Booktopia in Boulder, Colo. May 2014

I was able to register and I have seen one or two other Library Thingers have registered. Anyone else? Who is on the waiting list?

I think a really big Library Thing meet-up would be so fun to do. What ideas do the rest of you have?

Karen, I will be at Booktopia Boulder, and would love to have an LT meetup? I think there are at least a half dozen of us going.

I need to get my brain organized to check out the cost of airline ticket, hotel room, make reservations, etc. Where will you be staying? Send me a PM if you'd rather.

I need some push to get this done! Maybe the day after Christmas.....

I'm driving in from Iowa, planning to arrive on Thursday and leave on Sunday. I'm staying at the Hotel Boulderado, which is apparently in close proximity to everything. That's important for me because a lot of walking and standing are not possible for me due to my wonky hip. So far all I've done is make the hotel reservation.

I posted a note on my thread with a link back here for other folks who are also going. I know lots of people are totally consumed with Christmas plans and activities right now, but hopefully we can get a good discussion going once the holidays are over.

I forgot about this thread. Let's get to chatting. Now the authors are declared.

The authors have been announced! Did everyone get the email? Unfortunately they don't seem to have updated the webpage yet, but here's the list from the email:

Justin Go, THE STEADY RUNNING OF THE HOUR (on sale April 15th, 2014) - Justin Go attended the University of California at Berkeley, where he graduated with a BA in history and art history. He also holds an MA in English from University College London. He has lived in Tokyo, Paris, London, New York City, and Berlin. Booklist called his debut novel The Steady Running of the Hour “…a remarkable work.”

Peter Heller , THE PAINTER (on sale May 6th, 2014)- The bestselling author of The Dog Stars returns to Booktopia to discuss his new novel, The Painter. Peter holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop in both fiction and poetry. An award-winning adventure writer and longtime contributor to NPR, Heller is a contributing editor at Outside magazine, Men's Journal, and National Geographic Adventure, and a regular contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek.

Kristi Helvig, BURN OUT (on sale April 8th, 2014) – We’re thrilled to welcome our first author of Young Adult books to Booktopia! Kristi Helvig is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author, whose first novel, Burn Out, has already been praised by many writers in the YA community. She lives in Colorado with her husband, two children, and the family dogs. She blogs at kristihelvig.com

Colin McAdam, A BEAUTIFUL TRUTH (available now in hardcover; trade paperback will be available May 13th, 2014) – Colin’s previous novels have been nominated for several literary awards including the Governor General's Literary Award, the Rogers Writers' Trust Award, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize. His newest novel, A Beautiful Truth explores the world of human/chimp interactions. A portion of this book's proceeds benefits Save the Chimps, the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary.

Jonathan Miles, WANT NOT (available now in hardcover; trade paperback will be available May 13th, 2014) – Jonathan’s first novel, Dear American Airlines, was named a New York Times Notable Book and a Best Book of the Year by the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal. A former longtime resident of Oxford, Mississippi, he currently lives with his family in rural New Jersey. His new novel, Want Not, has been praised by Dave Eggers, Entertainment Weekly, and the Washington Post’s Ron Charles, among many others.

TaraShea Nesbit, THE WIVES OF LOST ALAMOS (on sale February 25th, 2014) – TaraShea’s writing has been featured in the Iowa Review, Quarterly West, and other literary journals. She teaches creative writing and literature courses at the University of Denver and the University of Washington in Tacoma and is the nonfiction editor of Better: Culture & Lit. Her debut novel, The Wives of Los Alamos, was called “Hypnotic and filled with elegiac details” by Booktopia author alum Madeline Miller.

I did get the email and I purchased 3 for starters. Justin Go's The Steady Running of the Hour will be released in April, and I bought copy for my Kindle. I'm going to wait and think about The Painter and Burn Out. I purchased for the Kindle McAdam's A Beautiful Truth and think I should be able to read this right away. I'm going to wait and see about Want Not. As much as I love to laugh, most modern literary humor does not seem to hit my funny bone. I did buy The Wives of Los Alamos, again for the Kindle, because I love a good historical novel.

We shall see. What are you thinking of buying sooner, rather than later?

I loved Heller's Dog Stars, so I will probably buy his new one. The others I've never heard of so I need to find out more about them. I'm sure they will all be interesting to speak to, but I wish I knew more than one of them.

So who else do you know who is a Library Thing person and going to Boulder?

>9 maggie1944:: Me! I'm going! Thanks for starting this thread, Karen. I'll be staying in Littleton with my son and commuting each day. Joanne and I may drive up together if our timing works out.

