15-year-old Sam has always been defined as the pastor’s daughter.  But not all is well behind closed doors.  Citing the pressures of being a pastor’s wife, Sam’s mother is an alcoholic who after one too many DUI’s is now in treatment.  But it’s not a fact that Sam wants her friends (who often don’t invite her along to less questionable activities – you know – the whole being the pasture’s daughter thing) to know about nor is it something that Sam and her father openly talk about with each other.

It is during this crisis in her family, that her community faces a crisis of its own.  A young girl in the church has mysteriously gone missing and no one is free from suspicion including her own father and the girl’s older brother, whom Sam has always crushed on.  This family and community crisis shakes Sam to her inner-core where she also experiences her own personal crisis – one that questions her faith, hope, and belief in something that is bigger than she is.

Although the events of this beautiful novel are huge – alcoholic parent, missing girl – it is also so quiet.  Sam is a character that feels so real.  Does she really live in those pages?  It can’t be possible.  She’s out there somewhere.  Living.  Breathing.  The questions that she asks herself are ones that any teen struggling to learn to identify who they are in the world will relate too.  Scratch that.  Not just teens.  Heck, even I found myself relating to Sam in my life right now and supposedly I’m supposed to have it all together right now.

Sam asks herself this question:

Do I believe?

I believe just enough that Jody is alive that I think we should keep looking.

I believe just enough in my mom to try to make a garden for her to work on when she gets home.

I believe just enough in my dad that he’ll have an explanation even if that explanation is that he’s only human.

I believe just enough in myself to know that even if I start in a new school I’ll be okay.

I believe just enough in forgiveness that eventually we’ll be a family again.

I believe just enough in God that I’m praying right now that Nick means what he says.

As a side note, I loved that Sam wanted to create the perfect garden for her mother to take care of.  As a gardener myself, I understand how gardening can heal.  How the creation of something can bring one hope.  When I garden, I’m basically telling myself that I’ll be around to reap the benefits of my work.  I have faith and hope in the plants and my ability to bring forth something that will bloom into something beautiful for me to enjoy later.  Gardening is an activity that while is enjoyable in the moment is one that is always looking to the future.  Sam wants to create a xeriscape garden:  a garden which can thrive on very little care.  Which I can’t help but think is how Sam thinks of herself, her mother, and her family.

Sara Zarr lives locally to me and it’s been my pleasure to be able to chat with her on numerous occasions.  I love that blogging has bridged that gap between author and reader for me.   The beautiful thing that I loved about Once Was Lost was that the author completely disappeared in the narration.  I did worry that knowing the author behind the book would taint my reading of it.  There’s nothing worse than hearing the author’s voice instead of  the characters.  But I completely forgot about Sara except that I had to keep reminding myself that  this amazing story came out her head.  How do people do that?  Honestly, I shouldn’t have been surprised because Story of a Girl and Sweethearts, are very popular books for teens, but I was in awe of the talent and the story that she’s able to tell.

Once Was Lost has a little bit of it all.  A mystery to pull you along, a family in crisis, a young teen discovering her identity and even a bit of romance.  But mostly it’s a novel about faith and how to hold on to that faith when the world we know comes crumbling down around us.

I was able to attend Sara Zarr’s launch party at The Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City on release day for Once Was Lost.  Tons of fun as always as so many other local authors came out to attend the big day.

I captured some video to share with you! In this video Sara talks about how the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart (which happened in our SLC community) inspired the writing of Once Was Lost:

Sara talks more about the writing process for Once Was Lost including how the safe return of Elizabeth Smart and Sara’s own therapy changed the outlook of the book:

And last, Sara reads from Once Was Lost (no spoilers – she reads from beginning of book):

Sara is doing a fun video tour of current book tour, I was thrilled to catch a one second image of myself in her last video!

Links of interest:  Sara Zarr website, more book blogger reviews, Maw Books reviews of Story of a Girl, Sweethearts, interview with Sara and  breakfast smoothie recipe.
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction
Publisher:  Little, Brown Young Readers.  October 1, 2009
Hardcover, 224 pages.  ISBN 0316036048
Once Was Lost is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

If you’re visiting today from or as a result of BookExpo America – welcome!  I’m thrilled and excited to be a part of this fantastic trade show!

