Thought I’d share some old New York postcards of Rockefeller Center on the eve of my trip to The Random House Open House this Friday–always love meeting fellow authors and wonderful readers. I’m excited to be doing a debut author panel with some incredible writers-Imbolo Mbue (Behold the Dreamers), Catherine Banner (The House at the Edge of Night) and Emma Cline (The Girls). Curtis Sittenfeld (Eligible) and Paula McLain (Circling the Sun) will share their author experiences as well. How fun is that? Random House is doing some sharing of their own-bringing you the day live on Twitter so come and join us at #RHopenhouse.
Tag: appearances
Amazing Lilac Girls NYC Book Group Visit Was Like Being in a Woody Allen Film
Sometimes writing a novel has unexpected advantages, like dinner with my sister-in-law Mickey Murray’s book group, hosted by member Karen Freedman. Dinner on the terrace was transcendent, the eggplant parmesan and incredible view of Central Park rivaled only by the deep discussion brought about by the group’s insightful questions about Lilac Girls.
Is there a better way to spend an evening than with smart, funny women who love to talk about books?
Nashville Rolled Out the Red Carpet (and the squash casserole) for Lilac Girls

Living in Atlanta, I thought I knew all about southern hospitality but Nashville took it to a whole new level last week when I visited Music City to talk about my novel Lilac Girls. The all-female The Centennial Club welcomed me with open arms (and squash casserole to die for) I signed and spoke at the wonderful Parnassus Books and even snuck in a tour of Music City, a little shopping at Draper James and thanks to Cathy Altenbern and company enjoyed so many fabulous meals. LOVED touring lovely Cheekwood and who knew there was a Parthenon in Tennessee? I’m always late to the party. Excited to come back on the paperback tour! 🙂

First Visit to a Book Club to Talk Lilac Girls Was Beyond Wonderful.
After over ten years researching and writing Lilac Girls, in a solitary state, it’s been so much fun to get out and meet readers. But my first book club visit yesterday took connecting with readers to a fabulous new level. Our host Debby Fleischer (far right) made it all happen. She contacted me when the book first debuted and invited me to her Atlanta home for the book club.
The first sign it was going to be a memorable day was the delicious nalynsky club member Laura Liszczak Cleary brought, which she prepared from a recipe often made by her Polish family. I’d had delicious Polish food when I was researching in Lublin and Warsaw but these light, little fruit-filled mini pancakes were just heavenly.

The book conversation was incredible and several of the members shared fascinating family WWII stories. Everyone had read the book, so we didn’t have to be mindful of spoilers and the time flew by. I was there to impart Lilac Girls wisdom but ended up learning so much from the group members.
Before I left, Laura pressed a velvet pouch into my hands. “I had to give you this,” she said, “for writing this book.”
In the pouch was a family heirloom, a tiny cedar pillow a family member had hand-stitched, the cedar insert crafted long ago from flowered sheeting. The card: “With deepest gratitude for sharing our story.” I’ll always cherish it. What a lovely (but teary!) way to end an incredibly memorable first Lilac Girls book group visit.