Brown Bookstore

Yesterday's book event was a reading and signing at the Brown Bookstore, located close to the university. A large independent, somewhat sprawling, but very attractive store packed with books and a lot of people browsing on a Saturday. Would anyone be there for DRAGON THUNDER? The manager, Susan, had set up chairs, a table and a microphone in the back of the store. Obviously, they do a lot of book events. Diana and the book were featured on the monthly bookmark along with other authors, and there was a stack of books for signing. Announcements over the loudspeaker let people know the event would begin in a few minutes, and about half of the chairs filled up. In addition to our little group, there were between six and ten in the audience -- it grew as the event went on. I gave a brief introduction to Chogyam Trungpa, his books, and to Diana Mukpo and her memoirs.I felt amazingly nervous for an audience of less than a dozen people whom I didn't know at all. Diana spoke about Rinpoche, briefly, and then read a section on her unusual wedding day in Scotland in 1970. Interesting to hear words you've grown so close to being read aloud. It's quite different than reading to oneself. Several people in the audience had questions for the author, including the manager, who seemed quite interested in the book and its author. I noticed people browsing nearby stop to listen to the reading. It IS quite an unusual story. That was Brown. Then we did have some champagne! Today I'm going to a Shambhala Publications' celebration for two employees who've been with the company for 20 years. One is a major editor of Chogyam Trungpa's books. The tour goes on.