FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street presents The Glass Castle with New York Times best-selling author Jeannette Walls, Monday, May 18, 7pm at the Lincoln Center.
The event is the eighth presentation in the Beet Street Thought Leaders lineup – a series designed to “Entertain Your Brain” by bringing knowledgeable, dynamic speakers to the Fort Collins community presenting relevant topics people care about.
As an E! Television correspondent and popular New York Magazine columnist, Walls made her living spreading celebrity gossip. In her best-selling memoir The Glass Castle, Walls finally comes clean about her past by sharing her own dirty laundry – describing an unusual childhood full of hunger, love, homelessness and chaos theory, and her shattered dreams of the beautiful glass house her unorthodox parents promise to build one day.
When Walls discusses The Glass Castle, her message of confronting the past and facing fears resonates with audiences everywhere. In her Fort Collins presentation, Walls will explain that people have more in common than they think, flaws are some of the greatest assets individuals possess, and that life is what people make it.
“It’s nice to hear a happy ending during tough economic times like these,” said Beet Street Interim Executive Director Jean Lamm.
“Jeannette Walls’ remarkable personal account of triumph over adversity is a success story anyone will appreciate, and from which we can all draw inspiration.”
The Glass Castle has been taught at universities in courses on literature, psychology, parenting, child development and poverty. It has been on the New York Times best-seller list for more than two years, has sold over two million copies, been translated into 16 languages, and is being made into a major motion picture by Paramount.
Currently, Walls is writing her next book Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel, which is due to be released in October 2009.
“I recently read The Glass Castle,” said local book club member and freelance writer Becky Jensen. “Jeannette Walls proves that truth really is stranger than fiction.”
Walls’ unassuming yet intelligent writing style appeals to Jensen. “Her candid, accessible story was such a breath of fresh air that I took an instant liking to her. I’m going to the event with friends, and we’re all excited to meet Jeannette Walls in person.”
The question-and-answer portion of the Beet Street presentation on May 18 will give audience members the opportunity to ask Walls specific questions, and VIP ticket holders are invited to meet the speaker at a cash-bar, cheese and dessert reception after the presentation.
General admission tickets for Jeannette Walls are $10, VIP seating and Meet the Speaker tickets are $15, and student/senior (60+) tickets are $8. Tickets are available at www.lctix.com or by calling (970) 221-6730. For more information about Jeannette Walls and upcoming Beet Street events, visit www.BeetStreet.org.