The Sunday Salon: On Why Authors (and Powell’s) are Causting Me a Mental Breakdown.
The month of June is going to be just crazy. And that is because I am putting on one shower, going to two more, going to my sister-in-laws wedding, and being mother to the ring bearers in that, and trying to help with it, and and my husband is graduating from his master's program and walking, and that is just in addition to all the regular life stuff.
Why would this chaos matter to me, a bookie? Well, because I looked at the calendar of events for Powell's in Portland and this is a spectacular month for author events. Who will be there? Luis Alberto Urrea, Lisa See, Annie Barrows, David Sedaris, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and Ali Sethi, among many, MANY others. Yes, all in one place, at the all mighty POWELL'S BOOKS but not at the same time! That is why a bookie like myself would feel almost panicky at the thought, and I am still forming my gray matter around the fact that I will miss most of them. I will need to choose very wisely which event/s I go to. I am for sure going to see Luis Alberto Urrea and I know I can't see Ali Sethi or Carlos Ruiz Zafon because of wedding stuff, but still I am torn about the rest. And realistically, I will probably just be able to go up to Portland once. Powell's really needs to help me out, maybe an Powell's author event...something like the Festival of Books or BEA?? Come on Powell's I know you can do it for me! For now, there are too many events, very little time. I will just have to cope.
What would you do? Do you have a local bookstore that causes you this much head debate? Is your June looking busy too?
May 24th, 2009 - 05:25
It sounds as if it’s like being in a bakery and you can only pick one or two things! Does Powell’s videotape it’s interviews? – I know at the very least they print them. It’s just such a wonderful place (although the time I went last summer I thought the ladies’ room could use some upgrading!) You’re so fortunate to live nearby, but that must make the pain of having to miss events more acute!
May 24th, 2009 - 06:10
Count your blessings! I wish I had a local bookstore causing me problems like that!
May 24th, 2009 - 06:21
Oh you are so lucky to be within driving distance of Powell’s.
May 24th, 2009 - 08:32
I’m with Kathy – Nashville rarely makes it onto authors’ pitstops when they’re touring, so I’d kill for the opportunity to go to some readings and meet some great authors! In the four years I’ve lived down here, I’ve only been able to go to ONE reading!
May 24th, 2009 - 11:54
Oh, how I wish I had your problems! There are book signings here, but not many and so far none that I’ve been interested in. I just checked out the next big city over and still nothing good. I hope some great authors stop by when you have more time.
Even worse, one of my close friends is getting married this month and I just found out last week that I can’t attend her wedding because of dissertation presentations that can’t be rescheduled. I’d take busy if I could get back to the States for that!
May 24th, 2009 - 19:04
My June will be hellishly busy but not for the same reason. My son is in a production of The Wizard of Oz and I work props during production week and even though this is our 8th show, the week before the show is always HELL. I dread it every time.
I don’t know what to tell you in regards to your situation. Powell’s will continue to have fantastic events so although you are missing a few good ones, there are bound to be others that you WILL be able to attend.
Just take it one day at a time and before you know it, we’ll be in July! ACK!
May 24th, 2009 - 21:38
It sounds like you’ve got a lot of fun stuff going on in June. I really wish I could go with you to the Powell’s events. June is just one of those crazy months – I have something planned almost every day.
May 25th, 2009 - 18:35
You are a lucky girl to have Powell’s so close by with all of those wonderful author events! I wish that more authors visited my area! I hope that you can work it in to your schedule to see a few more. Looking forward to your posts about the author events you get to attend.
May 26th, 2009 - 10:08
I wish I had a bookstore that caused me such a dilemma
I think between the family stuff and Powells happenings you are going to have a wonderful June!