I loved Kathleen Grissom’s debut novel, The Kitchen House. As soon as I knew she would be in my area, I made plans to see her. When I told Jaime from Confessions of a Bibliophile about the event, she agreed to come with me. Saturday was a blogger’s day out for me.
We’ve been having a lot of winter weather in Southwest Virginia, but Saturday proved to be a clear, if not windy, day. I had never been to the Givens book store in Lynchburg before. I was pleasantly surprised because the Givens in Salem looks a lot like one in this video. The Lynchburg store sells both new and used books as well as children’s toys. We were there a few minutes early, giving me time to buy additional copies of The Kitchen House and to do a little browsing.
They set up Kathleen’s reading by a fireplace with a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe above it. It was really a nice area. I hadn’t been expecting her to be looking for me, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that she had read my review. She was as happy to meet me as I was to meet her. She introduced Jaime and I to Eleanor Dolan, the poet who has mentored her along the way. Both women were warm and charming.
I brought my new Flip video camera along to capture some of the event to share with you. One word of caution: I won’t be receiving any Oscars for best cinematography any time soon. I don’t have a full-sized tripod for my Flip (a definite wish list item), so I did the best that I could. The first video is a little shakier than the last two.
Kathleen began the reading by explaining how The Kitchen House came into being. Here is a clip about the origins of her novel and her reading of the Prologue:
Kathleen also read one of my absolute favorite scenes from the book. It is between Lavinia shortly after she became acclimated to life on the Pyke plantation and Papa George, Mama Mae’s husband:
The final clip is in answer to a question about Kathleen’s next novel, which takes place in her native Canada:
I really enjoyed listening to Kathleen talk about the book and her writing process. An afternoon with a book blogging friend and a new author. What a nice way to spend the day.
After the reading, there was a book signing and I bought a copy to have singed to giveaway here. To make it even better, Kathleen, after reading my review, brought another copy with her to giveaway. So, I have two signed copies of The Kitchen House to giveaway here!
This contest is open to U.S. and Canadian readers and will be open until Monday, March 1st at 11:59 EST. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment here.
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I’d love to win a copy!
Sounds like an interesting book that I would reading.
How wonderful that she had read your review and how neat that you got to see her so soon after you feel in love with her book!
litandlifeATgmailDOTcom
Well, as you may know, I am on a mission to collect author-signed books for the Adult Literacy League silent auction in April, so I will be vying (with LOTS of positive karma!) for the copy for this purpose! I’m telling you, it is totally killing me to collect these phenomenal books and not keep them! But it is for a good cause, I keep telling myself! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com
I would have loved to have been there with you and Jaime – you two are always fun! I think your videos are great – I’m surprised at the sound quality from that little camera. Oh, and it’s always windy there. (I think I’m getting the book, so I’m not going to enter.)
Sounds like a really fun afternoon, and the book sounds intriguing. I would love to be lucky enough to win a copy! Thanks for the opportunity.
Wow! That was great. i am glad you got to meet the author, I have Never met an author
i hope to, some day
Sounds good, I’d like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
I really liked your review of this author and her book, and would love to read it. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you!
Sandee61
Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com
I love it when authors stop by to read reviews and she was even more gracious to provide you with an extra giveaway copy!
I’m glad the weather behaved and you were able to hear her speak. The only thing better than seeing an author in person is having a blogger friend to go with you!
I would love to win. I have read such wonderful reviews of this book.
thank you
I’m loving the reviews of this book. I’d really like to win it. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks for the wonderful review. What an exciting experience…I am dying to read this book now!
[...] your name isn’t listed here, I have another giveaway in progress for one of two signed copies of Kathleen Grissom’s The Kitchen [...]
I can’t wait to read this book! I enjoyed your posts about it. Hope I win!
I have chosen ‘The Kitchen House’ for the next book in my book club! I would LOVE to win a copy to share with everyone!
Count me in! Sounds great! As always — thanks!!
[...] this rave review from Jennifer at The Literate Housewife, whose taste I trust implicitly, and this sneak peek at what you’ll be able to enjoy if you join [...]
enjoyed your review and videos
and would love to add the book to my current to-read pile
thanks for the opportunity
A super great interview and review, please enter me for this book.
This book sounds really good. I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
I’d love to read this book – please count me in.
Thanks!
I found this site after finishing Kitchen House .I loved it so much and was so interested in her process.Like Kathleen I grew up in Saskatchewan.
After doing a little more research I plan on rereading the book and am looking forward to her next one
Also thinking this website may be of great interest
Hi! I know I’m too late for the book giveaway (DARN!) but just thought I’d leave a comment about The Kitchen House – which I absolutely loved! I read the book quite a while ago but still remember the characters and the way they stayed with you long after the last page was read. I’m so jealous that you had an opportunity to meet Ms. Grissom. Any news on when her next book will be coming out?