Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Lace Reader Author Event and Signed Copy Giveaway

If you'll remember back a few weeks, I reviewed The Lace Reader and was so excited about Brunonia Barry coming to Dallas on book tour that I chose The Lace Reader for my October book club meeting.

What a night! I'm not sure if the other girls in my club were as excited as I was, but we started out with a great discussion over dinner and then headed to Legacy Bookstore (which is awesome) to listen to Barry give a reading and answer a few questions. Um, sorry for the forthcoming gushfest.

Let me start by saying that if you're looking for a good book club pick for your own group, The Lace Reader is a fantastic choice. Most of us really liked the book--but besides that we all had a ton of questions after finishing (if you've read the book you'll know what I'm talking about). We actually ran out of time during our dinner meeting for discussion!

Brunonia Barry
The Lace Reader Author Event:

I've only been to one author event before and it had bad publicity, so basically 4 or 5 of us awkwardly stood around the authors straining for conversation. But Barry sure knows how to captivate her audience! She started off with a reading of the first chapter of the book and then talked a lot about how the book came to be. She spent seven years writing The Lace Reader and when it was finished, she and her husband self-published the book. Eventually it was picked up by Harper Collins and has taken off at soaring rates since then. As she mentioned--it is all about the book buzz.

My favorite part of the evening was the Q&A (don't worry, no spoilers). She talked a lot about her characters and it always amazes me when authors talk about their characters taking over the book and doing things the author didn't expect for them to do. She said she got to a moment in writing where she screamed out "No!!" after realizing her characters were going in a completely different direction than what she planned. She talks about her characters as if she has known them her whole life and explains how her characters speak to her (not in a scary way, of course). All of this shows in her writing--her characters are so complex and alive.

Brunonia Barry and Trish
After the signing, a few of us stayed to discuss the ending of the novel. Our group talked with Barry about some of the questions we had and some of the points that we discussed in our meeting. She was so patient with our questions and so passionate about her characters and book. I told her, "I want to rush home and re-read this book right now!" She did give a lot of insight into the ending of the book, but it was clear that the message she wanted us to leave with is that the book is one of "perception."

Some other fun tidbits--Barry's new book will be published on Mother's Day 2010. It also takes place in Salem. She is working on her third book which will kind of tie her first two together. There is talks of a 2011 Lace Reader movie! Barry just finished reading Olive Kitteridge and loved it. Her name Brunonia comes from her grandfather's obsession with Brown College.

All this blabbing to say--if you have a chance to go see Barry in person, do it! You can listen to her on Book Club Girl Radio Show on October 21st.

AND the Giveaway! (The Giveaway is now closed)

I picked up an extra signed hardcover copy of The Lace Reader to giveaway!

How to win a copy:
1. Leave me a comment below with your email address (1 entry)
2. Follow me on Twitter and Subscribe to my blog (1 entry each)
3. Tweet about the giveway and blog about the giveaway (1 entry each)

That's five possible entries (but please don't leave separate comments for each entry, just tell me if you did the extras). Drawing will be open until 10:00 pm Sunday October 18th (Central Standard Time). I'll announce a winner Monday October 19th.

Have you been to any author events? If you could ask your favorite author one question, what would it be?


50 comments:

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Thanks for thinking of your faithful followers for this giveaway!

I subscribe to your blog through Google Reader.

I posted this on my blog's Weekly Monstrosity Giveaway List:
http://bookshelfmonstrosity.blogspot.com

I follow you on Twitter (@Bookmonstrosity) and I tweeted!

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

Sounds like so much fun! I love author events, and I love the picture of you with the author! No need to enter me since I have the book.

Lisa said...

WHY did I give this book away before you reviewed it? I think you need to provide me with a list of upcoming books you'll be reading so I can hang on to them just in case.

I almost feel silly saying this but:
I subscribe! I follow you on twitter! I am not going to blog about it or tweet about it because I am lazier than lazy! (Go look at my 100 mile fitness challenge if you need proof. Actually, no, don't look.) I think that's 3.

I will get banned from the book community but... I don't really HAVE a favorite author. At this moment, probably Patricia Briggs, who I'd ask when she sleeps, but I'm sure my taste will change. What I'm saying is (are you still reading this?) that I wouldn't ask Hemingway why the big fish or Grisham why he hates lawyers or Margaret Mitchell why she didn't look both ways.

Laura said...

I loved the event too! It is so fun to see the personality of the author as well as hear all about their writing process. The most interesting part of the night was how she said the characters literally take over, and you don't even really know what's going to happen! Thanks for choosing this book--I enjoyed the book, the bakery, the bookstore and Brunonia! (how's that for alliteration! :))

Allison said...

Great blog about the book and author! Please enter me..

