Constant Reader discussion

Fun time yesterday with some only rarely seen members in attendance! There was so much convention recapping, next convention musing, ancient convention resurrecting, and the 9/11 convention that wasn't talk that, I swear: in the whole (more than) hour, 1 book was mentioned, and that was So Far Gone just in passing.

EXCEPT! the happy mention of a not-yet-book!! Rachel's first novel The Scarlet Daughter will be published next March (I'd love to add here "by specific publisher" which I was sure I noted but cannot now find.)

We also touched on
--grandkids; are bribes really necessary?
--Sheila's miracle massage that had her looking 15 years younger
--the musical 'Come From Away'
--the wonderful rise of independent bookshops
--the PEN America's fundraiser in which you bid to have your name used for a character in a soon-to-come book; https://givebutter.com/c/pen-america-...

The most discussed other topic was AI. How AI could be dangerous in the hands of dummies. How teachers deal with AI. How one must learn to question AI. And more. Lot of AI talk.

And 2 recommended movies:
--I Swear; in theaters now
--The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist (AppleTV, Prime)

Next ZOOM: June 4th

We are considering LA for the next convention. We will be there for a couple of days and then take a field trip to San Clemente to see Ruth. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Tonya wrote: “Rachel’s first novel The Scarlet Daughter will be published next March (I’d love to add here “by specific publisher” which I was sure I noted but cannot now find.)”

I thought it was Blackstone US, maybe?

spoko wrote: "Tonya wrote: “Rachel’s first novel The Scarlet Daughter will be published next March (I’d love to add here “by specific publisher” which I was sure I noted but cannot now find.)”

I thought it was ..."

I'm pretty sure you're right about Blackstone US, Matt.

I've remembered the bribe I offered my grandsons. I said they could pick up four boxes of Creamette ring-shaped pasta I bought for them because it isn't available in their local grocery store. They use it to make their own "homemade" spaghettio's (with frozen mini-meatballs and jarred sauce). It sounds terrible to me but they love it, and their mom doesn't have to cook. If they hadn't come to my house, they would have had to wait at least a month until I was going their direction to deliver them.

Tonya wrote: "Fun time yesterday with some only rarely seen members in attendance! There was so much convention recapping, next convention musing, ancient convention resurrecting, and the 9/11 convention that wa..."

Can someone help me remember the name of the website where you can buy books and direct the profit to your local indy bookstore?

I believe we were talking about https://bookshop.org/

I also believe Rachel said it was Blackstone, thanks. It is bizarre that I remember writing it, and it is still not there.

Jane mentioned consideration of LA for the next convention with a field trip to San Clemente to see Ruth. I am all for it and will be there. I probably won’t rent a car to drive in LA, however. Hopefully, Uber will be going strong in California though the price of gas is discouraging the drivers here.

Thanks, Tonya! And I'm with Barb - I will do everything I can to be there in LA/San Clemente (or wherever we end up gathering) next year. Our recent event in Iowa City made it clear to me that these opportunities are too important to miss!

When you use bookshop.org, be sure you use the “Choose a Bookstore” link (top right of the page) to select your preferred store.

spoko wrote: "When you use bookshop.org, be sure you use the “Choose a Bookstore” link (top right of the page) to select your preferred store."

Thanks, Matt!

We can also look into the train! It runs to San Clemente from L.A. but only at certain times of the day. An Uber from L.A. to San Clemente would cost a fortune.

Jane wrote: "We can also look into the train! It runs to San Clemente from L.A. but only at certain times of the day. An Uber from L.A. to San Clemente would cost a fortune."

I like the train idea.

I love the train idea too.