Donna, that sounds like it will be a treat to visit your son and get to do Booktopia.

Yes, Karen, It is always a treat to visit my newest granddaughter, Hope. I spent a week with her and her parents n early January and will go back again late in March and then once more in mid-May. The timing was perfect for Booktopia. I'm looking forward to meeting more book lovers, especially of the LT variety.

Peter Heller and Jonathan Miles are the only authors coming that I'm familiar with. Like Julia, I loved The Dog Stars. I haven't heard anything about his new book. I just reserved Fall, an older book by Colin McAdam; Want Not by Miles, and The Wives of Los Alamos (on order) at my local library. I thought it was interesting that we will meet two debut authors.

Besides Donna and Joanne (coppers), I know Katie (katiekrug) is coming as well.

It sounds as if it will be a great meet-up as well as a wonderful booktopia!

I'm here!! I think I actually squealed with excitement when I saw the email in my inbox :) I am only familiar with Peter Heller but have looked up the others and several have a lot of appeal. In the cases where the book isn't coming out until April or May, I am planning to read an earlier work (if there is one).

I'm staying in Boulder but not at the Boulderado because my husband is coming with me and that place would drive him crazy :) But he's promised to serve as my faithful chauffeur to and from the events each day and to not complain if I stay out late chatting with all you fine people!

Your husband is a prince, Katie! I'm glad I'm not the only one unfamiliar with most of the authors. Of course, this could be the start of a beautiful reading relationship with one or more of them.

I do have a room at the Boulderado and so if people need a spot to freshen up between sessions I am sure I can make my space available to all good LibraryThingers!

>17 maggie1944:: That is very kind of you, Karen. We day-trippers may take you up on that! I think Janet (streamsong) is high on the waiting list and Mary (storeetller) mentioned at one time signing up for the waiting list. She lives in Aurora, CO, another suburb of Denver.

I have a copy of Dear American Airlines and haven't read it yet. That one should be cheap to get a used copy since the new book won't be released until April.

I'm not going as this is the wrong time of the year for me, but I know you guys will have fun. I will keep this thread stared and check in with you.

I know Karen has been to a Booktopia (Bellingham, WA). Have any of the rest of you been to one?

I attended the one in Oxford, MS two years ago and had paid the registration to Bellingham. Due to a mixup with a co-worker over vacation times I had to forfeit my registration fee and did not get to attend Bellingham. I was not a happy camper. The Booktopia's this year are at the wrong time of year for me. Boulder is right at the end of the semester and the one in Asheville is right at the beginning of the semester. Oh woe is me! I want to go!

I think perhaps you need to coordinate your work schedule with Booktopia before you agree to continue in your present position. I imagine your employers will be very willing to work with you in order to keep your talented self with their endeavors. You think?

Yes, I'm guessing that I'm high on the waiting list. We'll see!

Thanks for posting the list of authors and their upcoming books. I didn't get the email. Perhaps it went to registered participants first?

Any idea how many sessions you'll be allowed to register for?

I think I'll try a few of the back-list books from the library - it looks like I can get a copy of The Dog Stars through inter-library loan. I'm also wondering about finally reading We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves before reading Colin McAdam's, A Beautiful Truth.

I think it's a shame that a couple of these won't be very available before Booktopia! In Bellingham, I enjoyed the author sessions much more for the authors that I had read.

ETA--typos, typos!

I've got my fingers crossed that you will get in, streamsong! I bet they only sent the email to the registered folks first, but I'm surprised they still haven't added the list of authors to the Booktopia Boulder website yet.

I've never been to a Booktopia before, so I don't know how many sessions we can register for, or how that happens, exactly. How did it work in Bellingham?

I really liked The Dog Stars when I read it. I am also a bit disappointed that several of the books are unavailable except in expensive hardcover right now, or not available at all until just before Booktopia.

I think we were allowed to sign up for 4 or 5 sessions. I think I was picky because I had my dog with me and had to do some dog walking. But I know I loved the sessions where I'd read the book before I went to the session.

So, hey, May is here, and so is Booktopia. Unfortunately, I won't be going (I'll be in the middle of moving), but I would be interested in a meetup, if there'll be time while everyone's in Boulder.

I had totally forgotten about this thread. Thanks for posting, Mary, so it moved to the top of my starred list!

