Literary renaissance

Lagunans who made New Year’s resolutions to become more well-read will find a plethora of literary feasts at their disposal in coming days, from a visit by a distinguished book reviewer to author events with Mitch Albom and J.A. Jance.

The town’s denizens have embraced a sort of literary renaissance, joining together for the “Laguna on the Same Page” program and joining any of several book clubs.

Welsh-born reviewer Robert Adams, now a Canadian resident, will review Rohinton Mistry’s novel “A Fine Balance” at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11 at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or in advance at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave., (949) 494-5403, or Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Hwy., (949) 494-4779.

Even youngsters have an option, with a group for readers ages 6 to 8 that meets at the Laguna Beach library; the next session will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 16, where kids will discuss “Kate and the Beanstalk” by Mary Pope Osborne.

For more information and to R.S.V.P., call (949) 497-1733.

Book reviewer

Adams became well-known in Canada for his sell-out onstage book reviews, which he gave in Montreal and Toronto for more than a decade; the talks were televised on two Canadian networks, and his novel “A Love of Reading,” a compendium of past talks, was a Canadian bestseller; he has since released another edition of talks. Podcasts of past talks are available.

Adams’ Laguna performances began last year, when his wife, Pearl, suggested he give a talk while they were in town.

“I don’t think anyone here has really heard of me,” Adams said.

But his wife, who serves as his public relations maven, soon got to work.

Shortly, posters advertising Adams’ upcoming talk on “The Kite Runner” were on walls, sliding-glass doors and posts throughout town, surprising Adams as he walked to the bank or supermarket.

The talk was a sell-out success, with a standing ovation at the end that surprised Adams again.

“I was very gratified,” he said. “I will travel quite a distance to get that reaction.”

Lagunans have become enthusiastic about such well-lettered visitors — including, most recently, author Ray Bradbury.

On Wednesday, author J.A. Jance will speak at the Laguna Beach library to promote her new mystery, “Hand of Evil.” For more information, call (949) 494-5403.

This year, Adams will discuss Rohinton Mistry’s “A Fine Balance,” which he calls “almost certainly the best-crafted contemporary novel I’ve read in the last 30 years.”

The novel, an Oprah’s Book Club pick, is set during a state of emergency in 1975-76 called by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru. It follows the plight of four characters; as Mistry explores their tales, he evokes greater questions about the nature of poverty, corruption and friendship.

Adams has known Mistry, who lives in Toronto, for some time.

“When I speak to him, I know I am in the presence of goodness,” he said.

He said Mistry was able to do what all authors dream of doing: by writing about very particular things, he was able to evoke universal themes like jealousy and love of children, making it possible for an armchair reader in the Midwest to relate to the slums of Mumbai.

Other favorites include Sebastian Faulks’ “Birdsong: A Novel of Love and War;” Angela Carter’s “Wise Children;” and T. C. Boyle’s “The Tortilla Curtain.”

Adams famously used to read a book a day to select topics for his talks, but is now down to only 200 to 300 per year. After selecting a book, he would perform exhaustive research on the author if possible.

“I like the research,” he said. “If I can meet the writers, so much the better.”

These interviews, with writers including “The Kite Runner” author Khaled Hosseini and “Schindler’s List” author Thomas Keneally, granted Adams perspective into their motivations and writing styles. It also allowed him to meet them before they became international sensations, and to learn some little-known anecdotes — like the story behind a deftly-persuaded change to the now-iconic ending of “The Kite Runner,” for example.

Another high point was traveling to Japan to talk with author Haruki Murakami, he said.

Laguna locals have also shown their interest in getting to know authors on a more personal level.

‘Same Page’ program

Latitude 33 Bookshop tries to keep a local and California focus in its “Laguna on the Same Page” program, in which famous authors speak locally. The bookshop also hopes to hold panel discussions and other events in the future.

“People have just raved about it,” said Melony Vance, general manager of Latitude 33, of the program. “It really brings a very personal touch to very high-profile authors.”

The program has allowed the independent bookseller to gain clout with New York publishing houses, which often have a bias against Orange County’s presumed dearth of literary interest, Vance said.

Previous events featured T.C. Boyle, whose discussion of “Tortilla Flats” was attended by more than 400 people, and “White Oleander” author Janet Fitch, who discussed “Paint It Black.”

The third session in the “Laguna on the Same Page” program will be at 7 p.m. Monday, and will feature author Mitch Albom, who will speak about his new novel, “For One More Day.”

“I think he speaks to a lot of things that we all think about and can relate to,” Vance said.

The free session will be at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. For more information, call (949) 494-5403.

Adams and his wife began visiting Laguna Beach when their daughter Ondine moved here about 20 years ago, in order to spend more time with her and her daughter Hayley. They now spend several weeks each year in town, always requesting the same ocean-view hotel room.

“It’s a pilgrimage,” he said. “We have been to so many places, and we cannot find a place more beautiful than Laguna Beach.”

Ondine, who joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal when she was 17, now is the head of the dance program at Mission Viejo High School, where she also teaches French; in addition, she teaches at the Laguna-based Kyne Dance Academy.

Hayley, also a dancer, attends Laguna Beach High School.

Adams has discontinued his annual Canadian talks, and now lectures on the luxury Crystal Cruise lines, where he was rated the top lecturer by guests on a voyage from Cape Town to Dubai.

“I’m still thinking about the next stage,” Adams said. “I could spend my whole life cruising — there are worse fates.”