2019 Bay Area Book Festival - Saturday, May 4 - Day 1

I am so grateful and thankful to have attended the 5th annually Bay Area Book Festival (BABF) this year in Berkeley, California with my husband! 

I've attended the Bay Area Book Festival annually since its inception in 2015. My husband is not an avid reader or book nerd like me. However, he enjoys coming with me to various literary events as he knows how much I enjoy them. Additionally, he also likes learning new things and spending time with me, so it was fun having him with me at the BABF.

This year, the 2019 Bay Area Book Festival offered another wonderful lineup of author speaking events and book signing opportunities for book festival attendees to enjoy. The difficulty for me was deciding which author events and book signings to attend during this year's Bay Area Book Festival as so many of the events occurred at the same time or overlapping times. For instance, on the morning of Saturday, May 4th, there were ten events concurrently starting at 10am. Half of the events that began on Saturday, May 4th at 10am sounded really good, but, of course, I could only attend one of them. 

Additionally, there were other difficult decisions to make throughout the entire weekend on which events to attend at the 2019 Bay Area Book Festival as well. In the end, I am very happy with the events I attended and the books I had signed at the Bay Area Book Festival this year.

As a quick side note, the weather on Saturday, May 4, 2019 was very cool and crisp outdoors. In fact, it was pretty cool and breezy outside all day long and warm only while standing in the sunshine. I found myself under dressed for most of the day and wished I had worn more layers of clothing.

Here's a look at how my husband and I 

spent our time on Day 1 

of the 2019 Bay Area Book Festival!

Event #1

The first event we attended was the Writer to Writer: Joyce Carol Oates and André Alexis event from 10am to 11:15am, which was moderated by Lise Quintana. This particular event took place inside the auditorium of the Veterans Memorial Building.

The BABF website described this event as follows:

In our Writer to Writer series, two authors who are fans of each other’s work come together for conversation. Winner of the prestigious Windham-Campbell prize for his body of work, Trinidad-born and Ottawa-raised André Alexis sits down with National Book Award and National Humanities Medal winner, and author of over 40 novels, Joyce Carol Oates. The pair will discuss genre-bending, world-building, and their shared obsession with storytelling.

I have read a couple of books by Joyce Carol Oates and knew I couldn't pass up an opportunity to hear this legendary, literary icon speak in person. But to the best of my recollection, I'd never heard of Andre Alexis before this year's Bay Area Book Festival. After hearing Andre Alexis speak in conversation with Joyce Carol Oates, I now want to read his books. 

I really enjoyed hearing both Joyce Carol Oates and Andre Alexis speak together in conversation. I didn't take any notes of what they discussed during their talk together. I simply sat back and enjoyed the experience of hearing them in conversation. All I can say is that I really enjoyed hearing them talk together in conversation.

Andre Alexis, Joyce Carol Oates, and Lise Quintana

Afterwards, I had the honor of having Joyce Carol Oates sign two hardback books I brought with me to the BABF. I was really excited to briefly meet Joyce Carol Oates in person. To my disappointment though, another person came over and started conversing with Joyce Carol Oates virtually the entire time I was standing there having my books signed!!! How rude was that?? You can see in the picture taken of us (below) that Joyce Carol Oates wasn't even focused on interacting with me as she's looking to her left. It was disheartening to have this experience at an author/book signing event. I've had this happen a couple of times in the past at other author/book signing events... It's just plain rude that people have to jump in and interrupt an experience between an author and a fan at a literary event.

Me with Joyce Carol Oates after the Writer to Writer event as she signed my books!!

Free Time Spent As Follows:

After attending the Andre Alexis and Joyce Carol Oates event, my husband and I walked around the outdoor fair across the street from the Veterans Memorial Building. The outdoor fair took place in large park called the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. You'll find food vendors selling a variety of food, live music being performed, outdoor stages where authors will be speaking and signing their books, indie booksellers selling books, children's activities, an an avenue of authors where authors sat at booths selling and signing their books, and other bookish related booths (Libby had a booth on hand, book publishers, and a wide variety of other bookish/writing related vendors!).

I was able to met author, Patricia Bossano, at her booth on the Avenue of Authors at the outdoor fair. Patricia Bossano is a new to me author. She's written the Faerie Legacy Series, which falls into the young adult, fantasy genre. Patricia was so warm, welcoming, and genuine to visitors stopping by her booth. I really enjoyed meeting her in person and look forward to reading and reviewing her novels on my blog. Patricia Bossano was one of the authors I really enjoyed meeting in person. Below is a photograph of Patricia and I together after she'd signed copies of her novels for me.

