The fact that it was Super Bowl Sunday did not dissuade the attendees of a speech by acclaimed author Ray Bradbury, who spoke to a standing room only crowd.

Bradbury, best known for his classic novels “Fahrenheit 451” and “The Martian Chronicles,” spoke at a fundraiser for the Simi Valley Library Foundation.

Event Coordinator Linda Bankhart, who introduced Bradbury, was especially enthused.

“This is the biggest thing that happened to Simi Valley since the Indians discovered it,” she said.

Bradbury, 88, was full of enthusiasm for life. He spoke of living through the heart instead of the head.

“I don’t think about what I’m doing, I do it,” he said.

Bradbury had a sense of wonder and joy for life, which was apparent in his speech. In an informal manner, Bradbury implored his audience “to love life.” He  insisted that humans love who they are and what they do.

“Love what you’re doing, and do what you love!”

Bradbury described the love he had for writing, and applied it to everything he did so any member of the audience could learn from and relate to what he was saying. He kept going back to the idea of loving life and whatever it is that you are doing.

“Everything is in your heart! If I can teach that to you, I’ve taught you everything!” he said.

MC student Nadia Shamout, 18, enjoyed the speech.

“It was very good and inspiring,” Shamout.

The political science major said that her favorite book by Bradbury is “Fahrenheit 451.”

“It makes me cringe.”

Award-winning writer Ray Bradbury, 88, signs a book at a fundraiser for the Simi Valley Library Foundation Sunday, after he gave a speech to a standing room only crowd. (Brad Krebs)