Author Spotlight: Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home

Photo Credit: Author Provided

Yesterday, the interview with Julie Kibler posted. Today, it’s about the fun side of Julie- #literaryconfessions, #literarycrush, and more!

Author Spotlight: Julie Kibler

Julie- who are some of your favorite authors?

As a kid, my favorites were, of course, Laura Ingalls Wilder and Frances Hodgson Burnett. From young adulthood on, I always loved Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher. In recent years, I’ve been especially engrossed by books written by Chris Cleave, Chris Bohjalian, Elizabeth Berg, and too many others to name. I actually hate to name favorites, because tomorrow I’ll remember a different one and think, “OOPS.”

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

Many more than I’ll ever admit. Maybe one is that I am a Bronte girl, much more than an Austen girl. I always enjoy movies made from novels by any of them, but I have never made it all the way through a Jane Austen novel! Ack!

Do you have a #literarycrush?

Recently I was painfully, heart wrenchingly in love with Will Traynor, right along with Louisa Clark in Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You. Longstanding crush? Probably Rochester from Jane Eyre. I always seem to fall for the complicated, difficult heroes.

What books have you been looking forward to reading in 2014?

I have a stack of books calling my name, but a few from friends I’m especially looking forward to. Ellen Marie Wiseman’s What She Left Behind is burning up the charts since it released a few weeks ago and I can’t wait to get started. Lydia Netzer’s second novel, How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky, will be out this summer. I loved Shine Shine Shine! I want to read other books by Rainbow Rowell (I LOVED her YA novel Eleanor & Park in 2013). I could go on and on.

What was 1 book in 2013 that everyone was buzzing about- but you have not read?

Probably Elizabeth Gilbert’s Signature of All Things. I would like to read it, but haven’t yet.

If you could be best friends with a character from a book- who would it be? And why?

This sounds morbid, but if I’m ever diagnosed with a terminal illness, I hope I’m surrounded by friends such as the characters in Elizabeth Berg’s Talk Before Sleep. Berg has a way of writing characters that just seem to “get” life — and me! I read the things they think and say and nod and smile and say, “Yes.”

*Thanks to Julie for sharing her #literarycrush and #literaryconfessions- among other things! Connect with Julie via Facebook or website!

Author Interview: Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home

Photo Credit: Author Provided

Julie Kibler’s debut novel, Calling Me Home, holds a special place in my heart. Not because it’s good (It is, though), but because it was the first She Reads book chosen after I became the She Reads Twitter Chat and Online Discussion Leader. And boy, this book made THAT memorable! I won’t spoil the book by going on and on about it- for 2 reasons- 1. today is all about Julie and 2. I want you to read this book (psst… Goodreads is having a giveaway!)

On to Julie’s interview 🙂

Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home

Calling Me Home is your first book, Julie- and it made quite a splash! It will be made into a movie, it was a Pulpwood Queen and She Reads Book Club selection- and several authors posted it on their “must read” lists. How does that make you feel?

It has been an exciting year, to say the least. Some days I have to pinch myself.

Calling Me Home is fiction- but it’s inspiration was from a family story about your grandmother. Did that make writing this book easier or harder?

It made it easier in that I had a muse in my deceased grandmother and an inkling of a story and an unusual setting. It made it harder because I knew I couldn’t tell the “true” story because of not knowing all the details—I had to really give myself permission to just go with my imagination. I’m sure the resulting story is really very different from what happened to my grandmother. I’d love to know, but that won’t happen this side of the grave!

Has there been any progress made in the news that Calling Me Home will make it to the big screen? Will you, as the author, have a choice in the cast?

I haven’t heard anything new lately. I don’t have any specific rights in cast choice, but I imagine I might be consulted at some point. I figured I’ve done my job—writing the book. The rest is up to the producers and directors!

After writing, the edits and all the other things that go into making a book- when you finally saw the first copy of Calling Me Home- what was your reaction?

