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When I heard via my writing loops that Romance Writers of America’s national conference would be in Orlando this year, I was thrilled. With the conference hotel just a 45 minute drive from my home, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to network with fellow writers and editors and agents, attend workshops and in-depth publisher spotlights, and soak in the wonderful creative vibe that goes along with every writing conference I’ve ever attended.
Last week—July 28-31–I plunged into the hectic but exciting atmosphere of the conference, and came home with lots of great up-to-date information about the industry and fun memories, including breakfast with Goofy and Donald Duck! And, of course, there were lots and lots of free books.
Before I delve further into the delicious excitement of free books (what writer doesn’t love free books?), I have to say, one of the highlights of my conference was having dinner with the Jaunty Quills authors. I will never forget those yummy crab nachos from Todd English’s BlueZoo that Cindy Kirk and I shared! My one regret is that the JQ’s and I didn’t have more time to chat, because they’re all amazing, talented women and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of the JQ community. I have resolved to add at least one book by my JQ friends to my current TBR pile. To start.
Which brings me back to books. In terms of my own novels, I discussed my current projects with my agent, Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency, and strategized where to focus my writing time. I took part in the 500-author book signing on Wednesday, July 28, that raised over $55,000 for literacy and was delighted that so many friends stopped by to say hello or bought my Knight’s Series books. I eagerly snatched up the free Nora Roberts books on 
my chair at the Thursday luncheon, and the titles by Jayne Ann Krenz at Friday’s lunch. Added to the free books that came in my conference registration bag, I was already on my way to days of great reading.
I started a book box in my hotel room, to hold my growing stash of novels. By the time I left, it was full, plus I’d got hold of a second box of novels left by a conference attendee who couldn’t take them all home. I have yet to go through and pick out the ones that I will slip to the top of my to-be-read (TBR) pile, the ones I’ll reserve for later, and the ones I know my friends would love to get their hands on, and will thus set aside for them.
It’s tough, to decide what goes on the top of my TBR pile. Do I read a book by a New York Times best-selling author, who is obviously brilliant and still has a strong career ahead? Or do I read a novel by an author who is new to me, but whose writing is highly marketable right now, so much so, her publisher is actively promoting her work and helping to build her future career? What a difficult choice.
What’s on the top of your TBR pile? What makes you decide what book should go on the top of the pile? Lea
ve a comment, and one winner will receive a book from my backlist. Winner chooses the book!
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Speaking of books, my latest medieval, A Knight’s Persuasion, Book 4 of my Knight’s Series, is still available. If you’d like to read an excerpt from this novel, or learn more about my previous books in this series, please visit my website.
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Aug 6th
2010
6:42 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
It was great meeting you, too, Catherine! I agree, dinner with the JQs was a highlight. Lots of laughs all around! In my TBR pile is Nora’s latest and one by the gifted Victoria Dahl. Heaven!
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Aug 6th
2010
7:47 am
Christi Said:
It seems like I am always changing around my to be read stack! There are just so many good books and it depends on my mood at the moment. As it stands now though… next up is Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux. It’s been a very long time since she has done a historical and I’m hoping it was worth the wait. After that is Kristan’s book All I Ever Wanted, I’m excited for that one!
Kristan – I just finished A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl and really enjoyed it!
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Aug 6th
2010
8:00 am
donna ann Said:
Those favorite authors’ new release goes on top, then books I’ve been waiting anxiously forever (or it seems
) followed by books that really caught my eye and sound particularly good (either new release or backlist author/series I just discovered and “must” get to), other books that sound like a good read. Of course 
things shift around depending upon my mood and what type of book (ie: humor level, time period, internal vs external conflict) I feel like or want a break from.
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Aug 6th
2010
8:16 am
Emily McKay Said:
Right now, I have a slew of YA in my TBR stack, starting with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which I’ve never read. And then I want to read Strange Angels, which I picked up the other day and also Beautiful Creatures, which I’ve heard fabulous things about.
Unfortunately, two of those three are on my Kindle and I can’t find my cord to charge it. I know I unpacked it after national, but it’s vanished. ARGH!!!!
What am I supposed to do now? Work???
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Aug 6th
2010
8:59 am
Christyne Butler Said:
I had a great time at conference too and yeah, my two boxes arrived via Fed Ex yesterday!
My TBR pile is piling up, between conference books and the books waiting to be read on my Nook, but I am currently crushing on Molly O’Keefe’s August release from SuperRomance, THE TEMPTATION OF SAVANNAH O’NEILL. Wow, what an awesome book!
:::waving to Nancy who led me to your great blog!:::
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Aug 6th
2010
9:14 am
kris Said:
My TBR consists of 60 paperbacks and about 25 e-books right now. I usually will go and stand in front of the shelf and hope one of the books will scream the loudest that they want to be read immediately. Clearly, I have no system of choosing!!!
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Aug 6th
2010
9:28 am
Quilt Lady Said:
Sorry I have no system as to what I am going to read next. Sometimes I will get out several and then decide, and then sometimes I just close my eyes and grab one and that is what I will read. It all depends on the mood I am in.
