If not, you soon will. The Lace Reader, by Brunonia Barry, was a self-published reading group sensation when it came out about a year ago and later this month it comes out in hardcover. Barry was at ALA this past weekend and got to speak to Virginia Stanley on Blog Talk Radio about her novel which is set in Salem, MA and tells the story of a family of women who can read the future in a pattern of lace. Told from the perspective of self-proclaimed unreliable narrator Towner Whitney, the novel begins with her return home to Salem and the disappearance of two women. Events are set into motion which will reveal the truth about the death of Towner's twin sister years earlier. Listen to Barry talk about her captivating novel below.
The first ten people to comment on the interview will receive a gorgeous advance reader's edition of The Lace Reader, which is not on sale until 7/29. And be sure to check out The Lace Reader website, which has more background information on lace reading, the novel and Barry's blog.
Since the response has been so great, the giveaway is still on, comment away!
It must have been scary to quit a job and put everything into a self published work, but this novel sounds very promising and for lack of a better term.. different. It's a story that has not been told before.
Posted by: Ti | July 02, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Hi!
I absolutely love your site! You and I have the same taste in books ~ we are kindred book spirits! This looks like a wonderful read!
Bookishly, Bebe :)
Posted by: Bebe | July 02, 2008 at 10:56 PM
This book sounds like a very interesting read. I like anything to do with witchcraft or Salem or the mystical side of things. I'd love to read it!
Posted by: Darlene | July 02, 2008 at 11:11 PM
I love self-published book success stories. They always give me hope that it can happen to me someday, if I ever get around to writing "The Great American Novel!"
The Lace Reader sounds fascinating.
Posted by: Rebekah | July 02, 2008 at 11:34 PM
This book sounds very unusual and interesting. Women helping women - a wonderful subject. And the talk about a twist of an ending has me intrigued.
My grandmother and my husband's great grandmother made lace - and I have some from both ... I wonder future they put in the patterns of the lace for us?
Posted by: Michelle | July 02, 2008 at 11:48 PM
She had me when she brought up Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey. I created a course on this for my seniors next year, and I would be interested to see if this book could be a fit for the future. I love Salem witches, too. Sounds interesting!
Posted by: Dana Huff | July 02, 2008 at 11:57 PM
This sounds like a fantastic, unique book. I would love a chance to read it!
Posted by: Margay | July 03, 2008 at 06:02 AM
What a totally unique idea for a story! I love that a self-published work is finding success.
Posted by: Julie P. | July 03, 2008 at 06:22 AM
The Lace Reader sounds like a wonderful book with a bit of mystery and intrigue built in. I love the idea of seeing a message in lace. Can't wait to read it.
Posted by: Fran | July 03, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Interesting interview. I have to say, the interviewer hit the nail on the head when she said the book would probably intrigue a lot of people with its Salem setting--that's definitely true of me. Love the whole self-publishing success story, too!
Posted by: Julie E. | July 03, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Wow, this book sounds great!
Posted by: Swapna | July 03, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I have this book; it's in my "take on vacation" tote! I understand that Barry did a great job with the novel and incorporating the setting of Salem into the book.
I'm so pleased to know the backstory to her success -- all that work self-publishing and self-promoting paid off!
Enjoy the book, everyone!
Posted by: Dawn | July 03, 2008 at 10:17 AM
What a interesting book! When it comes out I will have to pick up and copy. Thanks for posting the interview!
Posted by: Amanda | July 03, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Crap - I wasn't in the first 10! Oh well. This book and author sound really interesting.
Posted by: Susan (Bloggin' 'Bout Books) | July 03, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Don't worry Susan, we're going to keep the giveaway open a bit longer, so you're in! I'll email you for your address!!
Posted by: Book Club Girl | July 03, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Darn, I didn't make the first 10 either! I'll keep an eye out for this book, though!
Posted by: Karina | July 03, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Sounds fantastic! I was born just outside Salem and would love to learn more.
Posted by: Deb Morgan | July 03, 2008 at 03:35 PM
What a great story - to go from 2000 self-published copies to fame! And the book sounds good too :)
Posted by: Abi Beaty | July 03, 2008 at 03:51 PM
This fascinating and intriguing book beckons me. What an amazing and delightful story. Thanks for this great opportunity. Would love to read it.
Posted by: ruth | July 03, 2008 at 04:09 PM
wonderful interview, love endings with a twist it doesn't look like i got in the first 10 but the book sounds wonderful i'm all for people trying to go out on their own doing self publishing I hope to write a novel oneday and that's probably what i'd do. I done a book review for a woman she self pub. also and her book was excellent.
Posted by: Lori Barnes | July 03, 2008 at 06:18 PM
if they're any extra I would love to get a copy.If not i'll try to find it when it comes out.
Posted by: Lori Barnes | July 03, 2008 at 06:20 PM
What a great story of how she and her husband printed the book themselves. And how quickly it was picked up! Gives all aspiring writers hope, doesn't it? Sounds like a great book!!
Posted by: Jenn | July 03, 2008 at 07:11 PM
I can't wait to read it. I enjoyed listening to the interview!
Posted by: Vanessa | July 03, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I really would love a chance to read this book if there are more ARC's available. I used to work at a historical site in Salem and would get a kick out of it.
Kris
Posted by: Kris | July 03, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Sounds like a great book. I look forward to reading it soon.
Posted by: Michele | July 03, 2008 at 11:18 PM