Me and author, Patricia Bossano at the Avenue of Authors tent.

After meeting Patricia Bossano and walking around the outdoor fair, my husband and I enjoyed lunch and relaxed awhile before heading to the next author speaking/book signing event we'd wanted to attend.

Event #2

The second event we attended was titled, Beyond the Bars: Alternatives to Prison and Punishment and featured a panel of authors, Albert Woodfox, Lara Bazelon, and Tony Platt, along with moderator, Rachel Herzing. The Beyond the Bars event was held from 3:15pm to 4:30pm inside the auditorium at Berkeley City College.

The BABF website described this event as follows:

What could the world look like without prisons? What kinds of healing—what new definitions of justice—could take their place? Join University of San Francisco law professor Lara Bazelon (“Rectify”), activist Tony Platt (“Beyond These Walls”), and Albert Woodfox (“Solitary”), one of the Angola 3 who spent decades in solitary confinement for a crime he did not commit. They look at the violent history behind mass incarceration and imagine alternatives.

OMG, this was a packed event and a very powerful one to listen to!! I can't say enough good things about what the speakers shared regarding their insights and thoughts pertaining to the topic of prison and punishment during their talk. Things have to change as our criminal justice system is broken. Additionally, we have to change how we punish those who have committed crimes.

Albert Woodfox, Lara Bezelon, Tony Platt, and Rachel Herzing.

Albert Woodfox and me after the Beyond the Bars event.

Albert Woodfox is one of the author speakers I truly enjoyed meeting the most in person during my visit to BABF this year. He's such an inspiration... A very heartwarming, personable, and genuine person. 

Event #3

The last event my husband and I attended on day 1 of the Bay Area Book Festival was titled, Noir At The Bar with the following mystery/thriller authors: Stefan Ahnhem, Cara Black, Jonas Bonnier, Kjell Ola Dahl, Heather Haven, Catherine Ryan Howard, Ragnar Jonasson,  and Jenny Rogneby. This event was moderated by author, Laurie R. King.

Noir At The Bar took place from 5pm to 6:15pm at the Freight & Salvage. The Freight & Salvage is my favorite venue at the BABF as it provides a large, comfortable indoor space to hear author events.

Noir At The Bar is a BABF favorite! This event is unique in that eight internationally known authors read their stories at this particular event. This is the first year my husband and I have attended Noir At The Bar and what a fun time we had! I've never read anything written by any of the above mentioned authors before, so it was wonderful to hear a sampling of their work. I enjoyed hearing Catherine Ryan Howard, Jonas Bonnier, Ragnar Jonasson, and Jenny Rogneby read their stories the most.

I've attended several other events where stories are read aloud when we lived in Santa Barbara, so it was a delight to attend another event like this once again.

Noir at the Bar at the Freight & Salvage.

I didn't purchase any books written by any of the authors that read their stories at Noir At The Bar. So, of course, I don't have any one on one photographs of me with any of them. 

As a side note, I do have an arc copy of one of Cara Black's novels that I need to read though... Hopefully, I'll have her novel read soon!

Authors I missed hearing several authors speak in person on day 1 of the BABF include: Justina Ireland, Namwali Serpell, and Jamal Brinkley.

Stay tuned for my post on day 2 of the Bay Area Book Festival!!

The One Thing You Should Never Do At An Author Reading Event

I'm sure there is probably more than one thing NOT to do at an author signing event! 

I came across an article on Bustle's website this morning titled, At An Author Book Reading, You Should Never, Ever Do This One Thing by Melissa Ragsdale. 

Having attended many author readings over the years, I was curious to learn which single faux pas should never, ever be uttered during the q&a segment of an author reading/signing. Ms. Ragsdale wrote in her article that the following phrase is the most dreaded phrase made by an audience member during an author event: "I have a comment and a question."

In her article, Melissa Ragsdale writes why an audience member should never utter the phrase, "I have a comment and a question.", at an author event.

Here's the thing: when I attend a reading, I'm there to listen to the author speak. Don't get me wrong, I love connecting with other book-lovers. But, there's plenty of time to do that before and after the main event. During the event, I want to hear what the author has to say, not what you have to say.

Plus the longer a person's comment/question, the more time wasted that could be used for other audience questions. Your comment robs the rest of the audience of the chance to engage with the author and have their questions answered. It also deprives the author of the valuable time they have to answer inquiries about their work. The event venue usually has a strict scheduling, meaning that time is seriously limited.

I agree with the above information written by Ms. Ragsdale. Audience members should be respectful of other audience members wanting to ask the author questions and also of time restrictions at a venue as well. 

