April Already

Oh my gosh! It’s April already! How did that happen? Seems like yesterday it was just January, doesn’t it? Time sure seems to fly when there’s so much to do. Indeed, this past week feels like a blur. So what happened to make my time just whirl by?

Well, the usual stuff….book signings and writer’s meetings and work and writing (or trying to). Well, just life in general, I suppose, but some things really stand out. Like….

Very dear friends of mine got married! Yup! Married! And I can’t think of a couple who love each other more. Lovely ceremony too which got me to thinking (as a writer, I’m always thinking about new stories, new characters, new scenes), but I digress.

The other thing that made this week go by so quickly? My DH received the nicest surprise for his birthday. Our son flew in from Dallas to spend the weekend with him (yes, I was in on this surprise. We’ve actually been planning it since January. I’m very good at keeping secrets!).

And the busy-ness doesn’t end there. The Desert Dreams conference is this Friday (I know! This Friday!) and I’m so looking forward to it (actually, I’ve been looking forward to it since the last conference!). I’ve written about this particular conference before. It’s one of my favorites. This will be my seventh time attending and I can’t wait to see everyone…I will try to behave myself this time and not go all Fan Girl on anyone. Luckily for me, authors are a unique (and forgiving) group of individuals.

I still need to pack, I still need to finish cleaning my house and get my guest room ready for company after the conference so I should be vacuuming or dusting...or something. Leaving you all with this lovely picture of a beautiful sunset…..maybe if I look at it long enough, I might be able to draw a breath…at least until Friday when I meet all those wonderful authors at the conference.

What about you all? What’s been keeping you busy? Have you found any time to read?

As always, happy reading!

Marie

Dog-Eared Pages

    

The title of this blog is NOT how I treat my books. I never dog-ear my pages. I use a very lovely bookmark someone gave me. Actually, I try really hard not to crack the spine either…when I lend someone a book, they always ask “Did you read this?” The answer is always yes….I wouldn’t recommend it if I didn't read it and love it.

But forgive me, I have digressed. Again. 


Thom & Mel before Dog-Eared Pages Opened


Dog-Eared Pages is actually the name of a bookstore here in Phoenix. My favorite bookstore. As you probably already know, I love books….the way they smell. The way they feel in your hand.  The way they brighten a room and make it feel homey. The way they can take you to exotic places and make you fall in love over and over again (and my old dog Sasha would probably tell you how good they tasted, too. She developed a taste for Stephen King at a very young age and ate a book or two before she grew out of her puppy/teething stage).

The first time I walked into Dog-Eared Pages, I was hooked. This shop was my idea of a bookstore, from the shelf upon shelf of new and used books to the comfortable surroundings, it was everything I want in a bookstore and more. They have deeply cushioned chairs you can get comfortable in and read away the afternoon. They have books you didn’t know you wanted or needed until you start walking among the shelves. Everything from contemporary to historical, from true crime to biographies and reference books are there for your enjoyment. They even have a display of local authors! Most importantly, the owners, Thom and Melanie are there to greet you, recommend a good read, offer you a cup of coffee or tea and talk everything books! They are wonderful!

So what’s your idea of the perfect bookshop? Something big yet intimate? Warm and friendly? If that’s what you’re looking for and you’re in the Phoenix area, stop in and see Thom and Melanie. You’re gonna love it!

As always, happy reading!

Marie