An Evening with Kristin Hannah

I love to read (I think I might have mentioned that before) and find myself intrigued by the authors. Not only do they need the creativity to come up with the concept of a story, but they have to then tell the story, through the movement of the plot line, the development of the characters and more. The ability of an author to bring you into their storyline and trigger emotions in you is an art - how many books have I read where I found myself cheering for a character or crying over their losses and joys or finding myself scared to think that this could really happen.

Not that this little blog compares, but when I think about the number of times that I have to write and rewrite a given post, it really gives me a greater respect for authors and what it must be like to sit down to a blank sheet and simply start a story. I always wonder, do they actually start at the beginning or just start telling the story and then finish the beginning later or even last. (That's what I would do if I were an author - I'd just start typing the story and then once I told my story, come back and write the beginning because I think the beginning is the hardest part to write).

With one book that I read, I had the opportunity to participate, as an observer, in a book club discussion with the book's author. It was held online and in addition to those that participated by video, you could also ask questions via Twitter of the author. It was a really unique experience. I enjoyed getting to learn more about the author and the characters and story in the book.

I recently started reading Night Road, by Kristin Hannah. She is the author of 18 national bestsellers (that's a lot of writing!). Night Road was just released last week and is available at your favorite local bookstore (and online too). This is the first book by Kristin Hannah that I have read and so far, I'm only a few chapters in, I am enjoying the book (I'll share my thoughts about the book later!).

For those of you that live in Central Ohio, Kristin Hannah is coming to Columbus as part of the Thurber House Evenings with Authors series. This is your opportunity to meet the best selling author and hear her read from her book and participate in a discussion about her book, including questions from the audience.

Kristin Hannah, Night Road The beloved author of 18 national bestsellers is back with a brand new, emotionally complex novel that raises profound questions about motherhood, loss, identity, and forgiveness.
* Tuesday, April 12
* Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43215
* This event is part of the 2011 Winter/Spring Evenings With Authors series.
* Tickets are $20 for adults,$18 for students and seniors in advance, and can be purchased online, in person at Thurber House (77 Jefferson Ave.), via telephone at 614-464-1032, or at the door.
* The event begins at 7:30 p.m.
* The featured author reads and discusses his/her work, answers questions from the audience, and there is a coffee and cookie reception that follows when the author will sign books.
* Visit http://www.thurberhouse.org/events/evenings.html for details.

Now, I think I might try to sneak in a few more chapters, while the kids are busy playing. When I'm done with the book, I'll be sure to do a post to share my thoughts on the book.

No compensation was received for this post. The opinions expressed are my own. I received a copy of Night Road to read and share a review.

Family Day - A day to eat dinner with your children

Next Monday, September 22nd is Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children. In 2001, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University launched Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children. Their goal was to remind parents that eating dinner as a family makes a difference. Based on some research they funded starting in 1996, they found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs.

You can go to their website and get their free Family Dinner Kit. It has a menu, recipes, conversation starters and a placemat to color.

You can also make a pledge to become a Family Day STAR:

"I commit to:

S- Spend time with my kids by having dinner together

T- Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol

A- Answer their questions and listen to what they say

R- Recognize that I have the power to help keep my kids substance-free!"

I am fortunate that my children are still young enough that they don't yet have a number of activities on weekday nights. As a result, we are typically able to eat dinner together as a family every evening. There are a couple of nights each week, when my husband is in class, that he is unable to join us, but the kids and I still eat as a family. During dinner time, we leave the TV off and talk. I know that it won’t always be this easy, but if I start the tradition now, then hopefully, we will still be able to eat dinner together most of the week as the kids get older.

In honor of Family Day, I think I will make a special meal for the family. I’m not sure what yet, but perhaps one of the kids’ favorite meals. I will print out the placemats from the Family Dinner Kit and the kids can color their placemats while I make dinner. I might even try to print out some of the conversation starters to add a new twist to the conversation.

What will you do to recognize Family Day?

Post your plans to celebrate Family Day on your site with a link back here. Then, come back here and leave a link below.

Or, if you don't have a blog, leave your plans in the comments.