Upcoming events
Well, no new events are planned yet. But I have some ideas to pursue and will keep you posted. If you need a speaker for an event or need someone to lead a cultural activity, I could be just the person you need. In the "About Judy" section of my Web site, you'll find information about the kinds of talks and workshops I can tailor to your needs. For more information or to hash out some ideas, e-mail me at judith@judithjaeger.com
Recent Events
This fall, I enjoyed some great events.
In September, I attended Betsy L.'s book group in Arlington, Mass. I met Betsy at the Barre Farmers Market over the summer. She purchased a copy of The Secret Thief there as well as one of my husband's famous sponge holders. Our conversation led to not only a book group visit, but a great article in Central Mass Magazine. My visit to Betsy's book group was a delightful evening of insightful conversation with smart and witty women. Book groups remain my favorite kind of book event, and this was no exception. Thank you, Betsy and your book group, for a lovely evening!
In October, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Massachusetts Trustees of Libraries/Friends of Libraries Conference in Marlboro, Mass. I gave the luncheon talk on "Why Writers Love Libraries." I had an attentive audience of about 100 book lovers and was able to meet and talk with them throughout the day between their sessions. I hope I have the opportunity to visit some of their libraries for book events in the future. My thanks to Carol M. and Connie C. for inviting me to speak at this conference. It was a treat!
Your Creative Kick in the Butt
The latest at Judy's blog: http://judithjaeger.blogspot.com
How Knitting Saved My Life
About two-and-a-half years ago, I got back into knitting. I'd known how to knit since middle school, when my mom first taught me. I dabbled in it ever since, learning more working my summers in college at Old Sturbridge Village, a living-history museum where I was part of a staff who demonstrated daily life in a rural New England village during the 1830s. This included demonstrating handcrafts, such as knitting, which weren't handcrafts then. They were essentials for life. If you didn't knit, you didn't have warm socks, hats, mittens or scarves to keep you warm during the cold New England winters.
Simple things you can do to help promote The Secret Thief
- I'm looking for ways to get The Secret Thief on summer reading lists. If you know a English teacher or a school librarian, tell them about The Secret Thief, or send me their name and school and I'll try to contact them. If you have other ideas about this, let me know.
- Recommend The Secret Thief to your local librarian.
- Recommend The Secret Thief to your book group, or a friend's book group.
- Post a review on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and/or Book Reporter.com.
Judy Jabber Street Team Contest
Street Team Contest winners receive a signed copy of The Secret Thief, an "I Know the Secret" button and bookmark. If you already have all that, you can give it to a friend.
You're a Closet Writer If...
Take the first step: Buy a small notebook and keep it with you at all times instead.
From Judy's Bookshelf
The Book Thief, by Mark Zusak: A book group recommended this to me and it is one of the best books I've read in recent years. I read it over the summer and it is still with me. It takes place during World War II in a suburb of Munich, Germany. The story centers around a boy and girl, around age 10 or 12, and their families. My husband and my friend Martha are reading it now. I was just discussing it with my friend Martha and we were saying that what makes the book so powerful is that it's not about the great big gears of war, but about how an ordinary family, not particularly good or bad, is just trying to survive the circumstances. If you read only one book this year, read The Book Thief.
Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Spears: This is the first book in a mystery series set in post World War I London. I loved this book, for the story and the characters, but also because of its unusual time period. I haven't found many books set between the World Wars and I found the authors treatment of how World War I affected veterans, their families and society quite interesting. The war is another character in the book, a ghost that haunts all the other characters, and especially Maisie for reasons that are revealed in this first book of the series. The second book is on my shelf, waiting to be read.
