Old best friends week
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Well, I'm back from my west coast tour, and I want to thank those of you who ventured out of your comfy homes to join me at the various book stores. I met so many wonderful readers--in Seattle at Third Place Books, in Beaverton at Powell's, in Oakland at Good Great Place for Books, in San Francisco at Book Passage, at Dutton's in Brentwood, and at the totally cool Eagle Harbor Books/Liberty Bay books joint signing in Poulsbo. I'm bringing home lots of great memories--perhaps the best was standing in Brentwood in the dark, watching the eclipse with several old and new friends.
Most of all, I've been amazed and humbled by the response to Firefly Lane. After all these years in this career, I can't tell you what it means to me to see people buying my work with such enthusiasm. For the first time ever, my book hit the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today lists all in the very first week of publication. Wow!! I absolutely cannot believe it. So, thanks much to all of you who made that possible.
And now, on to the really important stuff: The Oscars. We had a rockin', girl dominated Oscar party at my house, complete with champagne and strawberries, wonderful food, and endless "dress" opinions. As usual, we had a hotly contested winner pool, and Megan Chance proved to be the big winner. Again. I maintain that she spends far, far too much time on research. :) But how can one argue with success? I will point out, however, that it was a tough prediction year even for her. It took 14 categories to win; usually it take 16 or more.
I've been parked in front of the television MUCH too much since I got home. I'm trying to catch up on American Idol, Project Runway (go Christian and Jillian!), Prison Break (LOVE that show--is anyone else even watching it?) Lost (most excellent episode last week), and last but not least, Make me a supermodel. But don't tell anyone about that last one. :)
One last thing. I don't know if it was Firefly Lane and all of your cool comments and remarks, or all of the discussion of old friends in general, but when I was getting ready for my tour, I decided to call some old friends in a couple of the cities. Women I hadn't seen or really talked to in probably a decade. Amazingly, a little internet research and you can reconnect with people! Anyway, I met these two remarkable women, whom I've really missed over the years, and it was as if we'd never been apart. So let me say this: if there's someone you've missed, give her a call. Life is short and friendship just goes on and on. Thanks Penny and Charlotte...It was great seeing both of you.
Well, I guess I'd best run along. My book recommendation for this week: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. It totally rocked.
Also, I have a question for all of you. I've received several postings/comments that contain big spoilers, usually without a warning that they're coming. Up to now, I haven't posted these remarks so that the reading experience isn't tainted for new readers. What do you all think of that? Do you want to see ALL comments, regardless of spoilers?
Thanks and aloha,
Kristin