Best-selling author looking forward to Glen Ellyn festival

Elizabeth Berg is one busy lady.

The New York Times best-selling author has been traveling the country since April 6, stopping everywhere from Atlanta to Houston, to promote her latest book, "The Last Time I Saw You."

Her next stop?

Glen Ellyn's first BookFest on Saturday, June 19, where she will serve as the keynote speaker.

"It's an honor to be invited," she said. "One reason I'm looking forward to it is that it's the end of the tour. It's always kind of nice to do that last event and say goodbye to that book."

Berg is the author of 22 books, including two chosen as American Library Association Best Books of the Year. Most of her works are novels geared toward women, although she has also written about divorce from a man's perspective and tried her hand at nonfiction with a book containing advice about writing.

In a recent chat with the Daily Herald, Berg talked about why she writes, along with some of the simple things she enjoys about life.

Q. When did you decide to start writing?A. I always wrote, including as a kid. I didn't try to get published until my mid-30s. I was actually a registered nurse for 10 years before I started writing full time. But I think if you're really a writer you're kind of born a writer and you will write whether you're published or not. It's a kind of need that you have.Q. What made you want to start?A. I was looking for a job where I could stay home with my children. And I had always been told by teachers and by friends, "Oh, you should be a writer," so I thought, "Well, maybe I'll try to be a writer."I really didn't know anything about the business and I didn't have any contacts. So I just looked at some magazines I thought I might be able to write for and sent out some essays and that's how I got started.Q. Where do you find inspiration for your books?A. Oh, everywhere! I'm really, really interested in people. I think they're maddening and lovely and frustrating and gratifying and just such an interesting mix, every person is. I think that life is full of challenges and joys and trying to find the balances, and it's what I focus on both in my writing and in my life.Q. What was your reaction when you found out your book "Open House" was an Oprah pick?A. Well what do you think? I thought it was a joke. I think a lot of people who get called for that think it's a joke. But I was so happy, and as you know, she sells a lot of books. So she did indeed sell a lot of copies of "Open House." She really is a wonderfully generous and warm person.Q. Because it's an Oprah pick, would you call "Open House" the best book you've written?A. Oh no, no, no. I think it was a good honor and it really helped sell books, but just because that was the one she picked doesn't mean it's the best book as far as I'm concerned. I actually have a preference for the first novel I ever wrote, called "Durable Goods." I think that might be the best one I ever did. But I have affection for all the books I do - they're like my children!Q. Who is your favorite author and why?A. E.B. White is my favorite author because of his clarity and his politics and his great heart and his keen observational skills. Among the contemporary authors, I most like Alice Munro. She's primarily a short-story writer, a Canadian. She is just genius, she can't write a bad sentence. I find her admirable and inspiring and I also am totally engrossed in whatever stories she's writing.Q. You list recipes on your website. Why do you do this and what do you enjoy about cooking?A. It's really relaxing and beautiful, and I love to eat. I love when you're through cooking, you get to eat. I share recipes because it's one of my favorite things to do. I'm always glad when one of my friends sends me recipes. I love all the things you use when you cook, all the tools, all the great things there are nowadays. I just love the whole thing. Maybe I'll go to a cooking class tonight. I don't feel like cooking for myself, I'm too tired.Q. What is it that you like most about Chicago and the suburbs?A. I like the suburbs because I like to be able to have a garden and take my dog for walks easily, but I like to be close enough to enjoy the city. And I like Chicago because it has everything big cities do, but the people are so incredibly friendly. I also like the location because when you fly a lot like I do you're in the middle, so you don't have to fly six hours, unless you're going to Europe.Q. What is your favorite summer activity or pastime?A. I really like just being out in nature. I take my dog on long walks and I like sitting on the porch. I like gardening and looking at other people's gardens. I'm pretty domestic. I also like movies a lot. I think a great day is to walk to town, go out to dinner and go to a great movie. I also have three grandchildren and I really enjoy visiting them, and squirting them with the hose.Q. Why do you think people should attend book festivals?A. It's a way to get together with other book lovers and to see a lot of books and authors at once. Reading is a pretty solitary pursuit, as is writing. But when you have the book festivals, everybody comes out.I find it really interesting to hear authors I am interested in, or admire, and see what they're like in person. As an author, it's always gratifying for me to see that people actually come out and make comments on my books and have interesting questions or things to say. So it's gratifying on both ends. It also helps keep booksellers in business for God's sake! I like to go and browse in a bookstore rather than order books online. I appreciate the knowledge the booksellers have and the space and the accidental ways you come across a treasure, and that can certainly happen at a book festival. <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>What:</b> Elizabeth Berg Presentation and Book Signing</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> 3 p.m. Saturday, June 19</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Glenbard West High School Auditorium</p><p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $25.61 (includes a copy of "The Last Time I Saw You" or a $25 gift certificate to The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn)</p><p class="News"><b>Info:</b> <a href="http://downtownglenellyn.com" target="new">downtownglenellyn.com</a></p>