Author Ann Hood to speak about Morningstar: Growing Up With Books on Oct. 29 in Bethel

Byrd's Books will host author Ann Hood on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. Hood will speak about her book "Morningstar: Growing Up With Books."

About the book: In her admired works of fiction, including the recent "The Book That Matters Most," Ann Hood explores the transformative power of literature. Now, with warmth and honesty, Hood reveals the personal story behind these beloved novels.

Growing up in a mill town in Rhode Island, in a household that didn't foster a love of literature, Hood discovered nonetheless the transformative power of books. She learned to channel her imagination, ambitions, and curiosity by devouring ever-growing stacks. In "Morningstar," Hood recollects how "The Bell Jar," "Marjorie Morningstar," "The Harrad Experiment," and "The Outsiders" influenced her teen psyche and introduced her to topics that could not be discussed at home: desire, fear, sexuality, and madness. Later, "Johnny Got His Gun" and "The Grapes of Wrath" dramatically influenced her political thinking, while the Vietnam War and the Kent State shootings became headline news and classics such as "Dr. Zhivago" and "Les Miserables" stoked her ambitions to travel the world. With characteristic insight and charm, Hood showcases the ways in which books gave her life and can transform - even save - our own lives.

"Devotion" and "Slow Motion" author Dani Shapiro says, "'Morningstar' is a love letter to the very act of reading and the power of books to light the way. I can think of no better guide than Ann Hood, whose generosity of spirit, courage, humor, gumption, and grace are a powerful reminder that language and story have the capacity to heal, to instruct, and to change our lives. What a mighty little book, so full of heart."

About the author: Ann Hood is the author of the best-selling novels "The Book That Matters Most," "The Knitting Circle," "The Red Thread," "The Obituary Writer," and "Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine." She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

For more information about this event or Byrd's Books, visit the bookstore online here.