Charlaine Harris in Houston: Books, authors and fun

From Houston Chronicle

Bookworms had reason to boogie Sunday at the Houston Chronicle’s 30th annual Book & Author Dinner. (And we’re not just referring to the cocktail and book-signing music by bluesman Milton Hopkins and cheeky dinnertime oldies by the El Orbits.)

More than 400 fans of the written word turned out for the event at the Hilton Americas grand ballroom, which raised funds for the Houston Public Library Foundation and the Readers are Leaders Foundation.

Authors Lee Child, Oscar Casares, Julie Powell and Charlaine Harris entertained with witty insights into their lives as authors. Sponsors got more than the usual thank-yous from the podium when the other featured author, stand-up comedian David Cross, turned the program listings into his, uh, remarks. Mayor Bill White voiced his support for journalism as well as libraries, and Chronicle editor Jeff Cohen, the night’s emcee, bridged it all with good humor.

Susie and Joe Dilg, Jesse H. Jones II and Chronicle publisher Jack Sweeney co-chaired.

Also in the crowd: Spectra Energy’s Greg Ebel, E. Fred Aguilar and Jennifer Miller, Ed Smith, Susan Bischoff and Jim Barlow.