Greetings, salutations, and warm Sunday hellos! As you read this, I am winging my way home from Thrillerfest, so this is going to be short and sweet. I’m sure I will have many stories to tell and lots to share. 

Before I took off for NYC, I spent some time doing a bit of a digital detox. Awesome Assistant Leigh was here Monday to get Team JT squared away on social media for the rest of the summer. I love these quarterly get togethers. It’s a blessing to be able to do some work in person when you run things virtually. 

That’s the way I feel about Thrillerfest. Not only do I get to see friends, I also get to see my team. This year’s event was especially exciting because my longtime editorial leader Margaret Marbury received an award for her service to the genre. While I’ve had five brilliant editors over the thirteen years I’ve been with MIRA, Margaret has been on my team from day one. I met her the first time in Phoenix, at the inaugural Thrillerfest. She embodies everything that you think of when the words “New York” and “publishing”  are put together. Gorgeous, erudite, a lanky fashion plate with a wicked sense of humor, she’s utterly cool and unflappable.  She gives good advice, too. So cheers, Margaret! Congratulations on being named the 2019 Thriller Legend!

One thing I did treat myself with was leaving my laptop at home and bringing along my ARC of Erin Morgenstern’s THE STARLESS SEA instead. I have to say, this book is going to be a massive hit. It’s wildly imaginative, structurally brilliant, and so heartfelt. Sheer genius. If you like books, you’re going to love it - so yes, that’s ALL OF YOU!

Back next week with loads more... have a super rest of the weekend. Let’s take a look at the links!

Here's what happened on the Internets this week:

Blown away to see THE FINAL CUT on the New York Public Library staff pick list! So cool!

Arctic fox astounds scientists by trekking 2,176 miles in 76 days — from Norway to Canada. I’m resisting dropping a why did the fox cross the Artic joke here... what an amazing girl!

The Best Audiobooks to Listen to This Summer. Have you listened to any of these?

Virginia’s University of Lynchburg Is Adding a Harry Potter Class to Its Fall Curriculum. I would love to take this class.

Weird Questions People Asked Librarians. Some of these made me laugh!

Jane Eyre is a startlingly modern heroine. A new ballet shows why. I’m very curious about this production.

Beautiful Libraries Around the World Every Booklover Should Visit. Making a list…

The Biggest, Most Purr-fect List of Literary Cat Names (200+ Name Ideas!)

Wine of the Week at The Wine Vixen!

What I’m Reading:

LAYOVER by David Bell

There is something inherently sexy about meeting a stranger at an airport, especially one you connect with on every level. But what if that someone might be a missing person? It's a great premise for a book, and David Bell's latest, Layover, captures all the excitement and terror of this exact situation. If you like Harlan Coben, you will love David Bell.

What are you reading?

That’s all for now. I’ll see you next week!

peace and hugs,
J.T.