The Weekly Catch Up
From Bookstores to Beach Towns.
I spent the beginning of last week at my best friend Carin’s lake house in New Hampshire. It was the perfect springboard for dropping one kid off at camp in Maine and the other in Vermont, then continuing on to do some book events. Carin and I were able to swim in the lake, paddle board whenever we felt like it off her dock and spend time talking about our lives as we approach fifty. Carin and I met in the eighth grade, and having her in my life is like having a third sister. We’ve come to rely on our summer hangs to make up for all of the time we’ve spent apart since high school.
Our teenage boys were getting along so well this time around—not that they didn’t get along in the past—it’s more that they bonded this time. We kept looking at each other and making adoring faces at watching them diving deep in the lake together, racing in the water and sitting in lounge chairs laughing about funny stories. It reminded Carin and I of…us—and we loved it.
Off to Cape Cod
My first event last week was at the Brewster Book Store in the sweet historic town of Brewster. Brewster is on the Bay side of the Cape, less worries about sharks when you go to the beach. I drove the two and a half hours down in a dress that reminded me of something Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in The Talented Mr. Ripley would wear, and after a quick stop at Snowy Owl coffee shop next door, I stepped into the bright and sunny bookshop and gave owner Jessica Devin a hug. I was there to talk about my novel with fellow author Martha Hall Kelly (Lilac Girls, The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club), so we gave each other a hug too. Then we caught up a few minutes before heading out to the garden to the audience.
It was so cool because Martha and I just had a conversation about our novels — there wasn’t anyone to interview us. We simply chatted, and we chatted like old friends catching up after a few years. One of the highlights for me was when Martha and I shared our connections to MV, where both of our books are set, and she shared how her husband is her first reader on every one of her novels. I thought that was really sweet.
Memories of Boston
When I worked at the Boston Globe’s Sunday Magazine, my husband and I lived across the river in Cambridge. But our favorite neighborhood in Boston was the South End. The South End is what you imagine when you picture Boston: stately curving brownstones, rows of independently owned shops, people eating outside on terraces under twinkling lights. I felt so lucky showing up for Parkside Bookshop, a well-curated windowed shop in the heart of the neighborhood.
I met up with two other authors—Lori Goldstein (Romantic Friction) and Wendy Francis (Betting on Good)—and we talked about our books at Urban Grape, a hipster wine shop, while everyone tasted a wine paired to your book. The sommelier matched Our Last Vineyard Summer to the crispest Prosecco and after sipping it, it was easy to imagine sitting on the deck of your summer house after spending the day at the beach. Perfect match.
Back to the Cape
Then it was back to Cape Cod, this time Sandwich. Yes, Catherine Newman’s Sandwich. I picked up author Nancy Thayer (Summer Light on Nantucket) at her hotel in Hyannis, which is nearby, so we could go and present together at Titcomb’s Bookshop. On our drive to the shop, she told me how she thought my novel was an important one; that it’s rare to find a book that deals with serious issues but is still fun to read. I hugged her. What a wonderful compliment, especially from a woman who has written 35 (YES, 35!!) lovely novels.
Our presentation in the garden at the three-generation-women-owned bookshop was an absolute delight. I asked Nancy why she continues to write about Nantucket for decades now. She said there’s something about the light that draws her back to it as a setting, that it continues to inspire her. That when you live on an island you’re always seeing stories around you. People get stuck on islands, after all, with whatever drama is unfolding in their lives.
Exploring Sandwich
I had some free time the next day before my next event so I popped in the Barnes and Noble in Hyannis to sign books—the manager Jill was so excited to see me and me her, and we snapped a photo! It’s hard to explain, even for this writer, but it’s incredibly special when a bookstore decides to stock your book. You feel a mix of gratefulness, pride and joy.
Afterward, I met my author pal Jenna Paone who has been working on a novel about a summer family on the Cape that I’m dying to read. We sat in the shaded garden at Dunbar House Tea Room and talked about parenting, book ideas, writing challenges, and more, while scarfing down our curry chicken salads and the best iced tea ever. No exaggeration. When the waitress asked if we wanted dessert, we couldn’t say no. I ordered a chocolate chip scone and Jenna ordered a triple berry pie. Yum.
Afterward we walked past the historic homes and white picket fences to the heart of Sandwich, and I joked with Jenna, who lives there in summer, that I should not be allowed to shop in beach town shops. I found a store in town called Modern Vintage, and I walked out with a throw pillow (I have a problem with patterned beachy accent pillows), a small painting of a deer for my little girl’s bedroom and a rattan doily for the dining table. There were several other sweet shops in the town, too, and Jenna was so gracious to tour me around. We hugged goodbye, I drove over to see the beach and then off to Rhode Island.
A Coastal Reads Event
It was an hour and ten minute drive to Warren, Rhode Island where I was set to speak that night at Ink Fish Books. Sometimes you end up in a pickle in terms of getting ready, and I needed to find a bathroom to change out of my tank and shorts and into my dress. (I was staying at my author friend’s house that night, and I couldn’t “check in” early.) I decided that the library was the perfect spot; books have always welcomed me. I did a quick switcheroo in the library bathroom, and then applied my makeup in the car rearview mirror. Book events aren’t always glamorous, you know? Ha!
The event that night was a gas: author Meg Mitchell Moore (Mansion Beach), Kate Woodworth (Little Great Island) and I were interviewed by Julie Gerstenblatt (Daughters of Nantucket) about everything from the way we shaped our characters to the importance of setting in our books. Meg and I found out we have a similar writing style since we were both working journalists before pivoting to fiction; we try to write fast and fix errors and story logic later. Julie said she writes with TKs (a shorthand for “to come” in journalism), too.
Afterward we signed books and I took lots of photos with readers, some who had seen me last year and popped in to say hello again and meet the other authors. One last highlight was when all of the authors went out for dinner on the water, a quick walk from the hotel. Sara Shukla (Pink Whales) and Marcy McCreary (The Disappearance of Trudy Solomon) joined, too, and we all caught up on our ideas and lives and honestly, writers feel so lucky when we have moments like this since much of our work is solitary. We spend so much time with imaginary characters, so sitting at dinner and talking shop with real people is the best. Julie invited a couple of us to crash at her beautiful house in Barrington that night, and I was so grateful that I didn’t have to go back to a dinky motel. Her guest room was like being at a boutique coastal inn.
Now I’m on the Vineyard. Big goofy grin on my face as I type this. This was a photo of my husband and I last night. We’re so happy to be here. Next week look forward to my Guide to the Perfect Vineyard Summer. I can’t wait to share this island with you. It’s my happy place.
Media Diary
What I’m Reading: I just finished A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst. It was a riveting account of a married couple surviving for four months on a raft after their sailboat sinks.
What I’m Listening to: These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean. It’s a very well done family story that reads like a soap opera. I mean that as a compliment.
An Article Worth Reading: Did any of you read the People mag cover story about Gwyneth Paltrow? It’s an excerpt from my buddy
new book Gwyneth, which comes out today. Def check it out. There are some juicy tidbits in there.A Podcast to Listen to: Oddly, I didn’t listen to any this week. So sorry! I’ve been in audiobook mode.
Fellow accent pillow lover 💕
Thanks for the heads up on the new Gweneth book!
Enjoy your time on the Vineyard ☀️
Love to live vicariously through your posts! I’m a Seattle native and have never been to that part of the country. On my list!