Meet Mike Leonard at book-signing event

Lake Villa District Library invites readers to meet Mike Leonard, author of its "One Book, One Community" selection, "Ride of Our Lives: Roadside Lessons of an American Family" at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The library is at 1001 E. Grand Ave.

A book sale and signing will follow the program. Refreshments will be served.

Nina Kenney, adult program associate, said one reason Leonard's book was selected was because it tied in with its adult summer reading theme, "Are we there yet?"

But while "Ride of Our Lives" is the library's first non-fiction selection, it was one officials thought readers would enjoy.

"It had a lot of humor. It was a story everyone could relate to, understanding how everyone's family is," she said.

Kenney said Leonard's books flew off the shelves when the program began and people have shared their favorite moments from the book. Some have said how impressed they were with Leonard's mother, Marge.

"What stuck out for me is the book is full of small incidental occurrences that had a big impact in his life," she said. "Everyone can relate to that."

Leonard said he was honored to be approached by the Lake Villa library.

"I'm honored, for someone who struggled to get through school. It's pretty cool to be at a library," he said.

Kenney said inviting Leonard to discuss his book and meet readers helps bring the "One Book, One Community" program full circle.

"People like to put a face to a story. They like to hear from him firsthand why he told this story," she said.

For Leonard, speaking in front of an audience was once a daunting task. When he was younger, Leonard said he was terrified to even raise his hand in class.

"The reason I was scared was I try to be something I wasn't, try to be smooth, try to be perfect," he said.

Then it dawned on him. He said he will never be Bob Costas or Tom Brokaw. He will stumble, be flawed and will make it through.

"I was fine once I realized my weaknesses become my strengths," he said.

That is, he said, how he will approach meeting people at the library on Sunday.

"I will look at the crowd to judge what is relevant and I will speak from the heart," he said. "I will stumble, and it will be true."

-- Abby Scalf