New York Times Review of Books Ad!!!

rainy, cool, temps 15

Fall day - grey and cool - damp into the bones. But has the advantage of being completely natural for this time of year.

We're back in Sutton - feels great to be home...or at least the country home. But had a very fun day. As some of you noticed, my fabulous publishers, Minotaur Books, put a full page, colour ad in today's New York Times Review of Books!!!!

It looks unbelievable. Dazzling! How wonderful is this?

As most of you know, I this is a huge step forward in terms of exposure for the Chief Inspector Gamache books. And it feels fantastic. I'm so proud of THE BRUTAL TELLING. It's not a book I just dashed off (actually, none of them is) - it took well over a year of thinking, planning, writing and editing.

But still, I don't think anyone expects this sort of reception. I sure didn't... and I am deeply, deeply thrilled...and deeply aware of how fortunate I am.

And very grateful to all of you for buying the books, many of you from the very beginning, and telling others about them. None of this happens without your help. I know that...and very aware of it.

Thank you for this amazing time in my life. No matter what happens, I've had this past week and will remember it always.

Yay!!!

Had breakfast this morning with Francine Pelletier and her partner David Sherman. among other things, they produce documentries and they've asked if Michael and I will be part of their latest, on people's relationship with alcohol. We met at Nick's and immediately hit it off. Fascinating people. Successful people. I often expect people like that to be cynical, with an edge. Sarcastic and caustic. But they were anything but. Warm and comfortable, thoughtful. Intelligent. It was a terrific time.

Left them with just enough time to zip home, change into our "sunday best" and head off to the United Church at Landsdown and the Boulevard, in Montreal. We were meeting Bal, Linda and their daughter Bethany. Bethany's in a terrific band at the church called TM2, and they were performing at the 11am service. We'd said we wanted to hear bethany, and this was our chance.

She was brilliant. She has a full, rich, voice. Surprising in it's strength and very beautiful.

Indeed the whole service was beautiful - the focus was saving the earth. Not frightening, but reassuring - that we can do it. But must act.

We were supposed to then have lunch with Bal, Linda and Bethany, but Linda and Bal are sick with colds, so we've taken a 'rain-check'.

Got home by 3:30, got some groceries, played with Trudy...so happy to see her again!! Watched the last of the golf...yay Phil Mickleson! And am now writing to you.

A perfect day! A full page ad in the NYTRB!!! Breakfast with fascinating people!!! A church service and hearing Bethany sing!!! Then home safe and sound.

Hope those of you who have THE BRUTAL TELLING are enjoying it. And please, tell others about it!!! It really would be great to push this one over the top.

thank you for all you've done for me already!! Hope you also had a great weekend.