Page Turners select next author for Citywide Read

Published 1:38 pm Saturday, December 13, 2008

It’s time to turn pages once again with the Austin Page Turners.

Leif Enger, author of two novels, will be the featured author.

Enger has written “Peace Like A River” and “So Brave, Young and Handsome.”

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The author and his books were the topic of discussion at a Thursday morning press conference last week at Austin Public Library.

Bonnie Rietz, co-chairperson of APT, said the committee reviewed several authors’ works before selecting Enger for the reading spotlight next spring.

“Both of the books really draw you in,” Rietz said.

She read “So Brave Young and Handsome” as an “assignment” for the APT to read Minnesota authors.

Enger’s first book was scrutinized by the APT selection committee, but not until “So Brave, Young and Handsome” did he attract a consensus of opinion that he was an author that should not go ignored.

APT member Terry Dilley said, “He’s relatively easy to read. There seems to be much more going on than you would expect to see in books that are easy to read.”

While each Enger book “seems different,” Dilley continued, “There’s something very similar going on in both of the books.”

Gayle Heimer, technical services librarian at Austin Public Library, said the books were about “journeys” through life.

Cheryl Corey, another APT member, called Enger’s style of writing “very descriptive.”

Reading “So Brave, Young and Handsome” left her feeling “I was really there,” she said.

The book is set in 1915 and tells of an encounter between a man living in obscurity and an outlaw.

Peg Benzkofer, APT co-chairperson, said the Enger books are “great Christmas gift items” that could be shared throughout the winter.

She said the “community read” to come in 2009 will “draw the community together.”

Just mentioning the Enger books at the library caused instant attention and discussion.

Marvin Repinski, another APT member, said he hoped Enger’s visit to Austin next spring could include appearances in the Austin Public Schools to encourage budding creative writers there.

“It’s a wonderful exposure for the author and our organization,” Repinski said. “I hope Austin Page Turners stays front and center in our community.”

Since the Austin Page Turners began in 2002, the works of seven authors have been featured: Sandra Benitez, Tim O’Brien, Erin Hart, Patricia Hampl, Larry Engelmann, Lorna Landvik and Will Weaver.

The author, his wife, Robin, and their two sons, live in Minnesota.

Enger is a native of Sauk Centre and the son of a band leader and a teacher.

He was raised in Osakis, where he first developed the urge to write when he was a teen.

After college, Enger worked as a reporter and producer for Minnesota Public Radio.

He quit those jobs when he sold “Peace Like A River” to publisher Grove/Atlantic.

In the early 1990s, Enger and an older brother, Lin, co-wrote five mystery novels under the pen name “L.J. Enger.”

“Peace Like A River” was published in 2001 and earned rave reviews and critical acclaim. “So Brave, Young and Handsome” was published last May.

The Austin Page Turners will host a city-wide reading event for Enger on April 30 at Austin Public Library.

Other reading and discussion events will be announced later.

Multiple copies of both Enger books are available at Austin Public Library along with reading guides and discussion topics.