Archives - Weekly Update

Whew! It’s been a whirlwind last few days. The Miami Book Fair was just fabulous; from 10:00am to 5:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday, I moved from one terrific author event to the next. My sister-in-law, Kate, and her daughter Kelley joined me on Saturday, and it was their first time at a book fair. I loved sharing the experience with them and wish we had snagged a photo of the three of us.

I am in Miami, where 600+ authors are in town this week for the Miami Book Fair. I have not been to the Fair in five years, and it has grown enormously over that time. I am looking forward to my panel for Book Groups on Saturday morning. In addition to noting fall/winter books that people want to read, I have pulled together a list of the programming at the Fair, which I think will be of interest to book groups. It’s my version of a cheat sheet. It’s going to be a fast-paced, fun weekend!

Last weekend, Tom and I spent a brilliant fall day in the Hamptons. We started off with a visit to Books & Books in Westhampton, which is a partnership with the Books & Books properties in South Florida and the Caymans. Walking in, I found myself looking at the store design as much as the books. It had architectural elements of the other stores and a fabulous selection of giant oversized art books, which I have loved so much in the Coral Gables and Bal Harbour stores. Tom browsed the history shelves and bought a book. After our stop there, I wandered into a local coffee shop and was happy to find Denise Berthiaume and Jack McKeown, who own this Books & Books, which was a lovely surprise.

It’s here folks! No, I am not talking about the election; I am dancing with unbridled glee and joy about the extra hour of sleep/read/knit/whatever time that we will gain on Sunday at 2am! Here’s to rising in daylight next week, though the drive home in the evening in the early darkness will be a drag. But, ah, that hour; I am ready to snatch it back!

Wow, I heard from MANY readers who wanted to join me in Miami for the Miami Book Fair. I was able to get my hands on a few more passes, so I will have more guests than I planned; I am waiting to hear confirmation from four readers each using a pair of tickets. I love this! Still looking to share our Sponsor passes? Then shoot me a note to be on the “wait list.” The Fair has 600(!) authors in attendance, including my author guest for my Book Group panel on Saturday morning, November 19th, Gayle Forman, plus many of my Bookreporter.com Bets On authors, including Ann Hood, Caroline Leavitt and Joyce Maynard --- and I am wrapping my weekend with Colson Whitehead. It promises to be a terrific weekend, and if you are planning to attend, let me know. As we have done for other events, we would love to have reader correspondents reporting for us; we’ll supply the questions to make it simple.