Books for Lunch

Not the actual pie, but close enough

Two weeks ago, I had the lovely experience of being allowed to attend the Seven Hills School's 27th annual Books for Lunch event at Xavier University. The hall was filled with tables set with salads and desserts for every attendee and then some. The salad was chicken over various leafy greens, cranberries, and feta cheese, topped with what I assumed was raspberry vinaigrette. Beyond the salads, on tables crowded with settings, was a dessert alternating for each person between dark chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and apple pie drenched in caramel with a side of cinnamon whipped cream. It was this dessert item that kept me occupied more than I'd like to admit, as it was a trial to get to it past the heavy plates, glasses of water, mugs of coffee, plates of fancy-shaped butter and the bread basket.

It might be clear at this point that I am a food person, but let's get beyond the lunch part, eh?

Beyond the clatter of forks, knives, and ceramic, the audience was treated to the warm and amusing introduction of the main speaker. The person conduction said introduction was none other than Cincinnati City Council member and brother to the guest, P.G. Sittenfeld. Councilman Sittenfeld regaled the audience with tales of his sister's unkempt appearance before and after she was published. He also commented on the rise of his sister's career. Despite knowing neither of these people personally, the effect was warming. Their parents must be proud to have such successful progeny.

Curtis Sittenfeld, the guest of honor, took the stage after a moment of light banter with her brother and a bit of sharp wit herself. She introduced her topic to the masticating masses and we listened amidst the shifting of chairs and plates. (It was at this point, I'm ashamed to note, that the forementioned preoccupation with the apple pie began, but let no one say I cannot multi-task.)

Sittenfeld's essay was a rather interesting one to me, as it was on something I find very irksome in fiction: a lack of research. She introduced the topic by explaining her own introduction to journalistic integrity at the Atlantic, and the crossover she discovered into works of fiction. She noted, and I agree, that research is essential to keep readers who might be familiar with your subject matter from being booted out of a work of fiction.

Though, she cautioned, this was not to let writers who research completely off the hook. There is a flipside to accurate research in that an author might contrive scenes for the sole purpose of showing off their research. Or, worse, writers who do the same but with walls and walls of exposition. Either way, Sittenfeld commented that writers need to strike a balance between well-researched content and necessary content.

Following her speech, Sittenfeld hosted a quick Q and A session that proved as enlightening as her essay. Here it is in quick summary for brevity: Sisterland was apparently inspired by earthquake tremors in Missouri combined with a doom-predicting psychic; there is a balance for writers to strike between loving to write and hating it; writing is a lot like "taking a shower" for her in being just something she does; finally, she might not want her kids reading her work until their around 13, if then.

After the Q and A, Sittenfeld left the podium for her post at the book signing table, where many eager attendees waited for her to christen their paperbacks - some only just purchased at the next table over.

The event overall was very lovely. My only negative thought was in regards to how tough it was to get to that pie, but eventually even I prevailed.

-Ree Callahan