I’ve always been a passionate reader, in fact, I’ve kept  a journal since I was very young and the very first line of that journal is, “I’m eight years old and I’ve read all The Little House on the Prairie Books.”  Obviously, I was quite proud myself and hope I can pass on that same excitement to my two little boys.

You can learn more about me on the about me page and in my review policy.  Poke around the archives where you will find book reviews of picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction and non-fiction and author interviews with the likes of  Newbery authors Ingrid Law, Shannon Hale, Kirby Larson to authors such as Sara Zarr, Bonny Becker, Katherine Center, Jennie Nash, David Ebershoff and more.  But I’ve got more than reviews and interviews, you’ll also find me cooking up author recipes in the kitchen with my boys, laughing over all the ways people ruin books and you’ll even catch me doing vlogs as well.

I’m excited to be able to connect with you whether you are a blogger, an author, publisher, publicist, bookseller or an industry professional and look forward to getting to know you!

Happy reading!

(As a side note, I am currently seeking sponsorship, so if you are interested in promoting your company with advertising space, don’t hesitate to contact me.)

This is a bit of a housekeeping post.  Many of you may (or may not) know that I’m heading out to New York City to attend BookExpo America, the North American publishing premiere trade show on May 29th-31st.  To say I’m excited, is an understatement!  I’m also nervous.  This is my first time going to New York City.  So any tips or advice you have would be greatly appreciated (like how do I see the entire city in a matter of mere hours).

Here’s what I think you (bloggers, authors, publishers, etc.)  should know.  There is going to be a . . .

Book Bloggers Panel at BEA!

If you will be at BEA, don’t miss the book bloggers panel on Saturday at 2pm in room 1E15.  I’m really excited for this panel and for good reason. Dawn from She is Too Fond of Books, Stephanie from The Written Word, Julie from Booking Mama, Beth from Beth Fish Reads, and Amy from My Friend Amy are all on it!  Wait . . . and me!

The description of the panel:  Book bloggers, via their blogs, Twitter, GoodReads, Facebook, and more, are leading the way in creating buzz for books, offering venues for authors to connect directly with their fans and are reviewing more books than ever in a world where traditional book review coverage is changing. Six top book bloggers, along with Harper Collins’ Jennifer Hart (and BookClubGirl blogger) will discuss how booksellers, publishers and bloggers can combine forces to bring readers and authors together.

I hope we represent book bloggers well!  I think we are all a tad nervous (thank goodness I don’t get stage fright!) but excited to be having this awesome conversation together.

But what if you’re . . .

Not at BEA?  You Don’t Have to Miss the Panel!

Call in to Blog TalkRadio at 347-945-614 on Saturday, May 30th at 2pm EST to listen live to the panel!  My mom said she’s calling in.  So you should too!  Seriously, great opportunity to listen in.

But if you are there in person then . . .

I Want to Meet You!

The fine folks at the Firebrand booth have come up with a very innovative way for bloggers, publishers, and authors to meet.  They are generously hosting book bloggers at their booth during the show.

I’ll be running around crazy trying to meet authors, publishers, and publicists during BEA but if you are going to be there and want to make sure that I don’t miss you then come find me at the Firebrand booth (#4077) on Friday from 11am to noon.  And of course, you can find me at the panel on Saturday as well.  Stop by and say hello!  I really don’t want to look like a dork twiddling my thumbs.

But I’m not the only one, you can . . .

Meet Other Awesome Bloggers!

There are 40+ bloggers also signed up for time slots at the Firebrand booth!  Go take a look at the schedule and make sure you don’t miss meeting your favorite blogger (or soon to be favorite blogger!).

In addition to the awesome panels, bloggers, authors, and vendors, I really, really want to go to . . .

Kidlit Drink Night

Who:  Kidlit bloggers

When & Where:  Friday, May 29th at 8 pm at the  Houndstooth Pub at 520 8th Avenue and 37th Street in the lower bar portion of the pub.  Hosted by Betsy of Fuse #8 and Cheryl at Brooklyn Arden.

