Author Jamie Ford to Appear at Pierce County READS Event

The latest Pierce County READS author event will bring award-winning novelist Jamie Ford to Lakewood next month.

Ford, the best-selling author of “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” will read from his book and meet fans at the Sharon McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College at 7 p.m. on April 13. He is a Seattle native who now lives in Montana.

“Pierce County READS has truly engaged people throughout our community this year,” said Neel Parikh, executive director for Pierce County Library System, in a news release. “The selected book sparked conversations throughout the county. The story of the Japanese American internment comes home to people here as the book highlights local landmarks from Seattle’s Panama Hotel to Puyallup’s fairgrounds.”

“Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” is the account of the Japanese American internment during World War II, through the eyes and voice of a child as he matures through life. It weaves being labeled different in society, due to ethnicity and race.

Since launching Pierce County READS in mid-February, people have checked out copies of the book nearly 3,800 times from Pierce County Library. Hundreds of people continue to participate in more than 30 free events, including presentations from people who were interned, tea ceremonies and art activities.

The Library asks that attendees bring nonperishable food items to donate to its community partner, Emergency Food Network, at the April 13 event.