Thursday, January 2, 2014

2013 Ends as One of My Best Reading Years Ever!

If I finish up a book I'm reading tonight, I will have read 100 books in 2013.  However, the number is not what made this past year one of the best reading years I can remember.  A large part of the credit goes to attending Boucheron for the first time, and as a matter of preparation for it, I discovered favorite new mystery authors and series.  At the Bouchercon event itself, I met and became friends with many of these authors, as well as getting to meet old favorites and getting literally suitcases of books signed.  Elly Griffiths, Jen Danna, Louise Penny, Deb Crombie, Rhys Bowen,  Laurie R. King, Julia Spencer-Fleming,  Lyndsay Faye, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Hallie Ephron, Lucy Burdette, Sue Grafton, Tess Gerritsen, Anna Loan-Wilsey, Catriona McPherson, Ovidia Yu, Simone St.James, Michael Robertson, Harlan Coben.  Also, I met new reading friends there, most notable becoming a member of the FOLs (Friends of Laurie R. King).  These warm and gracious fellow readers helped me to successfully navigate my first Boucercon, and I remain in awe of their knowledge and event savvy.  Sharing this experience with someone who has been a friend of mine since kindergarten was the cherry on top of the cake.  So, I am going to share some pictures from this monumental book event in my life to end out the magical year.  The first two photos are of the magnificient FOLs, and the last photo is of my dear friend Mary Susan, who enthusiastically joined me in Albany and then led me on to some other great adventures in upper state New York and Niagara Falls.





                                                          
                                                          

                                                               Author Lyndsay Faye

                                                                  Author Elly Griffiths


                                                                 Author Laurie R. King

                                       
                                        Authors Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie, Louise Penny


                       Author Louise Penny, her husband Michael, super fan Chris Aldrich, and me


Author Julia Spencer-Fleming 


                                                     Authors Elly Griffiths and Jen J. Danna



                                                              Author Michael Robertson


                                                                  Author G.M. Malliett


                                                              Author Deborah Crombie

                                              

                                           










6 comments:

  1. What a great year for reading and what a great way to experience your first Bouchercon. You were so comfortable there, I thought you were an old hand at it!

    Here's to another great year and another 100 books for 2014!

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  2. Jen, I think I was just in my element amongst so many book loving people. Meeting you there counts as one of the best parts of my reading year. Reading your books, of course, was such a major find last year. Thanks for having me as part of your team. I am honored beyond words.

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  3. I guess I missed you at Bouchercon, Kathy! I'm a fellow Jungle Red commenter and saw that you mentioned your blog today. I'd be happy to send you an ARC of 'TIL DIRT DO US PART, my second Local Foods mystery, due out May 27, if you'd like to read and review it. Cheers, Edith edithmax at gmail dot com

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  4. Oh, Edith, I would love to receive an ARC of your new book. It looks like I'm going to have to add another series to my reading. Of course, I love finding new mystery series. I really enjoy your comments on the Jungle Reds, and I'm delighted you've visited my blog. If you have time, I'd be honored to have you follow my blog and subscribe. I might be having a bit of a problem on the subscriptions, but I'm checking on it. I'll send you my address, Edith. So happy to get to know you better. Sorry I missed you at Bouchercon.

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  5. Replies
    1. Reine, thank you for your comment. I am beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel, meaning that I can see where I will get to some other series I want to check out now. Edith's books are ones I really want to get to sooner rather than later. I enjoy reading your and Edith's comments so much on Jungle Red Writers. Sorry this reply took so long. There have been some family matters that have taken precedent in January.

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