I was at the Pulpwood Queen’s Annual Girlfriend Weekend in Jefferson last January and received a box of my books at the bed and breakfast where I was staying. They were intended for giveaways that weekend—my personal copies would arrive the next week. Still, it was an unforgettable moment, feeling the texture of the pages and seeing the lovely buttery yellow of the cloth cover for the very first time. And don’t tell anyone, but I did keep one! 🙂 (I made up for it later.)

Do you have any more book signing events planned?

I’m about to attend the Pulpwood Queen’s 2014 weekend again, this time as a panelist, which is exciting! I have a few Kentucky events in the works for late spring and will be at the DFW Writer’s Conference in early May. Other than the launch events I already did locally, I’m not doing a bookstore tour for the paperback, but often visit with book clubs or do library events or events with other organizations here and there.

Julie- what are you working on next? Are you in the process of gathering ideas for a new book?

I’m working on a new story. I’m really excited about it and hoping to find real time to devote to it this spring. I think readers who enjoyed Calling Me Home will be pleased, as I’m finding myself obsessed once again with the concepts of home, family, and the geography of the road.

*Thanks to Julie for answering the interview questions! Connect with Julie via Facebook or Website.

Monday Mashup

It’s been a while since I’ve done a mashup- so I’m bringing it back!

#giveaways:

A Novel Review is giving away THE LAKE HOUSE by Marci Nault (! Day left to enter- so get those entries in there!)

#onlinebookclubnews

The Book Wheel and Love at First Book are still rocking on with their nonfiction pick for May. If nonfiction floats your boat- then there is still time to join in on the fun!

Traveling With T (that’s me!) and Book-alicious Mama are working hard on getting RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA ready for June. Thanks to a special person, I hope to have blog buttons by June. Plans for the hashtag #bookloversunite will be revealed on Friday.

Southern Lit Lovers on Goodreads are discussing Julie Kibler’s CALLING ME HOME. If you missed the chance to talk about it with me at She Reads- do stop by Goodreads.

My review of CALLING ME HOME by Julie Kibler.

#justgoodnews

The Book Wheel has started her own literary consulting company. Read her blog post for the details.

On Danna Pycher’s blog- I was given a lovely shout-out for my interview with Danna that posted on Friday. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

More good news for me: I won an autographed copy of TIME FLIES by Claire Cook– I don’t think I even need to explain how excited I was since TIME FLIES since it made my Beach Bag Reads list!

#books

I reviewed THE COTTAGE AT GLASS BEACH today. Beautiful cover, good book, mystery and intrigue- worth a read!

Do you like a little chill in your reading for the summer? Marybeth Whalen, co-creator of She Reads, has got a list of summer reads for you then! Looking over the list of A Little Chill in the Summer– I already have marked to read LIE STILL by Julia Heaberlin- looks like I have more to add!

I created a Book Signings board on Pinterest- go check it out- it’s every book signing that I’ve been to!

Last week was Bout of Books– here is how my week went with that!

LASTLY: Twitter chat with CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE, author of ORPHAN TRAIN Thursday, May 23 at 8pmEST. Use #srchat to join in! It’ll be fun and fabulous!

My review of ORPHAN TRAIN by Christina Baker Kline

Literary Friday ya’ll!

Friday AND St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities happening- some people will be having a great time! I do believe that I’ll be going to see Oz, do some shopping, and just enjoy this pretty weather we’ve been having!

A note about next week: Going to apologize in advance- the blog posts will be sporadic- I’ll be out of town the latter part of the week, and the early part will be finishing work projects so I can enjoy my 4 day weekend & not worry about the things left behind. Don’t miss me too much 🙂

1.#literaryfriday and Deep South Mag go together like peanut butter and jelly, right? This week’s round-up has news from Joshilyn Jackson (sequel news!), Alice Walker and Wendy Wax While We Were Watching Downton Abbey news about her Georgia promotion tour. And,naturally, much more!

2. #giveways! Bookmagnet is giving away Family Pictures by Jane Green, A Woman, a wife, and mom is giving away The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow, A Utah Mom’s Life is giving away Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler, Goodreads is giving away a copy of Erika Marks new book, The Guest House, and Drey’s Library is giving away Allie Larkin’s Why Can’t I Be You?

