I don’t own a Kindle. I only recently switched to an iPhone from a Nokia Razr that I had for years. In general, I am not up on the latest in technology and try to unplug as often as possible. Even though I am an avid Facebook user, I am not as big of a Facebook fiend as some of my friends. However, two weeks ago Facebook came through for me in a big way.

I am a fan of author Sarah Vowell, on Facebook and in real life. Two Thursdays ago, while browsing my newsfeed, I noticed the Free Library of Philadelphia was hosting a free event with the nonfiction author that evening. Luckily, I didn’t have plans and was able to attend.

Vowell has a distinct voice, literally and figuratively (she lent her vocal talents to Pixar’s The Incredibles). She is a frequent guest on The Daily Show, This American Life and The Late Show with David Letterman. Her ability to make American history funny and more interesting amazes me. Vowell’s wry observations aren’t limited to history and politics. She tackles pop culture and her own eccentricities, including her fear of driving a car (at 42 Vowell does not own a driver’s license). Vowell began by reading an excerpt from her latest book, Unfamiliar Fishes. The passage referenced Hawaii’s banyan trees. In her trademark sense of humor, Vowell stopped to make an aside: “Here’s a spoiler, the banyan tree is America.” I have yet to read Unfamiliar Fishes but am more interested after attending the event.

Fans could meet Vowell before or after the discussion for autographs. I brought my favorite work of hers, The Partly Cloudy Patriot. As I admired her signature, I thought, “Authors can’t autograph a Kindle.”

— Katie Skrzek, advertising and editorial coordinator, eFlyer USA editor