On Saturday, October 3rd, readers and writers braved the very cool, damp and gloomy weather that followed the threat of a hurricane to attend the second annual Morristown Festival of Books. Focused on celebrating the power of the written word while bringing authors and readers together, the festival featured several fun, informative panels throughout the day as well as author signings and a pop-up bookstore.

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As one of this season's most highly anticipated novels, Lauren Groff's FATES AND FURIES is everywhere. I received my copy last week and since then I've seen copies on the subway, in coffeehouses and even in a few restaurants. Focusing on the marriage of Lotto and Mathilde, FATES AND FURIES offers readers to wildly different perspectives of a shared relationship over the course of two decades.

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September is always a big month for new releases and this year has been no exception. This week, I had the pleasure of attending two book launches for some of this season's most highly anticipated books. In my time in publishing, I've found that book launches are a terrific way for readers to interact with authors and get a behind-the-scenes view at how books are written and published. Best of all, readers can even hear their favorite authors read their work aloud and --- if they're lucky --- even snag a signed book or two.

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Award-winning New York Times reporter Stephanie Clifford has been making her own news lately with the release of her debut novel, EVERYBODY RISE. Set in New York just before the financial crisis, the book introduces readers to Evelyn Beegan, a young woman desperate to make a name for herself amongst her privileged peers. As she starts trying to pass as one of the elite, however, her lies --- and debt --- begin to consume her, and she must fight to maintain the lifestyle she has created for herself.

On Tuesday, I attended the EVERYBODY RISE book release party at BookCourt in Brooklyn, NY. Attended by dozens of fans, readers and friends of Stephanie's, it was an absolute blast. The night kicked off with wine and cheese as readers mingled and talked about the book. I was delighted to see that nearly everyone in attendance purchased a copy of EVERYBODY RISE, and some had started reading it!

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On Monday night, in anticipation of the release of Paula McLain's CIRCLING THE SUN, readers enjoyed a lavish spa evening at Elizabeth Arden's The Red Door sponsored by Random House. I had the fortune of attending with a dear friend --- and audiobook lover --- Jamie Carroll, and we had a wonderful time.

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This past Saturday, more than a hundred readers trekked up to beautiful Hudson Valley for Random House’s latest reader event, “Off the Page.”  Although Random House has been inviting readers into their headquarters for years, this time they took the party to the stylish Basilica Hudson, a stone’s throw from the Hudson Amtrak train station, where attendees were invited to listen as authors discussed their latest works, participate in workshops and even do a bit of shopping.  I had the fortune of attending Off the Page with former Bookreporter intern Matthew Burbridge, Bookreporter reviewer Vivian Payton and Carol Fitzgerald.

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Last Friday, November 14th, readers and book lovers gathered at Random House for their Open House, a delightful program that has been held each spring and fall since 2012. The theme of the day was gift-giving --- perfect for an event held so close to the holidays. I attended Open House with Carol Fitzgerald (who runs The Book Report Network), 20SomethingReads.com’s Nicole Sherman, Bookreporter.com reviewer Vivian Payton, and my mother. Carol’s friend, Beverley Wilson, a reader and veteran of these book-related events, rounded out our group.  

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Last Saturday book group members, leaders and avid readers joined editors of the Hachette Book Group and their authors in New York at the Lighthouse International for Hachette’s Annual Book Group Brunch.

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This past Saturday, September 27th, readers and writers arrived in downtown Morristown for a beautiful, sunny day of books and author talks at the inaugural Morristown Festival of Books. The downtown location was a particularly great venue because of the easily accessible parking and literally dozens of places to eat during the lunch break.

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