Lacey Loves To Read

Each year our community, Lacey, sponsors an event called "Lacey Loves To Read." It simultaneously promotes literacy and raises money for our local libraries (which are now in the merciless clutches of state funding problems).

Last year, we were just moving to Washington, and we missed the event, though we gathered it was a rather large shindig. This year, I got in on the action.

The author Lacey invited to read to us was Sy Montgomery: a scientist and fabulous animal writer. She's got four or five adult books (about man eating tigers, pink dolphins, a giant pig, and maybe a couple more). Additionally, she's got tons of informative, interesting kids books that have the most gorgeous photographs.

My book group read The Good Good Pig in honor of Sy's speaking engagement. The book is a non fiction account of the runt of the runt litter, Christopher Hogwood, and how he came to be rescued by Sy and her husband. The next fourteen years proved to be one adventure after another, and Christopher opened doors Sy would never have dreamed possible.

Someone likened the book to Marley and Me, but it really wasn't. It was even more feel good than Marley (which I LOVED). But this book talks about the goodness in the world, in animals, and in humans who are open enough to recognize life and hope in our families (both blood families and those families we form through purposeful engagement).

So last night Sy came to town, and our book group was invited to have dinner with her. She was marvelous, and had the quaintest New Hampshire accent. Her stories of her animals, family, and travel were engaging. You just wanted to be friends with her.

To recap: Lacey Loves to Read is a fun and needed annual activity, Sy Montgomery is an author worth reading, and nature books don't have to be dull and textbook-ish.