Touring Italy

I arrived in Milan yesterday (a full day before my luggage) and will be here until Wednesday morning when we move on to Rome. I spent the first evening with my Italian editor, Elisabetta Migliavada. I had never met her before but had heard wonderful things which were all true. I feel very lucky to be working with her.  Today,  I did several interviews including radio and a variety of print and online media. Francesca Rodella, from my Italian publisher, Garzanti, has done an incredible  job of getting dozens of interviews all lined up. I find that the Italian journalists ask very different (and very good!) questions. As a special treat, I was able to listen to passages of  The Lace Reader read in Italian in the melodious voice of my translator, Chiara Serafin. 

Ciao!

Brunonia

"The Lace Reader" named one of the Best Audiobooks of 2008

Library Journal just named "The Lace Reader" one of the Best Audiobooks of 2008 saying:

Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan “seamlessly” interweaves this best seller about a family that reads the future in lace.

Congrats to Alyssa for such magnificent performance. To see the entire list, click here.

Brunonia

BTW - Back in July 2008, Library Journal also gave the print version a Starred Review.

To The New Year

The past year was challenging for most of us on so many levels. For me, it was also the realization of a long-held dream with the publication of The Lace Reader and the subsequent book tour that lasted four months and allowed me to meet some wonderful people along the way. It's inspiring to travel around the country and experience the intelligence and kindness of strangers. These person-to-person contacts convince me that there's much that we can accomplish together.

Here's to a 2009 that's better for all of us.

Brunonia

News Update

The Lace Reader has been chosen by Barnes and Noble as their January "New Reads" book club pick. I will be on line every day starting on the 5th. If you'd like to join the discussion, click here.  

Also, The Lace Reader has been chosen by Book Bloggers as one of the top 10 books of 2008. Below is their contemporary fiction list. To see the books in other categories, click here.

Contemporary Literature All About Lulu by Jonathan Evison  Gardens of Water by Alan Drew  The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson  The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen  The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein  The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry  Matrimony by Joshua Henkin  The House at Riverton by Kate Morton  Songs for the Missing by Stewart O’Nan  The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

Happy. Happy. Merry. Merry.

I confess. I haven't finished my Christmas shopping. I went out yesterday, but the stores were over crowed due to the  post snowstorm frenzy, and I have such a strong aversion to crowds, that I gave up and came home early.  

It's not that it's a difficult task for me to accomplish. Everyone is getting books. Books are what everyone always gets from me.

Crowds or no crowds, I have to admit that I do love shopping on Christmas Eve. It's something we always did with my dad, We'd shop and then visit friends, dropping off gifts house to house. In retrospect, I'm sure the whole thing was really just a way to get my brother and me out of the house so that my mother could finally get something done. Still, it was a very special day with my father, and we looked forward to it.

Family arrives tonight if more snowstorms don't ground their flights. Tomorrow, I will drag my niece around with me to all the local bookstores. Maybe we'll stop and pick up my brother as well.

Have great holidays!

Brunonia

I have about ten more gifts to go, but here are the book titles I've selected so far:

Home by Marilynne Robinson

The Cure for Grief by Nellie Hermann

Best American Short Stories 2008 - Edited by Salman Rushdie

The Garden of Last Days by Andre Dubus III

City of Refuge by Tom Piazza

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

American Transcendentalism by Philip F. Gura

American Lion by Jon Meacham

The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin

Second Sight by Rickey Gard Diamond

Dewey by Vicki Myron

I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass

The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

The Other by David Guterson

2008 Original Voices Nomination

I was recently notified that The Lace Reader has been nominated for Borders’ 2008 Original Voices Award in the fiction category. Obviously, I'm thrilled.

They describe the award as follows: “Now in its 13th year, the Original Voices Awards recognize fresh, compelling and ambitions works from the new and emerging talents of 2008 in fiction, non-fiction, young adult/independent reader and children’s picture books.”

The six nominees in the fiction category are:

"Dear American Airlines,” by Jonathan Miles (Houghton Mifflin)

“The Cellist of Sarajevo,” by Steven Galloway (Riverhead)

“The Good Thief,” by Hannah Tinti (The Dial Press)

“The Lace Reader,” by Brunonia Barry (William Morrow)

“The Somnambulist,” by Jonathan Barnes (William Morrow)

"The White Tiger,” by Aravind Adiga (Free Press)

I am honored to be in such great company. 

