Tayari's Blog: Report From The Road: Chicagoland
Posted by TayariJones on August 22, 2005 10:55 AM
Filed under
Book Tour
This was a rough weekend. The Thrilla in Manilla was unexpectedly relocated to San Francisco and I spent most of the weekend in the ring! All was not lost. I almost got to meet George Kellyfrom Negrophile and I did get to spend some time in Hotel Monaco, my favorite SF spot! At 4 am, I headed to the airport because I had a 6 am flight. Why did I leave so early? Because I had to meet with the YOU GO GIRL bookclub in Chicago. I had such a good time.
The Yo Go Girl is made up of about thirty women who love to read. Ruth Fulton was kind enough to invite me and I hope she invites me back. The event was held at AfriWare Bookstore in Oak Park; the proprietress, Nzingha was right on point, renewing my faith in Black bookstores. (She also caries Carol's Daughter products, a big deal for those of us living in the midwest!)
Also present was Judy Dozier from Lake Forest College. We met last year in a professional setting, but now we have the opportunity to be friends! She should come downstate sometimes. (hint hint)
And, I hate to sound so childish, but I have to tell you about the gifts! Nzingah slipped a little somethin-somethin in my bag of Carol's Daughter products and the You Go Girls really got creative! They gave me a wooden box painted to look like THE UNTELLING. The spine slides out like a little drawer. So cute!
Such good women. Such a good time.
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There are 6 comments on "Report From The Road: Chicagoland". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by You Go Girl book club
The members of You Go Girl book club would like to thank Tayari for such a wonderful Sunday afternoon. We loved her readings and family stories. We hope we raised your appreciation for the Chicago area. We hope you come back in the future.
August 22, 2005 04:57 PM
Comment #2, by Jean Weathers
As founder of the You Go Girl Book Club I was so apprecative of Tayari coming to join us in a book signing and reading. She is a joy, and I love to hear her reading from her books. I was glad to make her acquaintance and be able to start a new friendship with such a down to earth and personable author. Thanks Tayrai for being there for us.
Jean
August 22, 2005 05:23 PM
Comment #3, by Judy Dozier
You go, girl! I can't tell you how much my husband, my play second daughter (Lake Forest alum), and I enjoyed your reading. You have such style and such passion for your writing. I've read both books, and it was such a thrill to hear the characters come alive just as I'd imagined they would sound (now that's good writing!).
I hope you have a better impression of Chi-town now. And, ummmm, a visit to Champaign wouldn't be such a bad idea, especially to solidify a friendship. You say it's only an hour and a half by train?!
August 22, 2005 05:28 PM
Comment #4, by danyel
Hotel Monaco is awesome, but the Hudson is off the hook! : )
have fun in the Bay Area (my hometown).
August 22, 2005 08:28 PM
Comment #5, by XENIA
Hey Tayari,
So sorry I missed the reading at Afriware. I really wanted to go but after being at the El Barrio Art Fest for over 8 hours on Saturday, I was dog-tired. I don't know if it was sitting for long periods of time with no sustenance but water, or what, but my body was worn-out on Sunday. I did stop by Afriware today & talked to Nzingha & she said the event was great.
August 23, 2005 08:11 PM
Comment #6, by Hugo
Hello! You have a great blog. I am a maniac-blog-reader and I'm bookmarking this blog!-*
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October 3, 2005 02:51 PM