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Archive for October, 2008
« Previous Entries Friday, October 31st, 2008A Novel Challenge Yahoo Group - 2008 Mini Challenges
The Mini Challenge 2008
Sponsored by group owner, Wendy (aka: ME!)
October 31, 2008: CHALLENGE COMPLETED! This was fun to do - simple little mini-challenges throughout the year. I will most likely come up with a similar challenge for 2009!
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1. Complete all 12 mini-challenges from January 1st through December 31st of 2008. DO NOT start this challenge prior to January 1, 2008.
2. Challenges may be completed in any order and may overlap other challenge. Work through them at your own speed.
3. Participants must post their progress (and reviews if appropriate) to their blog with links to the group (or if they don’t have a blog, they should post directly to the group).
Here are the challenges:
1. Read a short story - review it.
COMPLETED January 21, 2008 - Black Ice, by Cate Kennedy; rated 3.5/5; read my review.
2. Read a children’s book - review it.
COMPLETED January 1, 2008 - The Giver, by Lois Lowry; rated 4.5/5; read my review.
3. Read a poem - tell us about it.
I have a wonderful little Everyman’s Library Edition of Robert Frost Poetry. Last night I read several poems: Stars, The Sound of Trees, An Old Man’s Winter Night and my favorite of all time…The Road Not Taken. I love Frost’s poetry which is almost always evocative of nature and our place within it.
4. Read a banned book - review it.
COMPLETED February 25, 2008 - Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison; rated 4.5/5; read my review
5. Give a book away (donate to charity, give a book to a friend, leave a book “in the wild” to be found by another reader…as long as you don not sell it!) - post why you chose the book you did and where it went.
COMPLETED February 18, 2008; read my comments here.
6. Read two (2) articles from any one magazine - tell us about them.
COMPLETED January 12, 2008 - read my comments here.
7. Read a classic (for this challenge a classic is defined as a piece of literature which has stood the test of time, has literary merit, is widely read, and was published prior to 1970) - review it.
COMPLETED January 25, 2008 - Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens; rated 3/5; read my review.
8. Go to a book event and then tell the group about your experience (book events may be library events, author readings, seminars/lectures pertaining to books or reading, etc…)
I attended the San Jose Book Group Expo on October 25-26, 2008. Read my post about who I met there, Day One events, and Day Two events.
9. Read an essay - tell us about it.
COMPLETED March 30, 2008 - Utopia, Dystopia, Messtopia! by Cynthia Ozick; read my post.
10. Read something inspirational - tell the group why it inspired you.
COMPLETED October 28, 2008 - Gift From The Sea, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh; read my review; this book inspired me to be better to my inner self, to find time to replenish my spirit and nourish my creativity.
11. Read a book written by a “new to you” author - review it.
COMPLETED January 9, 2008 - The House at Riverton, by Kate Morton; rated 4.5/5; read my review.
12. Participate in a group or buddy read and discussion (this can be either a face to face book club, an on line group, or a blog/buddy read). Tell the group what you read and with whom; give us a review.
I read Life and Times of Michael K, by J.M. Coetzee with the Booker Prize Yahoo group; read my review.
Friday, October 31st, 2008Friday Finds - October 31, 2008
October 31, 2008
I missed this event last week because I was on my way to the San Jose Book Group Expo…so I’m catching up this week. I found some fabulous books at the Expo which I would never have picked up had it not been for meeting the authors and listening to them speak. These books include:
The Hakawati, by Rabih Alameddine. Listening to this author speak was a real treat - he was funny and brilliant. I immediately knew I would read his book. The book flap reads: ‘Like a true hakawati, Rabih Alameddine has given us an Arabian Nights for this century — a funny, captivating novel that enchants and dazzles from its very first lines: “Listen. Let me take you on a journey beyond imagining. Let me tell you a story.”‘ Doesn’t that sound wonderful?
Between Here and April, by Deborah Copaken Kogan. The author explained that she was compelled to write this book based on her own life - her best friend in grade school was killed and she never had the full story of what had happened. When she began to research the book, it became apparent that facts would not explain all that had happened…and so she turned to fiction. Danielle at Powells.com writes: ‘The highest praise I can give Between Here and April is that I had to put it down several times in order to take a deep breath and savor what I had just read. Rarely has a book made me think as deeply, weep as openly, and recommend as heartily as I will Kogan’s debut novel.‘ I can’t wait to read this book.
