Book Lovers Night features author Jonathan Odell

Author Jonathan Odell is the featured guest at Book Lovers Night at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 in room 204, Gorecki Dining and Conference Center, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn.

Odell will read excerpts from his most recent book, "The Healing," which was No. 1 on Amazon's top-rated historical novels list. The novel explores the ability that the sharing of stories has to heal the minds and souls of people. 

Odell's short stories and essays have been featured in various collections, including "Stories from the Blue Moon Café," "Men Like That" and "Breaking Silence," as well as publications such as Speakeasy Literary Magazine and the Savannah Literary Journal.

In addition to "The Healing," Odell has written one other novel, "The View from Delphi," from which he read during a previous visit to CSB in 2005. "The View from Delphi" explores the struggle for equality prior to the civil rights movement. "The View from Delphi" was chosen as the spring selection for "Talking Volumes," the joint book club of Minnesota Public Radio, the Star Tribune newspaper and the Loft Literary Center.

Odell received his master's degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. Prior to devoting himself to writing, Odell was a leadership consultant to Fortune 500 companies.

 Currently, Odell is working with award-winning artist Jim Kuether to complete a children's book, entitled "Just Call Me a Dinosaur." He is also finishing a volume of personal essays.

An informal book chat and a free book swap begins at 6:30 p.m., and a local community reader will give book recommendations at 6:45 p.m. Odell will be available for book signings after his reading. The event is free and open to the public.

The CSB/SJU Bookstore will offer recommended books for sale at 20 percent off during the event.  For more information, contact [email protected] or call 320-363-2119.