Justin Cronin, author of 'The Twelve', to speak at SMU

By Joy Tipping
Staff Writer

Last week, I attended one of the most enjoyable lunches in my recent memory. Actor and author Stephen Tobolowsky, who grew up in Oak Cliff and graduated from Southern Methodist University, utterly charmed a group of avid readers at a Friends of the SMU Libraries event. Tobolowsky’s true-life stories, often hilarious and frequently set in Dallas, have been collected in his new book, The Dangerous Animals Club. They’ve already had a podcast life in his Tobolowsky Files, and there are plans for him to have a regular NPR series.

Friends of the SMU Libraries stages these casual, friendly author events throughout each spring and fall, and they’re free and open to the public. Visitors are treated to a light buffet lunch followed by the speaker’s presentation and a book signing (books are available for purchase at the events).

Happily, there’s one more chance to get in on the fun this fall: On Nov. 2, author Justin Cronin, a New England native who until recently taught English at Rice University in Houston, will talk about The Twelve, his just-released sequel to the megahit The Passage, which came out in 2010. The books thrillingly portray survivors’ quest to weather the deadly storm of a viral plague that either kills or turns humans into bloodthirsty, vampirelike creatures. Cronin’s assured prose and psychological insight put the books far above typical “vampire lit.”

Go ahead, sink your teeth in and get a taste of the Friends of the SMU Libraries lunchtime series before the spring lineup is announced. (The group also hosts other presentations aside from the lunchtime series; see the website for details.)

Although the events are free, I’m quite sure that donations would be graciously accepted for the nonprofit group — or better yet, join. At the $100 level, you get access to all the university libraries. For a book-aholic, that’s about as good as it gets.

Justin Cronin event is Nov. 2, with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and lecture-book signing starting at noon in the Mack Ballroom, Umphrey Lee Center, Dyer Street at Hillcrest Avenue, Southern Methodist University, Dallas. Free. Reservations required; email cruppi@smu.edu or call 214-768-3225. smu.edu/libraries/friends.