Armchair BEA - Author Interaction/More Than Words

I am participating in Armchair BEA this year. Armchair BEA is a chance for book lovers' who cannot attend BookExpo America (BEA) to join in the fun from the comfort of their own homes.

Author Interaction

I have limited experience with author interaction, although I did get a thrill from having Doug Dorst, the author of S., retweet my #ReadHachette tweet this weekend. (Although I haven't read it yet, I think S. is probably a great example for today's other discussion topic!)

I went to two readings last year: one by Jenny Lawson aka The Bloggess and one by M. L. Stedman who wrote The Light Between Oceans, and they were both fun. I think if I had a book signing buddy, I would be a more regular attendee. Both readings were sponsored by Rainy Day Books, a local independent bookseller. They are great people. 

I also had the opportunity to go to Teen Day at the RT Convention when it was held here in Kansas City last year, and that was a lot of fun. I went with my YA-obsessed friend. We went to a couple panels and bought books. There were quite a few authors there, and we talked to many of them, and we got free books! I strongly recommend attending a convention if you have an opportunity to do so. In fact the RT convention experience is what led to me to decide to go back to school to be a librarian. There were special panels just for librarians and booksellers.

I wish I had some great tips, but I am a novice as far as author interaction goes. I am also not the most personable person, so I guess if I had any advice, it would be to take an outgoing person with you. My friend is great at talking to people she doesn't know and asking good questions.

More Than Just Words

This year I have just started getting into audiobooks. I wish I had gotten started sooner because I have discovered that they are great way to make housework go faster! And errands. I love to put my headphones in while at the grocery store. My favorite audiobook so far has been Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, narrated by the author herself. You can check out my review here if you are so inclined. 

Some other books that I have enjoyed that include more than just words are The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Night Film by Marisha Pessl. It seems like books that incorporate other materials are becoming more common. I remember years ago when I read Carol Shields's wonderful novel, The Stone Diaries, and reached the pictures. It was exhilarating. Another outstanding book that incorporated other materials is Ami McKay's The Birth House. I have a great appreciation for the playfulness that this represents on the part of the author and the way it challenges and enhances our definition of the novel.

I look forward to reading everyone else's thoughts on today's topics and welcome suggestions for my first foray into graphic fiction (or nonfiction) later this year.