I have just returned from a few splendid days in Toronto.
I <3 Toronto. It was my third trip since September so it is starting to feel familiar and friendly.
The main point of the trip was the Toronto Public Library’s Book Lover’s Ball which was all fancy-dress and sparkly. I mostly flounced around sparkling with the delightful Lesley Livingston so I hope she will not mind if I snag her photo to share and if she does mind I can make it up to her when I buy her that drink I owe her.
I still don’t think something should really be called a Ball when there is no dancing but there was mingling and lovely people and then a seated dinner with a designated author per table. I really did get the best table, full of delightful, interesting people that were also somehow six degrees of my Canadian publicist. I would tell you the giraffe story but I think you had to be there. Also, during the cocktail hour I basically accosted Ami McKay to gush over her gorgeous vintage gown. There was a fashion show with splendid book-inspired collections and bonus swordfighting and the more I talk about this evening the more I think it probably sounds even more surreal if you weren’t there but I had a splendid time.
The other highlight of the trip was the Random House Blogger Love Fest, which was a fantastic afternoon with local book bloggers invited over to Random House to be appreciated and I got to serve as a surprise special guest along with the aforementioned Ami McKay and also Paula McLain, they are both absolutely delightful and I kind of want us all to go on tour together. In my imagination we would do this looking something like The Andrews Sisters. I was doubtful beforehand that we would actually be a complete surprise but apparently we were and it made the entire thing even more fun. Thank you to all the wonderful bloggers and to everyone who put the event together!
In between official obligations I actually had some time to get to see more of the city and have fantastic food (I am a teensy bit obsessed with Origin) with good company. Friday night there was that perfect snowglobe snow and it was all warm-feeling in winter cold wonderful. I took this photo of the CN Tower, though it doesn’t quite capture the snow:
Hopefully I will be back soon.
11 Comments
alexis · February 13, 2012 at 9:43 am
Ami McKay’s new book is really, really good.
erin · February 13, 2012 at 10:19 am
I made sure to get a copy! Especially since it doesn’t come out here until June.
(I also picked up The Paris Wife because I love the Canadian cover.)
alexis · February 13, 2012 at 10:34 am
Still have to read the Paris Wife. A friend read it and really liked it…
So much to read!
Gwenyth Love · February 13, 2012 at 11:08 am
It was a complete surprise! And a wonderful surprise at that. It was fabulous meeting you Saturday and I love the stars in the autograph, as magical as the book itself! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with us bloggers.
Wendy · February 13, 2012 at 12:41 pm
I’m so glad that you had a wonderful time here! It was wonderful meeting you on Saturday at the RH Blogger love fest!
Ami McKay · February 13, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Wonderful to meet you in Toronto! It was great to be a “secret author” with you and greet all those lovely bloggers. I’ll be an Andrews Sister with you any time. Cheers! A.
Kim · February 18, 2012 at 8:51 am
So happy you enjoy Toronto- Canadians can be unique. We are not just polite Americans. I am wondering if you have read any books by Neil Gaiman? Love his Good Omens. He is also a prolific blogger and dreamer of dreams that dream up him as well. Night Circus was great! The last chapter reminded me of what Mr. Gaiman writes about story-telling. Google Neil Gaiman’s “I Believe” speech…so reminiscent of the magic you weave…thanks very much for Night Circus!
erin · February 21, 2012 at 2:25 pm
I have read a great deal of Gaiman, he’s one of my favorites.
Denise · February 21, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Will you be heading west anytime? Would love to see you in Vancouver! I attended a night with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer and it was such fun.
erin · February 21, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Nothing scheduled that I know of but I’d love to!
Jill · February 26, 2012 at 10:24 pm
I am a children’s librarian in Toronto who took leave of her senses. I left that job this year for a one year contract working with our technology department – in an office, away from children, books, light, joy and delight.
The Night Circus will pull me through this year. This is the kind of book a kids’ librarian lives for. If I were in my library, I’d buy 10 copies, catalogue them in a day and wait for them to FLY off the shelves changing kids lives forever.
Thank you.
ps. I’ll be back in my library next year – and we’ll be visiting the circus.
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