Society / Featured Parties

Barbara Bush’s Reading Party Goes On Without Her — Just Like She Would Have Wanted: Big-Time Authors and Political Figures Come Together to Pay Tribute

BY // 04.25.18
photography Dave Rossman

Last week’s A Celebration of Reading could have been a purely somber, sedate evening. Instead, the event paid tribute to Barbara Bush — its driving force — the way she would have wanted it, according to her many loving relatives. The evening was lively, buoyant, and above all committed to the power of the written word.

Guests gathered at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts to meet with old friends and share stories about the literary events of years past. There were tears alongside laughter. The mood was bright but reverent.

The former First Lady passed away mere days before the 24th annual “A Celebration of Reading.” Her name was still printed as a host on tickets and programs. No one could have guessed that she would not be present. But they carried on as though America’s First Lady was there.

In addition to family members continuing the literacy tradition, there were notable guests including former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and wife Susan, philanthropists Sue and Lester Smith, Harris County Judge Emmett and wife Gwen, Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni and wife Laurel, and Houston Texans owners Janice and Bob McNair.

Memories and anecdotes of Barbara Bush were woven throughout the introductions of each of the five speakers. Organizers struck a poignant balance of honoring “Bar” and celebrating the readers who make the annual event so special.

On this night, speakers ran the gamut of genres and speaking styles. Some brought humor, a trait Barbara Bush was famed for, and others spoke passionately of the doors reading can open, while others took the opportunity to focus on the future of our country and world.

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Here is a thumbnail sketch of their presentations:

Candice Millard

The former National Geographic reporter’s book subjects are best known for their bravery and political genius. James Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill impressed her and impressed upon her the impact that a single individual can make.

Millard’s books on the trio include The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey,  Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President and Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill.

In addition to being world leaders, Millard noted that all three shared a love of books. “They were rarely seen without a book in their hand,” she told the crowd. “Why were these men such devoted readers? Reading is power. It’s hope. It’s salvation.” 

Jim Gaffigan

The Grammy-nominated “clean comic” added a note of levity to the evening by providing an impromptu monologue. He didn’t realize that he was expected to do more than read excerpts from his writing. Making his first appearance at the Houston fundraiser, Gaffigan was supposed to have been on stage at the event last year.

But his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was luckily benign, and he had to postpone his trip.

On this night, his humor was all about cheese but not before being introduced by a friendly blond member of the Bush brood, and asking, “Are any of the Bush grandchildren ugly?”

Gaffigan joked about queso in Houston, cheese plates in France and goat cheese, asking why anyone would want to milk something “that looks like a dog on meth.”

John Kasich

The governor of Ohio and former presidential candidate gave a rousing speech about the country’s ever-growing divide, between Democrats and Republicans and between those considered liberals and conservatives. “We’re entering a post-truth environment,” Kasich said, arguing that the friction creates a culture of chaos.

He posited that objectivity and rationality are of the utmost importance,  though often ignored in this country today.

Kasich presented Hurricane Harvey as an example of everyone banding together, regardless of political preference. “You didn’t need politicians. You didn’t need rich people. Our strength is in all of us,” he said.

Christina “CK” Kerley

While many onstage talked about the books of their childhood, bound hardcovers they thumbed through time after time, Kerley had a different focus — one on a whole new era. The speaker, innovator and self-declared “Futurist” wasn’t interested in talking about the past. It was all about the next big thing.

“Change has never happened so fast. And it will never be this slow again,” Kerley said.

In the near future, “We will go from smart phones to smart everything.” She anticipates transition from “There’s An App for That” to “There’s a Robot for That.” Or cobots, collaborative robots, as Kerley calls them. Robots that can facilitate the elderly living independently, the disabled moving freely and borders dissolved permanently.

“The past will marvel at us. The future will thank us,” she said.

Clive Cussler

The American adventure novelist and underwater explorer gained fame and coveted spots on the New York Times best-seller list for his Dirk Pitt novels. At age 86, he was escorted on stage by his wife, Janet Horvath, who remained to adjust his glasses when they slipped and to assist when the pages of his speech needed turning.

He shared reminiscences of his early love of reading and told of his belief that reading can put dreams within reach. The author of 60 books talked about fame and his early goal of finding someone in public reading one of his books. His presentation was both thoughtful and humorous.

For more on this night and Barbara Bush’s final days, read the PaperCity exclusive on her closest family and friends’ insights.

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