Tournament of Books discussion

This thread is for planning in person ToB gatherings. I envision a casual wrap party at a local bookstore/bar, or more likely, a few gatherings in different cities. Those who aren't able to attend in person can join us virtually.

Anyone in the midwest--preferably near Madison, WI, interested in gathering?

Wondering if we might snag OR and WA coasters by meeting “mid-way” in Olympia?

Amy wrote: "Wondering if we might snag OR and WA coasters by meeting “mid-way” in Olympia?"

Depending on the day of the week, I might drive over from the Tri-Cities.

How about mid-way in Eureka!

Or alternatively a Bay Area gathering...

I'd be up for Olympia! Are we thinking a timeframe between now and the shortlist, or after the shortlist is out?

I'm in the Bay Area (north bay), but depending on the date I can travel north.

Bretnie wrote: "I'd be up for Olympia! Are we thinking a timeframe between now and the shortlist, or after the shortlist is out?"

I am thinking a wrap party at the end of the tournament, so four months from now. Olympia is okay with me!

Tina wrote: "Bretnie wrote: "I'd be up for Olympia! Are we thinking a timeframe between now and the shortlist, or after the shortlist is out?"

I am thinking a wrap party at the end of the tournament, so four m..."

Love it! We can complain about who was robbed and celebrate all the marvelous books we read. :)

Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?

Michigan, anyone?

Not sure if I'd make Olympia but maybe, and also I'd be up for hosting a satellite party in Santa Cruz CA for Bay Areans. We have 6 acres in a nice scenic spot and I'm happy to have people sleep over and/or camp on the grounds. we can Skype into one another's parties!

Jason wrote: "I'm in the Bay Area (north bay), but depending on the date I can travel north."

I'm East Bay......

Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

There are lots of New Yorkers in the group. However, most of them are not active here until the tournament begins. There is an annual wrap party in NYC.

Drew wrote: "Depending on the day of the week, I might drive over from the Tri-Cities."

Jason wrote: "I'm in the Bay Area (north bay), but depending on the date I can travel north."

We can predict the date, can't we? Last business day in March = March 29th.

Bob wrote: "Anyone in the midwest--preferably near Madison, WI, interested in gathering?"

I wish the Midwest was not so massive and that North Dakota was not impossibly far from EVERY CITY in the world. Oh well! : )

“Great job everyone. The reception will be held in each of our individual houses alone.”

Hey, Bob. I'm in Minneapolis. Maybe we could meet somewhere halfway?

Anyone in Denver? Anywhere in Colorado?

Bay Area TOBers: would anyone be interested in a TOB reading club at an SF bookstore? I will pursue, and I think it will be an easier sell if I say 10 people will buy at least one book each. Also, I will check about a wrap party.

judy-b. wrote: "Bay Area TOBers: would anyone be interested in a TOB reading club at an SF bookstore? I will pursue, and I think it will be an easier sell if I say 10 people will buy at least one book each. Also, ..."

The travel logistics of getting to SF from Richmond for me means that the bookstore would have to be near a BART stop, and not meeting during rush hour - and I can't do night. But other than all my caveats, I'm up for it.

Bob wrote: "Anyone in the midwest--preferably near Madison, WI, interested in gathering?"

I'm in central, Illinois. Maybe there's some Chicago people who want to host something?

Bob wrote: "Anyone in the midwest--preferably near Madison, WI, interested in gathering?"

I'm in Chicago but have a child in Madison-I could take a trip up for the gathering and get in a kid fix. Win/win :)

For the PDX TOB followers, there's that new bookstore/pub in NE. I haven't been there yet, but it seems like hosting a TOB wrap up party might be exactly their lane.

https://www.rosecitybookpub.com/

Tina wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

There are lots of New Yorkers in the group. However, most of them are not active here until the tournament begins. There is an a..."

Hmmm. Well, I'll have to keep my eyes open for that. It would be nice to have one in NJ somewhere.

Adam wrote: "Hey, Bob. I'm in Minneapolis. Maybe we could meet somewhere halfway?"


Ooh, tempting--where's the middle? Arcadia books?

Tempting--we got Illinois interest now, we got time to plan!

Knock knock... I'm in upstate SC but if any of you fine people are the same people who went to Booktopia Asheville (which ended before I knew it existed), I'm just an hour south of there....

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Knock knock... I'm in upstate SC but if any of you fine people are the same people who went to Booktopia Asheville (which ended before I knew it existed), I'm just an hour south of there...."

Jenny, people came from all over for Booktopia Asheville but it was only one time. I wouldn't be surprised though if some of the Malaprop's workers are TOB fans. In fact if you could get Wiley Cash to come for a wrap party I would come all the way from Phoenix even if I had to drive...lol.

judy-b. wrote: "Bay Area TOBers: would anyone be interested in a TOB reading club at an SF bookstore? I will pursue, and I think it will be an easier sell if I say 10 people will buy at least one book each. Also, ..."

I'm up for something in SF. I will be in SF working that final week of March.

Two places that come to mind: the new place The Bindery on Haight St, which appears to be an extension of Booksmith. They have a bar/lounge back room and the shelves are arranged by publication year for no apparent reason other than hipster, SF nonsense, but does make for a unique browsing experience. check out the photo.

https://www.booksmith.com/Bindery

Or, my favorite SF bookstore, Ally Cat Books on 24th St, that also has a back room, event space.

http://www.alleycatbookshop.com/

Jason wrote: "The Bindery on Haight St"

That's exactly what I was thinking.