3. Julie Kibler’s getting more good news: Not only is Calling Me Home a pretty big deal- but Warner Bros. picked up the rights to “Calling Me Home”. So, how long till we it on the screen? I’m not sure- but Warner Bros.- CALL ME. I discussed all last month who would make a great cast for a movie!

4. My #fridayreads is The Mermaid of Brooklyn– it won’t be in stores till April 2nd- but so far, I’m enjoying it. Looking like a great book to give your “mom” friends! What is your #fridayreads?

5. This article was on HuffPost this week- and I saw a group on Twitter discussing it. Planning a Blog Tour? Think Twice. is the name of the article. I’ve read it- and my take is this: A blog tour CAN be a good way to get attention for you book- but I don’t think a blogger is required to love the book. Now, does that mean a blogger should trash a book? No. It means they can give their opinion, can say why they did not like it, and things of that nature.

I was thinking about the last line of the article- talking about real life book signings that books get sold, people attend and more- I guess we have not always attended the same type of book signings. I have been to signings where I’m the only person there- or there are so few people there, it’s almost sad. I always feel a bit of sadness for the author when I see turn-outs like this; but it happens.

Read the article- and tell me what you think. Would love to hear your thoughts. And, if you’ve been to a book signing- let me know how well attended it was.

6. Don’t forget- Twitter Chat with Rita Leganski on Wed, March 20th, 2-3pm EST. Use #srchat to join in and tweetchat.com. And Rita Leganski is on Twitter now- follow her @ritaleganski!

Happy Reading!

Literary Friday, ya’ll…..

I know my #literaryfriday is 2 days late; but I still wanted to post about it!

Got lots of news so read on!

1. Deep South Mag has their #literaryfriday- and it’s just filled with good things. Foreign movie posters ( you just have to see the Gone With the Wind one!) and good news for us folks awaiting the new Spring/Summer Reading List- it comes out VERY soon!

2. She Reads & Southern Lit Lovers (on Goodreads) are teaming up for some VERY exciting news in March!

3. Tomorrow (Monday) is the beginning of the Calling Me Home discussion on She Reads. The discussion will be led by me- and it’ll be going all week! We’re going to talk about the book, who we think would be perfect in the roles if Calling Me Home was a movie, and much more!

4. She Reads is on Pinterest now! So check them out there! Interesting boards to check out: Calling Me Home Board, Our Pretty Peepers, Our Furry Muses and The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

5. The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow will be She Reads March Book Club pick. Look over the Pinterest board, grab a copy, get ready for a Twitter discussion (Date TBD) and join me at the end of March as I lead the discussion!

6. My #fridayreads is American Ghost by Janis Owens- what was your #fridayreads?

Happy Reading!

Little of this, little of that…

1. In case you missed the Julie Kibler CALLING ME HOME chat earlier today- don’t fret. HERE is the link! Do join shereads.org (and me!) for the online discussion of Calling Me Home beginning Feb 25th.

2. Want to win a copy of The Comfort of Lies? Go to Great New Books for a chance!

3. Want to know more about Julie Kibler and Calling Me Home? Read Julie’s post on She Reads today!

4. Got any exciting #fridayreads books?

5. Like my blog posts, but would prefer if I was on Facebook? You’re in luck! Traveling With T is on Facebook! Go and “like” my page!

Tuesday news…..

Well I’ve had to take a break from blogging for a few days- twisted my back and have been taking it easy 😦 Hopefully, I’m back on the mend now!

Catching up:

1. Twitter chat tmrw (WED) with Julie Kibler, author of Calling Me Home. Use #srchat to join in. I’ll be hosting it and plan on using tweetchat.com Come, learn more about Calling Me Home.

2. Don’t forget- She Reads Online Book Club Discussion will begin Feb 25 and go on for a week. It’ll be hosted by me as well 🙂

She Reads posts You Must Read:

1. Some Thrillers to Chill You

2. Tell Me Something True: A Visit With Tara Conklin

Literary Friday ya’ll…

Before I begin my #literaryfriday talk- riddle me this: Why do people want to follow you on Twitter that don’t really care for you in real life? Seriously, looking at my follower list this morning- and I was like “How did you find me?!!” “Why are you following me?” “Why me?!” Ok drama over.

