Books on the Nightstand discussion

May 16-18, 2014.
Chatter away!

Yay! If anyone needs any suggestions for the area, let me know. There is so much to do if you decide to come in early or stay late.

Ann and Michael you have made me so happy. Last year my daughter was living in Washington and joined me in Bellingham. Now she lives in Denver so she will be joining me in Boulder. If we get in, of course!
Thanks for all your thoughtful time in getting the Booktopia events planned!

Emily wrote: "Ann and Michael you have made me so happy. Last year my daughter was living in Washington and joined me in Bellingham. Now she lives in Denver so she will be joining me in Boulder. If we get in, of..."
We planned Boulder just for you two Emily!! :) Thrilled we'll get to see you again!

Question, the website says that the Boulder event is in May, but on the podcast Michael said it was in June. Which is it? I am hoping to be there either way.

Also, the Hotel that Stephen King based The Shining on is only an hour north of Boulder. Pilgrimage!

Sophie, Boulder is inMay. The website is correct. Sorry for the confusion!

Even closer than that, Sophie, the bandshell from The Stand is very close to the bookstore, in Boulder Central Park.

Boulder is such a cool town and will be a great location for Booktopia.

Emily wrote: "Ann and Michael you have made me so happy. Last year my daughter was living in Washington and joined me in Bellingham. Now she lives in Denver so she will be joining me in Boulder. If we get in, of..."

Emily, your daughter is delightful! We loved meeting her. Say hi!

Ann, is it possible to go straight onto the waiting list or do you only start the list after registration is full? I don't know what I'm doing in May yet. When do you start taking people off the waiting list--as soon as someone cancels, or after the session sign up?

Joanne, I can certainly make the waiting list option active at the time of registration if you like. We start working the waiting list as soon as we have a cancellation, but we give 3 days and then move on to the next name. Normally we drop folks off the waiting list if they can't make it, but if you are #1 and still can't commit when there is an opening, we'll move onto #2 etc. When (if) there is another opening, we can circle back to you if we know you want to stay on the waiting list.

Thanks for your consideration, Ann. I'll be thinking hard between now and Nov. 22!

Seriously thinking of Boulder, although I would be alone. A new experience, but looking for Booktopia buddies.

Debbie, one of the coolest things about Booktopia is how many people (especially women) have come alone and left with friends. It is a very welcoming environment where we all have something immediately in common to talk about. I'm sure others will weigh in with their experiences, but trust me when I say it will be absolutely fine.

Debbie wrote: "Seriously thinking of Boulder, although I would be alone. A new experience, but looking for Booktopia buddies."

Debbie,

Twice I decided to come alone, but knew I needed help with the room. I put a note on one of the Goodread threads and Voila! Roommate and they both worked out well.

How much friendlier could that be?

Debbie, no one is alone at Booktopia. Just sign up and once the authors are announced your excitement will take over and you'll look forward to talking about books with others and meeting the authors and shopping at a new bookshop and, and, and... Set your clock for noon ET on Friday and sign up. Many people will arrive at Booktopia alone, but it's no problem at all. I'm getting quite excited about Booktopia Boulder.

Debbie wrote: "Seriously thinking of Boulder, although I would be alone. A new experience, but looking for Booktopia buddies."

I've said it before and I'll say it again - you're never alone at Booktopia. ;)

Debbie wrote: "Seriously thinking of Boulder, although I would be alone. A new experience, but looking for Booktopia buddies."

I went alone to my first Booktopia last year, to the one in Vermont. I was "kidnapped" by a group of women who are friends in real life, and left feeling like I had been part of their group for far longer than 1 night! I am so bummed I can't make to to Vermont this year to continue our friendship.

Debbie wrote: "Seriously thinking of Boulder, although I would be alone. A new experience, but looking for Booktopia buddies."

I attended all three Booktopia's last year by myself. It was fine, I met some people and had a good time. And I am normally very hesitant about joining things where I don't know anyone. But everyone is very friendly. So sign up for Boulder. I am and we will be the two Debbie's there alone:)

Debbie - Absolutely agree with all the above - you will be enveloped, and will never be sorry you came! See you there, I hope!

Debbie - I have attended two Booktopias "alone" and would not hesitate to do so again. It's the type of environment where people very naturally gravitate to each other. I have had a wonderful time each time and have met really great people who I would say have become friends.

Debbie, I go every year (my 4th) without my husband :)
It's fun to make new friends and talk about books, books and more books!!!! You will have fun!!!

So I am thinking no real need to rent a car? Maybe a taxi or car service from Denver, then walking or taxis if necessary?

No need to rent a car. There are shuttles up to Boulder or the public bus (http://www.rtd-denver.com/.) Where we'll be in Boulder is very walkable and there are lots of restaurants and shops all around.