Can I clone myself?  Maybe I’ll be there?  Maybe I won’t?  Argh!  Because it’s the same time as . . .

BEAtweetup

Who:  Publishers, agents, PR & marketing pros, media, booksellers, librarians, reviewers, book bloggers, readers, authors, vendors who cater to the book community, and more.

When & Where: Friday, May 28th at 8pm at Greenhouse at 150 Varick St (between Vandam & Spring).  Hosted by Kat Meyer and a lot of other wonderful bookish tweeps and sponsors.  Check them out.

Look for me there!  I’ll be the one without a drink in her hand.  I hope I don’t feel out of place.    But wait!  How could I possibly?  Lots of friends and new people to meet!

And then after I get back home, crash, and live in the afterglow of BEA, I’m going to participate in . . .

MotherReader’s 48 Hour Book Challenge!

Seriously, I really, really hope we have a lot of “adult” book bloggers sign up in what has in the past been mostly a kidlit event.  Pam, our host, is ever so awesome and is eager to cross-promote our “communities.”  Go check out the 48 Hour book Challenge details and sign up.  The best part?  Guilt free sleeping!

Need something to read during the 48 Hour Book Challenge?  Don’t forget my current giveaway of The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris.

Phew!  Did I get it all?

I ended up sticking around the children’s area most of the time.  I wish I could have been everywhere at once!  First off, I have a vlog where I show off my signed books, talk about the authors and pretty much smile because I’m still so happy.  I do overlap with my written summations below as well.

Jacqueline Woodson was one of the authors that I was really looking forward to meeting!  I’m late to the game and only started reading Woodson’s books this past year and each one that I read just gets better than the first!  I was estatic when a couple of months ago, I received an email and the sender said Jacqueline Woodson.  No way that it was the Jacqueline Woodson.  She said thank you for reviewing her books and that I had a beautiful family.  After listening to Woodson on a panel (more details about that in a later post), I was able to catch up with her while she was walking to her book signing.  I told her that she probably didn’t remember me but she sent me a nice email once.  When I explained, she immediatly said, “Yes, the one with the beautiful family!”  And then later while she was in a booth we were able to snap a photo and chat a bit more.  She offered to take me all around Brooklyn when I come up for Book Expo America.  While I don’t think I have time to take her up on the offer (but how cool if I had an extra day!!), isn’t that sweet to say so in the first place?  She’s just as great as I thought she would be.  Books I’ve reviewed by Woodson are  Peace, Locomotion, Locomotion,  Show Way, Feathers,  If You Come Softly and Behind You.  Jacqueline Woodson’s website.

Ah . . . Kathryn Fitzmaurice was a total and VERY pleasant surprise for me.  I had no idea that she was there until I happened upon her booth while she was signing.  When she discovered who I was she jumped up and gave me a huge hug!  It was SO nice to talk to Kathryn and I felt as though we were both gushing over each other. Incredibly nice!  I reviewed Kathryn’s debut novel The Year the Swallows Came Early and have an author interview as well.  The best part?  Kathryn sent me another signed copy of her book (because I”m not giving up mine!) to give away!  So watch for it with a guest post from Kathryn.  Kathryn Fitzmaurice’s website.

We check out David Shannon’s books so often from the library that I often ask myself how come we actually own so few of them?  I was brave and bought two books, David Gets in Trouble and No, David, that were not board books.  Very scary in my house.  David was fantastic and I’m thrilled to have met him.  If you have kids or know any kid, you’ve got to get David’s books.  David Shannon’s website.

I attended a middle grade fiction panel that included Newbery author Susan Patron.  I had her newest book Lucky Breaks already checked out from the library at home, so it only made perfect sense that I get a copy of my own.  Susan was fantastic and agreed to an author interview as well, so that’s exciting!  The Higher Power of Lucky was one of the very first books that I reviewed when I started my blog.

