Books on the Nightstand discussion
Booktopia 2012
>
Booktopia: Oxford MS, June 15-17, 2012
message 1:
by
Ann
(last edited Sep 30, 2011 07:10am)
(new)
Sep 30, 2011 06:56am
Discussions about the Oxford retreat. Figure out ride-shares, roommates, ask questions, whatever!
reply
|
flag
*
I was just wanted to comment on how psyched I am that this location is within a fairly short (4 hour) driving distance from me! Vermont is too far, but Missississippi isn't! I can't wait!Also, June in Oxford is probably going to be sweltering hot and very very humid. I'm from Alabama, so I'm used to it, but definitely make sure your car's A/C is working.
Catelyn, we knew it would be warm, but what better way to experience the true South, right? I think it will add to the charm. :) I'm assuming that there is air conditioning everywhere.(it's also why it's so affordable and why there were enough hotel rooms..)
Yes, there's definitely air conditioning everywhere! And Oxford is really beautiful, by the way. Ya'll made an excellent choice. :)
Just registered! I've never been this deep south before so I'm very excited.Might consider driving this time round so if anyone in Chicagoland is attending let me know!
Registered and hotel room confirmed!!! I am so thankful you have added two new dates/locations. Since I couldn't make VT this year I was praying that the dates would work out for 2012. I don't think I could have gone another year without meeting everyone. And Oxford works out perfectly - it's even my birthday on the 18th...it's my birthday present to me :)
Shona, I'm so excited!!!!!!! Remind us of your birthday if we forget. It's a little far away for my addled brain to remember.
I've registered! :-)Hopefully the whole family will go, but we'll see :-)
The kids have never been to the U.S., and I haven't been to Mississipi so that should be interesting!
Oxford is lookIng like *the* spot for our international friends! I hope you all (oops, y'all) don't mind hugs!
Any of you living semi-near Oxford, can you recommend stuff to do/places to see there or in nearby cities/areas with kids ages 4 and 5? We're thinking of staying for 1½ week maybe, and I thought some of you might have a idea or two :-)
There's also the Tennessee aquarium in Chattanooga if you are headed that way. It's easy to spend the whole day there, and I've been there several times a kid and once as an adult--super fun. :)
Catelyn wrote: "Also, everyone must try a Koolickle before leaving Mississippi! It's the official food!"Is that the pickle marinated in Kool-Aid? I just saw that on either Diners,Drive-ins & Dives or Man v Food Nation this week. I'm intrigued!
They're deliciously unique! And any food place or gas station in the state will have them. I recommend the grape-flavored.
Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?
Ann wrote: "Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?"Me!Me!
Ann wrote: "Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?"Yes, indeed!
Definitely yes. I was just thinking which Faulkner I should plan to read before going. What do y'all recommend?
My mom and I registered quickly for Oxford. I love Mississippi but have not been there since the early 1990's when I lived in Jackson. We were both torn about which retreat to attend, but Oxford and the South still has party of my heart. The room is booked at the Downtown Oxford Inn. I'll miss the Inn at Manchester. The Inn itself almost drew me back to that retreat.The Koolickle and many other fabulous Southern foods await us!
Faulkner tour?-most definitely!
Dianne wrote: "Definitely yes. I was just thinking which Faulkner I should plan to read before going. What do y'all recommend?"I would recommend picking up a set of either Cliff's Notes or Spark Notes for which ever title you choose! I never thought of myself as a literary slouch on anything this side of Emberto Eco; but Faulkner was definitely challenging! I read Absalom, Absalom! and The Sound and the Fury (*before* they were Oprah picks!) back-to-back, as well as quite a bit of Shelby Foote's fiction. At the time, I was pregnant, and I was *sure* my daughter was going to be born with a Southern accent!
Ann wrote: "Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?"Absolutely, positively, YES! This gets better 'n better all the time....
Just booked my flight and the room at the Downtown Oxford Inn. Count me in for the Faulkner tour and the Koolickles!
Tanya wrote: I would recommend picking up a set of either Cliff's Notes or Spar..."Thanks for the tip. I think I will try "The Sound and the Fury" first.
