Joplin Meet Up

The Second Annual Joplin Meet Up in Joplin, Missouri is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29th. We will meet at the Changing Hands Book Shoppe at 10am (their opening time) the same as last year. I hope to see many of you there!

The bookstore's address is 528 S Virginia Ave. Because of the devastating tornado that hit Joplin this year, I am sure that our dollars would be appreciated in supporting the local economy. (I may even have to go over my 10 book buying limit for the year, but do not tell Linda!)

Hi Stasia, I wouldn't miss it for the world. A chance to buy books and boost the local economy sounds good to me. That, and catching up with everybody! I hope Nancy comes with me again this year.

I hope Nancy is able to make it too! I am glad to see that you will be able to come. Terri Loeffler and I will be rooming together this year, just like last, so I know she will be there as well. It will be wonderful to see everyone again!

Wish I could be there, but I'll be packing to fly to Florida on that Thursday for my cruise.

I wish I could be there. Have a great time and take lots of pictures!

I'd love to go! And it would only be 2-1/2 hours for me, so quite doable. But that window between Thanksgiving and Christ-mas doesn't work for me. Do you all ever meet during different time frames?

#6: The Joplin meet up is only during the week after Thanksgiving, but there was a meet up in Kansas City earlier in the year, so if another one of those is held, perhaps you could make that one?

Oh, I am so tempted to make a little road trip! I will have to see how things pan out, as our office is moving locations that week and it might be difficult to take time off. But I would really like to meet some LT friends in person!

I hope you can make it, Katie!

It would be so cool to meet you in person, Katie. I hope it works out for you... and us!

Planning to be there. Can't wait to see everyone again.

Over-ridden! My mother (also an avid reader, but technologically illiterate so not an LTer) wants to go. So hubs says, "This is what we moved here for, so you can spend more time with your folks in their old age. You have to GO!"

Really looking forward to it! So add two more acceptances!

Woo Hoo! I am glad Sandy and Cindy are planning on being there too!

Stasia's doing a dance. . .

I'm here! And I'll be there! Even though I begged for a Monday/Wednesday teaching stint this term, he gave me Tuesday/Thursday. So I told him he'd just have to cover for me on the 29th because I would not be there. And I might even make it down earlier on Monday! So keep me posted about when you're heading up, Stasia!

And I'm excited to see all the rest of you again!

I am taking the Sunday night off so that I can be up bright and early Monday to head to Joplin. I am very excited about seeing everyone again!

Is it too early to start counting down the days to Joplin? . . .

oh, you guys are so sweet!
Never too early to start counting sleeps....
obviously I cant make it... :)

I will come if I can get caught up on work after Thanksgiving. The end of the month is my busiest time. But I would love to see everyone!

I hope you can make it, BJ!

15 days and counting. . .Two weeks from today I will already be on my way. . .Anyone want to try and meet up that evening in Joplin? I am free until Terri shows up at 2am :)

Stasia
I know you need some rest, relaxation and a chance to re connect with your friends. How I wish I could be there! Pictures, please, please post photos everyone!

As long as I am not in them. . .

I will meet up for dinner with you Monday night! I have a haircut appointment and can't leave till noon, but I'll be there for dinner!

I thought you could not be in Joplin until 2am, Terri. I will be happy for the company - and so convenient since we are sharing a hotel room! :)

Stasia, I haven't looked at maps, yet. Did you find a hotel nearby to the meet-up location?

Stasia, I told him if he scheduled me on Tues/Thurs this time, he'd have to cover for me on that Tuesday, and that was the choice he made, and I had taken Monday off my day job to sleep (in case I had to start driving at 10pm!), so now I'm free!

#25: Cindy, Terri and I will be staying at the Baymont Inn & Suites. It is not far from the bookstore. There may be another hotel closer, I am not sure.

#26: Woot! Cool beans. Katie may be coming in later that evening too, but she has to work half a day Monday, so it would probably be around 8pm or so. I am sure we can find a way to hang out with her for a bit Monday night too, should that be the case.

11 days and counting!

Hi Everyone!

Donna's been telling me that I can wait 'til the last minute to decide if I'm coming to the Joplin Meet-Up this year, but I knew once I found this thread (which I just did 5 minutes ago), I'd want to go, too -- so I'll be there! Can't wait to see everyone from last year and also make some new LT friends! I've been dealing with a broken foot for the last three months -- same foot, two consecutive breaks, but two different bones; the second break coming just one week after the first one healed. I should be in-between breaks, although I may have to walk slow, but that's doable, right?! ;-) So I'll see you all in Joplin!

