More than 200 Arlington Heights book lovers turned out after-hours on Saturday, June 27 for An Evening with Candace Bushnell. The sold-out event, presented and co-sponsored by the library and the Tuscan Market Book Group, featured the bestselling author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle who is currently on a national book tour for her newest release, Killing Monica. During her three-hour appearance in the Hendrickson Room, Candace signed books, took photographs with attendees and delivered a lively onstage presentation including an audience Q&A.
"I like writing about characters that are larger than life," Bushnell said. She revealed that her latest character in Killing Monica comes from an idea of always having to put our best selves forward in today's social media-crazed world.
"Monica is always happy and smiling and when you see her, you want to be her. Nothing ever goes wrong for Monica so we definitely know she is an imaginary character," Bushnell joked. "The book really is about identity and who we are and how we reinvent ourselves."
The event began with Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes welcoming Candace and proclaiming Saturday, June 27, 2015 as "Candace Bushnell Book Launch Event Day in the Village of Arlington Heights.” In response Candace told the crowd:
“Libraries mean so much to me. When I was a kid, the library was where we went for our entertainment. There’s a universe out there at your library. I am so touched and so proud to be here.”