Last night was one of my favorite nights of the year — the Celebration of Reading event in Dallas, hosted by

With David Baldacci

President George and Barbara Bush.  Don’t be misled by the cane he now uses.  Our 85-year-old former president is as feisty as ever!

This annual event, and others like it, are fund-raisers for community literacy programs, which is a serious mission.  But it’s always a fun evening.  Last night was especially so for me, because my son Ryan flew down from New York specifically to attend.  He’s become acquainted with A.J. Jacobs  (The Year of Living Biblically).  They live in the same neighborhood and are members of the same gym.  A.J., who’s also a writer for Esquire magazine, has given Ryan’s book, PLAY DEAD,  a great quote.

So anyway, Ryan was there and got to meet the former first lady and president.  A.J.’s speech was predictably hilarious.  Also on the program was my colleague David Baldacchi, who contributes huge amounts of time and energy to promoting literacy through his Wish You Well Foundation
I’m among several authors who are participating in this program to get used books into the hands of those who wouldn’t ordinarly have access to them.

Kudos to Barbara Bush, who has worked for years to stress the importance of books and to make every American a reading American.