Wilder at WORD

The other night my friend Jay Asher invited me to a reading at WORD bookstore in Brooklyn. Truthfully, I knew nothing about this book or indie shop before the event, but I'm so glad I went!

First of all, it was awesome to catch up with Jay. You probably know him as the New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why (and it's being made into a movie! starring Selena Gomez! start planning those viewing parties!). We met a few years ago at SCBWI Los Angeles (remember when I went?) and got along really well.... then he was gracious enough to grant me an interview him for the blog (click here).... and we've kept in touch since then. Jay is a really fun, down-to-earth, hilarious guy. If you haven't read his book yet, GO BUY IT RIGHT NOW. Also, he co-wrote a new book (with Carolyn Mackler) that comes out this fall. It's called The Future of Us (Entertainment Weekly wrote a little blurb about it here) and it sounds fabulous. I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Anyways, so Tuesday evening, Jay and I were on a literary mission. WORD isn't the easiest bookstore to get to from where I live, but it's a really cool little indie shop located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It was well-worth the trip because I was introduced to a very talented writer (and longtime editor) Wendy McClure. Her new book is called The Wilder Life, and it's a nonfiction narrative about experiencing the world of The Little House on the Prairie....

please excuse the poor photos, they were taken with my phone.....

In the book, the author details her obsession with Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Little House on the Prairie books. Wendy goes on all sorts of 1880s pioneering quests in Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Wendy read the first chapter or so aloud and then we actually CHURNED BUTTER (in a jar). She even wore an adorable bonnet during a Q&A session....

This event was a lot of fun, especially for fans of the Little House on the Prairie books (which I need to read again ASAP). Wendy is witty, so there were lots of laughs. I started reading the book on my subway home, and I'm really enjoying it so far. It's nice to be reading something a little different from my norm. 

Visit Wendy McClure's website.

Buy the book The Wilder Life.

Check out WORD's Calendar of Events.

Comments

[homemade grits]

so glad you're getting to take advantage of all of these cool events and outings! i know you're in jodi heaven and that makes me happy. love you friend! wonderful hearing your voice today!