Sponsored by the Assistance League of Houston, “Books and Brunch” is designed to showcase Texas authors from different literary genres. Members and guests enjoy brunch while listening to authors share experiences from their writing careers. Books are available for purchase and signing, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Assistance League of Houston.  This month, the league brought Lester Smith, Katherine Center and Merrill Bonarrigo to the beautiful Junior League Ballroom for a breakfast discussion of their journeys as writers and a compelling presentation of their work.

Merrill Bonarrigo began the morning.  She and her husband, Paul, founded Messina Hof Winery & Resort in 1977. Her newest cookbook, “Vineyard Cuisine”, offers recipes featuring wine, food and years of love at Messina Hof.

Lester Smith then took the stage to read from his first book which will be published this spring, “You Gotta Dance While No One’s Watching”, which he wrote with the help of Trish Morille.  Lester is a successful Texas oilman turned philanthropist, National Latin Dance Champion, cancer survivor, and now author.  Lester read from the chapter, “Pay It Forward, How the Smith Girls Became Oil Baroness.”  The Bushes, who were at another reading at the Smiths home, “loved it”.  The word is that Barbara even read a couple of draft chapters.  Profits from the book will be matched by the Smith Foundation to create a Breast Cancer Center at Ben Taub Hospital.

Katherine Center was up third, and joked, “Lester Smith is a tough act to follow, but I’ll try.”  Katherine is a native Houstonian whose second novel, “Everyone is Beautiful”, is a hilarious portrayal of motherhood and marriage.  She gave a wonderful presentation about writing as a creative escape and how writing shaped her life as she became a woman and a mother.  She told a fantastic story about the first “novel” she wrote in the 6th grade about Duran Duran, and ended with a quote from “Everyone is Beautiful”.  The Assistance League of Houston (founded in 1966) is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that delivers philanthropic programs to the greater Houston area. Since its inception over $2M has been given to the community through its philanthropic and scholarship programs. 270 Members give over 24,000 service hours annually to programs assisting children and adults.  www.assistanceleaguehou.org

(Pictured Above: Lester & Sue Smith cake)

(Pictured Above: Sue Smith & Trish Morille)

(Pictured Above: Lester Smith)

(Pictured Above: Rachelle Rowe, Laura Ward, & Carol Sawyer)