Before this month’s book club my author-meeting experience consisted of standing in a long line, thanking the author as they signed my copy of their book, and maybe a quick picture. That all changed at the most recent meeting of the Teen Book Club. At this month’s club, we had the pleasure of discussing our pick, Small Medium at Large, with the author herself! Joanne Levy joined our little group and we chatted her up about her book, her writing habits and the road to getting published. It was fascinating! Being able to speak with her in such an informal, intimate setting was so thrilling and I learned quite a bit.
Without divulging too many Book Club secrets (because what happens in Book Club stays in Book Club, right? Oh wait, that’s Fight Club…), here’s a bit of what I learned at this month’s meeting:
- Bubby Dora is a combination of Joanne’s own Bubby Dora and her mother.
- Our group is quite imaginative when it comes to thinking up superpowers they wish they had. Our answers ranged from international teleportation to being able to “walk in someone else’s shoes.”
- Small Medium at Large started out as a YA novel before becoming a middle-grade novel.
- Small Medium at Large really spoke to the twelve-year-old in all of us, some more strongly than others *cough* bra shopping scene *cough*.
My signed copy and goodie-bag contents
After our discussion, we munched on mini cupcakes while Joanne signed all of our books and handed out lovely goodie-bags that she brought with her. Inside were a signed bookmark, a glow-in-the-dark bracelet, and some chocolates (perhaps Joanne really is a medium because she seems to know about my love for dark chocolate…). It was great fun!
Thank you Joanne for coming all the way to Guelph to meet with us!
Teen Book Club with Joanne Levy (centre).
Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 29th at 7:00pm and we are reading Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer. All are welcome! More details here.
Bookish Notions 