Click on the above article to read the suggestions provided on how to share your comments with the author.

A Second Date Night at SF in SF at the American Bookbinders Museum

Last night, my husband and I attended our second SF in SF (Science Fiction in San Francisco) event held in downtown San Francisco at the American Bookbinders Museum from 6pm to roughly 9pm.

Approximately, twenty guests came to hear authors, Paul Park and Terry Bisson, read a short story, take questions from the audience, and sign copies of their books at the end! The evening was moderated by Cliff Winnig.

Nice size group attending SF in SF.

I enjoyed attending yesterday evening's festivities. One of the best parts of the evening was hearing the authors answer questions from moderator, Cliff Winnig and audience members. 

Additionally, I enjoyed meeting and speaking with the authors at the end of the evening and having them sign copies of their novels for me! Both Terry Bisson and Paul Park were really nice. Paul Park even gave me his email address and asked me to let him know what I thought of his novel after I read it.

Left to right, Paul Park, Cliff Winnig, and Terry Bisson.

All in all, I had another wonderful time attending another Science Fiction in San Francisco event! I feel so blessed to be able to attend so many of these wonderful literary events.

SF In SF - Science Fiction in San Francisco. - The Perfect Fit!

As an avid book lover, there is always a plethora of literary events and author signings in and around the San Francisco Bay Area to attend, for which I am immensely grateful. I recently learned about SF In SF - Science Fiction. San Francisco. - The Perfect Fit through author, Meg Elison's Facebook page.

As a relevant side note here, I'd wanted to see/hear Meg Elison and a few other authors speak on day two of the 2018 Bay Area Book Festival. Unfortunately, I missed day two of the 2018 Bay Area Book Festival due to unforeseen circumstances. Fortunately, for me, Meg Elison is a resident of San Francisco's East Bay Area, so I was finally able to see/hear her speak last night at SF In SF along with authors, Terry Bisson, Ellen Klages, and Lucy Jane Bledsoe at the American Bookbinders Museum in downtown San Francisco.

About 20-25 attendees came to hear moderator Terry Bisson introduce each author and then hear Meg Elison, Ellen Kluges, and Lucy Jane Bledsoe each read a bit of their writing, discuss their work, and answer questions from the audience. Afterward, each author signed copies of their books. I came away with five signed copies of books to added to my ever growing signed book collection.

Left to right: Meg Elison, Terry Bisson, Ellen Kluges, and Lucy Jane Bledsoe

The following is more information about SF In SF from their about page:

Science Fiction in San Francisco – A perfect fit. Located in the City, we host a monthly series of author readings from the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and genre literary fields, hosted by Terry Bisson. In partnership with the Balboa Theatre, we also host regular movie sneak peaks.

All events are underwritten by our sponsor, Tachyon Publications. Books are sold at author events courtesy of Borderlands Books.

Find us on Twitter at @sfinsfevents, on Facebook, and at Meetup under SF in SF Events. For more info, email Rina Weisman, coordinator, at sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

My husband and I had a blast attending our very first SF In SF event last night and I am not even a huge fan of the science fiction genre... Neither is my husband as he doesn't read many books, but he happily comes to these book events with me. We were very impressed with the SF in SF event and the venue where it was held! The staff was very friendly and so were those attending this event. My hubby and I were at the SF in SF event for approximately three hours. We arrived early and enjoyed walking through the American Bookbinders Museum before the evening's festivities began. The American Bookbinders Museum is small but fabulous museum! We look forward to returning for one of the in depth docent lead tours in the future. The best part was having front row seats and hearing the authors speak/read and having my books signed by the authors! The perfect date evening with my hubby. I'm feeling blessed!

My Favorite Author Meeting Experience To Date!

Me with author, Thomas Steinbeck,  in November 2011

In 2011, the year before I began blogging, my husband and I had the wonderful of opportunity of meeting Thomas Steinbeck (eldest son of legendary author and Nobel Prize for Literature winner, John Steinbeck) at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara, California in November 2011 at an author book signing event. This wasn't the first time we'd met Thomas Steinbeck in person, but I'll get to that in a moment.

I've been blessed to meet several authors in person at either author signing events at independent bookstores or at book festivals. However, briefly meeting Thomas Steinbeck twice in person happens to be one of my most memorable and favorite author meeting experiences ever and I'd yet to read any of his books at the time I met him!! 

