Authors abound at Sharon Summer Book Signing

SHARON — The town became a literary mecca this weekend as the Hotchkiss Library hosted its annual Summer Book Signing event. Twenty-eight authors from a variety of genres gathered under the large white tent next to the library Friday evening, Aug. 1, to showcase their books and meet with enthusiastic bibliophiles.

Following the event, eight residents opened their homes to allow guests to dine with a particular author. And on Saturday, there was a “Page to Plate” event billed as “Where Books and Bites Meet: An All-Day Culinary-Literary Experience.” Chefs who have written books demonstrated how to make some treats while talking about their experiences.

Among the authors present on Friday was Chris Whipple, whose timely book is titled “Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History.” Asked about its premise, Whipple replied, “The political scandal of the 21st century.” He said he felt compelled to write it because he had unique access to the key players. He wrote it in just 107 days.

While working on his first book, “The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency,” he got to know many of those in the inner circle, including Ron Klain (Biden’s chief of staff), “so I was able to do a fly-on-the-wall account.” In his other work titled “The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden’s White House,” Whipple focused on how President Biden and his team battled to achieve their agenda.

Whipple, who lives in Essex, was at the book signing two years ago and called it “one of the great events. It opened many doors for me.”

Seated a few tables down from Whipple was Gary Shteyngart of Red Hook, New York, who was there to promote his children’s book “Vera of Faith.” He pointed out the story was about a 10-year-old girl living in a dystopian American town trying to hold her family together. “I’ve written some dystopian memoirs that are all hopeful at the end,” he said.

His range of subjects is wide, as witnessed by another of his works called “Our Country Friends,” which was a New York Times bestseller, and talks about people coming to the Hudson Valley. Shteyngart, showing a dry sense of humor with a straight face, explained in this book “there are a lot of affairs. It’s spicy.”

His next book, which will be called “Capy Bora” will have a 150-pound rodent as its protagonist. He was quick to show a photo on his phone of the creature.

Amity Gage shows her latest book, a suspense novel set in Maine.Ruth Epstein

Amanda Gage of West Hartford was there to talk about her fifth book, “Heartwood,” a suspense novel set in the deep dark woods of Maine. “I like atmospheric books,” she said. “I like settings. The tension and mystery come from settings.” The story follows a game warden.

Gretchen Hachmeister, the library’s executive director, was very pleased with the way the event was going. As she circled the tent, stopping to visit with the authors, she noted how grateful she was the sun was shining and it wasn’t 95 degrees. She had high praise for the team that organized the event, including staff, board members and volunteers. “They make it all happen.”

She was there bright and early the next morning as audience members gathered throughout the day for “Page to Plate.” Among those featured was Chris Morocco, food director of Bon Appetit and Epicurious. He and local author/chef Jessie Sheehan gave a demonstration on how to make everyone’s favorite — the chocolate chip cookie.