I had mentioned to a couple people doing dinner on Friday (May 16) evening. There is a welcome reception until 7pm, so after that ends. There is no shortage of places to eat, but I will look for something within easy walking distance and report back. Donna said she was interested - I know she's staying somewhere between Boulder and Denver, and Julia and I have already committed to eating and drinking our way through Boulder together, so I'm sure she's in. I meant to leave a message on Joanne's thread, and one on Anne's, as well, since I thought she might be able to come down for a dinner meet-up :)

Hey to all the Booktopia Peeps! If I recall correctly, Saturday night's author event is open to the public. Does that sound right? If so, perhaps Mary and Anne would enjoy attending to get a little taste of Booktopia. Right now, I'm up for just about anything.

I am looking forward to our mini meetup and to learning the Booktopia ropes together. I think Karen is our only veteran. She can be our leader!

I am definitely up for any and all of the suggestions above. I plan to arrive mid-afternoon on Thursday if all goes well. Friday dinner sounds good after the reception, but I'm open to other times if they work better. Thanks, Katie, for doing the research on possible restaurants. I should mention that I have arranged for the rental of a mobility scooter for the time that I am in Boulder, which vastly expands the range of "walking distance" places that I can get to. Assuming that you all don't mind hoofing it next to someone on wheels. :-)

I am excited, too. I will come back tomorrow with more information about when I'm arriving, etc. I'd sure like to join the group for dinner on Friday.

I'm working on finishing The Steady Running of the Hour and call it excellent!

>26 Donna828: - Donna, I am not sure about the Saturday night event. It would be nice if it were open to the public. I don't care either way if we do Friday or Saturday night so let's see if we get any feedback from others. Otherwise, I'll just be bossy and make an executive decision ;-)

>27 rosalita: - Hoofing it? If you've got a scooter, I'm riding on back!

>28 maggie1944: - Oh, dear, Karen, I fear we have a difference of opinion on that Go book. I couldn't finish it. But that's okay. Donna and I didn't agree on Want Not by Jonathan Miles!

Well, has anyone read The Wives of Los Alamos yet? I have some opinions about that one, too.

Karen, I have been a very bad Booktopian and have not read any of the books (other than The Dog Stars which I read last year and loved). I was disappointed in the author list for Boulder when it was announced and am counting on meeting all of you lovely LT peeps to compensate for the lack of firepower with your own shenanigans and miscellaneous adventures.

>30 maggie1944: - I had The Wives of Los Alamos out from the library but returned it unread. How did you find the plural "we" narration? I was afraid it would drive me batty! I will read The Dog Stars before Booktopia, as well as his new one which sounds excellent. I randomly got an email from Amazon today with an offer to pre-order The Painter in hardcover for 76% off! I got it for $8 with tax or something like that and it will be delivered on its release day (next Tuesday). Talk about good timing all around!

#31
Don't let the lack of high profile authors deter you. I found lots of interesting authors at the Booktopia event in Oxford, Mississippi two years ago and there wasn't one famous name among those attended. I had a great time with the other readers as well. This should be a great weekend for you that won't over tax anybody who attends. It is just great to be with other readers and writers, not to mention going to a great book store.

I would also encourage you to participate in the Yankee Swap. It was great fun.

I will make myself available either night for dinner, as I am so looking forward to meeting everyone (including seeing Joanne and Donna again, and maybe hopefully Anne)! Putting both dates on my calendar until the decision (consensual or executive) has been made.

>33 benitastrnad: Thanks for the advice, but it isn't their lack of profile that concerns me. It's the fact that none of their books sound in the least bit appealing to me, or at all the kind of books I like to read. I'd love to "discover" a new favorite, but I don't think it's going to be among this group. Obviously if having an affinity for the authors was a prerequisite I would never have signed up, since you don't find out who is going to be there until after you've forked over $50. It would have been nice if the authors had been of interest to me, but that's not why I'm going.

Regarding "Wives", I hated the style.

Hey there's a thread for Boulder Booktopia!!

So I'll be day tripping... (Note to self, take CSU magnet off car before driving to Boulder, home of CU.)... and will be there Friday afternoon/evening and then back late morning Saturday through that evening.

I don't think I can join you all for dinner after the reception on Friday night but would love to on Saturday between the individual sessions and the later one that runs from 6:30-9pm. (I figure you'll all need to eat on Saturday, too, right? :)

I also snagged the latest Heller book on Amazon today at 76% off. I was going to buy it at the Boulder Bookstore but how could I resist that price? Evil Ammy. I'm sure I'll find something else to buy!

Speaking of the Yankee swap, that's the kind of thing I tend to overthink and worry about...do we buy something or grab one from our shelves to trade? I've got a few I could part with...

I'm so looking forward to meeting you all! And seeing Donna and hopefully Mary and Anne again!

I'll plan to be there on Saturday 5/17 wherever and whatever time you say, okay?

>38 Storeetllr: Oh good!

