2010 Literary Tastes Breakfast packed with award-winning authors

CHICAGO—Two outstanding authors have been added to an already stellar lineup at the 2010 Literary Tastes Breakfast: David Small, author of the graphic novel “Stitches: A Memoir,” and Melvin Konner, author of “The Jewish Body”.

“Stitches: A Memoir,” which was named to the 2010 Notable Books List, recounts the horrific upbringing of a child who finds redemption in art while growing up in a repressed and disturbed family, using stark, kaleidoscopic images to weave together a story that is simultaneously gritty and uplifting. “The Jewish Body” was the 2010 honor book for the Sophie Brody Medal, which recognizes outstanding achievement in literature that highlights the Jewish experience. Konner’s book, which is the 11th book in the Jewish Encounters series from Schocken, traces the history of the Jewish body while also bringing to light how these bodies and Jewish thoughts about them have shaped both the Jewish mind and Jewish contributions to civilization.

Small and Konner join the following authors for the breakfast, whose appearances have been previously announced:

• Adriana Trigiani, author of 2010 Reading List selection “Very Valentine”, which follows the adventures of 30-something Valentine Roncalli as she seeks her future in the family’s exclusive hand-crafted wedding shoe company while juggling work and romance.
• Dan Chaon, author of “Await Your Reply: A Novel,” a 2010 Notable Books List selection that provides a chilling exploration of the modern meaning of identity follows three people on the fringes of society.
• Laney Salisbury, co-author of “Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art,” also a 2010 Notable Books List pick and an enthralling page-turner that describes how archivists uncovered one of the most extensive frauds in recent art history.

The Literary Tastes Breakfast is a conference tradition where attendees enjoy a delicious breakfast while authors read from their work, ruminate on writing and sign books. The breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday, June 27, in the Independence A Room of the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW, Washington, D.C. as a part of the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) exciting events at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference. Advance registration prices for this event end Friday, May 14, and are $50 for RUSA members, and $55 for ALA members. Tickets will still be available online after May 14, however prices will increase. Conference registration is not necessary in order to purchase Breakfast tickets—full registration instructions are at the RUSA blog.

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need.  Not a member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, preconferences and other events? Join, renew or add RUSA and CODES to your ALA membership by calling 1 (800) 545-2433, option 5. Learn more at www.ala.org/rusa.