What made meeting Thomas Steinbeck in person so rewarding was how personable and nice he was. He took a lot of time speaking with each person who came to meet him at Chaucer's Bookstore and then signed copies of his novels for each fan. Above is a picture of me with Thomas Steinbeck at Chaucer's Bookstore the evening he came to sign books in 2011.

My husband and I also briefly met Thomas Steinbeck and his wife, Gail, at an event called Speaking of Stories at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. One of Thomas Steinbeck's short stories was being read that evening along with several other short stories written by other writers. It just so happened (unbeknownst to my husband and me at the time) that both Thomas Steinbeck and his wife were sitting in the audience right next to us. We only discovered that they were sitting next to us when an announcement was made at the start of Speaking of Stories. It was a delight speaking with them both briefly during the intermission.

Sadly, Thomas Steinbeck passed away in August 2016 at age 72.

Which author or authors have you met in person that have made a positive impression on you?

Joyce Maynard ~ Author Speaking Event!!

The San Ramon Public Library has has some really cool author events and book signings this past quarter!

On the evening of Thursday, December 14, 2017 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, author, Joyce Maynard, spoke at the San Ramon Public Library and signed copies of her books afterward.

I've yet to read anything written by Joyce Maynard, but had heard of her as a writer before attending the speaking engagement two evenings ago.

I really enjoyed attending Joyce Maynard's speaking event... It was a lot of fun and Ms. Maynard had a lot of fun things to share with those of us who attended her talk.

Joyce Maynard started out by having us watch a short video and then went on to discussing her most recently published memoir titled, The Best of Us, which focuses on her marriage and the passing away of her husband due to pancreatic cancer. She then did a short reading of The Best of Us.

The bulk of the evening was Joyce Maynard interacting with the audience by asking us to ask her questions and then answering them. I learned a lot about Ms. Maynard... Like the fact that she has been writing and publishing her writing since she was 14 years old! I also learned that Joyce Maynard received a scholarship to attend Yale University, but dropped out during her freshman year to live with author J. D. Salinger! Her memoir At Home In The World is about her relationship with J. D. Salinger.

Above is a picture of me taken with Joyce Maynard after she signed copies of her books for me. I now have signed copies of Under The Influence (novel), Labor Day (novel), and At Home In The World (memoir). Joyce Maynard drew pictures inside each of the books she signed for me. I look forward to reading each of the novels!

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Alana Dakos --- Knitter, Knit Designer, Author, Business Owner, Knitting Instructor, & More!

Alana Dakos (left) + Me at A Yarn Less Raveled in Danville, California

I first became aware of Alana Dakos from her knitting podcast called Never Not Knitting along with her knitting blog of the same name last year or the year before.

I've since learned that Alana Dakos is a knitwear designer and has published five books about knitting. She has even ventured into the publishing arena and created her own publishing company, NNK Press.

Alana Dakos also has her very own yarn store named, Never Not Knitting, in Atascadero, California. 

Alana Dakos is also a knitting instructor and teaches classes at other yarn stores. In fact, she is teaching a few knitting classes at a local yarn store in Danville, California called A Yarn Less Raveled on Saturday, September 30, 2017 and Sunday, October 1, 2017.

I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Alana Dakos in person at A Yarn Less Raveled (which is a lovely indie yarn store). Ms. Dakos was super friendly and sweet to meet in person. I enjoyed speaking with her. I also had Alana sign a copy of her knitting books, Botanical Knits: 12 Designs Inspired by Trees and Foliage and Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf. 

I look forward to making a few of her patterns when I become a better knitter!

Rhys Bowen --- Author Presentation and Book Signing

I've come across Rhys Bowen's name over the past few years and am familiar with the fact that she writes three different popular mystery series. Rhys Bowen has also written a stand-alone historical novel titled, In Farleigh Field, which is set in England during World War II. 

I have yet to read any of her novels, but that will soon be remedied in the near future as I discovered in August 2017 that Rhys Bowen would be coming to a branch of our public library. 

Last night, I attended Rhys Bowen's author presentation at our local public library. I am so thrilled that I attended this event as Rhys Bowen is a delightful speaker with a lovely English accent. Rhys Bowen gave a lively talk about her novels, her writing, and various characters she has created throughout the years. Rhys Bowen was also humorous. I felt like she was one of the more entertaining and engaging author speakers I've heard speak before an audience. 

Quite a nice sized group of readers attended the Rhys Bowen author presentation and book signing. Many of them asked a lot of interesting questions during the Q & A segment. 

This was the first time I've attended an author event and signing at a public library, which made for a fun time. I came away with two signed books by Rhys Bowen - Murphy's Law: The First Molly Murphy Mystery and In Farleigh Field.