I was going to ask if you wanted to car pool at all either day but I wasn't sure how much time you wanted to spend up there. I know you have your hands full this month. I'll extend the offer anyway and PM you in the next few days.

>39 Copperskye: Thanks, Joanne! I'll be working at the bird sanctuary that morning, so I won't be able to carpool out to Boulder with you. If Anne is able to make it, perhaps she and I can drive up together mid- to late-afternoon. Just need to know what time you all want to meet.

>37 Copperskye: I am so with you on the Yankee Swap, Joanne! I certainly have a bazillion books on the shelves to get rid of, but are we meant to give away a book we love or play it for laughs? I guess it could go either way. Hmm, this requires further thought, probably standing in front of the bookshelves to see if anything catches my eye.

>37 Copperskye: and >41 rosalita: - I was going to try to find a used copy of a book that I really enjoyed, but my understanding is that the swap runs the gamut...

I just looked at the schedule and the individual author sessions end at 4:30 on Saturday. The big author event starts at 6:30, so there is a window, albeit small, to meet up with Mary and (hopefully) Anne. Since the sessions ending at 4:30 are in different locations, should we plan to meet at a restaurant around 5pm? If Donna is correct and the big evening event is open to the public, I'm wondering if we shouldn't plan to get to the bookstore by about 6pm? I tend to over-think these things, so....

The Yankee Swap is sort of a gift exchange. You bring a gently used book, or a new one if you choose. It can be fiction, non-fiction, children's book, pop-up book, or graphic novel. Wrap it. You can wrap it in a brown paper bag. Don't get fancy with the wrapping. Anne and Michael will put a number on the wrapped book. They will divide up the attendees into groups and everybody will draw a number. That number corresponds to the number on the wrapped package. You start with number 1, and that person gets the package marked 1 and opens it. The person that gave the book tells why they are passing on that book. Then it goes to 2. The person who is number 2 gets that book. The person who gave book #2 tells why they are giving it away. Then person 2 gets to decide if they want to keep the book or take the book that #1 got. This goes on until the last person gets their book. Then the person who drew #1 gets their pick out of the previous books and can trade the book they have for the one they want. This is great fun and you get to talk about your book and listen to others tell why they loved a book you hated or vise-versa.

In some parts of the country they call this kind of gift exchange a Dirty Santa exchange. Some places call it a White Elephant gift exchange. Etc. It serves as a good ice breaker for the group.

The year I went I took two books for this exchange. Since I was driving and lived close I had room and figured that somebody who was flying might have forgotten or didn't have room. It turned out to be a good thing because somebody had forgotten. I had used books that were in good shape. I wouldn't give away a book that had highlighting or pages torn, but I don't think there is anything wrong with giving away a used book that is in good shape.

You don't have to participate. I was surprised when I participated as I had great fun and it was so interesting hearing others stories about the books they brought to give away.

I've told a few people already, but not everyone. I won't be making it to Booktopia this year.

Mostly, I'm bummed about not getting to meet everyone - and not seeing Karen again as we had a great time last year.

True confession time: I missed seeing the email about a slot open to me until I got the email saying that I was over the deadline and they gave it to someone else.

Have a great time everyone!

Is this Saturday the 17th? I think I could probably make it that day, and a 5:00 dinner sounds just about right. Oh, I would love to meet/see all of you!

Mary, when are you going up Saturday?

Yes, the 17th. That's great, Anne!

>43 benitastrnad: Thanks so much for the info! I always like to know what to expect. And I think I know which book I'll bring along.

>44 streamsong: :( That sounds just like something I would do.

We will miss you, Janet!

>45 AMQS:: Anne, I am so glad you and Mary will be up to have an early dinner with us. I'm sure we will have lots to talk about and you will get a taste of Booktopia along with your meal!

>42 katiekrug: Saturday works for me, too. Is there a restaurant that's reasonably close to the evening event location so that we won't have to rush too much? Should we make reservations? I'm so pleased that some of our non-Booktopia friends will be able to come, too!

>44 streamsong: Aw, that's too bad, Janet. It certainly does sound like something that would happen to me! I don't suppose you live close enough to Boulder to be able to come to the dinner anyway? Actually, I just checked your profile and see you are in Montana, so probably not. Next time!

>45 AMQS: Oh, I do hope you can come, Anne!

>48 rosalita: - Julia, I think there are plenty of options. I'm on a work trip this week, but will look into it when I get back home (or if I have time in the next few days). No matter what, I think we are going to be slightly rushed, as we'll only have maybe a little over an hour.