How can you not like Jon Scieszka?  Two of our favorite books in our house are The Stinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.  So much so that they are up high on the shelf and the kids actually aren’t allowed to read them on their own.  So bummed I didn’t bring my own copies to get signed so I decided to get Math Curse and Science Verse to add to our collection.  When I got home and showed my husband, he was really bummed that I didn’t get The Stinky Cheese Man autographed instead.  I didn’t want to buy a duplicate copy, I explained.  Apparently, I made the wrong decision.

Another author/illustrator that I was SO excited to meet (I waited outside his booth until he showed up because I didn’t want to miss him) was Kadir Nelson. Look at this photo.  He looks even twice as gorgeous in person, which roughly means, he’s really good looking!  And SO modest and quiet spoken!  I was not expecting that.  Nelson is simply AMAZING.  Like Woodson, I have a lot of his back titles to go through.  The two that I have reviewed which he illustrated are Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford.  I had him sign Henry’s Freedom Box and We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball (book website) which he wrote and illustrated and received many accolades for.  I hope to review it soon!  Kadir Nelson website.

Another surprise was Judy Blundell, National Book Award author of What I Saw and  How I Lied.  I’ve had this book in my reading pile forever.  She was incredibly nice and I’m bumping that baby up to the top of the pile.  One of the questions I asked her was what it was like when she became a National Book Award winner.  She said when she got the call that she was nominated that she literally didn’t speak for a few minutes.  The people on the other end of the phone line thought she had passed out or something.  Excited to have met her.   Judy Blundell website.

How about all the authors I missed?!  I should have taken another photo of me and Laurie Halse Anderson to at least prove that I saw her again, but didn’t.  I attended her panel and afterwards she saw me and crossed the lobby to give me a hug hello.  The nicest woman ever.  So sad to realize Mary Pearson, author of The Adoration of Jenna Fox was there and I missed her.  One of my biggest disapointments was coming home and then realizing via Twitter that Jennie Nash, author of The Last Beach Bungalow and The Only True Genius in the Family, had signed.  I’ve reviewed both of her books and she’s done a guest post and an interview with me.  I would have loved to meet her.  SO SAD!

I missed Ingrid Law even though I brought two copies of Savvy from home for her to sign.  I missed her panel and couldn’t find her later. I did attend Kate DiCamillo’s panel, which was fantastic, but her line for signing was HUGE!  I also brought books from home as well but just lugged them on back unsigned.  Of Kate’s books I’ve reviewed Great Joy, The Tale of Desperaux, Tiger Rising, Because of Winn Dixie, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

I also attended a panel with Patrick Carmen and even asked a question.  His line for signing Skeleton Creek was pretty long (that’s him on the left) and I felt pretty weird approaching him without a book to sign (I didn’t want to rebuy  it when I already had it at home).  And of course, Eric Carle was mobbed.  No chance in meeting him without being in line hours before he showed.  Other authors that I would have LOVED to have met but didn’t were Jane Smiley, S.E. Hinton, Luis Alberto Urrea, Janet Fitch and Lisa See among others.  Watch for one final and last post where I recap the panels that I went to!

All in all, it was a wonderful time!  Authors are the best!!

If you had told me a year ago that I would be willing to shell out a couple hundred bucks and book a flight to go down to the LA Times Festival of Books with the intention of meeting people that I only “knew” online, I would have told you that you were crazy!  Not only meet them, but hang out with them all day, go out to dinner, and be picked up from the airport and put up for the night (thanks Trish!)!

While my parents thought it was totally awesome (this is coming from my mom who once put a pillow and pajamas in the car when she went to an overnight conference, made eye contact with another woman in a session and wha-la, she had somewhere to sleep!), my in-laws thought I was a bit strange to meet people that I have never met before.  They just wanted me to come back alive.  But let me tell you.  I truly felt like I knew these bloggers already and what was so fun is that their personalities are exactly what you thought they would be and there was never an awkward moment of silence.  Do you ever try to talk about books and blogging to your family and friends and they just get this confused look on their face?  These awesome ladies “get it.”  So nice to talk to people who understand.