Until my next post, happy reading!

I Attended the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival!!!

Me @ the Bay Area Book Festival

Lucky me, I attended the 3rd annual Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California!! The Bay Area Book Festival took place last weekend on Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th. 

This was my 3rd time attending the Bay Area Book Festival and I had a blast attending a few of the festivities with my husband... We only visited the Bay Area Book Festival on Saturday, June 3rd from 12pm to approximately 6:30pm.

During our time spent at the Bay Area Book Festival, my husband and I enjoyed visiting various book booths, hearing three different author speakers talk about their books and their writing, answer questions from the audience, discuss other topics, and of course, sign copies of their books.

Books I had signed by the author at the Bay Area Book Festival

I was able to have five books signed by authors who spoke at the Bay Area Book Festival this year to add to my ever growing collection of signed books!! I love meeting authors in person!

I was most excited about seeing and hearing, Roxane Gay, speak at the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival and having her sign copies of her books, Difficult Women and Bad Feminist. I am so glad that I was able to hear Roxane Gay speak at the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival this year. Roxane Gay is an amazing, thoughtful, and thought provoking speaker and I enjoyed hearing what she had to share with those who came to hear her speak. I'm looking forward to reading both of Roxane Gay's books that she signed for me!

Roxane Gay in conversation with Rafia Zakaria

I also enjoyed hearing author and illustrator, Cornelia Funke, speak at the Bay Area Book Festival and having her sign a copy of her novel, Lilly & Fin: A Mermaid's Tale for me!

Cornelia Funke (left) at the Bay Area Book Festival

Another amazing author speaking event that my husband and I had a chance to hear at the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival was a talk titled, 'When the Back Breaks: An Investigative Reporter Reveals All on the Back Pain Industry'. I enjoyed hearing investigative reporter Cathryn Jakobson Ramin talk about the back industry, hear her story dealing with back pain, and having Cathryn Jakobson Ramin a sign copy of her new nonfiction book, Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry and Getting on the Road to Recovery, for me.

Me and Cathryn Jakobson Ramin

I was also thrilled to have author Aya de Leon sign one of her books, Upton Thief, for me at the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival.

Me and Aya de Leon

I am looking forward to attending the Bay Area Book Festival next year as well! I can't wait to see who is coming to speak at next year's Bay Area Book Festival.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Lisa See Author Signing Event!!

Me (left) with Author, Lisa See (right)

I really enjoy attending author talks/signing events at local independent bookstores whenever time and interest permits.

I've read Lisa See's novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, quite a few years ago and really enjoyed. So, I was excited last week to learn that she was coming to Pleasanton, California to talk about and sign copies of her new novel, The Tea Girl On Hummingbird Lane on Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 11am to noon at a local tea and coffeehouse called, Inklings Coffee and Tea.

Inklings Coffee and Tea was packed with a hundred people or more in attendance to hear Lisa See speak about The Tea Girl on Hummingbird Lane... In fact, so many people attended this event that there was standing room only for quite a few people.

I must say that I am glad that I attended the Lisa See author speaking/signing event as she's an amazing and engaging speaker. Hearing Lisa See speak has to be one of the best author talks I've heard. We learned a lot about the novel and about Lisa See's research for the writing of The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. 

Lisa See writes a lot about mother-daughter relationships in her novels, but she mentioned that The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane offers one of the deepest mother-daughter relationships she's written about. I'm really excited about reading The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane and am thrilled to have my own signed copy of the novel.

It was also interesting to learn that Lisa See's mother, Carolyn See, was also a writer and English professor at UCLA and that Lisa See's grandfather was also a writer.

Until my next post, happy reading!

From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance

A Picture to Capture the Event Before It Began!!

I enjoyed attending another wonderful author event at the 2016 Bay Area Book Festival called 'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' with an author panel, which included authors Aya de Leon, Gail Carriger, Alice Gaines, Kristin Miller, and moderator, Beth Barany. 

All of the women authors who spoke at this event are new to me authors. I was intrigued as to what they had to share about feminism and romance, so looked forward to attending the event. I enjoyed learning how each of these women defined feminism and shared how they showcased feminism in their books.

I thought that 'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' was a very lively and engaging event to attend. Many book festival attendees came to this event. I enjoyed hearing the authors answers questions from the audience as well during this 75 minute event.

I look forward to reading books by both Beth Barany & Aya de Leon in the future.

'From Bodice Rippers to Trailblazers: Feminism through Romance' was held on the sixth floor of the Hotel Shattuck Plaza.

Until my next post, happy reading!!