Judging "The Lace Reader" By Its Covers

Thanks to Rebecca Oliver of the Endeavor Agency, I've had the great fortune of selling the publishing rights to "The Lace Reader" to twenty-five publishers around the globe. Most of these foreign editions will be published in 2009.  Lately, a few international covers have started showing up in my InBox so I thought I'd share them with you (see the bottom of this post). What intrigues me is the diversity of imagery and that a few countries have changed the title of the book to better suit their native language.

To see the complete image of any cover, just click on it. After it loads, you can click once more for an even larger version.

Please feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to know your favorites.

He Wouldn't Eat His Mushrooms

Not sure what you did this weekend but I learned 10 new ways to poison someone. I was at the 7th New England Crime Bake (website), a conference for readers and writers of the mystery genre.  The lecture was given by Lucy Zahray (a.k.a. the Poison Lady). We learned about a variety of poisons: some undetectable, some fast acting, others you can make at home, and what was popular during the Victorian age. Though her subject matter was grim, her presentation was a lot of fun. I'm not sure I'll ever use these ideas in my writing, but you never know. Note: the title of this post refers to the punchline of an old joke about a woman whose four husbands all died suddenly. Her first three husbands died from eating poison mushrooms, the fourth from an accidental gunshot. Why an accidental gunshot for number four? Well...

On Veteran's Day

  Veterans Day 2008

My father, Jack Barry, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and served in Patton’s army during World War II. He told some very entertaining stories about the day to day escapades of military life which sounded like a cross between the old Sgt. Bilko series of the 1950’s and an episode of MASH. But like most veterans of his era, there were some things in his experience that he was extremely reluctant to discuss. When pressed, he would simply quote General Sherman’s address to the 1879 graduating class of Michigan Military Academy: "War is hell!"

In the service, my father met my uncle, Morkie, who became his best friend for life. On their first day back in Massachusetts, Morkie introduced my father to his sister, June, whom Dad married a few years later. Two years after that, I was born, then my brother, Mark. My father once told me that, when the war ended, what he wanted most in the world was to come home to the small town where his family had lived for generations, to work and raise his own family there. If the war had done one thing for him, he said, it was to make him understand what it was he really wanted.

So today is Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day. It was on this day (11/11) in 1918 at 11 AM that World War I (“The War to end all wars”) ended. In honor of my father and all veterans who have served our country, I wish them the peace in body, mind, and spirit that they have sacrificially earned and so richly deserve.

Brunonia

P.S. For the historical context of the phrase "War is hell!", go here.

Call Me Tonight at 8 PM Eastern

Tonight's the night. I'll be hosting my first call-in book club. And for the record, you don't have to be a book club to participate, everyone who has read the book is welcome.

SPOILER ALERT!!! I'll be discussing everything about the book so don't call unless you've finished reading it.

If this works, we'll do more of these on a regular basis so please participate if you can. Thanks.

Brunonia

EVENT:  "The Lace Reader" Call-In Book Club Wednesday 11/05/08

DATE & TIME: Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00pm Eastern

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)

EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=4864134

============================================================

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN "The Lace Reader"  BOOK CLUB MEETING?

It's easy. Just visit the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK shown above and you'll find all the information you need to attend. We recommend that you print out that page for future reference so that you'll have all the information handy for the actual event.

 

CAN I SUBMIT QUESTIONS?

Absolutely. The EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK has an area that let's you send Brunonia your questions. You can submit your questions at any time, you can even do it during the meeting itself. However, your chances of getting your questions answered are better if you submit them sooner rather than later. And it's perfectly fine to submit more than one question but please enter them one at a a time by pressing the SUBMIT after each question you enter. Be sure provide your name, location, and book club name (if you have one) so that Brunonia can identify you in case she needs to discuss your question directly with you.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE MEETING LAST?

The meeting is scheduled to last one hour.

 

THIS ISN'T THE NORMAL MEETING TIME FOR MY BOOK CLUB, CAN WE STILL ATTEND EVEN IF WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE?

Sure. The great thing about this call-in book club format is that the  members of your book club can be in separate places and each one of them can still listen either via phone or by webcast. Of course, if you are together in one location, all you need is a single speakerphone that is loud enough for everyone to hear or a computer with good speakers if you elect to use the the webcast option.

 

WHAT'S A WEBCAST AND HOW DO I USE IT?

A webcast is a way to listen to the book club meeting using your computer instead of a phone. When you go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK, you'll see both a phone number (for those that want to use a telephone) as well as a "Listen Live Via Web" PLAY button (the PLAY button is only active during the actual time of the meeting). The advantage of the webcast option is that you don't have to pay for a phone call (you do have to have a fast Internet connection like DSL or Cable Modem). There are two ways to use the "Listen Live Via Web" option: FLASH player and POP-UP player. If you are not sure, try the FLASH player option first. If that doesn't work simply switch to the POP-UP player.

