Reading event for all booklovers

Robin Kall-Homonoff is at it again with a new literary venture. Only this time, she’s switching gears from formal and talk show-style to informal and author-centered. Point Street Reading Series will have its first event on March 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Point Street Dueling Pianos, Davol Square, Providence. Kall-Homonoff says  this is the first event she’s organized that will not have a guest list. Her goal is simply to bring all types of booklovers together. And, no, it’s not a book club.

Lover of all things literary and affectionately known to some as “the Fairy Bookmother,” Kall-Homonoff has booked five authors for the night to read excerpts from their own novels. She explains that attendees don’t need to read the book beforehand – just come out for a relaxed evening of listening, chilling out and appreciation. The venue, Dueling Pianos, is a big space with lots of tables and a cool, classy vibe. A wall of mounted records takes up a large part of the wall next to the stage where two pianos sit.

“My main goal is creating a sense of community about something I’m really passionate about, which is reading. The pure joy of reading.” Kall-Homonoff’s tone becomes heartfelt as she speaks about her passion. This is not the first time Kall-Homonoff has managed literary events. Until recently, she hosted the radio talk show “Reading with Robin,” and she still holds “Evening with Authors,” an annual breast cancer fundraiser in October, to name a few examples. The rest of her family members are also bookworms; her two children started their own book club. Twenty-eight-year-old David and 25-year-old Emily are currently – by choice – the only members of “Siblings Book Club.”

Kall-Homonoff and Emily, who Kall-Homonoff identified as the brains behind this event, got the idea for the reading series after attending similar events together in other states – sometimes going to as many as three in one night. Kall-Homonoff’s excitement for the reading series is apparent as she explains, “I just didn’t want to miss anything!”

Inspired by these ventures, Kall-Homonoff is excited to bring the same kind of enthusiasm to Rhode Island readers. “This is something different because Rhode Island doesn’t have a reading series. It’s one of a kind,” she explains.

Authors who will read at the March 15 event include Caroline Leavitt, Rachel Cantor, Howard Axelrod, Tamara Valentine and Holly LeCraw. While Kall-Homonoff says there is no real cohesive theme in choosing authors, she has found in her other events that you can always find a way to string together stories or authors. She says there is actually some intent in having a variety of authors present; she hopes to make the series appealing to people of all reading preferences.

“I want everybody to come,” she explains. “I want [the crowd] to be mixed up.” This event, she says, is for the crowd that simply likes to hang out and have a good time, and for the crowd that is looking for something new to do.

Snacks will be available. Barbara Barry of Providence’s new catering company Feast will prepare baked goods for the event, and the bar will be open; otherwise guests are welcome to bring their own food. Brown Bookstore will also have a table at the event and will have books for sale, including the authors’ works. There will be a raffle as well as giveaways and prizes for the people who come first, including Panera gift certificates.

Kall-Homonoff is not only excited to share her joy of reading with others, but also to simply bring the community together.

“This is as a community-building thing, and I’m a connector,” she says. “I love to bring people together.”

Dueling Pianos is located at 3 Davol Square in Providence. For more information visit readingwithrobin.com or Point Street Reading Series on Facebook. No reservation necessary and free parking is available.  Groups of four or more may request a table at robin@readingwithrobin.com.

ARIEL BROTHMAN is a freelance writer who lives in Wrentham, Massachusetts.