*clicking on the book covers will take you to Powells.com where you can purchase the book.
Once again, the book bloggers have steered me toward some great books to add to my ever growing wish list:
The Longest Journey, by Diana Patterson and Rita Turner as featured on Teddy’s blog So Many Precious Books, So Little Time. Teddy gave this the very high rating of 5/5 and writes: ‘This is a beautifully written story, that really captures the time and place of both England’s and Australia’s rich gentry. We also get a glimpse at the dark “underbelly” of the two countries. It is a story of love, courage, adversity, and romance.’
The Sound of Butterflies, by Rachel King as featured on Clare’s blog The Blue Archipelago. The book is about a butterfly enthusiastic who joins an expedition to the Amazon in search of a mysterious butterfly. Clare writes: ‘The Sound of Butterflies is an opulent and intriguing tale which I highly recommend; and with a debut as compelling as this I can’t wait to see what King has to offer next.‘ It moves directly to my wish list!
Everyone is Beautiful, by Katherine Center as featured on Marcia’s blog The Printed Page. Earlier this year I read Center’s book The Bright Side of Disaster (read my review) and loved it. So I am eager to read another novel by this author. This book will be released in February 2009 by Random House. Marcia writes: ‘This book is engaging, appealing and down to earth. No situation was unrealistic and out there. I could identify with pieces and parts of all the characters. Their flaws are what make them believable.‘
*Clicking on the above book titles will take you to Amazon where you can purchase the book; clicking on the title of the featured blog will take you to their review of the book.
My last find this week came from NPR and it is a cookbook:
Mediterranean Cooking, by Sara Jenkins sounds wonderful. NPR writes: ‘Asked about an image that might sum up her new cookbook, Jenkins describes driving along the Mediterranean coast during summer, through dry air that is both salty and perfumed with the scent of wild herbs.‘ If you go their site and read the post about this book, you will also find some of the recipes from Jenkin’s cookbook. Yum!
So, there are my finds for the last two weeks. What did you find that you just cannot resist? To get links to other posts for this event, visit Jenn’s Friday Finds post for today.
Friday, October 31st, 2008Book Expos and Blogging Retreats…
It looks like the book bloggers got a little notice at the San Jose Book Group Expo - yesterday Garth Stein wrote a guest post on Book Club Girl and acknowledged Trish (Hey Lady, Whatcha Readin’?) and Jill (Fizzy Thoughts). And today Josh Henkin wrote a guest post on Book Club Girl and mentioned Trish, Jill and myself. He wrote (in part):
Book Bloggers: It was terrific to meet several of them—Trish from Hey Lady Whatcha Readin, Jill from Softdrink, and Wendy from Caribousmom. I only wish there had been more bloggers at Book Group Expo, and from looking at the comments on Trish, Jill, and Wendy’s blogs, I sense that a lot of book bloggers agree. So maybe we can start planning for next year. There’s a close connection between book bloggers and book groups. Almost every book blogger I know is a member of a book group, and book bloggers are great at spreading the word about and to book groups. Perhaps something can be arranged next year with Book Group Expo to make it easier for more bloggers to come. A giveaway/raffle of a bunch of free tickets to book bloggers? Discounted rates for the others? Press credentials? Any other ideas? Having more book bloggers at the conference would be great for book bloggers and great for Book Group Expo. It would help spread the word.
Wouldn’t it be great if the Expo expanded next year to offer something specifically for bloggers?
In the meantime, Trish at Hey Lady, Whatcha Readin’? is thinking ahead. She has posted a survey to see if there would be interest in a Book Blogger Retreat. I think this would be an amazing idea. Why don’t you drop over to her blog and answer the survey questions?
Finally, in case you haven’t read Trish’s post…she also was featured photographically at the Expo website (that is her in the first column, 3rd photo down). Trish had some great questions at the panel discussions, so it was nice to see her in the photos of the event!
