Sunday, June 26, 2011.
The Librarians Are Here! La Carreta.
The first major convention to return to New Orleans following the hurricane was the American Library Association. They were regulars in our town before the hurricane, too. Their membership likes New Orleans, and after a number of successful meetings here, the attendees look forward to returning to favorite places from the previous gathering.
The ALA is back again this weekend with--did I hear this right? Forty thousand people? I was asked to give a talk at the event today, then to stay and autograph my books. I wasn't expecting a lot from that. Why would a librarian from Oregon know my name, let alone want to buy one of my books?
But about fifty people showed up for my talk. I began with my standard trio of anecdotes on the theme of soup du jour. I've told them for thirty years, but this is the first time anyone in the audience had heard them before. (A local guy who said he listens to my radio show every day.) Then I revealed my statistic about the number of restaurants open before Katrina and now (809 versus 1205). As always, that brought a round of applause. A few other matters, then a Q&A on where the librarians should eat.
And I sold about forty books, including every copy the publisher brought of Hungry Town. The president of Harry Abrams--which published both of my recent books--came over to say hello. He said he was very happy to have me among his authors. Well! That's nice to hear. Especially since another one of his authors--Jeff Kinney--had been here the day before and drawn big crowds. Kinney's Diary Of A Wimpy Kid has been a runaway bestseller.
None of this explained why Mary Ann was happy she had chauffeured me in on this Sunday. While I was talking and signing, she made the rounds of the publishers' booths in the library show. She had come with samples of the book she wants to get published--a collection of select pieces from her long-running column about being a mom. She was thrilled that she had a few publishers willing to hear and see more. Good for her!
Back at home, Mary Leigh wanted to have an early supper at La Carreta, her favorite local Mexican place. I go where the Marys go. Unfortunately, I also eat what the Marys eat, which at La Carreta means a lot of chips, queso, guacamole and salsa. All of which are very good here. And all of which can really pump you up, and not in the good sense. I had the beef alambres--a sort of calmed-down version of fajitas--and found them dull. I've not found anything here better than the chiles rellenos, but I keep trying, my penchant for collecting data in control of my appetite. (Most of the time.)
When we got home, my ankle was aching more than usual. But I was on my feet for my half-hour talk, then walked around the library show quite a bit. I think I may have overdone it. Now I know the limits better.
La Carreta. Mandeville: 1200 W Causeway Approach. 985-624-2990.
