Honoring Judy Blume at Blumesday
BOOKS
Judy Blume has written "a book for every conversation you do not want to have with your child," quipped one of the emcees at Blumesday -- a sold-out event celebrating the 70th birthday of the bestselling author at Hollywood's M Bar on Friday night.
The line drew knowing laughs from the many women in the audience who'd grown up reading "Forever," "Deenie" and other Blume classics in the 1970s, when too-hot-to-handle subjects such as menstruation and masturbation weren't readily discussed, even among friends.
But Blume took them on, boldly going where young adult fiction had previously feared to tread, writing in the first person on topics that had long been taboo. In the process, she earned a following so devoted that 30-plus years later, many of her original readers still can't get enough.
This was definitely the case at M Bar, where a packed house listened to readings and watched comedic reenactments of scenes from their favorite books. Even Blume made an appearance -- albeit briefly and via live video feed.
A role model
Ten minutes before Blumesday's 8 p.m. start, the onstage video screen broadcast an image of a piece of paper posted on a cupboard: "Judy is coming" was all it said. Unbeknown to the audience, most of whom were excitedly chatting over caprese salads and fried calamari in the red velveteen supper club, the note was hanging inside Blume's very own New York home.
A few minutes later, the camera spun around to reveal the author's shockingly youthful, smiling face, ringed with a mane of Annie-esque red hair -- and she went on to prove that she's every bit the role model now as she was in her heyday.
"I can't think of any better way to celebrate my belated birthday than with my readers," said Blume, who has more readers than most. Since her first novel was published in 1970, she's sold more than 80 million books.
Readers want to know
Blume went on to answer a smattering of audience questions.
What would she keep or cut in a 2008 edition of one of her most famous books, the menstruation-themed "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret"?
"We've already changed the pads once. I can't change Margaret," Blume said of the premenstrual girl with whom she's long identified.
Was it true Blume's books were among those Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin was rumored to have wanted banned?
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