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Aug 6th
2010
10:08 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Well, I’m currently reading 2 books, Lisa Kleypas’s Seduce Me at Sunrise and then on my iPOD (courtesy of the Kindle app) I’m reading a Blaze by Stephanie Bond, Her Sexy Valentine. So far they’re both good, but quite different.
As for my TBR pile, it’s actually 2 bookshelves with double stacked books and I pick by my mood – gritty RS, sexy woo-woo, fun contemporary, delightful historical…so many to choose from.
Meeting with the JQ’s was one of my highlights too. Hey, where are those pictures from the restaurant?
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Aug 6th
2010
10:32 am
Shana Said:
I’m reading Wicked Becomes You, one of the books we got in our conference bag. I liked the cover and the concept. Next I’ll probably read one of the JD Robb books. I haven’t read those yet.
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Aug 6th
2010
10:53 am
Karen H in NC Said:
My TBR mountain numbers about 1000+ books. Since I am addicted to buying/trading books, I decided to go through my spreadsheet and pick out those authors whose work I have never read before. I made a list of their names (about 80) and placed their book on that list. I promise myself I’ll read that book just to make sure I like their work BEFORE I buy anymore of their books. I set up this list alphabetically but I’m not choosing the books in order, just whatever strikes my fancy at the time. Right now I’m reading ‘On These Silken Sheets’ by Sabrina Darby. She is a new-to-me author and so far, it’s a pretty good book.
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Aug 6th
2010
11:21 am
Cynthya Said:
I have a huge TBR pile (actually 3 bookshelves full) and I’m usually reading several books at once. Right now I’m working on Laurell K. Hamilton’s Divine Misdemeanors, The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter and Last Night’s Scandal by Loretta Chase, among others.
Sometimes a book will move to the top of the pile when I realize the next one in the series is about to come out so I need to catch up. At other times if I’ve just read a book that I loved, I’ll see if I have any more by that author in the pile. Or it can just be totally on a whim.
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Aug 6th
2010
11:30 am
Scorpio M. Said:
New releases by favorite authors always get bumped to the top of the TBR list. Most of the time I will stop reading what I am reading just to start. Otherwise, it really depends on mood…do I feel like a contemp, a sexy historical, etc.
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Aug 6th
2010
11:57 am
Margo Maguire Said:
I’m about to start The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, the third book in the series by Steig Larson.
When I go to my TBR pile – I just pick the one that suits my mood at the time. Maybe a historical, maybe contemp, or it might be a suspense thriller. Whatever strikes my fancy.
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Aug 6th
2010
12:47 pm
Maureen Said:
I have a mixture of new and old books in my TBR. I like reading new stories but will periodically go through the pile and pick stories that I never had the chance to read even though they are many months old.
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Aug 6th
2010
1:20 pm
Laura Said:
My TBR pile is huge. According to Jane by Marilyn Brant is among those at the top of my list.
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Aug 6th
2010
2:09 pm
catslady Said:
The word for my tbr pile is shuffle, shuffle, shuffle – ok that’s 3 words but it’s the same one roflmao. It changes with mood sometimes. If I buy a new book. If someone lends me a book (needs to be returned). If someone recommends a book. If blogs are talking about a book. If I win a book (I really try to let the author know when I enjoy it). etc. etc. etc. My two tops books on my tbr pile are The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy and The Wild Irish Sea by Loucinda McGary.
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Aug 6th
2010
3:29 pm
chey Said:
My tbr’s fill 2 shelves. Next to read is Susan Kearney’s Jordan.
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Aug 6th
2010
4:14 pm
Wynter Daniels Said:
Glad you had such a great time at the conference. The books at the top of my list are those by speakers who impressed me at the conference. I love reading books by ladies I have met. Top of the pile – a Linda Howard book – “To Die For.”
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Aug 6th
2010
4:33 pm
eap Said:
The tio of the TBR pile is Lonetree Rancher:Brant and Lonetree Rancher: Morgan by Kathie DeNosky I go through sages where I like certain themes, authoes, etc.
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Aug 6th
2010
7:33 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
Oohhh!!! So many great books mentioned in these comments. Sounds like we all have some darned fine reading ahead of us! I’ll be honest and fess up that my TBR pile is almost two bookshelves full of unread novels, and I can’t part with a single book. I’m looking forward to a quiet spell in my schedule so I can dive into some of these literary treats–although I still haven’t decided what’s going to get read first.
Keep those comments rolling in, and I will pop in tomorrow and announce the winner of the autographed book!
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Aug 6th
2010
10:35 pm
Rebekah E. Said:
My TBR pile is over flowing, but I don’t know of a time that it isn’t. The next on my list is Nora Roberts The Search and then I hoping to read Lisa Jacksons Running Scared.
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Aug 7th
2010
3:13 pm
Laurie G Said:
Top of the pile- Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts I’m attending on wedding Sept 4th. This will put me in the wedding day mood.
First I read the back cover blurb and then select by which synopsis strikes my fancy… historical, contemp, inspirational or paranormal.
Hope to get to a conference one day. It sounds like a lot of fun! I’m jealous!!
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