Remember that the rest of us are going to want stories, pictures etc again.

Nancy, so glad you will make it. Can't wait to see you again.

Linda, what happens in Joplin stays in Joplin. Sorry. :-)

Only 10 more shopping days until Joplin!

Nancy, sorry to hear about the foot problems, but I am very glad to hear that you will be joining us again!

Nancy, how fast do you have to move to peruse bookshelves? Not very, I think! You'll be fine. We'll carry you if we have to.

Don't worry, Terri -- I don't think you'll have to carry me! Just keep your fingers crossed that I don't break this foot for the *third* time before the big day arrives! ;-) But, you know....there's always the wheelchair option!

#31: I wish I could come too! Please take pictures for me, Mom!

9 days and counting. . .

I am sure there will be pictures aplenty, Catey!

Oh, and Nancy - if you do have to use a wheelchair, I am an expert driver!

Thanks, Stasia! Good to know! :-)

Not a very good map-reader, though.....

#37: You did not have a map! I am not taking the blame for you not getting GPS :)

Less than a week until Joplin!!

I am not going to make it to Joplin next week :( There's just too much going on for me to take even a lunch break, much less more than a day off. I hope y'all have a fabulous time, take lots of pictures (with Stasia in them!), and I will plan to be there next year. Oh, and buys lots of books!!

I'm sorry I won't get to meet you "for real", Katie. Hope to see you in Joplin next year!

Thanks, Nancy. I'm sorry too!

Ah, Katie. I am disappointed for you - and us! I hope you can make it next year!

OK, last night of work (I am taking tomorrow off) and I hope it is a quick one! I am ready to be on the road, lol.

Have a safe trip, Stasia. Nancy and I will see you and the rest of the book gang on Tuesday morning. It looks like we're going to have cold but clear weather.

Katie, you will be missed. :-(

Terri and I will both be in Joplin Monday, Donna. I am hoping we all have as good a time this year as we did last!

I'm not hoping--I'm anticipating! See you tomorrow, Stasia! (doesn't that sound great???)

Safe traveling, everyone, and take lots of pictures!

I'm just tormenting myself by checking in on this thread.... Have a great time, ladies!

Hope everyone has a safe trip!!! And like Linda said, pictures and stories!!!

#47: Yes, it does sound great, Terri!

Oh how I wish I could be there!!!
Have a lovely, lovely time.

I know you will all have a great time! There are a lot of us that will be with you in spirit.

Although I am behind on work, I am going to try really hard to make the trip to Joplin. I will say that I am probable.

Joplin, Joplin here I come. . .

>54 billiejean:: Yay! BJ is "probable" -- that's a YES in my book. Lol.

Safe driving to everyone. We're coming from four different states!

I wonder how many miles we'll be driving. Springfield is about 75 miles from Joplin. Stasia and Terri probably have the longest distances to travel with Brenda coming in a close third. The only prize, however, is meeting up with the other NINE of your fellow readers. Can't wait!

Sandy and I just made our arrangements for meeting to drive down . . . Getting excited!
See you all TOMORROW.

I am already ensconced in Joplin and expecting Terri any minute. Whatever is taking her so long?

Stasia, you and Terri have a wonderful evening - looking forward to seeing everyone in the morning.

>58 alcottacre:. Can we assume Terri is lost since you are not with her to navigate?

#60 How lost can she be? All she has to do is turn left at the Kansas line. She'll get there eventually. I hope.

The Joplin meet-up was a fun time for all! Books, book talk, good food, more book talk.... good times!

My pictures are not great nor plentiful. Others had cameras so maybe there will be sharper pics posted later.



Our group photo graciously taken by the Changing Hands Book Shoppe owner.

Standing, from left to right: Cindy (countrylife), Cindy's mother Janice (fighting over my quilts) -- love that handle! -- Terri (tloeffler), Donna (Donna828), Mike (mldavis2), BJ (billiejean), Stasia (alcottacre) -- does not like to have her picture taken!-- Sandy, (sjmccreary).
Sitting: Nancy (Nancy618), Brenda (Brenpike).

My camera seems to be touchy about focusing today. Unfortunately, this may be the only one of all of us gathered around the table at The Red Onion.

On left side of table that's me (Donna) in front, Nancy (both from Springfield, MO), Brenda (Lawrence, KS), Sandy (Lee's Summit, MO).
From far end of right side: Cindy and Janice (from Tulsa area), Terri (St. Charles, MO), Stasia (Sherman, TX), and Mike (Neosho, MO.

BJ (from Tulsa) had to get back to work and couldn't stay for lunch.