Since I began blogging a year and a half ago, I had no idea that this “hobby” would take me to where it is now.  As a stay at home mom, I enjoy the connection that I am able to make with other readers.  I never imagined that I would call people that I only knew online, friends.  Because aren’t the people who do that, well . . . crazy?  But it’s true.  They are friends.  And it was a privilege to meet some of  them.  It makes me wish I could meet everybody!  Back in January, I hosted the Utah Book Bloggers meet-up, so I already knew how wonderful book bloggers are and so I was looking forward to doing the same with the book bloggers in southern California.

My new “IRL” friends are Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?, Amy from My Friend Amy, Lisa from Books on the Brain, Jill from Fizzy Thoughts, Ti from Book Chatter and Other Stuff . . . , Wendy from Musings of a Bookish Kitty, Tracy from Shelf Life and Florinda from The 3 R’s: Reading, ‘Riting and Randomness.

We had a great time chatting, attending panels, and going out to dinner (courtesy of TLC Book Tours – thanks gals!).

Taken a few minutes after we (Florinda and Wendy to catch up later) all met.  See how quickly we all cozy up?

Ti, Jill and Lisa hanging out:

Amy, Wendy, Wendy’s husband and Florinda looking cool:

Trish tweeting:

Jill and Florinda waiting for the panel to start:

Wendy and her husband:

Trish and Ti:

Amy and Florinda:

The whole gang (minus Tracy) enjoying dinner and blogging talk:

Me and Jill (blurry):

Jill and Trish:

Wendy and me taking photos:

After dinner:

TLC Book Tour Coordinators, Trish and Lisa:

Me and Lisa:

Florinda and me:

Ti and me:

Me and Jill:

Amy and Trish:

Amy and me (Amy looks adorable.  Me – I’ve got my eyes closed!):

Me and Trish:

Amy, me and Trish:

This is me, happy to be on the computer (and yes we couldn’t help tweeting each other even though we were in the same room):

Many of the photos are mine but many thanks to Ti, Lisa and Amy for letting me “lift” a few of theirs as well!

I plan on having two more posts about the LA Times Festival of Books in addition to my earlier vlog.  One on all the amazing authors I met and another to recap the panels that attended.  In the meantime, check out Jill’s posts (to FoB or not to FoB, Social Media Panel, Window on the World Panel, Intimate Strangers Panel, Borderlines Panel, S.E. Hinton Panel), Ti’s recap, Lisa’s recap, Trish posts the vlog we did together as well as her own vlog, Wendy’s recap,  Amy’s vlog, top ten list and recap, Tracy’s recap, Florinda’s recap.

As many of you know, I flew down to Los Angeles over the weekend to not only attend the LA Times Festival of Books but to also meet some amazing bloggers!  I had a BLAST and hope to share my experience with you in a series of blog posts and at least one video.  Tons of great books, great authors, great signings, and panels!  But to whet your appetite, Trish from Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’?, Amy from My Friend Amy and I made a short vlog to give you a sneak peak into the experience that we all had.

In addition to Trish and Amy, I also met up with Jill from Fizzy Thoughts, Lisa from Books on the Brain,  Ti from Book Chatter and other stuff, Wendy from Musings of a Bookish Kitty, Tracy from Shelf Life, and Florinda from  The 3 R’s: Reading, ‘Riting and Randomness.  It was a great group!  You can read Lisa’s, Ti’s and Tracy’s recap of the events for more bookish goodness to tide you over until I post more.  I’m in awe that they can blog about it so quickly!  I’m still recovering!

So in just a short week and a half, I’ll be heading from Salt Lake City down to Los Angeles for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  I will probably be the only one there crazy enough to fly in just for this event.  But how could I not go with halfway reasonable airfare and a slew of book bloggers willing to pick me up at the airport and put me up for the night?  This is seriously a great example of how online connections can turn into face to face connections.  This trip is purely for the fun of it and I can’t wait to go!  I’ll give a full report when it’s all said and done.

And as if that’s not enough, BookExpo America (BEA) is coming up at the end of May in New York City.  It’s  the largest expo in the industry and basically everybody is going to be there: authors, booksellers, publishers, the movers and shakers.  So I couldn’t quite believe it when I found myself online buying a plane ticket to New York City.   Crazy?   I’m totally crazy! I feel like a fish out of water.  I’ve never been to New York City!  Eeeek!  The whole thing feels surreal to me.