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008Gift From The Sea - Book Review
The problem is not merely one of Woman and Career, Woman and the Home, Woman and Independence. It is more basically: how to remain whole in the midst of the distractions of life; how to remain balanced, no mater what centrifugal forces tend to pull one off center; how to remain strong, no matter what shocks come in at the periphery and tend to crack the hub of the wheel. What is the answer? There is no easy answer, no complete answer. I have only clues, shells from the sea. -From Gift From The Sea, page 29-
Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s slim book of essays, Gift From The Sea, was first published in 1955. Her work within the pages of this book was inspired during a short vacation she took by herself to an island - a place where she communed with the wide expanse of the sea, the star-filled nights, the sandy beaches and the empty shells of mysterious ocean life. Lindbergh contemplates love and marriage, solitude, and inner strength, using shells as metaphor for how to live our lives.
Simplification of outward life is not enough. It is merely the outside. But I am starting with the outside. I am looking at the outside of my life - the shell. The complete answer is not to be found on the outside, in an outward mode of living. This is only a technique, a road to grace. The final answer, I know, is always inside. -From Gift From the Sea, page 35-
If it is woman’s function to give, she must be replenished too. But how? Solitude, says the moon shell. Every person, especially every woman, should be alone sometime during the year, some part of each week, and each day. -From Gift From the Sea, page 48-
The book gives a unique insight into a time in history for women. The 50s housewife was just beginning to see the possibilities for herself, and Lindbergh captures that eagerness. She also inserts a warning to women not to forget where their strength lies - inside.
But, in our recent efforts to emancipate ourselves, to prove ourselves the equal of man, we have, naturally enough perhaps, been drawn into competing with him in his outward activities, to the neglect of our own inner springs. -From Gift From the Sea, page 48-
Gifts From the Sea is a timeless classic. I highlighted many passages which are still relevant to today’s world. Lindbergh writes with a beauty and wisdom, a poetic style which draws the reader in.
Highly recommended.
The San Jose Book Group Expo - Day Two
October 25-26, 2008
I had intended to post this yesterday, but after a ten hour day of work I was just too exhausted! Day Two of the Expo was filled with great authors and fun panels. As with Day One, participants enjoyed an opening Salon, and then got to choose one of three panels in each hour. Here is what my day looked like:
10:00AM - 11:00AM
Opening Salon: Go Tell It on the Mountain: An Inspirational Celebration Sponsored by HarperOne with authors Kristin Billerbeck, Van Jones, Garth Stein, and Sam Barry
This Salon opened with the amazing Gospel music of Sharon D. Henderson and Friends. It was joyous and moving.
*click photo to enlarge
After this beautiful music, the panel came together and discussed their books. Van Jones has written a book about the connection between our economy and energy titled The Green Collar Economy. His comments were intelligent and interesting. I think Garth Stein was probably the most well-known author for this panel given the popularity of his book The Art of Racing In the Rain. He is quite a captivating speaker … and has a dry humor. I had never heard of author Kristin Billerbeck who writes Christian fiction - she told the audience that she strives to show her characters as real people struggling with life and issues…not perfect, sweet people who have no problems.
(left to right) Moderator Sam Barry and Van Jones; Garth Stein; me getting my book signed by Garth Stein; me getting my book signed by Van Jones
And here is one of Trish (Hey Lady Whatcha Readin?) talking to Garth Stein
*click on photos to enlarge
11:15AM - 12:15PM
The Liar’s Club: Let Me Tell You A Story with authors Rabih Alameddine, Selden Edwards, Michelle Richmond, and Julie Robinson
This panel was one of my favorites of the Expo. The writers talked a lot about the art of storytelling. I was thrilled to meet Michelle Richmond at the book signing and cannot wait to read her book The Year of Fog. I was also very excited to discover authors Selden Edwards and Rabih Alameddine. Edwards has just published his first book (which took him more than 30 years to complete! Talk about perseverence!!). I bought Alameddine’s latest novel: The Hakawati after listening to the author speak - he is clearly a brilliant man and very, very funny…I imagine his writing to be just as compelling!
(left to right) Michelle Richmond; me talking to Michelle Richmond; Rabih Alameddine (foreground) and Selden Edwards; author Susanne Pari (left) and Julie Robinson (right)
*click on photos to enlarge
1:45PM - 2:45PM
Makin’ Whoopee: Let Us Count the Ways with authors Karen Abbott, Douglas Abrams, Melanie Abrams, Mary Roach, and Ellen Sussman
This was a hilarious panel. And yes, there was sex talk! The authors were brilliant, funny and engaging. Unfortunately I have no photos of this panel as I ended up in a spot in the audience where I could not easily see or photograph the authors (it was a very crowded presentation!).
3:00PM - 4:00PM
Woman, Be Wise: Strong Writing, Strong Women with authors Terry McMillan, Toni Mirosevich, Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Susanne Pari (absent from this panel was Elizabeth Strout who unfortunately fractured her leg and was unable to attend. If you are reading this Elizabeth, I hope you will heal quickly!)
Another amazing group of writers and fun panel. This group tended to wander off into politics a few times - something I think was natural given the discussion about women. Terri McMillan was hysterically funny. I have never read one of her books, but now I want to. She talked about how she writes characters - focusing in on denying them what they want so they have to overcome challenges. She said: “If she wants a husband, well she’s not gonna get him!” Toni Mirosevich started out writing poetry, and now writes creative nonfiction. Susanne Pari’s book is about an Iranian woman and Pari notes that it is a myth that Iranian women are not strong. I should note, there was a competing panel titled All Abroad! Living and Writing Elsewhere which I would also have liked to participate…Zoe Ferraris spoke on that panel.
(left to right) Terri McMillan; Terri McMillan; Toni Mirosevich (left ) and Terri McMillan
Trish (Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’?) talking to Zoe Ferraris
*click on photos to enlarge
Books I bought on Day Two:
- Finding Nouf, by Zoe Ferraris
- The Green Collar Economy, by Van Jones
- The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
- The Hakawati, by Rabih Alameddine
Previous posts about the Expo:
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
After Dark - Book Review
Two young policemen patrol the street with tense expressions, but no one seems to notice them. The district plays by its own rules at a time like this. The season is late autumn. No wind is blowing, but the air carries a chill. The date is just about to change. -From After Dark, page 4-
Haruki Murakami’s novel After Dark takes place in Tokyo between the hours of midnight and 7:00 AM. The story centers around Mari - a teenager who stays up all night, seemingly to avoid a situation at home where her beautiful sister lays sleeping and will not wake up. The reader gets to see Eri - the sister - sleeping deeply for much of the book. There are other characters…Takahashi, a young muscian who knows both sisters from a date several years ago; Shirakawa, a business man with a dark and violent side; and the madam and her girls from a “love house.” The characters cross paths in an almost dream-like way throughout the novel, revealing small parts about themselves and creating more questions than answers.
Murakami’s prose is script-like with a camera’s point of view. Told in the present tense, it reads like a screenplay. Thematically the novel seems to be exploring the dark (or hidden) side of human nature vs. what we choose to let others see in the light of day. Nothing seems to be defined, however.
Takahashi swings his trombone case from his right shoulder to his left. Then he says, “It’s not as if our lives are divided simply into light and dark. There’s a shadowy middle ground. Recognizing and understanding the shadows is what a healthy intelligence does. And to acquire a healthy intelligence takes a certain amount of time and effort…” -From After Dark, page 226-
Unfortunately, Murakami leaves things mostly in the shadows and the effort to find the answers feels elusive.
I did not enjoy this book, although I wanted to. Much of the story is odd and dislocated. There are almost no answers to any of the questions posed. I closed the book feeling not only removed from the characters, but not caring about them one way or the other.
Murakami fans seem to love this one - and if you enjoy magical realism and Murakami’s style, you might want to give it a go.
The San Jose Book Group Expo - Day One
October 25-26, 2008
My husband and I spent the weekend in San Jose at the third annual (Third Chapter) of the Book Group Expo and had a wonderful time. Not only were there some great booths in the marketplace, but the planners of this event brought in some big name authors and provided two days of author panels. For each hour (except the first one), attendees could choose between three different author panels (or salons). Here was what Day One was like for me:
10:00-11:00AM Opening Salon
Write or Wrong: The Unreliable Narrator Defines Virtue with authors Andre Dubus III, Diana Spechler, and Susanne Pari.
This was a fascinating panel. I especially enjoyed listening to Andre Dubus, who is darkly humorous. He talked about how he writes and thinks (he says he does NOT think when he writes, but is in a “dream state” of sorts). When someone asked how he writes female characters he said “Basically I have to castrate myself…not literally of course!”
Diane Spechler and Andre Dubus III
Andre Dubus III; me getting my book signed by him
*Click on above photos to enlarge
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Come Together: Self-Discovery Through Friendship with authors Annie Barrows, Ron Carlson, Kate Jacobs, Deborah Copaken Kogan, and Frances Dinkelspiel
This was a really fun panel. I was looking forward to hearing Annie Barrows talk about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society … and she did not disappoint. She was interesting and sweet and told the audience that her aunt was a fabulous story-teller who never finished anything (sadly for us!). I also discovered a new author in Deborah Copaken Kogan who began her writing life as a journalist and has just written her first novel: Between Here and April…which I bought at the Expo.
Ron Carlson and Annie Barrows
Me getting my books signed by Annie Barrows (top) and Deborah Copaken Kogan (bottom)
*click on photos to enlarge
1:45PM - 2:45PM
Which Witch is Which: Covens and Other Cliques with authors Brunonia Barry, Kathleen Kent, Erika Mailman, and Michelle Gagnon
I loved this panel. Michelle Gagnon moderated and was engaging and kept things moving along (she is also a really fascinating person to talk to…she writes crime fiction and I am kicking myself that I did not buy one of her books there and get her to sign it!). Brunonia Barry is very talkative. She talked a lot about what Salem is like now-a-days. Kathleen Kent and Erika Mailman have both written historical fiction novels (Kent’s is set in New England, while Mailman’s is set in medieval Germany) and their research into the books was fascinating.
Michelle Gagnon, Erika Mailman, Kathleen Kent (top) AND Kathleen Kent and Brunonia Barry (bottom)
(far left) Me getting my book signed by Brunonia Barry
(middle) Kathleen Kent
(far right) Me getting my book signed by Kathleen Kent
*click on photos to enlarge
3:00PM - 4:00PM
Now That You’re Gone: Grief Seeks Solace with authors Julia Glass, Ann Packer, Irvin Yalom and Lauren John
I enjoyed the deep, personal insights of Julia Glass and Ann Packer during this panel. I have not yet read a book by Julia Glass, but I immediately felt I somehow knew her. She was dressed in this fabulous, very colorful outfit and was just really dynamic. Side note: Although I did not attend the panel where Marisa de los Santos spoke, I was able to meet her during the book signings.
(left and center) Julia Glass; (far right) me having Marisa de los Santos sign my books…to her left is Ann Packer
*click on photos to enlarge
Books I bought on Day One:
House of Sand and Fog, by Andre Dubus III
Between Here and April, by Deborah Copaken Kogan
Tomorrow, I will post Day Two of the Expo!
Monday, October 27th, 2008
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination - Book Review
A child dies in this book: a baby. A baby is stillborn. You don’t have to tell me how sad that is: it happened to me and my husband, our baby, a son. -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 6-
Author Elizabeth McCracken lived briefly in France, with her husband, in her early thirties. It is there she conceives her first child - a son named Pudding - and begins to dream of his life and how it will enrich her life. And then the unthinkable happens. In her ninth month of pregnancy, the child she and her husband have been anticipating dies. An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination is the story of loss and how one woman moved through it.
Elizabeth McCracken has written a stunning memoir from the heart - a love letter of sorts to her first son and her husband. Her writing is never maudlin, yet is profoundly moving - and despite the bleak subject matter, it even manages to be funny at times. But it is McCracken’s honesty which makes the memoir powerful. She never pads the emotions or avoids the uncomfortable - instead she takes the reader through one of the most devastating years of her life with candor and grace. Lest the reader shy away from the book because a baby dies, it would be remiss of me not to mention that a child is also born and lives in this book…an event that is at the same time joyous, healing and bittersweet.
