Best-Selling Author John Connolly Comes to Ferndale

It was a night of lost things and new finds as Irish-author John Connolly visited the Ferndale Public Library to sign copies and talk about his latest book, The Book of Lost Things.

“Very rarely, as a writer, do you have the opportunity to do something like this,” said Connolly, 42, who said his ability to stop and visit Ferndale was pure luck — or, maybe, the luck of the Irish. Connolly delayed his return to Dublin from Louisiana to make a stop in Ferndale when he heard that the Ferndale Reads program, a monthlong initiative to promote reading and the community, had selected his book as its theme.

“I thought I would just come up. It would have crossed my mind even if I was in Ireland,” said Connolly.

The author has gained notoriety for his series of crime novels, but he says his switch to fairy tales, such as The Book of Lost Things, was a natural next step.

“I did not see it as a big change. All writers have certain subjects that they only write about," he said. "It’s not such a big thing when, in fact, you are following your next logical step.”

Following the book signing Thursday, guests had the option of attending a fundraiser for Ferndale Reads at the Woodward Avenue Brewers, where Connolly joined fans who got the chance to finally meet the author — and new fans who were captivated by The Book of Lost Things — for a pint and more conversation.

“Nothing will work out probably as good as this did,” said Darlene Hellenberg, librarian and director of Ferndale Reads.

“I think they were really excited about (the book),” said Hellenberg, who added that she is still shocked and amazed that the author was able to visit.

This year's Ferndale Reads program focused throughout the month of March on connecting the community through books. Last year's program, The Big Read, was a similar event funded by grants. The funding wasn't available this year for the Ferndale library.

Ferndale Reads preceded Connolly’s visit with book discussions, fairy-tale-themed movie nights and comedy shows throughout March all around town.

“I am actually excited to read more (of the author's books),” said Jim O'Donnell, 43, vice president of the Ferndale Library’s Board of Trustees.

O’Donnell explained that he did not know of the author before but he believes, after handing out hundreds of copies for the Ferndale Reads program, the book was well-received. “I saw them all over town," he said.

“One of the great things about the staff of the library is that, if they have a great idea, they know they have the freedom to go with them,” said O’ Donnell, who credits the success of the event and the arrival of the author to Hellenberg.

“We would definitely like to see more people at the library.”