Cornelia Maude Spelman: SOLACE | A Book Launch & Mini-Workshop

Told with "compelling frankness and consistent intimacy" (Naomi Shihab Nye), Cornelia Maude Spelman's new memoir SOLACE illuminates the emotional legacies and psychological landscapes that shaped the author's life. The acclaimed author (and Evanston local) will launch her book at Bookends & Beginnings with an author talk, Q&A, and mini-workshop on the value of diary writing.

SOLACE unfurls in a series of vignettes drawn from diaries and personal stories about her relationship to others as daughter, mother, friend, wife, therapist, and grandmother. These are stories of compassion and attention bringing about healing from grief and brokenness and the necessity of our deep and caring connection to others: the comfort offered to us and the comfort we offer to others.

Cornelia Maude Spelman, MSW, was a therapist with children and families before turning full-time to writing and art. She’s written 12 books for children that help them manage emotion, difficult life situations, and critical thinking. Her The Way I Feel series of books for young children have sold over four million copies and been translated into 11 languages. She is also the author of two memoirs, MISSING and SOLACE.

A daily diary writer for many years, Cornelia is currently writing Volume 269. Her diaries, those of her mother, and personal papers and photographs of her grandmother and great-grandmother and other family members are archived at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Harvard University. For the workshop, please bring any small object that is a “keepsake” to you, along with a pen, diary/notebook/journal.

The author talk and workshop will take place from 6:00-7:00 PM, followed by a book signing. Doors will open at 5:00 PM.

Host or Publisher Bookends & Beginnings