It was 2006 when Karen Valby first visited Utopia, Texas. A senior writer for Entertainment Weekly, Valby wrote a feature on the small town, which was untouched by popular culture. Valby later returned to Utopia to further explore the reasons some people cling to small-town living, refusing to leave, and other people leave big cities for the relative tranquility and safety of rural life. The result of her subsequent visits is Welcome to Utopia, Valby’s first book. She’ll be signing copies of Utopia after a discussion session at 7 p.m. Blue Willow Bookshop, 14532 Memorial Drive. For information, call 281-497-8675 or visit www.bluewillowbookshop.com. Free.
Wed., June 16, 7 p.m., 2010
This article appears in Jun 10-16, 2010.