1.Deep South Magazine is taking today off from #literaryfriday- because they are traveling to Arkansas- so no Deep South news.

2. What are your #fridayreads? Mine is American Ghost by Janis Owens.

3. Looking for book tours + giveaways? Cozy Mystery Review has an upcoming one!

4. My review of Malicious Masquerade has been posted to Cozy Mystery Reviews!

Blog Posts to read from She Reads:

Tell Me Something True- A Visit with Tanis Rideout

Literary First Love- Julie Kibler

Book Club News:

Looking for a book to read in March? Rebecca- Love at First Book and Allison- The Book Wheel are teaming up- they’ve picked Tana French’s In The Woods as their March book club pick and would love for you to join along. Read HERE for more info on how to join along!

March #gr8Books Book Club Selection is Wife 22. Join in the discussion of the book on Twitter March 5,2013 from 8-9pm CST. Read HERE for more info!

And don’t forget: I’m hosting a Twitter chat with Julie Kibler about her debut novel, Calling Me Home, on Feb 20 from 2-3pm EST. Use #srchat to join in. Can’t come? Don’t worry. The online book club discussion will begin on Feb 25 and will go on all week long. Go to She Reads to join in!

Happy Reading!

Literary Friday ya’ll….

Friday. Oh the weather is not delightful. Yesterday, the air was positively spring-like. I began looking at my flip-flops in anticipation of pedicures and walking around outside. I *might* have even spoken to my favorite new pair- saying something like “I can’t wait to show you off!” But the weather is a cruel mistress, no? Yesterday’s nice, sunny, breezy weather has led to today’s cool weather with dark skies.

In other #literaryfriday news:

1. Deep South Magazine– Cocktail recipies inspired by favorite pieces of literature, list of the most literate cities for 2012, and a review by Laura Kay, a fellow She Reads Blog Network member, about Julie Kibler’s CALLING ME HOME which is She Reads Feb Book Club Pick of the Month. Through today, comment on the She Reads post for a chance to win a copy of CALLING ME HOME.

2. More #giveaways: Tell Me Something True-A Visit With Emily Winslow Comment on post for a chance to win The Start Of Everything (She Reads is giving away a copy!)

3. #fridayreads My read is Veiled Revenge by Ellen Byerrum. Your next #fridayreads should be Julie Kibler’s Calling Me Home. In stores on Feb 12. Interested in finding out more about Calling Me Home? Here’s my review of Calling Me Home.

4. Two other books readers should be on the lookout for (Both will be released Feb 12). Gods of Mischief: My Undercover Vendetta to Take Down the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang by George Rowe and The Next Time You See Me by Holly Goddard Jones.

5. Still looking for Valentine’s Ideas? My blog post, Valentine’s Ideas, will provide some suggestions as well as Bookmagnet’s blog!

6. Looking for great book chats? Use #gr8books on Twitter- the host is Andrea (@gr8thoughts). Earlier this week, Erika Robuck’s Hemingway’s Girl was discussed. It was a fun-filled chat with lots of interesting chatter about the book. Next chat is March 5th, from 8-9pmCST. The book discussed will be Wife 22.

7. Be thinking of questions to ask Julie Kibler because I’m hosting a Twitter chat with her on Feb 20th from 2-3pm EST. Haven’t decided on hashtag as of yet- but will def post ASAP.

Happy Reading!

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler- She Reads Feb Book Club Pick!

Looking for a good book to read? Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler is She Reads Feb Book Club pick!

Here’s my review of Calling Me Home

This month is my debut as the She Reads Online Book Club Leader- I’m excited, nervous and more- but ready for the challenge! The discussion will take place on shereads.org! Come by on Monday, February 25th to participate in the discussion- and don’t worry: It’ll be going on all week so there’ll be plenty of time to participate!