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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


37 / 30 books. 123% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (10)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (2)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (3)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (9)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (4)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (2)
- Washington, D.C.* (2)

International:
- Argentina (1)
- Australia (3)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (2)
- England (24)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (1)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)

My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


51 / 50 books. 102% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


36 / 50 books. 72% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


37 / 40 books. 93% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


18 / 40 books. 45% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


27 / 25 cozies. 108% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

My Progress


25 / 26.2 miles (3rd lap). 95% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


42 / 100 books. 42% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

My Progress:


97 / 109 books. 89% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

My Progress


136 / 165 books. 82% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

My Progress:


84 / 100 names. 84% done!

The Life Skills Reading Challenge

My Progress:


22 / 80 skills. 28% done!
Thursday, September 19, 2024

Bloggin' 'Bout Jodi Picoult

 

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. 
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Reading

<i>Reading</i>
Dumb Witness by Agatha Christie

Listening

<i>Listening</i>
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth



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