Thanks Katie. If Anne and Mary can meet you guys for dinner on Friday night, you'd have more time to visit. Just a thought... I can't make Friday night but if everyone else can, that would probably work out better for meeting and chatting. Not that I don't want to visit with Anne and Mary but you guys haven't met yet!

>49 katiekrug: Oh, I think it'll all be fine, Katie. I really appreciate your doing the sleuth work to find someplace for us to go!

>50 Copperskye: - no worries, Joanne. Anne indicated Saturday worked better for her anyway :-)

>51 rosalita: - Oh, for sure, Julia. It will be fun no matter what.

>45 AMQS: Hi, Anne ~ I thought I'd drive up around 3/3:30 p.m. Do you want to carpool? I'll be coming from Centennial East (my name for it, as it is not part of Centennial on the map but a ways east of Main Centennial), around Quincy and Reservoir (which becomes Tower as you drive north). Let me know.

I still think I read in the beginning that the group author session is open to the public. It is being held at the bookstore and it might be difficult to keep "customers" away. I think we could easily sneak Anne and Mary in if they would like to hear the authors speak. It won't take long at ten minutes each! We could save room for dessert and have more talk after the session if they want to stay that long.

I had a meeting cancelled on me this morning, so I did a little research. There is a great website (www.boulderdowntown.com) that details a lot of the shops and restaurants in the area. Here are four options for an early dinner on Saturday, May 17. They are all on the same block as the bookstore (1107 Pearl Street), where the author event begins at 6:30pm. There are lots more options very close, but I had to use some kind of arbitrary cut-off or the choices would be overwhelming. I also tried to go for casual places that would make it easier to get served faster. Again, if someone has another idea or wants to do more research, please feel free.

Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room
1102 Pearl Street
(apparently this is a chain; I had never heard of it)

Pearl Street Pub and Cellar
1108 Pearl Street
(seems to be a very casual, almost-a-dive bar)

West Flanders Brewing Company
1125 Pearl Street
(a brew pub)

Riffs Urban Fare
1115 Pearl Street
(a little more upscale; the food looked fantastic)

The internet here is crazy slow so I'm not including links. You can Google any of them or look them up on the Downtown Boulder site to learn more or to look at menus.

Yes! I just read my Booktopia email, and Saturday night's author event IS open to the public. They urge us to arrive early to be able to get a seat. Anne and Mary, I hope you decide to join us!

You're right, Donna. The Booktopia email we received today does say that Saturday night's event is open to the public. So Anne and Mary can join us if they'd like!

Funny, I looked at the Boulder Bookstore's event schedule on their website this morning and it wasn't mentioned.

They also cautioned to get there early for that very reason.

Lol, you beat me!

Wow! The excitement is palpable! Stares off dreamily...

Heller's new one, The Painter is released this week. Just sayin'.

>59 msf59:

Amazon is winging a copy to me as we speak, Mark (and at 76% off)!

Nice, Joanne!! I hope it's another good one.

I didn't get an email from them today...?

Joanne, I got that same deal on the new Heller book!

Katie, it's strange that you didn't get the email. Is it possible it went into a junk mail folder or something? Perhaps you should send Ann an email to ask. I sent her an email pointing out that the Yankee Swap instructions had the Vermont location listed at the top, and she responded right away.

>55 katiekrug: I checked out the websites for those restaurants, Katie, and they all look pretty good to me with the exception of Old Chicago. Actually, there is nothing wrong with Old Chicago except that we have one in Iowa City and I'd rather go someplace unique.

One thing that occurred to me is that we would be meeting up during happy hour, and that might be a good food option that would be quicker than ordering a full-fledged meal. Just something to think about.

Here are the links if anyone else wants to check them out and has a broken Google:

Riffs Urban Fare

West Flanders Brewing Company

Pearl Street Pub and Cellar

Go to Old Chicago! Go to Old Chicago!

Mark, I can go to Old Chicago every day of the week and twice on Sundays. I'd rather go somewhere interesting. Of course, if everyone else in the group prefers Old Chicago, that's fine.

No Old Chicago for me. We have one here, too. Any of the other choices would be fine, although Riff's might be too far away. Sixteen feet from the bookstore according to their website! Lol!

I will probably not be joining you for dinner. I don't drink, and I am pretty uncomfortable in noisy happy hour atmospheres as I have some hearing loss, and can only hear the chaos not the conversation.

I am looking forward to connecting with some of you for quieter, more conversational, meet up places and times.

>64 rosalita: - I'm on my iPad and can't get those links to work for me, but the Pearl Street Pub in Boulder is the "pub and Cellar." When I was googling them all, I stumbled across a Pearl Street Pub and Dirty Martini Lounge but it was in Albany, NY. Don't know if that's what that link points to, but just wanted to clarify.

