42 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 7-13, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com LIT This will be a big holiday gathering with as many as 10 local writers in genres from thrillers and murder mysteries (Brooke French and Kathryn Gualtieri) to children’s books (Frances Lozano) and nonfiction (Terre Short) at The Crossroads Carmel this weekend. You can learn about them all at once, and leave as a local literature expert. “We love our local authors,” says Julie Tully, the new assistant manager at River House Books in Carmel. She is standing in the store, which is currently decorated with a Christmas tree that looks as if it was sent straight from Whoville. Tempting possible gifts are all over the place—mostly books, but also the bookstore’s signature animal puppets, 2024 calendars and big piles of puzzles. “We will have a gamut of voices, including new voices, all from Monterey County,” Tully says of the holiday event that began as a humble (two-author only) idea and has since evolved into a small literary fair, or even a tiny festival. Tully and fellow writer friend Nicki Ehrgood (her debut novel is Ellis River, published 2023) came up with the idea; Tully herself will be there with her book Dispatches from the Cowgirl, a travelog and midlife coming-of-age story based in Africa. Other writers who will be there include: Short, Clarissa Bell, S.A. Lunamir, and Anna Vandenbroucke. Vandenbroucke will be presenting her second novel, Pine Grove, which was released in November. A former nurse, Carmel Valley-based Vandenbroucke is already working on her third book—this one based on her experience with running. Pine Grove is so popular in the bookstore, Tully says, that they ran out in early December (but have ordered more for this event). “Is there anything better as a gift than a local book that you can send to your beloved, autographed?” asks Tully, already knowing the answer. River House Books hopes this little festival will grow into a yearly event. Tully’s priority is to connect the authors to their community, she says. “We are so lucky here,” Tully says, adding that Monterey County is an amazing literary destination, with Pulitzer Prize-winner Jane Smiley in Carmel Valley and bestselling author Alka Joshi in Pacific Grove. “We don’t even know how lucky we are.” River House Books Holiday Event noon-3pm Sunday, Dec. 10. River House Books, 208 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. Free. 626-2665, riverhousebookscarmel.com. AGATA POPEDA Readers’ Holidays Just in time for gifting season, Carmel’s River House Books hosts one merry event with 10 local authors to meet. By Agata Pop˛eda Julie Tully (left) with her book Dispatches from the Cowgirl, and Anna Vandenbroucke, a Carmel Valley writer who released her most recent novel, Pine Grove, in November. “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY Showroom DiSplayS for Sale 70% OFF! Cabinets • Appliances • Hardware Accessories • Decorative Plumbing Visit our showroom Monday-Friday 10am-4pm 1096 Canyon Del Rey Blvd Seaside www.ksmonterey.com P.S. We are NOT going out of business! Inquiries: please email info@ksmonterey.com or call (831) 899-3303 winterdance CeltiC Christmas magiC Friday, Dec. 22 - 7pm saturday, Dec. 23 - 3pm Advance tickets at celticsociety.org Questions? 831-224-3819 st. mary’s by the sea • 146 12th St, Pacific Grove • stmarysbythesea.org amelia hogan John Weed, tyler Weed, stuart mason marisa gilman
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