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Barbara Falconer Newhall

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At Orinda Books: The Author Talked — And So Did the Audience

May 17, 2015 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Author Barbara Falconer Newhall and interviewee Sister Barbara Hazzard gave a book talk at Orinda Books in Orinda, California, May 16, 2015. Photo by Jon Newhall
Hesed Community founder Sister Barbara Hazzard, right, joined me for a book talk at Orinda Books yesterday. Photo by Jon Newhall

By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Maybe it was the coffee we served. Maybe it was the chocolate chip cookies. Maybe it was something about the self-selected score of people who decided to spend their Saturday afternoon listening to the author read from Wrestling with God.

Or perhaps it had to do with the welcoming ambiance that owners Maria and Danny Roden have established for authors and readers in the months since they took over ownership of Orinda Books in Orinda, California, last July.

Maria Roden, owner of Orinda Books in Orinda, California, and author Barbara Falconer Newhall following Newhall's reading of her book "Wrestling with God" at the store on May 16, 2015. Photo by Jon Newhall
Maria Roden, left, co-owner of Orinda Books, encourages group conversations in her bookstore. Photo by Jon Newhall

Probably it was all of the above: a perfect storm that produced a lively interaction between the author, the delightful people who showed up yesterday afternoon — and Sister Barbara Hazzard, who very kindly agreed to read from her part of the book.

Jon was there to put out the coffee and cookies — and bravely shoot video sans tripod. (I’ll be posting some of the results below, as soon as the video uploads onto YouTube.)

More about Sister Barbara at “Sister Barbara Hazzard — How to Pray Without Words.” More about Jon at “My Killer Shoes — Brought Down to Size by Those 4 1/2-inch Heels.” 

To get regular updates on my book,  my rocky spiritual journey, and my life with Jon, click on the subscribe button at the top of the right hand column.

Video of the Q&A — Wobbly but Fun

Filed Under: My Rocky Spiritual Journey

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

A Case of the Human Condition: A Half Century Later I’m Still a Size 10 . . . OK, 12

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I wore a size 10 in high school way back in 1959 and a size 12 in college. That was twenty plus pounds ago, but I can still squeeze into size 10 (or 12) jeans. Am I remembering my young self all wrong? Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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