I have no opinion on where we go. I think Riffs has the most interesting menu and I would expect that it would be less raucous than the other places, so that might work to entice Karen to join us... :-)

Katie, thanks for letting me know the links didn't work. Somehow in my genius I managed to put two http:// at the start of each link. Sheesh.

And I didn't even think to look at the location for the Pearl Street Pub that I found! The Boulder one doesn't seem to have a website, but I changed the link to the page at Boulder Downtown.

No worries! My iPad is so wonky with links sometimes, I just assumed it was an issue on my end.

I was kidding about Old Chicago! The others actually sound pretty good.

Less raucous would work for me too, and I agree Riffs' menu looks yum.

Riffs sounds good to me, too! I was going to suggest The Kitchen (Next Door) but I like Riffs menu better.

And actually they all sound good except Old Chicago (not that there's anything wrong with Old Chicago, Mark! I've even been to that location).

Sounds like we're developing a consensus around Riffs, which I agree looks fab. Does anyone have an objection to Riffs? Karen, it definitely looks more restaurant-y and less pubby so i hope you might consider joining us? I know I am going to be concentrating on food more than booze! Of course, if you'd rather not that's OK, too, because I know we will have other chances to hang out during the weekend!

I'll be thinking about all that in the next couple of days: reservations for dogs' boarding, how to get to airport, when do I arrive, how to get to the hotel, etc. etc. I'll be more clear in a day or two I expect.

>68 maggie1944: >75 rosalita: >76 maggie1944: I'm not going to be drinking either, Karen, so hope you'll be there to join me in what will otherwise apparently be my lonely teetotalistism.

Nah, Donna doesn't drink either, I don't think. I'm going to be drinking but only to keep Katie company. :-)

I appreciate everyone's encouragement. I am arriving on a plane from Seattle into Denver at about 2:10 pm on Friday afternoon. I have not yet figured out how to get from Denver airport to the Boulderado, and I have no idea how long it will take. So, bottom line I don't know if I could join a dinner on Friday or not.

As for Saturday evening, I'm not seeing much time available for dining in a restaurant. I am attending an author event which I assume is over just about an hour before the Main Event.

Breakfast on Sunday is an option which seems available..... And I won't be leaving Denver until nearly 5 pm so lunch on Sunday would also be an option.

I am staying at the Boulderado and if we want to make my hotel room kind of a LT hang out that would be OK for me, too. Having a nice place to sit down for a few minutes, or use a really clean calm "washroom" might be appealing.

Let me know.

Karen

>79 maggie1944:: Karen, I think there is some kind of shuttle between the Denver airport and Boulder. I have no idea of the cost or time involved. That is kind of you to open your room up for an LT hang out. I'm not sure I have much down time between sessions. It looks like they will keep us busy.

Julia is right, I'm not much of a drinker. Water is my beverage of choice! I hope you can make it to dinner with us as I am leaving Saturday night after the author session to go down to Colorado Springs for my granddaughter's baptism on Sunday. It looks like we all have different schedules so we will have to make maximum use of our time together as I want to get to know you, Julia, and Katie. Joanne and I are already book buddies!

I'm so glad my two other Colorado book friends, Anne and Mary, are driving up to join us on Saturday. It looks like the long-range weather forecast is good for the Booktopia week end. Even if it rains on our parade, we will still have fun!!!

>79 maggie1944: - Karen, per one of the Booktopia emails:

"Airport transportation to the Hotel Boulderado is available via Supershuttle. The price is $27 each way when booked online. This is a shared shuttle."

I am renting a car, as I am not staying at the Boulderado and so am not within walking distance of the venues. Google tells me the drive is about 50 minutes, but a shared shuttle will likely have multiple stops that would make the journey longer.

The time on Saturday may be short (the sessions end at 4:30 and the author event begins at 6:30) but I am looking forward to meeting Mary and Anne and having additional time with the LT Booktopians!

By my count, we have me, Julia, Donna, Joanne, Mary, and Anne definite for Saturday evening, and Karen as tentative. Did I miss anyone? I will call Riff's and see if we need a reservation.

Seems like Saturday dinner needs to have an even number of participants, so I think I'd better confirm that I'll join! So that will be 6. A good number.

I will check on Supershuttle on Monday... thanks for the tip!

Katie, thanks for checking about a reservation. Since we have limited time it would be great if we didn't have to wait for a table.

Karen, I am so happy that you will be able to join us! I agree, 6 is an excellent number.

