by PATRICK BABCOCK
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Friday morning, in a classroom on the top floor of the Carol Grotnes Belk Library & Information Commons, “The Glass Castle” author Jeannette E. Walls spoke to a small group of lower-income students from the Student Support Services program.

“I was asked if I would do this, and I was delighted to say ‘yes,’” Walls said. “If I can I help these kids see the blessings that they have then I’m absolutely delighted.”

Students in the Student Support Services program have been especially empathetic to Walls’ book.

“If you read her book and know anything about her, or know any kids who have come from her same situation, you understand her appeal to students,” Director of Student Support Services Cathia T. Silver said.

“She’s very personable with people who are from the highest ranks at the university to students who are first generation college students,” Assistant Director of the Summer Reading Program Rachel E. Forrester said.

“I don’t really like to read, but I when I read [“The Glass Castle”] it caught my attention,” freshman business management major Terrance D. McLean said. “More than the book, I like how she accepts who she is.”

Thursday, Walls kicked off the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series with a reading in the Table Rock Room of the Plemmons Student Union, attracting readers of all ages and backgrounds to Appalachian’s campus.

Her reading had the largest turnout of any Visiting Writers Series reading in the history of the program.

“For a memoir to work it needs to be on some level universal,” Walls said. “So many people have asked me, ‘isn’t it weird going around talking about yourself?’ but honestly it’s not about me, it’s about the reader.”

Walls spoke to a group of about 300 readers, students, and faculty at convocation on Thursday morning.

“She’s really well-organized and thoughtful about what she wants to say,” Director of the Summer Reading Program Emory V. Maiden said. “And she varies her pitch according to audience, which is really important when you’re talking to a number of different size groups.”

“This has been the most remarkable summer reading experience,” Director of Materials for the Summer Reading Program Janet K. Beck said.

“She is such a role model for so many of our students. Not only low income students, but all of us who have what she would call ‘texture,’ which is all of us.”

When asked what she was planning for the future, Walls said, “I’m struggling with a book about my mother and her mother. My grandmother was one tough broad, and I mean that as a great compliment.”

“I think we’re going to face some changes,” Maiden said with regards to the future of the Summer Reading Program. “But we’re in a position to be talking about really positive directions… I’m looking forward to it."

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