Sat in on a reading of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict at Vroman's Bookstore, Southern California's oldest and largest and absolutely coolest independent bookstore. I love Vroman's--the people, the community outreach, the events, the classes, and the BOOKS.
Especially this book. It is, after all, my story. Or at least what that woman who wrote it claims is my story. I don't agree with all the details. And I didn't exactly give her permission to write it. But that's what happens when you talk to a writer. And that's also what happens when said writer claims to be writing a work of fiction, which they can claim to do merely by changing a detail or two or embellishing a real-life event. Word of caution to anyone out there who knows a writer or two: Anything you say may be used against you in a novel or a memoir.
Anyway, I have to admit that despite my grumbling, the book is an engaging read. It's also gratifying to hear that it's inspiring other people to acquire the Austen habit. One of the women in the audience said that my story inspired her extremely well-read daughter, who had never read Jane Austen before, to make up for lost time
Another memorable moment: I was sitting near a woman in the audience who made this gorgeous sketch during the reading:
There are more pictures from the reading "Scrapbook" here, under "Many Charming Views."