Hooray for the Buffet of Ways to Get Your Hands on a Book! by Judy Christie

It's my great pleasure to welcome author Judy Christie back to the blog!


When I was in elementary school, a bookmobile rolled up every so often and parked on the side street. A few at a time, students entered the cool bus of books. I vividly recall the wonder of a new collection of volumes from which to choose.

When I got my driver’s license, the first place I headed was the Cedar Grove Branch Library. Tons of great reading entered my mind from those shelves.

In my second novel, Goodness Gracious Green, the town’s little newspaper organizes a used book sale. I had such a great time writing that scene because I love book sales. As I wrote, I could see books being dropped off in cardboard boxes and lined up on tables.

These days there is a lot of talk (and even arguing) about where people get their books and in what form. While some debate hardback versus paperback, others discuss electronic readers – and the pros and cons of the “page-turning” experience. Some readers champion independent bookstores, while many like the convenience of online book shopping or large retail chains.

I confess: I like them all! The many ways to pick up a book don’t compete, but complement one another. I stroll through my local library, spend hours in used bookstores, and enjoy books on my Kindle. On vacation, I scour tourist information to discover new bookstores. If I have business in a city, I explore the public library.

The buffet of options for where to get books is as wonderful as a great potluck supper at church, where the choices are so good that I take a little of everything – leaving extra room for my favorites.

How about you? Do you have a favorite place to pick up a book? Have you ever stumbled on a wonderful read in an unexpected spot? I’d love to hear about your encounters with books. Leave a comment below. We’ll draw a winner at random and send you a signed copy of either Gone to Green, first in the series, or Goodness Gracious Green, your choice!

Happy Reading!

Judy Christie

ABOUT THE BOOK

Goodness Gracious Green is the second in The Green Series, about charming and uncertain journalist Lois Barker who is trying to settle into her second year in the small southern town of Green. The year has scarcely been rung in before Lois is wrung out, but in the midst of challenges, Lois’s journey explodes with possibilities. The Glory of Green, book 3 in the series, will be out in February 2011. I can scarcely wait for you to see what happens next!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judy Christie (that’s me) is the author of The Green Series, about the town of Green and the many interesting folks who live there – and how they change a big-city journalist who moves to town. I’m a frequent retreat and workshop leader who loves to help people hurry less and worry less and have written a series of nonfiction books on how to slow down and enjoy each day more. A former journalist, my husband and I live in Louisiana, where I have fun exploring flea markets and used bookstores, wandering through the park and sitting in the porch swing. For more information or to contact me, see www.judychristie.com. I also love Facebook friends and look forward to visiting with you.