Ann wrote: "Count me OUT of the koolickles! Sorry :)"Okay, I will represent the BOTNS "staff" on the Koolickle bandwagon. (and I will have the Tums standing by, just in case!)
Ann wrote: "Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?"Absolutely Yes!!!
Last year I was green with envy about the retreat waaaay off in New England. I never dreamed Booktopia might come to Oxford! I live about 90 miles from Oxford. I went to graduate school at Ole Miss, visit friends there often, and go to the Yoknapatawpha writers workshop each summer. I'm not an expert but I am very famliar with the area if anyone has any questions.
What Catelyn said re: air conditioning - I second it! It will be quite warm and humid in mid-June. Hotels and restaurants are well cooled with A/C to the point that you may actually want a light jacket to wear while inside. (Sounds crazy but it's true!)
I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone!
Joanne wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Just registered!"I'll miss you in Vermont, Suzanne. Have fun in the steamy South!"
Thanks Joanne -- will miss seeing you as well. We will all have to compare notes
Suzanne wrote: "Just registered! I've never been this deep south before so I'm very excited.Might consider driving this time round so if anyone in Chicagoland is attending let me know!"
Well now I might be interested in driving. I live in Iowa, but could swing over to Chicagoland. Too far to drive alone, but hadn't considered carpooling from all the way up here.
Amy wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Just registered! I've never been this deep south before so I'm very excited.Might consider driving this time round so if anyone in Chicagoland is attending let me know!"
Well ..."
Amy, it looks like "only" a 10-11 hour drive so I think it's doable. I still haven't made a final decision but I'll definitely keep you posted.
I've never been to Mississippi. I'm so looking forward to it. What a brilliant idea to have 3 retreats!
Ann wrote: "Question for your Oxford-bound folks: is there interest in a group tour of the William Faulkner house?"Yes, Ann! What a great idea. Count me in. I better dust off my never read Faulkner and plunge in.
My cousin Suzanne and I just registered this morning. We are so excited -0 will be driving down from St. Louis and would definitely be interested in a Faulkner tour. Thanks so much, Ann and Michael for all this work you are doing. I went last year with my friend Maureen and could not wait to hear about 2012. It is terrific that you have gone to so much trouble to make the retreat accessible to folks all over the country!!!! Yay!
I regestered for the Oxford retreat yesterday morning. Can't tell you how excited I am by this event! I began listening to your podcast several months ago. Love it so much; can't wait to meet y'all. "Y'all"? Yes, I am happy to say that I was born and raised here in Mississippi. I live close to Picayune--waaay down in the southern part of the state, about 45 miles from New Orleans. So, imagine my excitement when I saw that you are having a retreat in Oxford! That is easily drivable for me. Never been to Oxford, but I do know about Square Books Bookstore...I frequently listen to a radio show from the bookstore, Thacker Mountain. They have live music, and a reading from a current author's new book.Forgive me for being so long winded, or long-typed, as I rarely comment on any message boards, just love to lurk, I suppose. But I had to express my excitement over this event. I must admit, I am a bit intimidated to come, as I do not consider myself very well read. I am a slooow reader, and "read" most of my books on audio which works great for my half-hour commutes to work, mowing the lawn, etc. But I will try to prepare by at least reading the retreat authors' books, when announced. Again, can't wait to meet all my fellow BOTNS listeners, and, of course, Ann and Michael. Now, to make my hotel reservations.....Oh, did I mention how excited I am???
I think koolickle sounds a bit scary... Look forward to meeting you David - and don't worry about being well read - as long as you enjoy a great story you'll fit right in I think :-)
Louise wrote: "I think koolickle sounds a bit scary... Look forward to meeting you David - and don't worry about being well read - as long as you enjoy a great story you'll fit right in I think :-)"Thank you so much. See you there!
Ann wrote: "Ooh, I need to practice my "y'all"s..."we yankke who live in the south dont say it all all
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
Light in August (other topics)As I Lay Dying (other topics)
The Sound and the Fury (other topics)
A Christmas Memory (other topics)
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (other topics)
More...