I will admit that this book hit me like a sledgehammer. It sent me reeling. I felt blindsided by the intense emotions it stirred up for me…because I lost a child too. No, I have never been pregnant. My loss arrived through infertility. And McCracken’s prose resonated with me. She writes about other women’s pregnancies after her unbearable loss:
Still, I wouldn’t have minded a pause in the whole business. A sudden harmless moratorium on babies being born. Doctors would have to tell the unfortunate pregnant, “I’m sorry. It happens sometimes. Tidal, we think. For everyone else, nine months, but for you, eleven months, maybe a year, maybe more. Don’t go outside. Don’t leave your house. Stroke your stomach, fine, but only in your own living room. Keep your lullabies to yourself. We’ll let you know when it’s time.” -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 43-
AND
No, I insist: other people’s children did not make me sad. But pregnant women did. -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 111-
She writes of that horribly destructive behavior called Blame which threatens to stand in the way of moving forward through grief:
Blame is a compulsive behavior, the emotional version of obsessive hand washing, until all you can do is hold your palms out till your hands are full of it, and rub, and rub, and accomplish nothing at all. And so we grieved but looked straight ahead. -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 143-
I found myself nodding in agreement when McCracken spoke of the pain of answering those innocent questions about children posed by unsuspecting strangers. She wishes for a stack of cards she can hand out which say ‘My first child was stillborn‘ whenever a person coos over her second son and asks, “Is this your first?” How I wish I had a similar stack of cards reading “I am infertile” for every time someone asks if I have children.
McCracken writes:
I want people to know but I don’t want to say it aloud. people don’t like to hear it but I think they might not mind reading it on a card. -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 73-
Yes. I agree.
McCracken’s great gift is that she reveals to her reader her deepest sadness, and her greatest hope. And in the end, she leaves us with a message which can sustain those who have experienced intolerable loss:
It’s a happy life, but someone is missing. It’s a happy life, and someone is missing. -From An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, page 184-
This memoir is highly recommended, but with a cautionary note. I believed I had accepted my childlessness until I began reading McCracken’s words. I found myself closing the book often to weep, and yet I kept going back to read again. For women who have either lost a child or have never been able to conceive, this is a difficult book to read - but, it is also a hopeful book and one which reminds us we are not alone in our grief.
Mailbox Monday - October 27, 2008
Another Monday and more books! Here is what arrived at my house this week:
Alpine Americas: An Odyssey Along the Crest of Two Continents with essays by Don Mellor and photography by Olaf Soot. This stunning, hard cover edition arrived through my connection with Lisa Roe, Online Publicist. It is a gorgeous book with amazing photographs. I can’t wait to sit down, read through it and immerse myself in its beauty. Thank you, Lisa!
Now the Drum of War, by Robert Roper arrived from Bloomsbury. It looks like a fascinating historical read…and my husband has already browsed the jacket and announced he wants to read it too!
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County, by Tiffany Baker has been getting great early reviews. It is due for release in January. This Advance Readers Edition arrived from Miriam at Hatchette Book group. Thank you, Miriam!
Finally, I went to the San Jose Book Club Expo this weekend (stay tuned for another post about that later this morning), and ended up with more free books! The Expo gave each participant a bag with two books…and since I dragged my husband along, this meant I got two of each of those books…they are:
The Year of Fog, by Michelle Richmond. I already owned a copy of this book, so here is the deal. I plan to read Richmond’s book before the year is out and then give away TWO, signed copies of the novel. Keep an eye on my blog for more details!
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. These are Advance Readers Edition (the book is due for release in January). I’ll be reading this one in January and then giving away my second copy here on my blog.
I also spent some time talking to Hachette representative Mindy Im and she generously gave me a copy of:
Beat the Reaper, by Josh Bazell. This novel is due for release in January, so I’ll be reading it before then!
So what did YOU get this week? Visit Marcia at The Printed Page and read today’s Mailbox Monday post…then check the comments for links to other readers!
Saturday, October 25th, 2008Look Who I Found…
…At the San Jose Book Group Expo
Trish from Hey Lady, Whatcha Readin’?, Jill (aka: Softdrink) from Fizzy Thoughts, author Michelle Gagnon, and Me
(Click on photo to enlarge)
I had no idea Trish and Jill were here…we were all talking to author Michelle Gagnon about (what else) books, when Trish asked if I was a blogger. “Yes,” I said. “I’m Caribousmom.” Screaming, jumping around and hugs ensued! How fun to put a face (and voice) to the blogs I love. I’m looking forward to tomorrow to spend more time with Trish and Jill.
I want to write more about the Expo, but the Hilton Hotel is charging me by the hour for my time on the Internet (no, I am not pleased!) so I will have to write more when I get home. In the meantime, here are just a few of the amazing writers I met and heard speak today:
*Click on photos to enlarge
Left to Right: Andre Dubus III, Annie Barrows, Marisa de Los Santos and Ann Packer, Kathleen Kent and Brunonia Barry
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