The space was a bit cramped and quite warm, but no-one cared.

Every face in the basement of Words Bookstore on Monday night was upturned and enraptured by the words of one man: Garrison Keillor. Stalking about the floor to give a good view and equal access to all, Keillor did not disappoint. The expressive features were there, the voice — that voice! — the wit, the humor, the bonhomie, as he might say.

Keillor read from his new novel A Christmas Blizzard and gamely answered questions — touching on topics as disparate as the future of the printed book, retirement (never fear! It's not happening any time soon for Keillor, age 69) and WOR-AM's Jean Shepherd. Keillor then eschewed the author's table to stand and sign more than 100 books. Throughout all he was charming, humble, engaged, interested and, most importantly, interesting.