Soundtrack of the Sixties/WORLD NEWS FROM WAVERLEY HIGH by Linda Kass

A literary and musical evening not-to-be-missed features Gramercy Books owner Linda Kass and her fourth novel, World News from Waverley High.

Called a “soulful coming-of-age novel” by Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author of Election and Ghost Town, the story is set in an urban high school during one year, 1969 to 1970, where classmates forge friendships and debate over issues of race, politics, and belonging against the backdrop of national unrest and some of the most vital music ever created  Kass will be in conversation with musical history expert Alec Wightman. Performing the songs of the era are the popular trio: Morgan, MacDonell & Maneri, along with vocalist and recording artist Sydney McSweeney.

Tickets through Natalie’s Grandview. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Natalie’s full food and drink menu will be available before and during the program.
The book can be purchased at the event or at Gramercy Books beginning September 8th.

NATALIE’S GRANDVIEW and ZEPPELIN PRODUCTIONS are Community Partners with GRAMERCY BOOKS for this exclusive songwriter evening.

Told through the eyes of precocious teenager Lena Rosen, the novel chronicles the spirit and soundtrack of that volatile year for Lena and her fellow classmates as they navigate high school hallways and a country in crisis. With chapters titled by classic songs from the times, and a narrative shaped by Lena’s sharp, ethical mind as a budding journalist at her school paper, the novel takes the reader back to key moments in American history through the lens of idealistic young adults.

Says Wil Haygood, author of The War Within a War: The Black Struggle in Vietnam and at Home: “The characters in this bighearted novel set in a high school are trying to make sense of that astounding, magnetic, musical, and tumultuous decade known as The Sixties. Linda Kass orchestrates the telling of it all with eloquence and true tenderness.”

Linda Kass began her career as a magazine journalist and correspondent for regional and national publications. Along with her forthcoming novel, World News from Waverley High (September 2026), she is the author of three previous works of historical fiction: Tasa’s Song (2016), A Ritchie Boy (2020), and Bessie (2023). A longtime civic leader, she is the founder and owner of Gramercy Books, an independent bookstore in Central Ohio.

Alec Wightman’s passion and knowledge of music, particularly rock and roll, runs long and deep, as revealed in his 2021 memoir, Music in My Life.  His Zeppelin Productions, Inc. has promoted national act singer-songwriter concerts in Columbus since 1995, throughout which Alec also carved out an illustrious legal career. Alec is also a longtime member of the Board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he served three years as Chair.

Morgan, MacDonell & Maneri, as they are known for short, are Doug Morgan, Parker MacDonell, and Phil Maneri, three great friends who perform songs you can sing along with from the sixties and seventies. The lineup is one stand-up bass, two acoustic guitars, and three-part harmonies. Their repertoire features songs by Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor, the Beatles, the Eagles, Van Morrison and other artists of the era.

Classically trained mezzo soprano Sydney McSweeney has performed across the country alongside some of jazz’s greatest talents. She is a powerhouse vocalist and recording artist, native to Columbus with a B.A. in music from Otterbein. Her enchanting fusion of jazz and pop vocal stylings are undeniably one of a kind. She recently launched her debut album, A Time for Love, in collaboration with The Bobby Floyd Trio.

Food & Bar: Our full food and drink menu will be available before and during the show.