What I am super excited about is that book bloggers are becoming a recognized force in this industry and our influence is not being ignored.  I’m thrilled that there is a panel specifically to address the issues unique to book blogging!  From the mouth of Jennifer Hart, the panels moderator and organizer:

Book blogs are the new generators of word of mouth, advocates for publishers’ books and authors out in the world. As the world goes ever more digital (and as review pages and book sections in newspapers dwindle and disappear), you are the new tastemakers, and consumers are looking to you to tell them what books to buy and read. In addition, you’re providing new venues for our authors to present themselves, with Q&As and guest posts, etc. Publishers need to be working with you, as do booksellers, to sell more books and to find out what books people want to read.

What’s great is that book bloggers have been asked to be directly involved in this conversation!  Dawn from She is Too Fond of Books, Stephanie from The Written Word, Julie from Booking Mama, Beth from Beth Fish Reads, Amy from My Friend Amy and myself have been asked to be on this panel at BEA.  (!!!!!)  I seriously have no idea how I got my name on this list but I’m thrilled!  I can’t wait for BEA!

This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and share what you think needs to be talked about.  We will be meeting as a panel before BEA to discuss the direction and topics that we’d like to see covered, but we can’t do it without your help.  We won’t be up there discussing just our six blogs, but all book blogs.  After all, we are just a few representing so many.  We want to represent well.

So what I’d like to do here is to discuss which topics you think should be covered.  If you had an opportunity to sit in front of an audience of mainly booksellers and publishing industry folks, what would you discuss?  What would you like from from publishers and how can they work with book bloggers better?  And vice versa – what do publishers need from us?   Also, how can we can all work with booksellers, primarily indie booksellers, who are a big part of the BEA population?

I know you’ve all got great ideas and opinions, so let’s hear them!

Oh, Laurie Halse Anderson, how I love you.  Isn’t that a bit scary?  But I do.  My admiration and respect for you just went through the roof.  Last night was one of the funnest book-ish nights I’ve had.  A highlight for sure.  When I introduced myself as saying, “You might not recognize my name but I’m Natasha Maw,” you did immediately know who I was, broke out into a huge smile, didn’t hesitate to pull me into a tight, warm embrace as though we’ve been friends for years. You thanked me for writing such wonderful things about your books.  I could feel how genuine your statement was.  I thanked you for hugging me.  Seriously, I’d only been in your company for a couple of moments but I knew right then that you were indeed somebody very special.  Having moments like those makes this whole blogging thing worth it.

The more I watched you, the more I knew that not all authors have your talent for making whoever you were talking to feel like they were the only one in the room at that moment. I watched as you ran off for a piece of paper so you could write a note to a teenagers friend who had strep and had cried because she couldn’t come. I watched as you talked on a cell phone to a mother’s daughter because you knew it was important to that mother. I watched as that teenager almost cried as she told you that she had been abused and that Speak had made her speak out. I was touched as you got up to embrace her and tell her your own story. I saw several people who were starting to tear up after speaking with you as they turned away to leave.

You never stopped smiling and then after most of the crowd had filtered out and the hard core fans and local authors (including Sara Zarr, James Dashner, Emily Wing Smith, Ann Bowen, and others)  remained you spoke to us in such an intimate setting that I couldn’t stop thanking my lucky stars that I was there.  I loved as you talked about Wintergirls, Speak, your writing and the importance of literacy.

Thank you for your energy, your dedication, your passion, and your words. Truly an author who will always have a special place in my heart and my bookshelf.

(Now for those books of yours I haven’t read . . . well, I guess I better get reading!)

Watch for an upcoming post about the Laurie Halse Anderson book signing including a special video message just for the readers of the Maw Books Blog, video of Laurie talking about Wintergirls, Speak, literacy AND  The King’s English Bookshop is sponsoring a giveaway for a signed Wintergirls.  Seriously, don’t miss it.  In the meantime check out my book reviews of Wintergirls, Chains, and Speak.

