A really good book day

Not one but two author visits yesterday…along with some author spotting.

It all started with Victoria Jamieson’s visit to my school.

I managed to sign up the day the email went out and was able to bring my whole class. She spoke a lot about how she wrote her graphic novel, Roller Girl,  which I can’t keep on the shelves of my classroom library. At the end of her presentation, she gave us some drawing tips and took questions.

The girl beside me looked like she wanted to ask something but didn’t know what to ask, so I whispered, “Ask what she is working on now.” She did and her face glowed when Victoria said, “Great question!” and proceeded to show us the galley of her newest graphic novel, full of sticky notes marking the corrections she has to make.

I went through the rest of my day, thinking about how I can now draw more expressive faces and happy in the knowledge that, that evening, I was going to see A. S. King.

Her visit was courtesy of Multnomah County Library and took place in the lovely Taborspace, not too far from my home.

She started off by reading from Still Life With Tornado, then went on to make us laugh, cry and laugh some more. She is always a treat to see in person. I got a signed copy of Me and Marvin Gardens  for my personal library. My classroom already has a copy and it doesn’t stay on my shelves much either. She has another middle grade novel coming out in 2019, and I am excited about that, though sad I will have to wait.

The audience was small, but cozy, scattered as we were at cafe tables or in cozy arm chairs. The funny thing was, there were local authors in the audience. I recognized Laini Taylor (Strange the Dreamer and the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series) the moment she walked in by her highly recognizable pink hair. Cathy Camper (Lowriders series), one of the MCL librarians responsible for the event, was there. Rosanne Parry (Heart of a Shepherd, Turn of the Tide)  came too. Her middle grade novel, Turn of the Tide, is one of next year’s OBOB books for the 6-8 division.

All in all, it was a really great book day.

 

What I Gave and What I Received

Christmas is about the books, the ones we give and the ones receive. So, I thought I’d share my giftapalooza this year.

To my twin sister for her birthday on December 23rd:

Glaciers by Alexis M Smith

To my twin sister for Christmas:

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. I’m a little nervous about this one. I think she’ll like it once she starts reading it.

To Tom, my brother-in-law:

Five Billion Years of Solitude: The Search for Life Among the Stars by Lee Billings.

For my 15 year old niece, Alexis:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. I loved this and I think she will, too.

And here’s what I got:

For my birthday:

The Luminaries  by Eleanor Catton. winner of the UK’s  2013 Man B0oker Prize & Canada’s 2013 Governor  General’s Award – 832 pages I can hardly wait to sink my teeth into!

For Christmas:

 The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor by Sally Armstrong – My sister loved this book and knew I would so she gave it to me. It’s about a woman living very remotely in early Canada.