Grace Lin's Blog, page 45

fortune cookie fortunes

"No flower can stay red for 100 days."
-Chinese Proverb

this week in our garden

The tomatoes are ripening!

They were only slightly interesting when they were green:


Though as they've changed color, they have become more intriguing:


Now, finally, they are identifiable:


Yes, they are really tomatoes!

And they are hers.

Book Party! You're invited!

So, the Ling and Ting Share a Birthday comes out in September! That is next month!

Usually, by now I am knee deep in booklaunch plans with a date already set. This time, if you haven't noticed, I've been hemming and hawing.

That's because with the move, I'm in a new area. I don't know that many people in the area and I don't think that many people know me. I honestly don't know if people will come to a book party. And it's no fun to plan a party that people don't show up to.

But I am proud of the new Ling and Ting book--it's already received two starred reviews!--and I love the characters of Ling and Ting. As you know, I'm already hard at work on the third book and my dream is to make Ling and Ting into a real bonafide series. I think it's a book worth celebrating.


So I'm going to give the book party a shot! Please come! Ling and Ting would love to share their birthday with you!

Come with a friend in a MATCHING OUTFIT... 
and get a special-limited-amount-which-will-be-very-limited-since-I'm-unsure-how-many-people-will-come-so-best-come-early-it's-only-while-they-last-handmade prize!! (I won't exactly say what they are but some new edition Pocket Pacys might be interested in traveling...)

Saturday, September 14th
 5-6 pm
White Square Books 
86 Cottage Street
Easthampton, MA 01027
413-203-1717

 Cake, balloons and other goodies! What are they? You'll have to come and see...but I promise they'll be good! They were last time, weren't they?

 Please sign up for a free ticket HERE if you can make it, but you are WELCOME to come last minute! (The tickets are just so the store has a rough idea of how many people are coming). Invite your friends, spread the word! The more the merrier!

 Not local? Do you want your book autographed plus some free, exclusive goodies?  Pre-order from White Square Books and they will get signed and sent to you right after the party. Keep your eyes open here or my facebook page for online launch fun!

on my desk monday

Taking a brief procrastination breather with fabric:


The Sasquatch's mother very, very kindly has agreed to make curtains in the studio for me! The pink flowers is for the window seat window and the bird fabric is for the window behind my reading/writing chair.  Will post photos when it's all finished...I can't wait!

fortune cookie fortunes

"The heart is but the beach beside the sea that is the world."
-Chinese Proverb

see you on Sunday (I hope!)

This Sunday is White Square Books (in Easthampton, MA) is having a Starry River of the Sky book club meeting and I'm going!   With the move and Rain Dragon, I haven't done too many public appearances this summer and I looking forward to meeting new (and familiar) readers!

White Square - Fine Books & Art
86 Cottage Street Easthampton, MA 01027
Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (I will arrive at 3pm)
Moon cakes and green tea will be served!

The event is FREE, but the store does ask that you register and have read the book. Send an e-mail to whitesquarebooks@gmail.com or call the store at 413-203-1717.

I hope to see you!!!

working on the progress

So, I am still setting up the studio. I admit I have pretty high standards for it, which is why it is taking so long. One of the things I want to do is have the stairway wall going up to it set up like a gallery, a la salon style like this:
found on Pinterest
This is actually rather difficult to achieve. You need two people and neither can be afraid of heights. Lucky for me, the Sasquatch is not afraid of heights. He just doesn't like them. He doesn't like them a lot. But he does like me! So, we have been hanging frames:


 of some of my favorite moments:

the menu of  the Newbery Honor celebration luncheon
my seat reservation card at the Geisel Award ceremonyas well as my proudest:
my one and only math award, given to me in 5th grade!
We are almost done:


But there's still more to go...and that's just the wall of the staircase! I still have the whole studio to address...

this week in our garden

Our beans are rather flourishing:


We were able to harvest two fistfuls:


Two tight-these-are-mine fistfuls:


Two you-can't-catch-me fistfuls:



Two I'm-hiding-and-I-still-have-them-ha-ha-ha fistfuls:



I did eventually get them, by promising to give them back.

Which I did:

on my desk monday

It's sketches for Ling & Ting Book 3!!


Yes, even though Ling & Ting Shares a Birthday isn't out until September, I'm already at work on book 3.  Three books make a series, right?

fortune cookie fortunes

"A courtyard common to all will be swept by none."
— Chinese Proverb