Search This Blog







2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas
- California (5)
- Colorado (3)
- Connecticut
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Iowa (3)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine (2)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (1)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (3)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (3)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (1)
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (3)
- Canada (3)
- England (14)
- France (2)
- Italy (1)
- Norway (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Scotland (1)


2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



2025 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)


Reading
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery

Listening
This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber


Followin' with Bloglovin'

-
Roommating By Meredith Schorr3 hours ago
-
Perilous Tides3 hours ago
-
-
Audiobook Burnout6 hours ago
-
-
The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley9 hours ago
-
-
Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King10 hours ago
-
-
Groff, Lauren "Matrix"14 hours ago
-
-
-
-
Monthly Round-Up: June 202523 hours ago
-
-
Sunday Salon: June 29, 20251 day ago
-
-
June Reflections2 days ago
-
-
-
A Review of A Fool’s Revenge4 days ago
-
A couple of titles5 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
No Roundup this month1 month ago
-
-
Sunday Post #5682 months ago
-
-
February 2025 Reading Wrap Up3 months ago
-
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery4 months ago
-
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October7 months ago
-
Review: The Duke and I10 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus11 months ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-

Grab my Button!


Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)


2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
