Search This Blog
November Reviews Link-Up
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (7)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (1)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (3)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (1)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota
- Ohio (2)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (2)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (2)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.* (2)
International:
- Australia (2)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (1)
- England (19)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Bloggin' 'Bout Jodi Picoult
11:32 AM
As much as I love books and their creators, I'm not really big on author events. I'm a typical book nerd—an introvert who prefers to be at home, far away from noisy crowds. When I heard that Changing Hands Bookstore would be hosting an evening with Jodi Picoult, a writer I've enjoyed reading for decades, though, I couldn't resist. Meeting a writer I've long admired while supporting my local indie? Clearly, it was a win-win situation! Originally, Diana Gabaldon, who lives here in Arizona, was supposed to be the one interviewing Jodi, but she had to cancel. Since I've only read one of Gabaldon's books, that didn't bother me. Jodi's longtime editor, Jennifer Hershey, filled in instead.
The event was held to promote the author's newest book, By Any Other Name. It's a dual-timeline novel about two female playwrights who are trying to get their work taken seriously by male producers. The past story explores the idea that William Shakespeare did not write all of the plays attributed to him, that perhaps some of them at least were penned by women who paid for the use of his name in order to disguise their gender. It's an interesting concept. Most of the dialogue between Jodi and Jennifer had to do with By Any Other Name. Not only is it the author's newest novel, but she said repeatedly that it's the one she was "born to write." She's very passionate about its subject matter, so the discussion was interesting, lively, and delightful. After that, the two women talked about how editors and authors work together, which was also super intriguing. Jodi then answered some general questions from the audience. Jodi's got such a warm, bubbly personality that it was lots of fun to listen to her. Even my husband—who had heard of Jodi only vaguely from me—said he really enjoyed the presentation. (Also, kudos to the man for accompanying me to an event for someone he wasn't familiar with and which was attended by an audience of at least 90% women. He's a good sport.)
A copy of By Any Other Name was included in the price of the event ticket. It was pre-signed, so we couldn't get any personalization, but we did get to take a photo with Jodi. We only got a quick minute with her, but she was sweet, friendly, and very gracious. Even though this is very much not my favorite picture of myself (I hate all snaps of myself, to be honest), it's a fun momento of a very enjoyable evening.
I haven't read By Any Other Name yet, but I'm even more excited to dive in now. Have any of you read it? Any other Jodi Picoult fans out there? What's your favorite of her books? I think Leaving Time is mine.
3 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
-
-
Time Travel Thursday6 hours ago
-
September 2024 Reading Wrap Up7 hours ago
-
#ThrowbackThursday. October 2011 Part 39 hours ago
-
-
Monthly Wrap-Up September 202411 hours ago
-
-
Murder in Berkeley Sqyare by Vanessa Riley14 hours ago
-
A Review of The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion14 hours ago
-
-
What I Ate In One Year1 day ago
-
-
WIP Wrap-up for September 20241 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner1 day ago
-
The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz2 days ago
-
-
I have been reading...2 days ago
-
Randomness....2 days ago
-
September Reflections2 days ago
-
-
Reading Recap August 20241 week ago
-
-
-
-
Review: The Duke and I1 month ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus2 months ago
-
Sunday Post2 months ago
-
-
-
The Music of 2024: Q23 months ago
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?11 months ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
Susan, so happy you got to attend this event with Jodi Picoult. I have not ever seen her in person, but I'd love to do so at some point. Her new book is a bit different for her, as I surmised when I first saw it at a local book store. The bookstore person and I talked about that and also about other books by Picoult that we have read and enjoyed. It's been a while since I read one of hers, but I plan to try this new one at some point soon. Good picture, by the way!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun event. I've just bought tickets to hear Percival Everrett, the author of James.
ReplyDeleteI used to read her books but haven't in a long time. Super cool that you went to an event of hers, and that your husband went with you! I am going to a reader/author event in November and my husband is going with me. It's quite a few Christian authors and I am super excited (and nervous-introvert problems), but I think it will be fun.
ReplyDelete