Week #2 had a few contenders for my Fabulous Project. I went to a stunning production of a new play, Marie Antoinette at the ART, and a revival of one of my favorites, Crimes of the Heart at Gloucester Stage. And I spent some time with friends afterwards, which definitely makes them contenders.
But I also went to Brookline Booksmith on Wednesday and the Concord Bookshop on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the book releases of two friends. Both of them are mentioned in this picture.
Hank Phillippi Ryan is an Emmy-winning reporter who has created a second career for herself as a mystery novelist. She is very good at it. She has a three book series about report Charlie McNally. But this week she released The Other Woman, the first in a new series. It is getting wonderful reviews.
Hank is also one of my Sisters in Crime. We are both on the board of the New England chapter, and she is the president elect of the national chapter.
Ilie Ruby and I took two Grub Street classes together years ago. One was wonderful. The other, not so much. I was just starting to take myself seriously as a writer, and Ilie was a great cheerleader, especially during the not so much class. She does not write mysteries. She is a literary writer, with magic realism tones. We lost contact, but found each other again (via Facebook) when her first book, The Language of Trees, came out. And on Sunday I went to her reading at the Concord Bookshop to celebrate the release of The Salt God’s Daughter.
Though I am a Kindle user, I bought both of these wonderful writers’ books. And had them sign them. There is nothing better than celebrating the success of a friend. Or two. Definitely fabulous.