National Press Club’s Endearingly Wonky Book Fair—Fun the Washington Way

Washington, DC, has its own endearingly wonky way when it comes to drumming up interest and drawing a crowd. At least the National Press Club does.

The theme of its 32nd annual Book Fair & Authors’ Night this past Tuesday was “Top Pols, Pundits & Cultural Legends.” So fittingly, PBS’ “News Hour” host Jim Lehrer, Senator Barbara Boxer (pictured left and right), and Representative Henry Waxman were among the celebs on hand.

Rod Blagojevich, the ousted former Illinois governor was on the program, but cancelled at the last minute. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s autographed book was there, but he was not. I suppose his Judgeship thought it undignified to be seen out flacking his work.

 In some cities glitz and cleavage are in these days, but as the pics show, this was a strictly dark suit, covered bosoms affair. Still, the mood was upbeat and the noise level high. People were obviously grooving on chatting about The Next Front: Souweast Asia and the Road to Global Peace with Islam with Senator Dodd, or On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery with Smithsonian contributing editor Robert Poole.

So what were the cookbook authors like me doing there, you ask? Even in DC, people still have to eat. In fact, every scrap of the bread I took to give out disappeared, and Kneadlessly Simple sold very well.