Reading and Wrestling in Seattle

by Mary Ann Gwinn | Nov-05-2009

Books still rule in Seattle, and if you want to argue about it, these two guys with wrestling in their genes might just take you to the mat on the subject.

On Tuesday, November 3, I interviewed John Irving before a crowd of 500 people at Third Place Books in the Seattle suburb of Lake Forest Park. That’s right; 500 people turned out on a weeknight to hear Irving, whose latest novel is Last Night in Twisted River, talk about writing, fate, and the importance of plot in novels.

Two hours earlier, Hulk Hogan had arrived to sign copies of his book, My Life Outside the Ring. Hulk autographed books as a line of his fans snaked up and down the aisles. He posed for an arm-wrestling photo with one delighted little boy.

Then John Irving (former wrestling coach) and Hulk (wrestler-reality show star) got together in the warm-up room at Third Place and posed for this picture. Thanks to Third Place staff capturing the moment.