An Evening with Former First Lady Laura Bush

While I wouldn’t describe myself as Young or Haute, I couldn’t have been more thrilled when I was asked to join the “Top Ten Haute Young Authors” party at the SMU 11th Annual Tables of Content fundraiser.

It was truly a delight to meet the other featured authors during the cocktail reception:

Amanda Alvarez

Will Clarke

Carrie Fountain

Alec Greven (who was accompanied by his lovely mother)

Callan Harrison

Kathleen Kent

Philipp Meyer

Jennifer Pickens

Taylor Stevens

After the reception, we were ushered inside for a warm welcome and the presentation of the 2nd Annual Literati Award to former First Lady Laura Bush (which was followed by an interview). She revealed she plowed through the writing of her book, Spoken from the Heart, so her internal editor wouldn’t take over. Several archivists sat at my dinner table who were directly involved in researching materials for the book.

I cheered when the Former First Lady shared her love of children’s literature, and feel appreciative for all that she has done to promote literacy and the love of reading (such as creating the Texas Book Festival and the National Book Festival). What an incredible woman, and what an incredible evening! Thank you so very much, Colophon/Friends of the SMU libraries!

~Jessica