First, Alan Rickman. I had the chance to see him on Broadway in his new play, Seminar and it was amazing! I should say Rickman was amazing, the play was OK. Seminar featured AR as a successful novelist who terrorizes four younger writers during a writing seminar. It was a bit cliched and full of too many writing/publishing in jokes, but Alan was brilliant! Of course, to me, he is always Col. Brandon, but take any opportunity you get to see Mr. Rickman up close and personal. He rocks!
While in NYC, I also had the opportunity to visit with some writers that I've mentioned often on the blog, Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn and Lauren Willig. These three lovely ladies did a talk/signing at the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan. Great fun to see these masters of historical mysteries interact with their fans and each other. I read and enjoy all three of these writers and I know that many of you do as well. If you have the chance to meet up with any of them as they travel around, take it. They are very warm and friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy meeting their readers. Check out their perspective websites to get updates on their work and travels.
Tasha Alexander
Deanna Raybourn
Lauren Willig
Also, if you get the chance to visit NYC, don't miss a stop off at The Mysterious Bookshop. This place is a mystery lovers heaven!
Back in the ATL just in time to get the opportunity to hear writer John Connolly speak about his work at The Peerless Bookstore. Connolly is the author of one of my favorite mystery series featuring the brilliant and tortured detective, Charlie Parker. I have read his stuff forever, but never managed to hear him speak about his work. It was a wonderful evening. Connolly is an articulate, opinionated and energetic speaker and a warm, gracious individual. The Peerless is a find. If you are in the ATL and looking for a really active independent bookstore, this is the place! They offer tons of author visits, writing workshops and a really lovely spirit of community for both readers and writers. Good stuff!
I'll be posting my review of the latest Charlie Parker book, The Burning Soul in the next week or so, so be sure and check back.
As I mentioned above, I also found the time to do some shopping, purchasing both a new car and a new Kindle! The car is a Rogue, appropriately dubbed Sebastian, after many of my fave rogues in romance novels. And no, I did not buy the car just because of the name, but it certainly didn't hurt. Take note, car namers! And as to the new Kindle Fire, I've only had it a day or two, but I am loving the size of the thing. It handles media and internet stuff really well and can be very comfortably held in one hand. Flove that. Much of what i was looking for in the iPad, in a much more compact form. And cheaper. Yay Amazon! Nice job!
Yours truly with John Connolly at his recent signing in Atlanta.
