Novelist Elizabeth Berg to address ‘Words Alive’ luncheon guests

New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Berg will be the keynote speaker at the annual Words Alive Authors’ Luncheon, Nov. 10 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.

Berg’s novels include: “Dream When You’re Feeling Blue,” “We Are All Welcome Here,” “The Year of Pleasures,” “The Art of Mending,” “Say When,” “True to Form,” “Never Change” and “Home Safe.” Her “Open House,” was an Oprah’s Book Club selection in 2000.

Berg is also the author of the highly acclaimed short story collection “The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted.” Her two novels, “Durable Goods” and “Joy School,” were selected as American Library Association Best Books of the Year, and her “Talk Before Sleep” was short-listed for the American Bookseller’s Book of the Year award in 1996.

Berg is the winner of the 1997 New England Booksellers Award for her body of work, and also the author of the nonfiction work, “Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True.”

Robert Goolrick, an established author in his own right, will join Berg as a speaker. Goolrick is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir “The End of the World as We Know It,” and has received many praises for his debut novel, “A Reliable Wife.”

“The event opens at 10 a.m. with a Market Place stocked by a variety of vendors, including Warwick’s Books and Geppetto’s Toys, each donating a percentage of the day’s sales to Words Alive. Both authors will greet fans and sign books from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and after the luncheon ends, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Words Alive is a non-profit organization that inspires a commitment to reading and develops shared reading experiences for children, youth and adults. The Authors Luncheon is its signature fundraising event.

Tickets are $100 at

www.wordsalive.org

and include a signed copy of Berg’s latest work, “Last Time I Saw You.” Copies of Goolrick’s “A Reliable Wife” will be on sale. Because the event is expected to sell out as it has every year, advance reservations are required. No tickets will be sold at the door. Table sponsorships are available at $1,500. For more details, call (858) 274-9673.

Raffle items include a 7-night stay at the La Costa Resort and Spa, a diamond ring from Diamond Boutique, a diamond ring from Moradi Jewelers and a diamond watch from Ark Antique. Other items include packages for restaurants, spas and entertainment in the San Diego area.