Tonight my friend Jean and I met for dinner at Joseph-Beth Bookstore and stayed for the book reading by bestselling author Tracy Chevalier. I just recently read Girl with a Pearl Earring and loved it, so I was excited to hear her speak. Her first question to the 30-40 of us who were there was ‘who likes Jane Austen’? Well, with a start like that you knew it was going to be good. She chose 3 different passages from her new book, Remarkable Creatures (just realeased January 5th), and spent half an hour reading to us. She was wonderful.
Then she opened it up to questions. Here are a few things I learned…
*It took her 2 1/2 years from beginning research to completion to finish Remarkable Creatures. As part of her research she looked for fossils and brought a few that she had found to the signing.
*Margaret Atwood is the living writer that she respects the most.
*She went to an Ohio college, Oberlin. One of her professors was sitting in the front row.
*She chose to not be directly involved with the making of the movie, Girl with a Pearl Earring. She thinks a movie should respect the book, but not be a slave to it or the movie will fall flat. She was able to visit the set and loved it.
*Her next book is set in Ohio. Woo Hoo for the Buckeye State!
It was a wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening with a friend. So, when it was my turn to have my book signed I had her sign two.
So, is this your book she’s signing? Could be. Leave a comment with your email address and you’ll be entered to win this autographed hardcover copy of Remarkable Creatures. You have a chance to earn extra entries by participating in my Tuesday quizzes. Open internationally and I’ll draw a winner on February 1st.
Stacy's Books 
I love her opening question! Please enter me!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
It’s always so exciting to attend an author signing! (Our bookstores rarely host this and even if it does, they are mostly local authors/artists.)
Thanks so much for sharing, Stacy!
I want this! I want this! I’m so glad it’s open internationally.
teh (dot) alice (at) gmail (dot) com
I’ve heard a lot about The Pearl book, the title is great isn’t it?
I have attended just one signing so far, I wish there are more here.
Please enter me.
violetc dot books at gmail dot com
OOOHHHHHH, I am squealing with delight because I just know it’s my book that she’s signing!! LOL!! I am so jealous of you right now Stacy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have read her books and enjoyed all but one…I’ve been reading good things about her newest novel!!
Of course please enter me!! You’re a real doll for thinking of others last night 🙂
Awesome.. I am currently reading an Atwood which is better than my first Atwood but not quite as good as Handmaid’s Tale.. Please enter me 🙂
pinkfliplfops44 at gmail dot com
How lovely to have a chance at this signed copy. I read and enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring, and also The Lady and the Unicorn. I know I’ll like this book too. I entered your First Ladies quiz and look forward to the next one.
lcbrower(at)cableone(dot)net
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend the evening! I love that there’s a fireplace in that bookstore. I’d love to be entered in the giveaway. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
I am so jealous. Sounds like a great evening. Please enter me, too.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
I’ve got this book on my TBR list. Glad you got to meet her.
nisethusfarATyahooDOTcon
I love her books!
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Very interesting!! I haven’t seen the movie or read the book but its on my list.
I would love to enter. Thank you!
nataliew2(at)gmail(dot)com
O my gosh, that is so cool! I’ve read Girl With a Pearl Earring (own it too) and own but haven’t read The Lady and the Unicorn and Burning Bright. I must own Remarkable Creatures…thank you!!!
nycbookgirl at gmail dot com
I wish that I could have made it to the book signing Stacy!! My husband didn’t get home until 8pm due to working late and the snowy roads here. Great pictures and details..thanks for sharing this with us and offering a giveaway!!! Add my name to the drawing please!
redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom
You are so lucky to have had the chance to meet her and get an autographed copy of her book. Thanks for thinking of others. Add me to the list.
margotDOTpeckATgmailDOTcom
Sounds like you had a fantastic evening!
alitareads[at]gmail[dot]com
I enjoy Chevalier’s books. She brings the reader right into the story so well.
Thanks for the contest 🙂
jennygirl73(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Lucky you Stacy!!!! I love her books!! I would love to participate.
Oh, wonderful, wonderful!
🙂
Count me in!
o_rei_de_havana AT hotmail DOT com
Oh, I do want in!
🙂
I’ve only read one Tracy Chevalier book before; I’d be interested in trying this one …
Enter me, please!
pearcejm@gmail.com
thank you for entering me!
leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Please count me in for this book. I havent read this author yet and would love to be given the opportunity
to win this!
mystica123athotmaildotcom
I’d love to win this one!!! I’m a huge fan of Ms. Chevalier’s and have read all of her books except this one!
bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com
I really enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring and look forward to Remarkable Creatures too! And hey, something in common, I like Margaret Atwood too! Thanks for the chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved The Girl with the Pearl Earring. Sign me up for this one.
Haven’t read any of her other books, but I’m interested in this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
jlshall[AT]comcast[DOT]net
What a great giveaway and how exciting to be at her book reading. We dont get a lot of that here in Brainerd. Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂
journey through books @ gmail dot com
Please enter me. Thanks!
kristinemarie7 at gmail.com
I’ve heard so many good things about her books. I would love to win this one!
You are just too sweet to buy an extra book to giveaway! Please enter me!
hmsgofita at hotmail dot com
Please enter me.
pk4290@comcast.net
Please enter me in this giveaway!
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
I liked the movie of The Girl with the Pearl Earring. I’m sure I’d love this book as well.
harvee44 at yahoo.com
Oh, another giveaway!
🙂
Count me in as well!
Thanks for the chance to win this book. Count me in.
I might as well enter for this too!
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
I loved Girl with a Pearl Earring! I love Johannes Vermeer (I saw the exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, it was awesome!)!! I love Colin Firth! I loved the movie because of Colin Firth! Please enter me in this one!
Please enter me!
laura(at)laurafabiani(dot)com
I would love to win this book!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
No need to enter me, doll. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
I can’t wait to read this book!
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
Ah. I miss Joseph-Beth. They always brought in such great authors! Please enter me.
whiteidsmama at yahoo dot com
Count me in.
Please enter me.
ohhhh, i’m so want to have this book !!
This is a fantastic giveaway, thank you! I really enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring and I think Remarkable Creatures sounds like a captivating story. Please enter me in this giveaway.
Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me!!! I love her other books, can’t wait to read this one 🙂
Count me in. 🙂
baileythebookworm at gmail dot com
Sounds good, I’d like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
Living in a small town, we unfortunately don’t get many author signings. One day, I hope to attend one though!
melacan at hotmail dot com
Please count me in. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
I loved Girl With a Pearl Earring (never saw the film – I should order it from netflix). Please throw my name in for the giveaway : )
meah56 AT gmail DOT com
I would love to win this one.
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved “Girl With a Pearl Earring” & would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity!