Last Wednesday, locals had the chance to meet talented author Alison Pick at the Fernie Heritage Library to discuss her latest book Between Gods.
The meet and greet was part of the library’s second season of Booked! — a series that brings some of the best literary talent to Fernie in the hopes of inspiring more interest in the written word.
“We had a great season last year when we had four internationally-acclaimed authors come to Fernie,” said organizer Randal Macnair. This year, Booked! will be bringing in five acclaimed authors.
Pick’s book Between Gods is a memoir that links her own depression to her family’s memories from the Holocaust. The memoir was nominated for a Booker, one of the most prestigious English-language prizes in the world, according to Macnair.
“We’re really lucky to have her here,” said Macnair. “To have this caliber of writer in Fernie really opens the community up to authors you would see in the big city.”
He added, “Having the rock stars of the literary world coming to Fernie gets people really enthusiastic about authors and about writing. It opens people’s eyes and inspires younger writers.”
The Booked! series will continue until January, with one author being highlighted each month.
The next event will be held Friday, November 21 when musician and prolific author David Bidini will be in the city.