I follow your blog on Google Reader
I tweeted about the contest

allisonsattic@gmail.com

thanks!

Allison

Amanda said...

I'm not sure if this is my sort of book, but i really like what she said about her characters (I know that feeling!) and you're so enthusiastic that I"ll go ahead and enter myself once for the contest. You know my email already. :) Oh, and I guess I get two extra points because I follow you on twitter and subscribe to your blog. So 3 pts altogether!

verbatim said...

If you highly recommend a book, Trish, I usually add it to my Amazon wish list. So I will add this one, but hope that I win the free copy. (Unfortunately, I don't twitter.) It does indeed sound like a good book club choice. As for author events, I went to one for Ayelet Waldman -- very poor turnout, but I don't think the publicity was good. As you mentioned, a lot of awkward standing around. However, this week I'm going to see Sarah Vowell, and I am sure there will be great turnout and a lively bunch. Have you read The Wordy Shipmates? It's such a great book. Never did I think I would be saying to myself, Wow -- I really need to know more about Roger Williams!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Oh Boy a signed copy; thanks

I am a follower:

bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

Kailana said...

Lucky! Authors like that never come near me. *cries*

CJ said...

Okay, any book you gush about is a book I should probably read so please, toss my name into the pot.

I'm a follower and a subscriber and, unless my memory totally fails me between when I click enter here and make it back to my blog, I'll post a link.

I've been to one author signing with Steve Hamilton and I did ask him the one question I'd been wanting to ask him since starting his Alex McKnight series - why the UP of Michigan? His answer? There's no other place like it. And I've got to agree. We're a pretty unique place.

cjh

Melody said...

I enjoyed reading this post, Trish! How exciting to attend an author event and get to meet the author personally!!

This sounds like a great book and I'd love to win a copy! You should know I'm already a follower of your blog/Twitter!! :P

melreadingcorner(at)gmail(dot)com

Bellezza said...

Trish, I would dearly love a copy of this book. Please include me in your drawing, my friend.

Bellezza said...

I forgot my email address, because apparently, as a teacher, I can dish out instructions but not follow them. Sigh...


Bellezza.mjs@gmail.com

And, I'm certain I follow you on Twitter. But, as I just signed up last weekend, I'll go double check. ;)

Alice said...

Hi Trish, I have deep respect for self-published writers and it's really wonderful to see a publisher eventually pick it up. Two thumbs up to Brunonia Barry. :D

I'm not sure if I'm eligible to enter, but I'd love to be entered for this giveaway.

teh(dot)alice(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks very much to you and to the author!

Lisa said...

You definitely liked this one more than I did. Still, it would have been great fun to get to spend a book club meeting with the author! We take on Skype to authors about every other month, but we've never gotten to see one.

J.T. Oldfield said...

Ooh! Count me in for this one!

I follow you w/ Google Reader and on Twitter!

Now I'll go tweet about this! :)

j.t.oldfield@gmail.com

Amy said...

No need to enter me, I am interested in reading her next novel. And I really just wanted to comment on how darned cute you are! :)

Eva said...

I'm commenting for the same reason as Amy! lol I LOVE your hair in that picture!

Veens said...

Oh wow Trish, you look so CUTE! And I wish i was able to attend ONE author event.. I have never attended any :-(

It is ok to gush.. and you make me want to read this book so MUCH :)

If I win it here, COOL !

otherwise, i will buy it here whenever I can :)

givingreadingachance AT gmail.com

I have posted it on my sidebar :)

thank u for such an awesome giveaway :)

Stephanie said...

How awesome to be about to talk to the author about the questions you had!! I remember when my online bookclub read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. We had brought up some questions that we just couldn't shake. So I suggested we email the author. And surprisingly enough, Jodi emailed us back that very day. She was so cool, and answered all the things we needed to know.

I've heard nothing but good things about The Lace Reader. Glad you liked it!

I'd love for you to enter me into your contest, by the way!! Thanks Trish!

joanna said...

Please, please, please say this is open internationally! :-) If yes, count me in, I'm dying to read this!

My email address is joanna.loves.books@gmail.com

I subscribe to your blog via Google Reader.

I blogged about your giveaway.

I don't Twitter and don't need any more addictions so will not start! :-)

tanabata said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful evening, and so nice that you were able to discuss the book with the author herself.

If your giveaway is open internationally I'd love to be in for a chance.

tanabata2000 at gmail dot com

+2 I already follow you on Twitter and subscribe to your blog in Google Reader.

+1 I tweeted: http://twitter.com/tanabata2000/status/4885523950

Thanks, Trish!

Nikki in Niagara said...

If your taking Canadian entries, I'd love to enter!

+2 I'm a blog follower and twitter follower

+1 I tweeted the contest

I've never been to a book signing BUT I'll be going to two soon. I'll be seeing Cathy Marie Buchanan on the weekend and next month I'll be seeing Kenneth Oppel. Very excited about it!