 

MY BOOK CLUB WILL BE AT MY HOUSE THAT NIGHT. HOW DO WE LISTEN BY PHONE?

Just go to the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. There you'll find the phone number to call and and the CONFERENCE ID#. Then just before the event starts (say a minute or two before), dial the phone number and enter the CONFERENCE ID# when you are asked for it. Be sure to press the # key on your phone after you enter the ID#. You will then be connected to the book club event. If you call in early, just stay on the line until the events starts.

 

I'M JUST AN INDIVIDUAL READER, NOT A BOOK CLUB. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?

Of course. Just call in by phone or use the webcast option. You can go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK  and submit any questions you might have.

 

CAN PEOPLE HEAR WHAT WE SAY DURING THE EVENT?

To protect your privacy and to keep the noise level down, book club call-in participants are normally muted out so you can say whatever you want and no one will hear you. However, Brunonia does have the ability to  un-mute everyone on the phones and depending on the number of people on the call and other factors, she may in fact do that (don't worry, she'll announce it just before she flips the switch). In this case, she will call on a particular person or book club to speak to as this is the only way to keep some sense of order. If everyone starts talking at the same time, no one will be heard and she'll have to mute everyone again. If you've elected to use the webcast option, there's no way for you to speak and be heard by others even if Brunonia un-mutes everyone. The webcast method is "listen only" option.

 

IS THERE A WAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID AFTER THE EVENT?

Yes. Within 30 minutes after the call has ended, a complete recording will be posted at the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. Simply go to that webpage and click on the PLAY button.

Walking Past the Future

My husband and I walk to the polls this morning to cast our votes. It is a beautiful day in Salem, Indian summer, maybe, though I'm not sure whether or not we've yet had a killing frost since I've been away on book tour for so many weeks. The Halloween crowds have all left and gone back to their normal and, hopefully, less scary lives. We can once again hear the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot as we stroll the wavy brick sidewalks past the centuries old Federal style mansions. There is something so old fashioned, so connected to history about walking to the polls to vote. At the same time, in this age of energy consumption reevaluation, there is something new and green about it as well. No fossil fuel is consumed, just some of the calories we had for breakfast. Change is in the air.

Call-In Book Club for "The Lace Reader" this Wednesday

I've had so many requests for book club meetings in so many different places that we're going to try a call-in format this Wednesday evening to see if this might be a better way to talk to book clubs. The details on how to attend are listed below. Please call-in if you can. If this works, we'll do more of these on a regular basis. Thanks.

Brunonia

EVENT:  "The Lace Reader" Call-In Book Club Wednesday 11/05/08

DATE & TIME: Wednesday, November 5th at 8:00pm Eastern

FORMAT: Simulcast! (Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice)

EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=4864134

============================================================

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN "The Lace Reader"  BOOK CLUB MEETING?

It's easy. Just visit the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK shown above and you'll find all the information you need to attend. We recommend that you print out that page for future reference so that you'll have all the information handy for the actual event.

 

CAN I SUBMIT QUESTIONS?

Absolutely. The EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK has an area that let's you send Brunonia your questions. You can submit your questions at any time, you can even do it during the meeting itself. However, your chances of getting your questions answered are better if you submit them sooner rather than later. And it's perfectly fine to submit more than one question but please enter them one at a a time by pressing the SUBMIT after each question you enter. Be sure provide your name, location, and book club name (if you have one) so that Brunonia can identify you in case she needs to discuss your question directly with you.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE MEETING LAST?

The meeting is scheduled to last one hour.

 

THIS ISN'T THE NORMAL MEETING TIME FOR MY BOOK CLUB, CAN WE STILL ATTEND EVEN IF WE ARE NOT ALL IN THE SAME PLACE?

Sure. The great thing about this call-in book club format is that the  members of your book club can be in separate places and each one of them can still listen either via phone or by webcast. Of course, if you are together in one location, all you need is a single speakerphone that is loud enough for everyone to hear or a computer with good speakers if you elect to use the the webcast option.

 

WHAT'S A WEBCAST AND HOW DO I USE IT?

A webcast is a way to listen to the book club meeting using your computer instead of a phone. When you go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK, you'll see both a phone number (for those that want to use a telephone) as well as a "Listen Live Via Web" PLAY button (the PLAY button is only active during the actual time of the meeting). The advantage of the webcast option is that you don't have to pay for a phone call (you do have to have a fast Internet connection like DSL or Cable Modem). There are two ways to use the "Listen Live Via Web" option: FLASH player and POP-UP player. If you are not sure, try the FLASH player option first. If that doesn't work simply switch to the POP-UP player.

