Former Hot Springs native, David Hill, will discuss his latest book, The Vapors, via Facebook Live on July 8th. Check GC Library’s Facebook page for information.
The Garland County Library (GCL) will host a Virtual Book Talk featuring author David Hill on Wednesday, July 8th at 6pm. David Hill is a writer originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, and will be discussing his upcoming book The Vapors (releases July 7th).
The book’s complete title is The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, Arkansas, America’s Forgotten Capital of Vice, which covers a fascinating chapter of local history. This digital event will be hosted via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/garlandcountylibrary.
This presentation by Hill will be about the content of his book, and his experiences researching it. The publisher’s description for the book teases about “the days before Vegas was big, when the Mob was at its peak and neon lights were but a glimmer on the horizon,” referring to Hot Springs as “a little Southern town” that “styled itself as a premier destination for the American leisure class.”
The Vapors has received acclaim and buzz from numerous media outlets. The New York Times Book Review lists it as a 2020 summer reading pick, while Thrillist calls it “a deeply researched work… full of organized crime, cons, bootleggers, and all kinds of other seedy characters you hope for in a colorful history book.”
Local history-loving library patrons can enjoy hearing the author talk about the book via livestream. “As libraries across the world explore ways to provide content while remaining safe and socially distant, social media will be an essential platform,” says Adult Programmer Paul Kagebein. “Everyone can access the content by going to the library’s Facebook page, even if they don’t have a Facebook account.”
The link to watch the livestream will become available as a post shortly before 6pm on July 8th. Viewers can interact by typing in questions while they are watching, which Mr. Hill may answer at the end of his presentation, time permitting.
David Hill is providing five gratis copies of his book to the GCL, which will be raffled away at random to five people who comment or ask a question during the livestream. For those that want to own their own copy and are not among the five lucky winners, David Hill’s publicist encourages buyers to order online from WordsWorth Books in Little Rock. Finally, the Garland County Library will have additional copies of the book in circulation to be checked out.
Once again, this event will be livestreamed on Wednesday, July 8th, at 6pm, with the link accessible via the GCL’s Facebook page. There is no registration required. If you have any questions or wish to be placed on hold for a copy of The Vapors, you can call the library either 501-623-4161 or 501-922-4483.
The library is located at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs. For more information about curbside pickup, online databases, and more, contact the library at 501-623-4161. Questions can also be sent to gcl@gclibrary.com. Visit www.gclibrary.com for access to online catalog, accounts, and e-materials.
Paul Kagebein is the Adult Services Programmer and movie aficionado at the Garland County. For more information about library collections, hours, special events, programs, or services, visit www.gclibrary.com or call 501-623-4161 or 501-922-4483. Follow the library on Facebook: @GarlandCountyLibrary.
