s posts this month about Pat, I decided this evening that it’s time to reread Beach Music and South of Broad. The publication of any of his books were definitely an event for me in my reading life just as Todd was describing Pat’s publications were events for the publishing world. Living just a couple of hours from the Lowcountry, I would always drive to his closest book signing be it Charleston, Hilton Head, Savannah, or Jacksonville. Once, even in Los Angeles, at an American Booksellers Assoc trade show. I treasure those few moments I had with him over the years to just say Thank You and to connect over a shared love of the Lowcountry. I also enjoyed meeting his wife, Cassandra, when she came through Jacksonville a few years ago on her tour for Tell Me a Story. It’s been a little bittersweet to think back over his books along with other Book Tide friends this month knowing that (at least in my lifetime) there will never be another author to match Pat Conroy’s talent.