Bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly shares what book she last checked out of the library (for research for her next book, following the Ferriday family featured in Lost Roses and Lilac Girls) and much more for National Library Week!
What was the first book you can remember checking out of the library?
Stuart Little. I ended up liking Charlotte’s Web a million times more though.
What was the last book you checked out of the library?
The Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. Research for my next book.
What do you think the most important service of a library is?
Bringing the community together, serving as a place where people can bond over books.
If you could describe the library in 2 words, what would they be?
Always home.
What is your fondest library memory?
In fourth grade I was obsessed with the Cherry Ames, Student Nurse series and spent that summer reading every one. I loved that she solved the problems the men couldn’t and she lived in Greenwich Village at one point. I thought I wanted to be a nurse, but thank goodness I went in the author direction instead.