Submitted by the Chai Minded Meet Up Club
As a young boy growing up in Cincinnati, Doug Richards got sent to the principal’s office at Hebrew school on a regular basis. His teachers said he was “too smart for his own good.” When he wasn’t challenging them on the unlikelihood of Noah’s purported 950-year lifespan, or fact checking their latest lesson on the laws of kashrut, he was busy clowning around in the classroom, creating the kind of light-hearted chaos that would inevitably land him in the hot seat by the end of the day.
But as good as he was at getting himself into trouble, he was even better at talking his way out of it. Known for having a way with words, it’s no surprise to anyone who knew him then that he would go on to become a very successful New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose books would sell over 3 million copies globally and be translated into numerous languages.
Richards’ fun and engaging brand of storytelling will be on full display when he addresses audiences at the Chai Minded Meetup Club’s Book Talk and Swap event on Friday, May 3rd at noon at the Firehouse Grill in Blue Ash. Not only will he share some of his most outrageous experiences as a writer, such as a how he learned how to poison a major city’s water supply in exchange for a couple of pizzas, but he will also talk about how being Jewish and growing up in Cincinnati has factored into his novels over the years.
“Although I’ve lived in San Diego for decades, Cincinnati will always be home,” explains Richards, who is widely praised for his ability to weave action, suspense, and science into riveting novels such as the internationally popular Wired, which straddles the thriller and science-fiction genres. “While I have addressed audiences in numerous cities across the country, there’s nothing quite like getting back to my roots and being in a room full of people with whom I enjoy a shared language and experience,” he adds. “This Jewish community holds a special place in my heart, and I’m honored to have been asked to be the featured presenter at this event!” Richards will be available to sign copies of his books that participants bring following his presentation.
In addition to meeting the author, for every gently used book of fiction or nonfiction participants bring, they will receive “Book Bucks” that can be redeemed at the Book Swap following the lunch presentation. “It’s a great way to grow your personal library without spending a dime!” explains Sue Amster, one of the group’s founding members.
Hardcover and paperback novels, coffee table books, cookbooks, how-to guides and more will all be available to all guests who bring books to trade. However, due to space limitations, no more than 12 books can be brought to swap.
The Book Talk and Swap is open to all adults in the Jewish community who live independently. Non-Jewish partners and friends are always welcome. The program portion of the event is free with advance reservations and made possible through the generosity of The American Israelite and Shelly Gerson. However, guests are responsible for covering the cost of their own lunch and gratuity. Space is limited to the first 85 to RSVP on the Chai Minded Meet Up Club website. Reservations are expected to fill up and will be given on a first come first served basis.
