Sisterhood of the Traveling Author Tour

I fished out just the right amount of change to pay for the parking garage.  I considered it a sign and eased into my parking space with a smile.   Warm sunshine poured down as I found my way to the bookstore for Rae Meadow’s Mother’s Day author reading.   The afternoon was a gift to myself, a literary field trip wrapped up in bow.   I recognized Rae straightaway and introduced myself.  We had been tweeting back and forth for awhile and it was lovely to meet her in person.  Quite appropriately she had her baby daughter with her, as her book was titled “Mothers and Daughters”, and the crowd that gathered reflected that theme as well.   The reading began with a full house,  and Rae’s daughter planted snuggly in her baby sling to share her writer mama’s spotlight.   As Rae’s husky voice delivered the story of three generations of women, the streets of New York came alive and the whistle of the Orphan Train called faintly in the distance.   Hints of heartache travelled across time and soon the whole room was drawn into the story of Violet, Iris and Samantha.  Afterwards I stood in line to have Rae sign a book for my Mom and we snapped a picture together.  As a bonus I was able to meet Rae’s entirely engaging friend and writer, Michelle Wildgen.   I have earmarked her book, “You’re Not You”, at the top of my reading list.   I left the reading and indulged in Thai noodles while seated near a window that framed Madison’s capital in the distance.   My Mother’s Day treat was complete and my second author reading was checked off on my travel log.

On the road again, ten days later, I again followed the familiar highway down south.  This time I was alighting on “The Bird Sisters” reading in Oconomowoc.  You have to say it.  It’s almost like a bird call.  See what I mean?  Rebecca Rasmussen had been a Twitter friend for a long while as well, so it was a midweek treat to meet her.  Funny thing, though, the Garmin in my car led me to a fruit stand in the middle of a highway instead of the quaint bookstore that held the event.  I resorted to calling my seventeen year old son for direction help and ended up pulling into a Culver’s parking lot and asking a Mom with a little girl for the location.   Rebecca was as lovely to meet in person as I had expected.  We chatted for bit before her reading, and as I settled into my seat to listen to the reading we exchanged wide grins like two long-lost friends. “The Bird Sisters” is about two sisters and it travels the landscape of family set in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  As Rebecca read the first chapter it echoed the style of the book itself, beautiful poetry, dotted with humor and characters that resonate.   I’m talking about a priest with a hankering for a Mexican getaway and a ferris wheel ride with a goat.  The story is told both to the softly accented voice of young love,  with crushing disappointments, and the shading of age old wisdom, the kind we have when we put out hands to our brow and look back at our life choices.   Standing in line to have a book signed I struck up conversation with Charlotte, another reader fan of Rebecca.   She carried with her a heart-tugging picture of her namesake and bird caretaker, her aunt.   It was so perfectly wonderful, this photo.   The woman wore a vibrant red dress and had her arms crossed and held, ever so gently, with a bird perched on her hand.  The backdrop was filled with light from floor to ceiling windows, a perfect portrait of a bird sister.  Charlotte let me coax her into taking her picture, with paper birds flying against the bookstore window as backdrop.  Rebecca and I chatted over chai tea and shared a turtle cheesecake that was chewy cement goodness after the event.  It was truly like meeting an old friend.   So my third author adventure was indeed a charm, the cherished gift in the shape of a bird, who knows where it will take me next?

 
Striking a pose with Rae Meadows,  author of "Mothers & Daughters".

 

 
Comfy chairs for Rebecca Rasmussen, author of "The Bird Sisters", and I.

 

 
Charlotte, fellow reader and author event attender, shows her lovely aunt and bird lady in a photograph she is holding.  Is that perfect or what?

Comments

[CrytzerFry]

So, so, so, so jealous, Jenny. I would have LOVED to have been at both book signings. As you saw, I just read Michelle's book as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. Must pick up a copy of Rae's novel also!!! So many books to read, so little time.

[NinaBadzin]

Loved this, Jen! I'm still sad we don't live close enough to each other to attend these events together. Maybe every few years??? :) Great pictures! You look fantastic!

[Mamasweat.blogspot.com]

For the love of beautifully written blog posts! You are always a treat. Love the photos!

[Bermudaonion]

What fun events! I just got to meet Rebecca Rasmussen today and she was telling us about someone bringing a picture of a bird lady to one of her events! I adore Rebecca!

[Extexgirl2]

What wonderful author events, and I am so jealous you were able to meet Rebecca. She becomes a dear friend so easily.