Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sunday Salon - Another Week in Books


So I'm a little late to the party today; please forgive me. It's been another fun, bookish week. Monday night I joined some pals to see author Luis Alberto Urrea at the Harvard Book Store. He was great; smart, funny and charming. He passed out postcards he and his wife Cindy made based on locations in his novel Into the Beautiful North; folks could keep the card and mail it to someone or write an address on it and the Urreas would mail it back from another place. Mine came back to me with his signature postmarked Texas. Very fun.

Tuesday I got to meet Justin Cronin, author of The Passage, at a packed event at the Brookline Booksmith. Wow! That had to be one of the best readings I've been to so far this year. He did a great job of selling his novel and he was very kind and courteous when I met him in the signing line.

Thursday I started an "Artist's Bookmaking" class at my local adult education center. Over the next eight weeks I'll be stitching, gluing, binding and decorating all manner of little books and leaflets. On the first night we stitched our handout packets together using a simple stab stitch. My plan is to blog the class and my creations every Thursday so I'll have a full report then.

Yesterday my husband and I went to the semi-annual warehouse sale at the Harvard Book Store, where they open up their warehouse facility and sell lots of cheap, wonderful things. They have both remaindered and used books and there are always treasures to be found. I got only four books, but they were high quality- three novels and a comics collection. I'll have a full report on my Friday Finds post later this week.

Then, last night, we went out to neighboring Dedham, where a new Borders opened up. It's amazing! They are doing all kinds of giveaways and contests this weekend, giving away baskets of books, e-readers, gift certificates and more. I probably won't win anything but there's always hope!

Today? Today I'm reading Gina Ochsner's The Russian Dreambook of Color & Flight, and going out for an ice cream cone sometime soon. Have a great Sunday!

More Sunday Salon here
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18 comments:

Lenore Appelhans said...

You always get such great events in Boston! Envious!

caite said...

wow, what a bookish week! of course I agree with Lenore...being in Boston offers so many unfair advantages.

Alexia561 said...

What a fantastic week! Fingers crossed that you win something in the new Borders giveaways!

bermudaonion said...

You did have a great bookish week. I was lucky enough to meet Luis and Cindy last year and found them to be delightful.

Frances said...

We tend to get the same authors pass through DC, but I never get to see as many as you do. And the weekend book shopping nearly every weekend? So envious! Come on, come clean. How many books do you own, Boston Bibliophile?

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

WOW...*2) fabulous authors; how lucky for you.

Anonymous said...

Wow--I think I have actually only been to two author signings in my entire life!

Michele said...

I'm green with envy over your class....I'll be watching for each and every mention of it and hoping for pictures. :)

Esme said...

I have The Passage and I know the reviews have been -I have not quite been in the mood to pick it up yet.

Mystica said...

You have had an interesting week.

Anonymous said...

Good luck on the Borders giveaways.

The events must have been fantastic to attend.

Zibilee said...

Oh my! It does sound like you've had an awesome and very bookish weekend indeed! I think it's so cool that you got to meet Cronin! Are you going to be posting an interview?? I hope you have a great week!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've been busy and having a great time. I hope you show us some pictures of what you make in class.

Andi said...

Glad to see the Cronin reading went well! I'm *thisclose* to downloading The Passage for my Nook. It'll save my wrists and purse from having to carry the hardcover around at school all day.

Marie Cloutier said...

Lenore, Caite- yeah...:-)

Alexia-:-) thanks! no luck though!

Bermuda, yes, they seemed really nice.

Frances- around 1200. I actually don't buy every time I go out. Believe it or not! :-)

Diane, :-)

Reviewsbylola, I kind of love going and really try to be there when favorites come to town.

Michelle, come back Thursday! :-)

Esme, it's worth it!

Mystica, yes!

Lorri, they were!

Zibilee, I wish! I should ask him- you never know!

Anna-yes, I will!

Andi, that's a great solution! It's a brick!

Anonymous said...

Boston is very much like San Francisco when it comes to hosting great literary events. I am very envious of the Harvard Book Store's being nearby you! I haven't made my way around all the bookstores this week because of World Cup.

Now I have to check out The Passage. :)

Kathleen said...

That is really exciting that you got to meet Justin Cronin in person. He certainly has the "it" book of the summer.

Erin in Boston said...

I was in the audience for the Justine Cronin reading (I was the one that asked about the trilogy). Wasn't he amazing?! When you mentioned your blog, I wondered if I had read it...:)