Author Spotlight - Elin Hilderbrand

Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to meet Elin Hilderbrand. I haven't been to meet an author since I heard Junot Diaz speak at UNLV, which I think was almost ten years ago! I get nervous and weird when I meet authors. Kind of like a normal person meeting a big shot celebrity or athlete, that's how it is for a bibliophile meeting an author.

Anyway, so I waited in line with 350 other women to meet the vivacious, gorgeous, tanned, fashionista, cancer survivor, foodie, overall amazing, Elin Hilderbrand. I was thankfully able to get my book signed by her (swoon) before she got up to speak.

She was so funny and told many amazing stories. I've decided I'm not going to retell her stories on here for two reasons. One, they are her stories, not mine. And, two, I probably wouldn't do them justice. However, I will try and recap her point of "why beach books matter" by telling it in my own way.

Elin grew up going to the beach on the East coast, I grew up going to the beach on the west coast, in Southern California. My dad had a sailboat down in Ventura where my mom's mother lived. So, I had the opportunity growing up to spend a lot of time at the beach and on the ocean, sailing. It was a fabulous way to grow up.

Fast forward to now, living in the Midwest, and every fiber of my being yearns for the beach. Especially in the summertime. However, with four young children and one income, and thousands of miles between us and any ocean... it's less than feasible. So, what can I do? I can read beach books. Beach books transport you to the sun and the water and the food and the sand! It's an escape.

Elin Hilderbrand says "Beach Books" matter because they can take us away from our current stress, worry, drudgery, etc. and take us (in Hilderbrand's case) to Nantucket. I've never set foot on Nantucket, but I have been to Nantucket. So, thank you, Elin! It was a pleasure to meet you, to listen to you, and I will treasure my signed copy of "What Happens in Paradise."

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