I’m very fortunate that my library supports not just authors, but travelers. They have been hosting a new series here, called The Vicarious Traveler. It’s basically like the old vacation slide shows of the 70s, but with better photos.

With a fabulous crowd, all of whom were very much in love with Paris, I presented photographs from my Bonjour 40 trip, read excerpts from my book, and showcased my top forty things to see and do in Paris. I did have one problem in putting it together.

As I was combing through photos, I began to have this funny feeling. Kind of queasy. Kind of sad. Filled with longing. I was worried it was stage fright, but that wasn’t it. I was homesick. I lived in Paris for only a month, and yet looking at those photos made me really miss the city, my friends and how I felt there. I felt so at home in Paris, that I’m nostalgically homesick for it. Isn’t that strange? Isn’t that wonderful?

I thank the library for allowing me to relive my dream trip, and to experience that feeling. Even more, I’m grateful to say that my local library has accepted my e-book Bonjour 40, and they are in the process of adding it to their catalog. I’ve grown up in the shelves of libraries, so it’s lovely to now be a part of their continuing programs and collections.

What have you done for (or at) your local library lately?

Here are a couple voice-over excerpts from the presentation
About bread and cafés
About Paris photos in the mornings

Attendees received copies of my photographs, and filled the room with laughter and sighs…

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Comments on Homesick at the Library

  1. Thank you Karen for a wonderful evening of story telling and magic from your Parisian adventures!

  2. Karen – thank you so much for sharing your stories and pictures of Paris with us. You are right I remember attending the Kiwanis Travelogues at the “Mosque”. They were wonderful and grand as they filled up this huge screen, the size of the stage opening! I was always swept away to other lands during these travel adventures. I am excited that we can capture that same spirit and feeling at the library with community guests like you. The added benefit of having this at the library is that we can provide an opportunity to continue your travels through books. We have had a display of books about Paris in anticipation of your talk… about 15 books were checked out from this display! I am currently developing the Vicarious Travelers’ series for 2012, perhaps some of your readers will want to participate in this program. Thanks again for supporting the library and making this such an exciting program. I love Paris in the..Fall!
    Patty

    • Patty – I’m so glad to hear that the talk, or the annoucements for it, have been noticed in the books being checked out from the display! I sooo enjoyed being a part of your series.

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