Ladies Literary Luncheon Booked Solid

Book enthusiasts, library fans and busy women just needing a little break were all on hand for an exclusive engagement Thursday afternoon with a best-selling author.

The 2nd annual Ladies Literary Luncheon, hosted by Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, was held at the Patterson Club, and the highlight of the event was Kelly Corrigan, author of “Lift” and “The Middle Place.”

Corrigan was on hand to sign books and address the gathering, and the event also featured a cocktail reception, sit-down lunch and raffle drawing for gift baskets, as well as Nanci Lewis from Sweet Rexie’s offering free chocolate samples. The presentation was sold out, attended by 240 local women.

Khorshed Randeria, president of Friends of the Fairfield Public Library, said the luncheon idea was something the group had seen other organizations do successfully and thought would be a good addition to fundraising activities.

“Last year, we hosted Mireille Guiliano, author of ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’ and it was very popular,” Randeria said. “When we advertised this year, we sold out at least a month in advance.”

Thursday's luncheon also featured a video, “Bringing the Community Together: Our Fairfield Library System,” which provided an overview of the town's library system and offered attendees the opportunity to buy a book plate. The way the plate worked is that an attendee could purchase a copy of one of Corrigan’s books, and for a minimum $25 donation, a personalized dedication would be affixed inside the book jacket and the book would be donated to the library.

“More than just a fundraiser, the idea of the event is to bring people together in a beautiful setting to celebrate authors, reading, libraries and friendship,” said Town Librarian Karen Ronald. “Our attendees are community supporters and aligned with the library.”

Attendee Kyle Ann McCarthy, huddling with a few pals, was a Corrigan fan and said her work had personal relevance. “I love Kelly’s book ‘The Middle Place’ and its subject matter about a young mother who gets cancer,” she said. “Her father also gets cancer, and he’s her idol. It’s a funny, warm, tearjerker. It has real significance to me as a Relay for Life team member.”

Attendee Jen Gardner said the event was great on a couple of levels. “We want to support the Fairfield Public Library – they have amazing programs – and it’s a great Ladies' day out.”

Lois Caron also wanted to support the library and was attending on the urging of fellow International Book Reading Group members. “I look forward to learning more about Kelly Corrigan, with whose work I’m not familiar,” she said.

As for the author, who flew in for the event, she was impressed with area landscapes and glad to support a good cause. “I live in California and am used to postage stamp-sized yards. Coming up along the Merritt, I loved seeing all the green - the great lawns and the long driveways.”