I would advise against a taxi from DIA to Boulder--it's $50+ from the airport to my house in Denver. Can't imagine the fare to Boulder.

(I will say I don't know where RTD drops off--it could be South Boulder but then there are local buses (https://bouldercolorado.gov/goboulder...) that will get you into downtown. A shuttle is probably the best bet because you're door-to-door.)

this is what I plan on using:

http://www.supershuttle.com/Locations...

I did the price calculator and it looks like it's $27 from airport to Hotel Boulderado.

I'll see if there's some kind of group rate, though that may require everyone traveling at the same time.

OMG today's the day! Fingers crossed!!

No group rate on the Super Shuttle -- that's for transporting a bunch of people at the same time -- but $27 seems very reasonable.

Thank you for the shuttle info. Keeping my fingers crossed too!

Ann wrote: "No group rate on the Super Shuttle -- that's for transporting a bunch of people at the same time -- but $27 seems very reasonable."

Very reasonable shuttle. If it is just my husband and me attending than we will definitely do the shuttle. If we have some friends come than we will probably rent a car.

I'm in, I'm in, I'm in. Yay!!!

Got in! This will be the 3rd Booktopia for my sister Tami and I. SO EXCITED!!

Headed to Boulder! Was going to come alone, but my 20-something daughter has been hearing me sing the praises of Booktopia and wants to come. She has just recently begun to read more, even wants to check out my book club! I am so excited that she is finally reading that I had to bring her along.

Excellent, Debbie! I am going with my mom and Aunt Karen. We did Bellingham together last year and it made for a special weekend for us. I plan to spend more time in the bar this time though.

Excellent, Debbie! I am going with my mom and Aunt Karen. We did Bellingham together last year and it made for a special weekend for us. I plan to spend more time in the bar this time though.

Got in! This will be my first Booktopia and I can't wait! I am going along and was wondering if anyone was looking for a roommate before booking by myself.

That should have been alone* whoops! Apparently my fingers are excited too.

2 spots left .... killing me!

Whoooop-whooop! Ann, what an affirmation of what you and Michael have built...hoorah! And, double hoorah that Lisa and I got in, have hotel reservations, and are super-psyched to be there! Another daughter lives in Ft. Collins, so this will mean a visit with her, as well...Triple hoorah! A sincere thank you for all you do and will do, Ann and Michael! Can't wait!

I'm in!!! My 2nd Booktopia - so excited, and I'll be there alone too. Off to make my hotel res, which in my excitement i forgot to do 30 min ago.

official sellout time was about 50 minutes. But those last 2 spots sat there for 25 minutes!

I was so worried about getting in that I signed up right in the middle of a board meeting...sitting next to the Vice President. I'd rather lose my job than not get into Booktopia!

Thanks so much Ann and Michael. Rachel and I look forward to seeing you in May!

Oh, Emily, please, no. If you lose your job, you may not be able to come next year! (But secretly thrilled that you took the risk). Can't wait to see you and to see Rachel again!

Emily wrote: "I was so worried about getting in that I signed up right in the middle of a board meeting...sitting next to the Vice President. I'd rather lose my job than not get into Booktopia!

Thanks so much ..."

Oh, Emily! I think that's the best Booktopia story that I've heard. Glad you're in. Maybe we should compare flight info, too.

Emily wrote: "I was so worried about getting in that I signed up right in the middle of a board meeting...sitting next to the Vice President. I'd rather lose my job than not get into Booktopia!

Thanks so much ..."

I almost forgot to distribute payroll today .....

Emily,
That is hilarious. I was just sitting here thinking, what if I'm in a meeting when the Asheville sign-ups are happening.

I love all the comments and all the thoughts and info shared. I totally forgot about The Shining.

For Debbie, I had never gone overnight anywhere alone until my third time in Vermont last year. It is hard for me to express how I worried about this because if you knew me you'd never guess that I am uncomfortable doing this. I wrote a couple of prior Booktopians and chatted a bit about my feelings. They gave me the boost to do it. I'm so glad I did. I had a great time of course and am going to Vermont again.

For Emily - I love your post. I was so happy to be retired this year and not have to plan my registration around the job. You are my hero though as I don't know if I could have done this.

Carol wrote: "I love all the comments and all the thoughts and info shared. I totally forgot about The Shining.

For Debbie, I had never gone overnight anywhere alone until my third time in Vermont last year. I..."

Yay, Carol! I'm glad you're going to be in Vermont again next year!

Have fun everyone. I really wanted to go to Boulder ut the timing didn't work for me.

Tracey wrote: "Yay, Carol" Tracey, let's make certain we do more than wave at each other!!!