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

No need to enter me, I just wanted to gush with you. :) This sounds like it was an amazing evening!!! I love hearing authors speak about their books b/c it gives me so much more appreciation for what I've read. So glad you had this opportunity - and with your book club too!!!

PorshaJo said...

Very nice post. I enjoyed reading it. Sounds like it was a wonderful event.

+1 I follow you on Google Reader.

jricciut@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Raspberry said...

Thank you - rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com

Jo-Jo said...

I would love to win this book!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

verbatim said...

Uh-oh. I guess I was supposed to leave my e-mail, which is manncsr@gmail.com.
Thanks!

Darlene said...

Don't enter me Trish as I've read this. I just wanted to say how envious I am that you got to meet her! How wonderful! I look forward to reading more from her-I just loved The Lace Reader. I'll plop this on my sidebar for you.

Laura's Reviews said...

I would love to win this book! My email address is laarlt78(at)hotmail(dot)com. I am a follower!

Lahni said...

This is a book I've tried to win a few times already. (I'm subscribed to your rss feed through google reader and I already follow you on twitter although I haven't been on in a while!)

Alyce said...

I would like to be entered.

+1 I subscribe via rss.
+1 I follow you on twitter.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Esme said...

Do enter me please-good write up about meeting the author.

I am following you on twitter

I also tweeted this

thanks

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful evening. I loved the book, too, but please don't enter me, since I've already read it.

Anonymous said...

Sounds great! I live in an area that doesn't have many events, so I've never actually been to one.

I've had this book on my list for a long time now and after your glowing review I'm really anxious for a chance to read it!

mylittlereadingcorner@gmail.com
and I do subscirbe to your blog

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed reading the comments. This book sounds so good I have added it to my TBR list
JOY
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com


Thanks for your blog and this great book giveaway!! Co2unt me in!!!!
I follow your blog
I follow you on twitter
I tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4926515276

Thoughts of Joy said...

Oh my goodness! It took 7 years to write it!!! Wow. Now that's persistence. :) I happy to say that I have it on my TBR Shelf, but just haven't gotten to it yet. I'm so glad to see that you enjoyed it and the event so much. Woo!

MyGltyPleasure said...

What a wonderful evening that must have been for you!

I've heard such great things about this book!

Please enter me! I follow your blog and Twitter!

Thanks!

Wendy
amateur_artiste(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bunny B said...

I've read awesome reviews on this book! Would love to read it! Thanks!

+2 I follow you on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/4943388421

bunnybx at gmail . com

Ryan said...

I have heard such wonderful things about this book that I would love to enter your giveaway.

I now follow you on twitter @Ryan_Groff

I now subscribe through Google Reader

fforgnayr@yahoo.com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

Omg, wow, what a giveaway,
I am a google reader.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Book Dragon said...

I recently purchased this but want to wish everyone good luck and to say "I'm jealous"

I love going to author signing/readings. I have to a couple where I thought there was no publicity and one where we were lined up out the door. I think like the middle ground best.

Someone recently asked about talking to authors and I decided I'd like to have a dinner party with all the authors on my bookshelf. They could sign while they're here, bring books I don't own and friends who write so I can expand my reading. Wow, talk about wishful thinking!

holdenj said...

How fun! I don't get to many author events but they always are fun. (and it sounds like you enjoyed yourself!)
Thanks for the giveaway!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Bookfool said...

Don't enter me! I just had to drop by to tell you how unbearably cute you are. If I could get a face transplant, I'd steal yours.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how much fun! Thanks for a possibility.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

CherylS22 said...

I've been wanting to read this book - please count me in!

I just subscribed via Google Reader

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

pippirose said...

I'd love to read this book!
I follow your Twitter.
I tweeted.(http://twitter.com/pippirose77)
I subscribed to your blog via Google Reader.
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Literary Feline said...

How fun, Trish! I am so glad the discussion went so well with your book group and that you had a great time meeting the author and hearing her read. I haven't had a chance to read this one yet, but I hope to get to it at some point in the next several months.

I've been to a few author events, mostly through the L.A. Times Festival of Books. That is always fun. Occasionally I will walk in on a book signing at one of the local bookstores, but those are often little known authors (all the big ones go to L.A. and don't bother coming to my dinky city). It's still fun to meet them, of course, but they don't often write books I am interested in reading. I'm always so nervous approaching authors (and that would be true for meeting anyone I don't really know) and am never sure what to say.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Thanks everyone for coming by and entering the giveway and especially to those who shared their own author experiences.

Amy, Eva, Bookfool - you guys make me smile. Bookfool, not sure how pretty my face would look transplated. :P Silly ladies!