Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club held their 34th Annual Lunch for Literacy on March 24, 2026, at Oak Ridge High School. The goal of the luncheon is to raise funds and awareness of literacy needs in Anderson and Roane counties and then use the money to award grants. The organizations are on track to award $26,500 in literacy grants in 2026.
Each year, the literacy committee invites a bestselling author to speak. Readers may recognize past speakers: Silas House, Brendan Slocumb, and Ann Patchett.
One of my favorite authors, Kristy Woodson Harvey, was the keynote speaker this year. She is the author of 13 novels, including two I have recommended in the past: https://www.knoxtntoday.com/two-books-perfect-for-summer-reading/and Beach House Rules. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize. Two of her novels, A Happier Life and The Summer of Songbirds, are in development for film and television. Her newest novel, Summer State of Mind, releases May 5, and I have already preordered it. Expect a recommendation, readers.
The long-standing adage, “Never meet your heroes,” does not apply to Kristy Woodson Harvey. My friends and I spent a few minutes talking to her before the luncheon began, and Kristy was kind and charming, like many of her characters. During her keynote address, she shared the winding path she took to becoming a full-time writer and funny stories about what and who inspires her stories and characters.
Linda Sullivan (The Book Whisperer), left, with Kristy Woodson Harvey, center right.
Many thanks to Oak Ridge Altrusa International and Breakfast Rotary Club for the work they do to promote and fund literacy and for bringing such talented authors to speak to us about their own literary journeys.
Look for books at Knox County Online Library or your local independent bookstore each week.
Linda Sullivan is an avid reader and wants to inspire you to become one, too. For more recommendations or to talk books, reach out to her at thebookwhisperertn@gmail.com. She can also be found @thebookwhisperertn on Instagram.
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