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Saint Training

Yesterday morning I found a wonderful independent bookstore: The Velveteen Rabbit (20 Sherman Ave E, Fort Atkinson). It’s a bookstore and B&B (technically, you get a coupon for breakfast at a local restaurant, but as a friend of mine pointed out - it’s still a B&B - bed and books… even better IMO!) I was there to celebrate a book release: my good friend Elizabeth Fixmer’s first book, SAINT TRAINING.

Elizabeth’s book is loosely based on her childhood growing up in Fort Atkinson. Although I’m biased, I do recommend the book - it’s funny, honest and heartbreaking at times. The book follows sixth grader Mary Clare O’Brian through a turbulent year of school. It’s 1967 and Mary Clare’s mother is pregnant with the tenth baby, one brother wants to enlist and go to Vietnam, one brother is a conscientious objector, the Catholic Church is being rocked by changes brought on by Vatican II, and feisty Mary Clare thinks she can solve all of the problems. The book appeals to a wide-audience - from middle school students to adults. I gave it to my mom to read and she loved it. We have a copy on order at the library, but you could take a short trip to The Velveteen Rabbit and purchase your own copy. If you’re a bookstore lover, it’s worth the short drive.

Here is Elizabeth talking about her book, the writing process and signing a copy:

The Velveteen Rabbit is a cozy book nook - it’s an old Victorian house - and every inch of the main floor is filled with books. Sometimes I walk into a bookstore and I’m disappointed by the lack of selection - this was not the case at Velveteen Rabbit - the owner handpicks every book - and everywhere I looked I saw great titles. That’s one of the benefits of being an independent bookseller - the ability to pick and choose which books to sell. I found a great variety of books for children and adults (new and classic).

Another plus - after the book signing we stopped right next door for a quick lunch at Paddy Coughlin’s Pub (14 Sherman Ave E) - good food, great Irish pub atmosphere. Overall, the perfect Saturday morning!

Jamie Swenson is a children's author and an employee of Hedberg Public Library. She is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. Her opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.