My good friend Amy Stephenson, who runs Get Lost Bookshop in downtown Columbia – literally a stone’s throw from my office – is putting together a series of readings by wonderful authors.  I’m very excited by the inaugural event, since it is a reading by fellow Amy Einhorn author and New York Times best-seller, Eleanor Brown, whose debut, THE WEIRD SISTERS, has been delighting readers and critics alike with its delightful mixture of whimsy and thoughtful exploration of family dynamics.   I have written about this book, which I loved, frequently on this blog – you can read my full review of it here.  Over the past several months Eleanor has become a good friend of mine, even though we have never met.  (The internet is a wonderful thing.)  I cannot wait to meet her in person and sit down and compare notes about this publishing lark.  It is, as they say in England, a funny old game.

A more recent friend – discovered on twitter, no less – is the lovely and talented Rebecca Rasmussen, whose novel, THE BIRD SISTERS, is published on April 12 by Crown.  Rebecca lives in St. Louis, and she will be coming to Columbia on May 1, just before her nationwide book tour.  I haven’t read Rebecca’s book yet but have heard some wonderful things, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.

Both of these events are taking place at the newly re-opened and wonderful Perlow-Stevens Gallery in its new location at 1025 East Walnut, in Columbia’s North Art Village.  Come along and enjoy the chance to hear these talented writers read from their books.  We are tremendously lucky to have a chance to welcome these brilliant authors to our town, and both evenings will be events not to be missed.

See you there?