FOR RELEASE
November 25, 2010 (Thanksgiving Day)
Godges Outsells George W. Bush,
Nears Keith Richards at Village Books
It took immense joy to smile wider than did the author on his big night,
but special surprise guest Alma Ball, of Naples, California, outdid him.
TIME TO SMILE! THE HUMBLE FAMILY MEMOIR BY JOHN PAUL GODGES has sold twice as well as the memoir by former U.S. President George W. Bush and nearly as well as the memoir by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards at Village Books in Pacific Palisades, California, according to store owner Katie O’Laughlin.
“This was a very great turnout!” she noted merrily while tallying her receipts from the November 15 discussion and reading of passages from Oh, Beautiful at her store. Village Books hosts three to four book events a week, but O’Laughlin said few events have drawn an audience as enthusiastic and appreciative as did that for Oh, Beautiful.
The standing-room-only crowd came to hear Godges discuss the why, the how, and the fun of writing his family memoir. The crowd also came to toast one another with his Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine. Because of either the book or the wine or perhaps both intoxicating substances, many guests were left gushing adjectives such as “wonderful,” “inspirational,” “charming,” and even “whiz-bang” to describe the performance.
“It was such a soothing evening,” Godges polished off a bottle once the guests had departed. “If only the world were Village Books!”
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Bookstore owner Katie O’Laughlin and friend David Tseklenis compare the
sales of the Godges, Bush, and Richards memoirs in this YouTube video:
Godges Outsells Bush
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Michele Fortier, of Redondo Beach, California, relishes the moment
as
John Paul Godges autographs her copy of Oh, Beautiful.
The author’s doppelgänger, Los Angeles resident Brett Grodeck,
requests an autograph expressing Polish solidarity.
Solidarity signed and sealed.