>82 maggie1944: and >83 rosalita: - Umm, it's actually seven total :)

Lucky number 7!

Yay!!! Can't wait to meet Julia, Katie and Karen and see Anne, Joanne and Donna again!

Anne, if the Saturday evening event is open to the public, do you want to stick around for it? Or do you need to leave right after dinner? I'm good either way.

>84 katiekrug: Whoops! We were forgetting the most important person of all!

Sigh..... I'll just go sit at a separate table with my bottle of wine ;-)

Did you want some cheese with that whine?

(sorry! I could not help myself)

Mmmm.... cheese..... Yes, please!

Hi all- I promise I'm not ignoring you- I have a book fair running right now and life is kooky. I will be back this afternoon to make plans. Can't wait to see/meet everyone!

Sounds good! Sad how seldom I make it to Boulder considering how close it is and how excellent the dining is. Can't wait to meet you all. Am I correct in counting 7 for dinner? Hooray!

>53 Storeetllr: Mary, I am up for carpooling, though from where you are, I'm not sure we'd be taking the same route to Boulder. I live on the west side (Lakewood), and so can zip right up Hwy 93. We can meet here if you'd like, or somewhere convenient, and go from there?

Okay, we are all set for 5:00pm on Saturday at Riff's. Just to be safe, I made a reservation - it's under my name.

See y'all there!

>92 katiekrug:: Did you put it under Kick Ass or Katie? *innocent blink!* 😜

>93 Donna828: - LOL! Just "Katie"...

>92 katiekrug: Excellent! Thanks, KAK, for taking the ball and running with it. I plotted out my route to Boulder last night and made the reservation for my overnight stop in Broken Bow, NE. Things are starting to get real!

Sad News: I've had to cancel my trip to Booktopia. RL just became overwhelming and I was beginning to fall apart. Corrective action taken, and great relief was felt. I will miss meeting you all and hearing the authors but I think this is the best decision given the circumstances surrounding me.

There's always next year!

#96
Same thing happened to me last year.

Karen, I'm so sorry you've had to cancel your plans. I was so looking forward to meeting you, but we'll just have to make that happen another time. I hope everything settles down for you and that removing the stress of a trip will help even things out. We'll be thinking of you!

Thanks. I'll miss meeting you, too, and I am so sorry. But, yes, things are a bit easier to deal with.... and I have a four day weekend ahead of me with no real commitments until Sunday so that will be a big help.

And as I said, "there's always next year"!

That is disappointing, Karen, but you sound relieved so it was a good decision for you. I am all packed and ready for an early trip to the airport for the fairly short flight from here to Denver. I won't miss the 12-hour drive!

Karen, I'm sorry I'll miss you. Hope things settle down a bit. I can sympathize -- if this weren't happening in my back yard there's no way I could go at this time. Take care.

I'm so sorry you had to cancel, Karen, but it does sound like you made the right decision. Hopefully we'll get another chance to meet and you'll get to go to one of next year's Booktopias!

Things don't always go the way we planned! Our flight to Denver was cancelled yesterday. The next available flight was on Friday! We could have left from Tulsa or KC today but that would cut into my time with Baby Hope.

So we ended up making that 12-hour-drive after all! Dave was a prince about the whole thing. Now I get to spend the whole day with my newest granddaughter and we have our own car which means I'll be able to buy plenty of books in Boulder!

>103 Donna828: Nothing like a last minute road trip! So glad you had the option to drive...and a driver this time!

I plan to be at the events center sometime during the registration hour (I thought that might make sense...). Traffic is always the wildcard heading up that way.

See you all soon!

Oh, how lovely it was to meet/see everyone and share such a lovely meal at Riff's (great suggestion, Katie)! Can't wait to see Mary's photo of all of us outside of Boulder Bookstore.

Going around the table starting at front left: Julia (rosalita), Donna (Donna 828), Joanne (coppers), Katie (katiekrug), Anne (AMQS), Mary (Storeetllr).

It was great to (finally) get to meet Julia and Katie, and it was great to see Anne, Joanne and Donna again! Amazing the breadth of our conversation: from books (natch) to book clubs to Booktopia (also natch) to travel to work to family to our LT family. Altogether a wonderful time!


L-R: Julia (Rosalita), Donna (Donna828), Joanne (coppers), Katie (katiekrug), Anne (AMQS) and Mary (Storeetllr)


L-R: Julia, Katie, Joanne, Anne and Donna


L-R: Julia, Katie, Mary, Joanne, Anne and Donna

Booktopia was interesting but the high point of the weekend was getting together with fellow LTers. Dinner tonight was so much fun! Good food, good friends, and lots of laughs. Final session, what final session?