 

MY BOOK CLUB WILL BE AT MY HOUSE THAT NIGHT. HOW DO WE LISTEN BY PHONE?

Just go to the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. There you'll find the phone number to call and and the CONFERENCE ID#. Then just before the event starts (say a minute or two before), dial the phone number and enter the CONFERENCE ID# when you are asked for it. Be sure to press the # key on your phone after you enter the ID#. You will then be connected to the book club event. If you call in early, just stay on the line until the events starts.

 

I'M JUST AN INDIVIDUAL READER, NOT A BOOK CLUB. CAN I STILL PARTICIPATE?

Of course. Just call in by phone or use the webcast option. You can go the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK  and submit any questions you might have.

 

CAN PEOPLE HEAR WHAT WE SAY DURING THE EVENT?

To protect your privacy and to keep the noise level down, book club call-in participants are normally muted out so you can say whatever you want and no one will hear you. However, Brunonia does have the ability to  un-mute everyone on the phones and depending on the number of people on the call and other factors, she may in fact do that (don't worry, she'll announce it just before she flips the switch). In this case, she will call on a particular person or book club to speak to as this is the only way to keep some sense of order. If everyone starts talking at the same time, no one will be heard and she'll have to mute everyone again. If you've elected to use the webcast option, there's no way for you to speak and be heard by others even if Brunonia un-mutes everyone. The webcast method is "listen only" option.

 

IS THERE A WAY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WAS SAID AFTER THE EVENT?

Yes. Within 30 minutes after the call has ended, a complete recording will be posted at the EVENT HOMEPAGE LINK. Simply go to that webpage and click on the PLAY button.

Happy Halloween!

Since The Lace Reader is set in contemporary Salem, and we are expecting more than 100,000 visitors plus 250 police officers to come here to celebrate today, I thought I'd share some of the information that the city wants everyone to know.

First, there are all sorts of events taking place, so be sure to check out the schedule of Haunted Happenings by clicking here. You'll find everything from Crunchy Granola Baby gatherings (for the little ones) to historical presentations to Wiccan ceremonies to cocktail parties and a fireworks finale.

Secondly, the town of Salem has new rules. You can read them by clicking here. For example, they have tripled the fines for public drinking today. These rules seem like common sense (unless, of course, you love to do most of your drinking in public but then sense, common or otherwise, may not be your forte). Also, be sure to leave your plastic swords and axes at home as they will confiscate anything that looks like a weapon.

Finally, while I love Halloween (especially because I live in Salem), it is only appropriate to pause for a moment to remember when the accusation of  "witch" could cost you your life. Erika Mailman has written an insightful op-ed piece in the Chicago Tribune today. You can check it out here.

Massachusetts Book Signings Today and Tomorrow

Tonight and tomorrow night are my last scheduled public book signings in Massachusetts for 2008. We had a wonderful event at the Borders in Peabody last night. It was a large crowd and almost everyone had read the book so it quickly turned into a lively book club meeting where we could discuss everything about "The Lace Reader. If you'd like to join the conversation, please stop by one of the events listed below.

Happy Halloween!

10/29 SALEM, MA/Cornerstone Books/Halloween Event 7pm

10/30 GLOUCESTER, MA/Bookstore of Gloucester/Speaking & Signing 7pm

Book Tour: Milwaukee, Chicago, Omaha, and San Jose

I'm on the road, and it's a busy week. Last night, I visited Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor, MI, one of my all-time favorite bookstores. Nicola's is so good at getting the word out that even a heavy rainstorm didn't prevent us from having a standing room only event. Thanks, Nicola and Bill! The rest of my schedule is below. If you live or work near any of these locations, please stop by.

10/21 MILWAUKEE, WI/Harry Schwartz Bookshop/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/22 CHICAGO, IL/Anderson’s Bookshop/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/23 OMAHA, NE/The Bookworm/Speaking & Signing 7pm

10/24-26 SAN JOSE, CA/Book Group Expo/Speaking, Signing, Panel, & Events

Madison, CT on Thursday 10/2

If you are anywhere near Madison, CT on Thursday, please stop by and see me. I'm finding more and more people at my signings have read the book so we end up having a book club meeting after the signing where we can discuss everything about the book, including the ending. Hope to see you there! 10/2 MADISON, CT / R.J. Julia Booksellers / Speaking & Signing 7pm