I forgot about the back room at Alley Cat—also a great idea. Thanks!

Nadine wrote: "near a BART stop, and not meeting during rush hour - and I can't do night"

Nadine, I will keep these parameters in mind, but I'm not sure I can avoid both rush hour and evening hours for a wrap party. I myself wouldn't be able to make it in the afternoon. Perhaps someone else from the East Bay will appear and you can carpool.

i may be driving over from Berkeley if we do it on the 29th.

generally choosing a place near public transportation seems good. A google search like "bookstores near SFMOMA" or "coffee houses near Moscone Convention Center," maybe? That would land us in a good place for people coming on the train from the south/peninsula, as well as BART riders from the east bay.

There are no good bookstores around there. City Lights is walking distance from Bart, but I'm not sure they'd have the space or want us there. I have seen Silent Book Club take over the lobby/lounge area at the Palace Hotel before. I don't think they even ask. It's more-or-less a public space.

24th St BART stop is 5 blocks from Alley Cat.

Ellen wrote: "Tina wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

There are lots of New Yorkers in the group. However, most of them are not active here until the tournament begins. ..."

Ellen, I think we're practically neighbors. :) If there aren't any regulars here, hopefully we can get more NY/NJ folks once the tournament starts.

Elizabeth Arnold wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Tina wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

There are lots of New Yorkers in the group. However, most of them are not active here until the tourn..."

I'm in the NY area. Willing to travel to NJ

Ezzy wrote: "For the PDX TOB followers, there's that new bookstore/pub in NE. I haven't been there yet, but it seems like hosting a TOB wrap up party might be exactly their lane."

Oooh, I didn't know about Rose City Book Pub, thanks! I love this idea. (I'm in Portland, work as a 24/7 caregiver. I can arrange coverage to attend this event, either here or in Olympia, but would prefer PDX, so I can get home quickly in case of emergency.)

judy-b. wrote: "Nadine wrote: "near a BART stop, and not meeting during rush hour - and I can't do night"

Nadine, I will keep these parameters in mind, but I'm not sure I can avoid both rush hour and evening hour..."

I'd be shocked if it was possible to meet the parameters! But if nothing else, I'm learning about great new bookstores to visit in SF!

Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

I'm in New York and would be excited to meet up!

Wondering if the PDX/SEA crew might consider doing a weekend brunch if we decide to meet somewhere midway.

I like the idea of a weekend brunch in Olympia or wherever. That would certainly be easier for most of us.

Allison wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

I'm in New York and would be excited to meet up!"

Hi, Allison -- Elizabeth Arnold and I are in the Princeton area, but I'd certainly come into the city if you know of a good place (in Manhattan). We can also keep an ear to the ground regarding where the wrap party is that Tina mentioned, but if it's not in Manhattan, I'm out; by the time I start trying to get to any of the boroughs, it's hours each way no matter what mode of transportation I choose. But just the train each way is a nice outing.

I read through this whole thread and no Los Angeles folks? Whaaaaat?!? Inconceivable!

Peggy wrote: "I read through this whole thread and no Los Angeles folks? Whaaaaat?!? Inconceivable!"

LOL

I've been looking for the same thing. I'm in Santa Monica and would be interested in an IRL Wrap Party for the TOB in the L.A. area!

Bob wrote: "Adam wrote: "Hey, Bob. I'm in Minneapolis. Maybe we could meet somewhere halfway?"


Ooh, tempting--where's the middle? Arcadia books?

Tempting--we got Illinois interest now, we got time to plan!"

I'm in Chicago and also interested especially if we could meet in person! Bob I really have enjoyed chatting books with you this year. Lorraine (the poster upthread who mentioned a child in school in Madison) and I are friends IRL as we met through a local book store.

Jan wrote: "Wondering if the PDX/SEA crew might consider doing a weekend brunch if we decide to meet somewhere midway."

I'd drive over for that.

Ellen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

I'm in New York and would be excited to meet up!"

Hi, Allison -- Elizabeth Arnold and I are in the Princeton ar..."

I'm in Harlem and would happily go down to a midtown location that would be convenient for people taking the train or bus in!

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Knock knock... I'm in upstate SC but if any of you fine people are the same people who went to Booktopia Asheville (which ended before I knew it existed), I'm just an hour south of there...."
Hey Jenny - I'm in Asheville - a delightful site for a wrap party!

Madeleine wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Allison wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Anyone in the greater NYC area, she asked wistfully?"

I'm in New York and would be excited to meet up!"

Hi, Allison -- Elizabeth Arnold and I are in th..."

I live in St. Louis, but am visiting my best friend in NYC from Wed March 20 to Sun March 24 so if there's a meetup during any of those dates, I could possibly attend. I'll be staying in Park Slope but am pretty decent at navigating the subway.

LOL

I've been looking for the same thing. I'm in Santa Monica and would be interested in an I..."

Yessss...we are legion (okay, not really). I'm in Hollywood. Lots of LA places to choose from. Anyone else an Angeleno?

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Knock knock... I'm in upstate SC but if any of you fine people are the same people who went to Booktopia Asheville (which ended before I knew it existed), I'm just an hour south of there...."

I'm in Greenville, and would love to meet-up with you, Martha and anyone else in the area.