It played out like an episode of Criminal Minds: the husband of a true crime journalist embarks on an ambitious national book tour promoting an investigative true-crime novel written by his late wife. While captivating his audience in a small Midwestern community with his presentation, police are closing in on the book’s subject, an elusive serial rapist/murderer nearly 2,000 miles away, thus ending a 45-year manhunt.
In a case of truth being stranger than fiction, that was the scene that played out in Naperville last month. Comedian Patton Oswalt appeared with Jillian Flynn at a talk promoting “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller written by Michelle McNamara, his wife of 11 years who died unexpectedly while writing about the California cold case that had baffled investigators and residents for decades. Subtitled “One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer,” the non-fiction piece focuses on a predator who terrorized west coast citizens during the 70s and 80s. An hour or two after Oswalt’s presentation, the man suspected of committing over 50 rapes and 12 murders was arrested at his home in Sacramento, only a few blocks from the site of his first attack.
This event was just one of many hosted by Anderson’s Bookshops, an independent, family-owned bookstore with roots dating back to 1875. Originating in Naperville, the business opened two more locations over the years, in Downers Grove and LaGrange respectively, and has become an asset to the communities it serves. One of the few brick and mortar bookshops surviving the online competition, Anderson’s fills its shelves with books of all kinds for readers of all ages and hosts countless events, sometimes two or three in a day, where audiences are introduced to local writers, national celebrities, notable authors, and strong political figures. Skilled programming and strong partnerships with publishers enable the book store powerhouse to populate a robust calendar of author-hosted discussions featuring high-profile personalities including Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, President George W. Bush, Caroline Kennedy, Dan Rather, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, and Dick Van Dyke and shows no signs of slowing down.
On tap for June are Allison Pearson, Renee Ahdieh, and Chicago-based writer, Josh Noel. The calendar is continually updated with new events, so it is best to check Anderson’s website often. Then make plans to join the others who have discovered new interests, met famous writers, and even become witnesses to historical moments through the vast offerings of the bookshop that brings the world of literature to your back door.
Anderson’s Bookshops
123 W. Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-2665
www.andersonsbookshop.com
