Earlier in the week, my wife Amy asked if I wanted to take Bryce to an author reading at the bookshop. I said I did as it would be a fun outing for us. We'll all readers in our house, but our youngest daughter Bryce is our little super reader. She's always reading multiple books at the same time and we've been reading together before bedtime for a few years now. Amy takes her on regular library runs, too.
Reminds me of me when I was her age. At 13, I read all the time, too. And even though she has devices today to watch shows and listen to music, something we monitor with both girls, reading is still the winner. I remember staying up late in the summertime (and during the school year) reading chapter after chapter of a good book.
The author reading was about to begin. I did find an open bench with a great view left of the stage area in front, but Bryce didn't want to sit there. I don't think it was because she didn't want to sit with me, she just liked the view from where she was standing. At least, that's what I told myself. These teens today.
The author reading was with Karen M. McManus who wrote the One of Us Is Lying series. This reading launched the newest book in the series called One of Us Is Back. She writes young adult mystery thrillers, a genre Bryce really enjoys. Reminds me of my Stephen King obsession back in the day.
I bought a copy of the new book for Bryce to get signed after the reading was over. During the public question-and-answer session at the end of the author interview and reading, I texted Bryce to ask a question. She said she didn't have one, but I did.
"What is it about good thrillers and mysteries that engage you the most?" I asked the author.
"Good character development with all the suspenseful mini-mysteries interconnected throughout that drive the over-arching mystery," Karen M. McManus said. "That's what engages me."
"Thank you." Good answer, I thought.
Afterwards Bryce and I waited in line to meet Karen to have her sign Bryce's book.
"Did you like this?" I asked.
"Yes," Bryce said. "I did really enjoy it. I just didn't have a question for her."
"You heard mine, right?"
"Yes, it was good."
I smiled. "This is inspiring me to write my novel."
"You want to write a book?"
"Yes. I've written a couple of business books, but I really want to write a novel now."
"What about? Will it be young adult?"
"It won't be young adult or be a mystery thriller, although someone will die in my story. It'll be a small town family drama," I said.
Bryce frowned. "You're not going to write about me, are you? Don't write about me."
"It won't be about you. It will be fiction with made up characters."
"Good. You should write it. I would read it."
That meant a lot coming from a reader like Bryce.
I laughed. "Maybe there will be a character like you who I name Bruce instead of Bryce."
"Dad!"
I loved watching Bryce as she talked with the author Karen M. McManus and told her how much she enjoyed her books. Karen signed Bryce's book and told her she loved her hat. When I was her age, I never got to meet authors whose books I loved. I'm so glad I took her this author reading and will do it again and again. And for Bryce to tell me she'd read the novel I've always wanted to write made the moment even sweeter.
This wonderful bonding experience with my daughter was more than just us having a good time together. It again sparked the idea of doing something new and different that I never thought I'd ever do in life. Like have children. Or travel the world. Or try different careers. Or write a business book. Or play the drums.
Or, write the great American novel. As parents, we're supposed to be the ones who encourage our kids to dream the big dreams, but they can do the same for us. What a novel idea.
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