Four states represented at our little meet-up. We're planning on doing it annually around this time of year. Mark your calendars for next year!

One more picture that speaks for itself!



I'll let everyone else report on the books they bought. Mine is one of the short stacks:
28 Barbary Lane by Armistead Maupin.
Marking the Sparrow's Fall - Wallace Stegner
Traveling with Pomegranates - Sue Monk Kidd
Short Stories - Edith Wharton.

We did our best to bolster the Joplin economy after the devastating tornado six months ago.

Sounds like it was fun, once again. Awwww, I wish I could make it down there. Was there any tornado damage near the bookstore?

I mentioned at the meeting that it was very quiet on the Missouri Readers forum. Now I know why ... everyone's over here. Just joined this group to keep up. I think you guys spend more time on LT than reading. :-)

Looks like you all had a great meet-up.

Oh, What great photos. How exciting that so many were able to attend.

I will be there next year!

It looks WONDERFUL!!! You're all beautiful! I'm equal parts envious and delighted for the ten of you. What fun!
---- now if only I could read all those titles!
Thank you for the pics, Donna.

I TOLD Stasia that I was running behind, and I was here by 6:00! Why's everybody always pickin' on me???

We did have a great time today. It was awesome to see everyone. The owners told Stasia & I that they were both down with colds today, and when they saw us all come in, they started to despair, until they realized who we were, and that they wouldn't have to be running around helping us because they knew we were low-maintenance! They also thanked us for shoring up the Joplin economy!

Good times with good friends! Doesn't get any better than this.

Oh, I love the idea of an acquisitions photo! And it's always nice to see the group shots, of course.

Great pics! Looks like a good time.

What a fun day! Starting at 7:30 am when Brenda and I met up south of KC to ride together to Joplin - the fastest trip I've ever made downstate, thanks to the interesting and lively conversation in the car.

My treasures:
A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Indecent Exposure by Tom Sharpe
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte
and, for my husband, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, which he seemed very pleased with

Already looking forward to next year.

It really was a great day -- even better than last year! But it went by waaaay too fast! And I have to second what Terri said...."Good times with good friends. Doesn't get any better than this!" Can't wait to see all of you next year -- or maybe sooner. Who knows?! ;-)

What fun! Looks like you all had a great time - and nabbed some good books! I've made note of the Tuesday after Thanksgiving for next year :)

Looks like a fun get-together! I'm another one wishing I could've joined you.

Glad everyone had a good time!!! Thanks for sharing the pictures!! I love pictures as much as I love books!!!

Well, I wasn't going to go due to taking too much Thanksgiving holiday, but I am so glad that I did!
Of course, I bought too many books. But all for a good cause, right?

Here is my stack:

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
A Most Wanted Man by John le Carre
Rebels: The Irish Rising of 1916 by Peter de Rosa
Call for the Dead by John le Carre
Decision at Sea by Craig L. Symonds
The Law of Love by Laura Esquivel
The Prodigal Spy by Joseph Kanon
Ayala's Angel by Anthony Trollope
The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki (This is just Part One)
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Demian by Hermann Hesse
Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
Nana by Emile Zola
Ice Trap by Kitty Sewell
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

So, I don't think I have room for them. I guess I need to read and trade them in next year for more books.

I managed to restrict my impulses and limited my stash to four:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (no, never read this one so many years ago)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (you can tell how few I've read recently)
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

But then, I'm in Changing Hands bookstore more often than once a year.

It's fun to see the different book lists. I did my best to sneak a peek at all the books on the table but I got busted for snooping!

I used Nancy's picture for Message 61. I think everyone is smiling in this one - except for our shy member Stasia who questioned the "rule" that pictures must be taken. ;-)

>78 billiejean:: You may take the prize for most books purchased, BJ. However, I think Terri and Stasia spent more time in the bookstore after lunch. Fess up, ladies!

>79 mldavis2:: I haven't read Fahrenheit 451 either, Mike. I guess you saw it before I did. All is fair in love and books!

I was a fairly good girl this year. I only bought 4 more when we went back. Here's my total haul:

The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos
The African Queen by C. S. Forester
The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Lost Laysen by Margaret Mitchell
Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
Crippen: A Novel by John Boyne
The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
A Dove of the East and Other Stories by Mark Helprin
Wicked Joplin by Larry Wood
100 Unique Eats and Eateries in Missouri by Ann Hazelwood (a signed copy, no less!)
The Mammoth Book of More Historical Whodunnits edited by Mike Ashley
Myths to Live By by Joseph Campbell

So BJ still wins, but dang it, how did you beat me to that copy of Cranford??

