Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series in Houston 2016-2017

Shhhhhhh! Don't tell my husband but I just spent $180 buying season tickets to Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series in Houston. I know, I know, it's a lot of money, but I decided today that I need to put my money where my mouth is; if I'm going to say I support books and literacy and thinking, I need to spend money on books and literacy and thinking.

Besides, several times I've tried to buy tickets for an author reading and they were sold out. It won't happen with season tickets. Plus, look at all the benefits:

• Seating in the reserved section for each of the seven readings. Seats held until 7:25 pm.
• Signed copy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s new novel Here I Am, available for pick up at the reading. Those who purchase two season tickets per household will receive a signed copy of George Saunders’ new novel Lincoln in the Bardo as the second book.
• Free parking passes for each of the seven readings in the Alley Theatre garage.
• Access to the first-served “Season Subscriber” book-signing line.
• Recognition as a “Season Subscriber” in each reading program.
• An acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.

And...look who are coming this year:

Jonathan Safron Foer...September 19       Lauren Groff & Ann Patchett...October 17

 Rabih Alameddine & Juan Gabriel Vásquez...November 21    Annie Proulx...January 23

George Saunders...March 6       Ada Limón & Gregory Pardlo...April 3

Colm Tóibín...May 8

I feel so fortunate to live near a city that has these wonderful author events. Maybe I will see you there.

What Arrived in the Mail What I Finished  We listened to two mystery audiobooks, one on the way to West Texas, and one on the way home, both by my favorite mystery writer, Bill Crider. That's what a 9 1/2 hour drive to the other side of the state will do for you. Oh my, did we love hearing the story of guitar-playing Dr. C. P. "Seepy" Benton in Of All Sad Words. And does Bigfoot live in Texas? That's what Sheriff Dan Rhodes has to find out in A Mammoth Murder. We were entranced for nineteen hours and that's no small feat. I finally finished my foodie Paris books, The Little Paris Kitchen and Bonjour Kale. I've had The Little Paris Kitchen for a while, but I've been saving it to read carefully during Paris in July. I'd hoped to try some of the recipes for Weekend Cooking, but it just didn't happen...maybe next year. Nevertheless, it was fun to browse through stories and recipes as Rachel Khoo proves to us that it doesn't take a fancy kitchen to cook up a little la joie de vivre. I was a little reluctant to try Bonjour Kale. Yes, I adore Paris, but  a story about the woman who reintroduces Paris to kale? Happily, Kristen Beddard is a solid writer, and her passion for kale has convinced me to give this healthy-food vegetable a try. Preferably in Paris, but who knows? Finally, I can't say enough good about Emotional Agility. It is sad to realize that in this day of plenty so many people suffer from depression and anxiety. Emotional Agility is full of wisdom for these woes. Susan David walks us through ways to dance your way through troubles. Don't think it's another of those dry textbook self-help books, though; David shares lots of wonderful stories that make her ideas more real and more clear.  What I'm Reading Now I'm finishing the last few chapters of The Bookshop on the Corner and F is for France. I should be reviewing these next week. What are you reading today? Have you read any of these? Any recommendations for non-French, non-Texas books?

What is the Sunday Salon? Imagine some university library's vast reading room. It's filled with people--students and faculty and strangers who've wandered in. They're seated at great oaken desks, books piled all around them,and they're all feverishly reading and jotting notes in their leather-bound journals as they go. Later they'll mill around the open dictionaries and compare their thoughts on the afternoon's literary intake....That's what happens at the Sunday Salon, except it's all virtual. Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week's Salon get together--at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones--and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another's blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one's earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book. Click here to join the Salon.

The Sunday Post is a meme hosted by Kimba at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news and recap the past week.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at The Printed Page. We share books that we found in our mailboxes last week. 

 It is now being hosted here.

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews in which you can share the books you've acquired.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between!  This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from! I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is now being hosted at The Book Date.