Fall Lecture
Readers hear from author Will Schwalbe during 14th annual Fall Lecture Luncheon
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Readers united on Thursday to hear from author Will Schwalbe during the 14th annual Fall Lecture Luncheon, presented by Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s Action Council.
Schwalbe spoke of reading as one of life’s greatest pleasures during his lecture Thursday morning at the Spa Little Theatre, the start to a fundraising event that also included boutique shopping and an elegant fall luncheon at the nearby Hall of Springs.
SPAC Action Council president Nicole Sheeler thanked the celebrated author for being part of this year’s Fall Lecture Luncheon, a yearly fundraiser that supports the organization’s education programs for children as well as the vibrancy of its classical season.
“The Action Council organizes and presents fundraising activities to support SPAC’s mission to cultivate, promote, foster, sponsor and develop among its members and the community at large appreciation, understanding and love of the performing arts,” Sheeler said at the event, noting that the all-volunteer council raises about $250,000 for SPAC annually.
“You not only raise significant funds for our arts and education programming, you raise up this community as volunteers, supporters, advocates and, yes, beloved friends,” SPAC president and CEO Elizabeth Sobol said of the Action Council members, before introducing Schwalbe into the Lecture Luncheon spotlight for event-goers to listen and enjoy.
During his presentation titled “Reading… One of Life’s Greatest Pleasures,” the author shared about the role of books in his life, drawing snippets from the content of his own two
books The End of Your Life Book Club and Books for Living.
The End of Your Life Book Club (2012) describes Schwalbe’s relationship with his mother through books they read together before her passing, and Books for Living (2016) features essays about 26 different books and how they can show readers how to live each day with more meaning.
Sobol is a big fan of his work. “Will Schwalbe’s The End of Life Book Club is one of the most moving and affecting books I have ever read,” she said in a press release. “He is a deeply humane, humorous and inspiring speaker, as well.”
Attendees got to experience a bit of that on Thursday during his local lecture, while he shared his beliefs that reading should be renamed “radical listening,” and that everyone should ask each other the magic question “What are you reading?” as a conversation starter.
“I really do believe books can save your life,” Schwalbe said between mentioning titles like Gift from the Sea, 1984, The Importance of Living, The Girl on the Train, Zen in the Art of Archery and Wonder.
No matter the name or genre of the book, Schwalbe simply encourages all to read what they enjoy. “If you don’t like a book, let other people read it,” he said.
Schwalbe believes that losing one’s self in a book can be a special experience.
“When you’re most engaged in reading you’re least aware that you’re reading,” Schwalbe said.
He went on to say that even more important than the great joy and pleasure of reading, though, is how the books can change a reader. Schwalbe said, “We can read books that allow us to live each and every day more fully and with more purpose and more awareness.”
More information about Will Schwalbe and his books can be found online at willschwalbe.com.
Details about the SPAC Action Council and its other upcoming events, including the Nutcracker tea on Nov. 18, is available online at spac.org.