I only took a few pictures, but they're the same as Donna's. Stasia & I spent the morning in the Joplin Museum Complex, in the Mineral Museum and the Dorothea Hoover Historical Museum. Fun!

I kept to my promise not to go over 10 books for the year, so I stuck to the 5 more I was allowed. Here is what I got:

The Haunted Land by Tina Rosenberg
The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
The Merry Heart by Robertson Davies
The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett
Her Majesty's Spymaster by Stephen Budiansky

What a great time we had! I was so glad to see some new faces this year - not that the old ones are bad, mind you - and hope to see even more next year!

Thanks so much for sharing the pictures and book lists. I am green with envy and so glad you all got to meet again! What a great group!

I love LT meet-ups . . . what a fun day!

My purchases:
On the Origin of the Species Charles Darwin
A Death in Belmont Sebastian Junger
Speciman Days Michael Cunningham
The Woman Warrior Maxine Hong Kingston
Dressing Up for the Carnival Carol Shields
Flesh and Blood Michael Cunningham
The Madonnas of Leningrad Debra Dean
The Year of Magical Thinking Joan Didion
Hotel du Lac Anita Brookner
Empire Falls Richard Russo
Enemy Women Paulette Jiles
Leaves of Grass Walt Whitman
Christmas Carols: Complete Verses Ed. Shane Weller

And, "Settlers of Catan, Traders and Barbarians edition"
(game) for Christmas gift giving. : )

Looking forward to Joplin 2012 !

Oh thank you all so far for the book lists. I love seeing old favorites and new titles to research! I'm always, always interested to see what other people are reading. Oh. Right. That's why I'm here.

Maybe I shouldn't have published my list. How embarrassing that I bought too many!

Guess it's time I put my list up -- I think I'm the last one! And don't be embarrassed, BJ -- I think it's more embarrassing that I bought too few! :-0

Here's what I bought:

The Brothers K by {David James Duncan}
All Mortal Flesh by {Julia Spencer-Fleming}
Blood Memory by {Greg Iles}

Not much -- but there's always next year! JOPLIN 2012!!

I'm afraid I'd have bought much more, if I'd ever been able to get down that one fiction aisle. Thankfully, it was always full of LTers, so it saved my pocketbook. Wish I'd thought to get a picture of that; it was a sight to see!

My haul:
Hogan, Curt Sampson (for the hubs)
Beyond Coincidence, Martin Plimmer (for the 15 year old scifi-fan son)
Fringe Girl, Valerie Frankel (for the 17 year old daughter)
Cooking Outside the Pizza Box, Jean Patterson (for the 21 year old daughter at college)
Red, White, and Drunk All Over, a Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass, Natalie MacLean (for the 25 y.o. son)
And TWO for me!
Salt, Mark Kurlansky
A Christmas Journey, Anne Perry

And I see that at least three of those fit December TIOLIs, should I manage to get to them in time.

My wonderful husband gave me my Christ-mas gift early, so I took my new camera with me. Anxious to see how the pictures look on here. The whole group:

The wonderful lunch place. It was worth the wait! The Red Onion Cafe:


The view from my side of the table:

Great food; great table mates; great fun.

Thank you for making your meet-up open to all. I'm so glad I got to go and hope to do it again next year. I really enjoyed meeting you all in real life!

What fun. It's been too long since I was at an LT meet-up. They are the best.

>91 laytonwoman3rd:: Yes, they are the best, Linda. Be sure and put Joplin on your calendar for next year.

>89 countrylife:, 90: You are now the official group photographer, Cindy!!! I'm trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing at my end of the table... sneezing? chowing down on that wonderful chicken salad? trying to get the camera ready to take the other side of the table? I think it's the last one. Too bad my picture didn't turn out.

Those were great pictures. I'm glad you got your Christmas gift early -- and I'm sorry that we hogged the fiction aisle!

I don't know about making it to Missouri, Donna. But I rule nothing out!

Love the photos, and the books! Should we keep track of which books make it to the lists of 75?

#94 Since I still haven't read most of the books from Joplin 2010, that might be a long wait!

I think it was Stasia who suggested that we just list all the books purchased and let everyone guess who bought what.

To Cindy and Donna and Nancy - thanks for the great photos!

Everyone needs to make the Joplin meet up next year! No excuses accepted, lol.

I'm so glad everyone had such a wonderful time. Thanks again for the photos.

I agree! It's so nice to see LTer's unite for books and nurishment. Glad you had had a good time and thanks for sharing the pictures!

#98: Hey, Lynda - you need to come down for the meet up next year. Joplin is not too far from Ohio, right? :)