Yes, I know, that is a weird title, but there’s a good reason for it, I swear!
My bookish highlight of the week was going to the local launch party at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn, IL for Melanie Benjamin and her book “Alice I Have Been” (title links to my review). I’ve been tweeting with Margie and Sue, two of the ladies that work at the story (@justbooks and @suejustbooks) as well as somewhat with Melanie (@MelanieBen), so it was really exciting to get to meet them all in person. Unfortunately I’m completely lame and totally forgot to bring my camera with me. I did try to take a couple of pictures of Melanie signing books and doing the reading with my phone, but Melanie is adorable and the pictures aren’t very good and don’t do her justice, so I’m not going to post them.
Let me tell you, if you have the opportunity to see Melanie live, definitely do it. As much as I loved reading her book myself, seeing her read it was a fantastic experience. She has some theatrical training, and you can definitely tell, because she just shines speaking in front of people and, during her reading, she BECAME Alice. I’m sure the narrator of the audiobook is fantastic, but this is one case where the author would have been spectacular narrating her own book. I also learned all sorts of fun stuff about Melanie and her writing process. She had two previous books that she doesn’t seem to be terribly fond of, which were written under another name (her maiden name, I believe?). When she moved to this work of historical fiction, she felt she needed to use a different name, so as not to confuse people, so her son offered to let her use his name as her last name – for $100. She agreed to pay him if the book sold, so he’s now $100 richer.
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I read a lot this week, but didn’t finish nearly as much as I would have normally, because I was reading a thick, slow book that I’m currently thinking of abandoning. Here’s what I did finish, though:
If you’re thinking “Hey, didn’t you already read The Swan Thieves?” you’re right, this was an audio re-read.
How was your bookish week?
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Jen, that author meeting sounds wonderful. I’m starting Alice I have Been on audio today. This is making me even more excited than your review.
Here’s hoping when I finally get to Chicago we can go to that bookstore.
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I have heard such great things about Alice I Have Been. I look forward to your review of Remarkable Creatures.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: New Orleans Cemeteries =-.
Meeting Melanie Benjamin sounds like so much fun! I checked her schedule, and she’s not coming near me. You must have loved The Swan Thieves to have re-read it already!
The event sounds amazing! I’d love to see her if she comes to this area.
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..Lunch in Paris – Elizabeth Bard =-.
Sheesh. Am I going to have to be the last person to read Alice I Have Been? You guys always make me do the dirty work! Great authors never seem to come around Orlando…
Just got it from the library — can’t wait to start. Although I’m sad I missed such a spectacular reading. Glad you were able to report back though.
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Lucky you — sounds like a super event. Can’t wait to get to the book.
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I love to hear an author read his or her own work. Often, you see it in an entirely different light. I live in Los Angeles so there are lots of opportunities for me to hear authors read but I don’t take advantage of them and I really should.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten my camera; so frustrating! Sounds like a great time!