Thanks for posting the photo so fast Anne. I love the reflection of our waiter in the window, leaning against the rail. Also the photo bombing guy waving in the window behind me. Lol!

Great pictures, Mary! Thank you! It was so much fun. Any bookstore purchases tonight (besides Katie's pile that was waiting for her)?

>107 Copperskye: LOL, I hadn't noticed him, Joanne! I managed to escape Boulder Bookstore by the hair of my chinny chin chin without a book (it was that , or one of everything), and Mary made it out with only postcards!

Have a great rest of your weekend!

You guys look so happy! Of course! What else could we expect!

I LOVE the photos!! What a happy bunch! It is great to see LTers at Booktopia! We need to "Rock" this event. It is tailor-made for us.

ETA- We NEED to see lists of book purchases too!

OH, I agree with Mark, LT and the 75ers particularly need to use Booktopia as the perfect venue for Meet-Ups! What could be better?

I thought Booktopia was great, but meeting up with LT friends was even better! I will post my book purchases when I get home. Books are safely stashed in the trunk of the car.

I do remember I got two books at the Yankee Swap: A Thousand Splendid Suns and March. I own and have read both of them so will pass them along to friends.


We had two groups opening their new books and deciding whether or not to keep them or steal a book from somebody!

I love this picture of Julia and Katie. This is about as wild and crazy as it got!

"Johnny" Miles had Katie and me chuckling about his move from Mississippi to New York City with five hunting dogs and writing his books in a 5 x 5 foot wooden shed. He was a hoot!

I think I'm in love!

Upstairs in The Ballroom at The Boulder Bookstore. Five different booksellers shared some of their recommendations with us. So many books!

Wow! This looks like the perfect book lovers weekend. Wish I had been able to attend. You can't imagine how envious I am at this moment.

Like Mark, said - book purchase lists? Where are they?

I posted my books on my thread but I'll repost here if anyone's interested:

So Booktopia Boulder was good. Admittedly, I didn't immerse myself fully in the festivities but I did what I wanted to do, so that's ok. Mostly hanging out with my LT buddies.

Friday's opening session on publishing had some interesting moments, the Yankee Swap was fun, the apps at the reception were good.

Saturday I only went to one of the author sessions that I had signed up for. Peter Heller was an engaging speaker and now I really, really want to start his latest book. He was really the only author I was interested in. And the closing session I skipped in order to get home a little earlier tonight. Dinner outside at Riffs with some very good LT company was much more fun anyway!

Books bought:
Sky Bridge by Laura Pritchett (author of my recent favorite, Hell's Bottom).
I Promise not to Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest Trail by Gail Storey (recommended by one of the booksellers at Boulder Bookstore)

Remaining gift card balance is a handy excuse to visit the Boulder Bookstore again. I had already bought two books by Booktopia authors, The Painter and The Wives of Los Alamos.

And I like the book I "stole" in the Yankee Swap (cruelly swapping with the woman who had brought the book I had picked - a book I would have liked but I liked this other one better... all's fair in Yankee Swap...).

Tomboy Bride: A Woman's Personal Account of Life in the Mining Camps of the West

I took few pictures (bad me) at Booktopia, here's a couple:



Katie, Anne, and Mary

Oh, you just look like fun fun fun! Sorry I missed meeting you all. I love my LibraryThing friends.

However, the fundraising potluck I needed to shepherd was very successful. About 30+ people raised over $400 for the folks in Oso (the giant mud slide community north of us). I am glad I stayed home to see this project through to the happy end.

There's always next year.

Booktopia Boulder Book Purchases:

New books:
The Painter
The Dog Stars - both by my new boyfriend, Peter Heller.

Used books:
Under the Glacier - Halldor Laxness
Sky Bridge - Laura Pritchett
Conversation in the Cathedral Mario Vargas Llosa.

I like Joanne's assessment of Booktopia. I attended three author sessions and enjoyed them all, even the depressing one with Colin McAdam. He was making us all sad with the lives of chimps in research labs and the low sales of his three books for various reasons. Michael Kindness, one of the hosts of the Books On The Nightstand podcast and Booktopia, tried to lighten things up and asked Colin about his hobbies. Turns out he really likes to drink! (Side note to Julia, Katie, and Joanne -- that is the thought that escaped my mind at dinner. Now you see why I don't drink!)

Karen…and Janet if you read this…it's too bad you weren't able to be there, but I like that thought of "There's always next year". I would love to see a larger contingent of LTers at future Booktopias.

I am making a note of that! Larger contingent is a great goal.

I hope so too, Donna!