Kathryn Stockett Speaking at The King's English SLC, UT
Thursday night, Lyn from Barding Well and I went to see and hear Kathryn Stockett talk about her book The Help.
The event was held at The King’s English in Salt Lake City, UT.
I’d been planning on attending this for weeks. I had the emails. I’d been checking The King’s English site. I shared the invite with all of my Facebook friends. I had even talked Lyn into coming with me.
As I was double checking the time, I saw something new: tickets were required. I don’t know if I had just missed the ticket requirement, or if it was imposed at the last minute. 
Anyway, when I called the bookstore, I was told I could show up after Kathryn had spoken and try to get my book signed after everyone else, but I wouldn’t be able to hear her speak because I didn’t have a ticket. I was so disappointed! On top of that, I felt bad because I had already talked Lyn into attending the event with me a few weeks earlier.
After discussing the situation, Lyn and I decided to continue on with our plans, and if anything, we might get our books signed by a fantastic author, and if that fell through, then at least we could scrap it, get some dinner and discuss the book ourselves. What else is a pair of bookaholic blogger-friends supposed to do? Then, the day of the signing, I started tweeting with Suey at It’s All About Books, and I shared my frustration with her. Turns out, she was going to have the same problem.
Suey was attending the event with Melissa from One Librarian’s Book Reviews, and they didn’t know that they would need tickets either. Anyhow, they came to the same conclusion as Lyn and I had—at least it would be an adventure, right?
Top: Sharla, Suey, Lyn; Bottom: Melissa, Kathryn Stockett
So, we crashed the reading and book signing not knowing what was going to happen. We were able to get blue tickets, which meant standing room only, and you had to be at the back of the line.
Lyn and I found a spot to sit on the stairs, so we didn’t have to stand the entire time, but some people couldn’t stand that long, and were leaving. It was difficult at times to see from the angle we were sitting at, but what do you do? We felt lucky to even be there.
Anyhow, for the most part it was fantastic. When Kathryn spoke, she seemed sweet, funny, and just over-all wonderful.
I also got to meet Suey, whom I’ve only previously known through her blog and Twitter. And I met Melissa as well.
Left to Right: Sharla, Lyn, Suey, Melissa
The four of us ended up at the back of the line at the signing, but that may have helped us get a good picture together. I’ve never seen a signing line go so fast!
Anyway, after that, we had an impromptu book-blogger party where Lyn, Suey, Melissa, and I all went to the Olive Garden for dinner. It was so fun. Lots of food, fun, and bookish conversation.
It truly turned out to be an adventure.
I’m so glad we decided to crash the party and show up anyway!
P.S. If you’re still reading, then you’ll probably be interested in this reading of The Help at Warwicks that I found online.
Enjoy!
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