Sanibel Public Library and Macintosh Books welcome bestselling author Cassandra King Conroy, who will discuss and sign copies of her new memoir.
The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Library. Her 2019 “Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy,” pays tribute to her late husband, the legendary figure of modern Southern literature.
Library Executive Director Margaret Mohundro said, “We are thrilled to be working with MacIntosh Books to bring Cassandra to Sanibel. We’re lucky we were able to book the author while she’s in Florida, on this leg of her nationwide book tour.”
Set in the Carolina Lowcountry, “Tell Me A Story” will appeal to fans of Pat Conroy’s books, some based on his experiences growing up in a dysfunctional family, which left the writer scarred with baggage he brought into his marriage to Cassandra. MacIntosh Books owner Rebecca Binkowski says, “The good years Cassandra and Pat had together make up most of this intimate and lighthearted book. In her memoir, Cassandra invites readers into their home and her heart, as she shares her poignant and funny stories about life with Pat.”
In “Tell Me A Story: My Life with Pat Conroy,” the woman he nicknamed “King Ray” looks back at her love affair with a natural-born storyteller whose lust for life was fueled by a passion for literature, food, and coastal South Carolina. A reviewer for “Publishers Weekly” writes, “This engrossing tearjerker will appeal to fans of both King Conroy and her husband, and those inspired by literary romances.” The two met at a book event in 1995, when Cassandra King was leading a quiet life as a professor and novelist. Their friendship bloomed into a long-distance relationship, then marriage in 1998. It was a union that would last 18 years, until the beloved literary icon’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2016.
Cassandra King Conroy is an award-winning and bestselling novelist whose works include “Moonrise,” “Queen of Broken Hearts,” “The Same Sweet Girls,” “The Sunday Wife,” and “Making Waves.” Before becoming an author, Cassandra taught creative writing on the college level, conducted corporate writing seminars, and worked as a human interest reporter.
There will be no tickets issued, and no additional cost to attend “Tell Me A Story – Cassandra King Conroy at Sanibel Public Library.” The event is supported by grant from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation. The reception begins at 6 p.m., with book talk at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 11.
A reviewer for “Publishers Weekly” writes, “This engrossing tearjerker will appeal to fans of both King Conroy and her husband, and those inspired by literary romances.” At the talk, copies of King Conroy’s books will be available for purchase from MacIntosh Books and Paper. Light refreshments will be served.
Currently located on Palm Ridge Road, MacIntosh Books is the oldest bookshop on Sanibel, celebrating 60 years this March. MacIntosh also has a satellite location in the Franklin Shops in downtown Ft. Myers. They feature a well-curated selection of new and bestselling books in all genres, as well as unique gifts, cards, and stationery.