“What are you reading?” The question was posed by Will Schwalbe, author of “The End of Your Life Book Club” and “Books for Living,” at a Virtual Author Series fundraiser to benefit Literacy Services of Indian River County. The event highlighted the power of books and the mission of the nonprofit to offer adults the ultimate gift – literacy.
Supporters of Literacy Services have seen time and again that reading can change people’s lives for the better. Prior to the chat with Schwalbe, Jessica Schmitt, executive director, shared a success story video about Literacy Services alumna Maria Gutierrez, who obtained her citizenship, a bachelor’s and a master’s in social work at UCF, and has passed that gift of literacy to her children.
“Speaking of gifts, I’m excited to have Will Schwalbe here with us tonight,” said Schmitt, sharing that it was Schwalbe’s care for an African Violet that had piqued her interest. “I sent him an email inviting him to Vero Beach and sharing that my mother had an African Violet given to her the day I was born that was still alive. If you have read ‘The End of Your Life Book Club,’ you’ll also know that Will’s mother had an affinity for Vero Beach and thus started a virtual friendship.”
“Literacy is one of the causes that is nearest to my heart, so I’m thrilled to be amongst people who feel the same,” said Schwalbe, whose book suggestions will provide readers with hours of escapism.
A Q&A led by Schmitt touched on a variety of topics, including, of course, “What are you reading?”
His answer? “Shuggie Bain,” which won author Douglas Stuart the Booker Prize, alternating with Willa Cather short stories. He admitted that during the pandemic he corrected some of his “reading deficiencies” with books such as “Anna Karenina,” which got him through the difficult first weeks of quarantine.
“The End of Your Life Book Club” shares the meaningful two-person book club Schwalbe formed with his mother after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis. He said a powerful concept that emerged was providing a template to talk about important, yet difficult things through the books’ characters.
“It allowed us to meet each other as two readers, two seekers, two learners engaged in the same pursuit. And that for me is one of the most powerful things about reading, about literacy, about the gift that you’re giving to people.”
He also spoke of a grandmother and grandson who formed a new relationship when she joined him in reading and discussing “The Hunger Games.”
When asked what makes a good book club, Schwalbe replied, “For me, it’s a matter of getting together and using books as jumping off points; as ways of getting to know each other more and talking about things that are important.”
Schwalbe stressed that people should “read without prejudice,” meaning to read books that don’t necessarily interest you as well as those that do.
“Read books that challenge your opinions,” said Schwalbe, adding likewise to seek out people with different opinions. “One of the terrible things about the Internet is that there are algorithms that just feed you more of what you’ve read before; it sends you down a narrow tunnel.”
A voracious reader, Schwalbe said that books are his escape, his solace. “When I’m really in a book, I just shut everything out.”
When asked his five favorite books, Schwalbe said one is “The Importance of Living” by Lin YuTang.
“The answer to the other four might surprise you, and you might think it’s a bit of a copout, but they would be four books I haven’t read. As long as there are books on the shelf that I haven’t read, there’s something to get excited about and look forward to.”
At the end of his talk, Schwalbe gave another plug for his favorite question: “Ask people what they’re reading; it leads to great things.”
The accomplishments of the 235 Literacy Services students last year included improved reading and communication skills, better employment opportunities and enhanced engagement in their children’s educations.
Additionally, 10 became U.S. citizens.
“Literacy is a matter of public health and contributes to the strength of a community,” said Schmitt. “We invite you to learn more and consider becoming a tutor.”
For more information, visit literacyservices.org.
