Totally Star Struck

Of course I wouldn't trade my role as Evan's mom for anything in the world, but if for some strange reason I were ever forced to pick one person to trade places with, it would be New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult. I am star struck every time I see her. My heart beats fast, my palms get sweaty, I begin to utter mere syllables instead of actual words. It is pathetic. 

Ms. Picoult is on tour promoting her latest book, Handle with Care: A Novel and I went to a reading last week. After the reading she took questions and answers. When she announced she had time for one last question, I decided I couldn't pass up an opportunity to talk to her, so I shot my hand up in the air. It was right as she called on me that I realized I didn't have a question to ask! So, I pulled together a really lame, boring question: Has your writing routine changed since your first novel? Ugh. I might as well have asked what toothpaste she uses. She answered it graciously saying her routine hasn't changed at all. Go figure. 

Next came the signing. I waited in line hoping I could get a picture with her, only to find out she wasn't doing photos. She scribbled my name and her signature in my book and I tried to think of something to say to her. "I love your writing" seemed too obvious. So, being the intelligent creature I am, I came up with the incredibly witty, "I love the MP3s you post on your Web site." That was it? That was all I could come up with? I've read every single one of her books, some of them twice and that was all I could think to say? I blame it on the butterflies. She thanked me and told me she'd be posting a new one next month. I walked away shaking my head. I can be such a dork. 

As for the book, I am almost finished and I love it! It has made me laugh and cry. It is the story of a mother that decided to sue for the wrongful birth of her daughter who was born with a genetic disease. I have liked every book by Jodi Picoult, but so far this is one of my favorites...now I just have to see how it ends. If you live close to me, I'll let you borrow my copy. If you want one of your own, Amazon has it for $16.77, which is a $10 discount--this link--Handle with Care: A Novel--will take you directly to the page.

If you want to listen to the MP3s I mentioned, visit http://www.jodipicoult.com/ and click on MP3s. You can also view her book tour schedule. If you go to a reading, try to be a little more composed than I was.