Mystery Ink, Book Club Visit

Category: library visit, Spark, Stray

How could I fail to feel welcome arriving at Richmond Public Library this afternoon when Rachel Lord, the wonderful Librarian for Young Adult Literature had festooned the library with posters galore advertising this week’s Mystery Ink Teen Book Club session?

There was a great turn out of 18 keen young readers and pizza lovers. Let’s not ask what really drew them in because who can possibly compete with melted cheese? I know my limits. However, there was much fun to be had.

I shared a little bit about Spark and Stray, the writing process and answered a few questions. Then 5 boxes of pizza were destroyed in 60 seconds. Then I had the fun of sharing my latest favourite reads!

Mystery Ink write their own reviews to help readers choose library books. This is one of their 6 – Word reviews for Spark. Look at those adjectives! Can I put it on my CV? Rachel told me Spark is very hard to get hold of because it’s always out. Hot diggity!

Rachel set up our meeting area with more prominently displayed book propaganda, (my favourite kind.) And here’s a pic of the pizza being inhaled.

While the Mystery Ink team worked themselves into a pizza coma I used the silence as an opportunity to promote some of my latest FAVOURITE reads. I have been devouring Kiwi and Aussie YA lately and it was fun to see several readers take home library copies of these gorgeous books. (Read my reviews of the books pictured below, here.)

Afterwards some of the less camera shy participants stopped for a photo and we had fun with some giveaways, including copies of Black Room (a Spark – Short Story), bookmarks and posters. I also gave away a copy of Stray (Congratulations to Lydia!!!)

There was lots of chat, laughter, signing of things and then it was all over and time to go home. My thanks to Mystery Ink for hosting me and to lovely Rachel Lord for all her preparation and making me so welcome.