The sweet calm sunshine of October, now Warms the low spot; upon its grassy mould The purple oak-leaf falls; the birchen bough Drops its bright spoil like arrow-heads of gold. There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir: We must rise and follow her, When from every hill of flame, She calls and calls each vagabond by name. —  William Bliss Carman

The purple and red leaves, my birthday, and Halloween. What isn’t there to love! I will make my letter short this time – I want to spend as much time as I can outside.

Judging by your entries in the Jane Hamilton Madeline Match and the White Ghost Girls Giveaway contests, both Jane Hamilton and Alice Greenway are certainly reading group favorites! Thanks to you all for entering. The winners will receive your free books shortly.

The Southern Independent Bookseller Alliance (SIBA) Reading Group Panel was a blast. I moderated while Cassandra King and Kim Edwards knocked the booksellers off their feet. The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) Book Club Panel had me as moderator and two awesome booksellers (Mark LaFramboise from Politics & Prose and Rob Stahl from Colgate Bookstore) and one great Director of Publicity, Russell Perrault, from Vintage/Anchor.  The three panelist were excited about book clubs and their jobs helping book clubs in any way they can. Both programs left me smiling knowing that I do love my job and talking with and about reading groups and books.

Keep your fingers crossed for Kiran Desai in the Man Booker competition.

As always, thanks for keeping the joy of reading alive.

Barbara
bmead@readinggroupchoices.com