Noted author to speak at The Belfry

Paulina Springs Books will host bestselling author Garth Stein at The Belfry for an author event on Friday, February 13 at 6 p.m., for his new novel "A Sudden Light."

"We booked this popular venue in expectation of a crowd; it can seat up to 200 people, so there's room for everyone!" said Amanda McNaughton of Paulina Springs.

Stein's book "The Art of Racing in the Rain" was a long-running national bestseller. His new novel, like his others, has a Northwest setting, on Puget Sound, and a splash of magical realism as 14-year-old Trevor uncovers controversy, dark history - and maybe ghosts in his family.

The event is free and open to the public. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from The Belfry's bar.

Before turning to writing full-time, Garth was a documentary filmmaker-directing, editing, and/or producing several award-winning films, including "The Lunch Date," winner of the Academy Award for live action short in 1990, and "The Last Party," starring Robert Downey, Jr.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Seattle, Garth's ancestry is diverse: his mother, a native of Alaska, is of Tlingit Indian and Irish descent; his father, a Brooklyn native, is the child of Jewish emigrants from Austria. After spending his childhood in Seattle and then living in New York City for 18 years, Garth returned to Seattle in 2001, and lives there currently with his wife, three sons, and their dog, Comet.

Stein is co-founder of Seattle7Writers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to energizing readers and writers and their communities by providing funding programming, donations of free books to those in need, and generally inspiring enthusiasm for reading.

Doors open for the event at 5 p.m.; program starts at 6 p.m. The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave. For more information call 541-549-0866.