Love of Literacy Luncheon

Considered a star of historical fiction, bestselling author Paula McLain will speak at the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County’s 32nd annual Love of Literacy Luncheon presented by Bank of America. The March 9 benefit at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts gets underway at 11:30 a.m. McLain is best known for her hit novels The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin. The Coalition has copies of these books for sale for a $10 donation. 

The Paris Wife captures an extraordinary love affair in the twenties between Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley Richardson. Love and Ruin brings to life the story of war correspondent Martha Gellhorn who falls in love with Hemingway while covering the Spanish Civil War. Circling the Sun focuses on Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a love triangle with safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen, author of the classic memoir Out of Africa. McLain’s latest instant bestseller, When the Stars Go Dark, is a suspense novel that weaves together actual cases of missing persons, trauma theory, and a hint of the metaphysical. The Coalition is selling copies of this book for a $10 donation.

In addition to her novels, McLain, who grew up in foster homes after being abandoned by her parents, wrote the memoir, Like Family: Growing up in Other People’s Houses. She’s also published two collections of poetry.

“We’re very fortunate to have Paula as our luncheon speaker this year,” said Literacy Coalition CEO Kristin Calder. “Her personal life story is as interesting as the many novels she’s written. We know attendees will be inspired by what Paula has to share.”