I wanted to share with you my impressions about the reading prior to giving my book review because when I attended the reading I had not yet read the book.  So imagine not having read the book and getting a great teaser to incite you to read The 19th Wife.

Not having read anything by David Eberhoff or seeing a photo of him, I was expecting someone that was middle age with graying hair.  Imagine my surprise when David walked in and well, wow, he was young.  And not bad on the eyes!  I was totally taken off guard and was pleasantly surprised to find how genuine and sincere he was.  Looking at the notes I took, they are just short, quick phrases, so I hope that I can flesh this out a little.  If there any faults in my transcription, they are mine and not David’s.

David Ebershoff began by giving a brief introduction to the book.  About seven years ago, while talking with a professor of 19th Century history, he heard the phrase The 19th wife, which he admitted had him hooked as soon as he heard it.  It’s not often that the two words “nineteenth” and “wife” are put together.  It wasn’t until about three years later that he took that phrase and decided to get serious.  He spent one year researching polygamy, the current communities that practice it and the history of the LDS church and then spent another four years writing the book.

David then gave a quick background history about Ann Eliza Young, who was just a toddler when Brigham Young, the prophet of the LDS church spoke to her parents about plural marriage.  They were very devout in their faith.  Her father had two wives, and Ann Eliza felt that their home was happy.  But when she was twelve years old her father had a midlife crisis and married three women in just a month.  Later and now older, she married and three years and two children later divorced her husband.  Soon thereafter she married the prophet Brigham Young and became his 19th wife.  She later divorced him and left the church and went on to become one of the largest forces in anti-polygamy laws.

The second storyline in The 19th Wife is that of Jordan Scott, which is set in  the here and now.  He is the son of a 19th wife in a community in Southern Utah who years earlier was kicked out.  Now living in California he returns when he finds out that his mother has murdered his father. The second storyline is that of a murder mystery.  There are in essence two 19th wives in the book, which I hadn’t known before.  I was interested to see how we would connect these two stories.

David Ebershoff went on to read 4-6 passages from the book.  I enjoyed his reading, he was a great narrator.  I soon began to wonder what exactly was fiction and what was real.  How much liberty did he take with the story?  During the question and answer period he clarified that all of the documents in the book are fiction although they are set up to look real.  I hadn’t read the book yet, but now that I have, I can easily see that they are.  But I can see how people could get easily confused.  I took his comments to mean that he took many liberties with the characters, their thoughts, conversations, and personalities.  The 19th Wife while based upon historical events and persons, is neither a memoir, biography, or history book.  It’s a story.  This made me wonder exactly how did he portray the early Latter-Day Saint pioneers and their leaders.  I was curious to find out.  It’s always risky to write about people that are either beloved among many and also hated among many.  You’ll hear my thoughts on my reaction in my book review tomorrow.

David Ebershoff explained that he used many different narrators because there is no one single perspective on the issue of polygamy.  Ask six different people their opinion and get six different answers.  Polygamy gets everybody all riled up because it asks this question:  What are the limits to your rights?  And who gets to make them?

When asked why a murder mystery, he said that faith is a mystery.  A mystery of God’s will.  Within the genre of mystery, a crime has to be solved.  (not sure what my next scribblings mean – solver, arrow up, arrow down, arrow sideways, society – hmm . . . )

After the Q & A and reading, David Ebershoff was able to chat and sign books.  It was a pleasure to meet him and he was one heck of a nice guy.

So after taking in all of the evening, not yet opening my book, and being familiar with the faith and history of the LDS church, I was really, really curious to see what I thought of the book.  I’ll share that with you tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

David Ebershoff’s website, great Q & A with the author.

Stephenie Meyer links found on this blog:

Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun Put On Hold After Illegal Copy Distribution
Twilight & Harry Potter Both Change Movie Release Dates
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer Book Review
The Host by Stephenie Meyer Book Review
Breaking Dawn Book Cover Released
The New Twilight Movie Trailer
The First Completed Scene of Twlight Released
Thoughts on Attending Stephenie Meyer’s Book Signing
Twilight Movie Trailer