To give you an update on the “Go Set A Watchman” event at Page and Palette and tell you about a few other fun things, I’ll start with the most important part, what I wore . . .
My dress looks all wonky in the photo, but it’s blue seersucker. What to wear to read the long-lost (lost? really?) words of Harper Lee? I ditched the idea of dressing as Scout in my overalls (my Mother really did email me to say she would have a hissy fit if I showed up in overalls) and instead went with the cool seersucker and pearls. Always go with the pearls.
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In the photograph above, I’m with my darling reader and frequent commenter Nancy, who was in Fairhope visiting from Clanton. She read about the event on Fairhope Supply Co. and came to say “hello.” What an absolute treat to get to meet my readers face to face! After only five minutes into our conversation, I knew Nancy and I had a lot in common and truly hope to see her again soon!
Here’s the back story on the reading, which turned out to be standing room only at our favorite bookstore, Page and Palette. I was honored to be asked to read alongside authors Ron Meszaros, Watt Key, cartoonist J.D. Crowe, and story teller, Connie Cazort.
Go Set a Watchman is definitely an entirely different book from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I would go as far to say it seems like a rough draft that Harper Lee’s editor had her re-do. According to two people here in South Alabama who personally know Harper Lee, they claim there’s no way on God’s green earth “Nelle” would ever have released this book.
And have you heard? Bloom County has returned!
But from a writer’s point of view, Go Set A Watchman is fascinating. You can really see the writing process she went through from the time she first submitted GSAW until two years later when she completed To Kill A Mockingbird.  Here’s an article that highlights passages which appear in both books.
And here’s an article about all the well-intentioned folks who named their precious babies after the noble Atticus, only to now realize his original persona was questionable to say the least. Deary-me!
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And just when you thought the literary world was calming down, there’s been another mysterious discovery involving a dearly departed author’s lost work being “found.”
Now THIS is newsworthy (to those of us who taught Kindergarten) . . . Dr. Seuss’ estate has discovered this missing book, “What Pet Should I Get?” Â If Page and Palette does a reading of this, I’m all over it!
What pet should I get?Â
Nothing fierce like an eagle.
Something that pees on the floor?
I know! A Beagle!
Okay, that was just my guess as to what it says.
Lois Lane is a typical Southern Belle. Her stunning beauty blinds you to her faults.
Sue and I just finished reading it. I can absolutely see what the editors/publishers saw in this MS. The book comes alive in the scenes and the dialogue when she was reflecting back on her childhood and teenage years. Stop here to avoid spoilers.
So, your thoughts on the falsie chapter? I thought it was fabulous, funny, and clever, and to my point about the best writing being her recollections.
Loved the new Seuss book though!
Hi Pretty One! Oh, you look so pretty in your seersucker dress and pearls! You are quite the little celebrity too! I would have loved to have heard you reading in, hopefully, your little southern accent! Thanks for popping in to my travel blog.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Oh, thanks so much Sheila. It’s hard for anyone to read the words of Harper Lee without somewhat of a drawl.
Have fun exploring the world!
I love Lois Lane! Hate that I missed seeing you at the reading but maybe next time I’m in Fairhope…
. . . I will read to you.
Promise.
Love the dress AND the pearls! How fun to do a book reading, and I have heard so many good things about that book store. I’m with Ellen…probably listening to too many negative things about the new book. CBS news did a feature on the new Seuss book tonight. It looks cute! And Scott Pelley even ended the show with a Seuss-like goodnight poem. 🙂
I like that Scott Pelley!
LOVE that seersucker dress! And how exciting that another Dr. Seuss book has been found! 🙂
Thanks Rhonda. I got the dress years ago at Brooks Brothers. And as for the Seuss . . . very excited!
What a treat it would have been to hear you read the new book. I intend to start it soon. No surprise that Lois Lane is the inspiration for poetry, Look at that face!
Ha. Don’t let her fool you. She’s like the cute girl at school who got away with everything. (I was the mean one who told on her)- ha!
I’m conflicted about whether or not to read Go Set a Watchman. It bothers me that Harper Lee maybe wouldn’t have chosen to release it. Either way, I definitely want to read To Kill a Mockingbird again first.
Love the seersucker dress!
Absolutely! (and read my reply to Ellen, above!). I’ve worn this seersucker dress for so many years, I think it’s time to get another, because this one has started to shrink! Ha!
I wish I could have heard the reading, and I love your seersucker dress. I haven’t decided if I am going to read Watchman because I have heard so much negativity about it. I know it is unAmerican to say so, but I really didn’t enjoy the famous one. I liked the movie and the stage play much better.
I’m there with you about being conflicted. I just figured I’d be supporting my independently owned bookstore by purchasing the book, but then I’ll share it with everyone I know so they won’t have to buy it. Is that smart or just mean-spirited?
I love the Bloom County strip Leslie Anne, this presidential race does feel a lot like ground hog day! I have the new Harper Lee book, just haven’t had a chance to read it and can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about…love your beagle poem!
Thanks. Lois read it and is sulking in the corner. I embarrassed her, but that’s what she gets.
Thank you for the shoutout! And everyone, she is just as fun and real in person as she is in her blog! It was so nice to meet you, and I hope I run across you again in my travels to Fairhope.
It’s a date!