It's been a while since I've posted but what better way to return than with a story about my brief brush with awesomeness today?  I was sitting on a plane, waiting for people to pile in, when I noticed Romesh Gunesekara (author of MONKFISH MOON and Booker-prize finalist for THE REEF) file past and take the seat directly behind me.  I discussed it with myself for a moment, then decided to peer over the back of my seat and wiggle my fingers by way of hello:  "HI!  I'm Tania!  I'm reading with you tomorrow!"  We chit chatted.  We shared a cab.  He is delightful.  I've long wanted to put a voice to that amazing mane of hair in his author photo, and now I can.

Romesh and I were both in Chicago for the Kriti Festival, the South Asian literary and arts festival which took place this past weekend.  Lots of great authors, readings, samosas, etc.  I didn't get to hear Romesh then, but I will tomorrow, at the Asian American Writers Workshop @ 7pm.  Come on down if you're free.

I admit I was a wee bit nervous going in for my interview with Scott Simon of NPR's Weekend Edition, but his voice has a remarkable, cozying effect.  He sounds like what I imagine Norman Rockwell must have sounded like.  

The interview ran early Saturday morning, but for your listening pleasure, here it is again.

After stops in New York, Boston, and Richmond, Virginia, the first leg of my book tour ended in Louisville, Kentucky, where the lovely Carmichael's bookstore hosted more Indian people than they probably knew existed in the tri-state area.  It was a lot of people.  I was happy but frazzled.  So much so that I believe I signed "Love," inside a book that I placed in the hands of an elderly male stranger.

I'll have a few more chances to redeem my signature in mid-June, when I'll be making stops in DC, Chicago, Cleveland, and New York (again).

If you can't come to me, then I'll come to you!  

Here I am, at the InKY reading series.

And here again, in the form of a radio interview on Louisville's NPR station, Studio 619.  (You'll have to scroll to the end of the show).

That's all for now.

Love  Best wishes,

Tania

Several people have notified me that, with a simple replacement of the letter "y" for the letter "i," you might find yourself at a website that has nothing to do with my book, but rather with adult entertainment.  Maybe for some, this is a happy accident.  For most of my relatives, this is not a happy accident.  But I'd just like to state that I welcome readers of all stripes--a fan of Tanya may be a reader of Tania.  Maybe this is the key to reviving the publishing industry: a bit of cross-marketing.

If you're in Boston today, we can talk about this and more at the Boston Public Library.  Check the Events column for more info.

And in the meantime, the San Francisco Chronicle continues to spread its good cheer, by picking ATLAS in its Top Five Lit Picks of the week.

As does the Courier Journal.

After reading the following review, my father wanted to buy the reviewer a bottle of Kentucky bourbon. I told him I'm not sure that's how these things go down.  But maybe the offer's still standing, so if you'd like a nice bourbon, give my dad a call and tell him you write for the Chronicle, your address is etc etc.

But first maybe you could read the review:

San Francisco Chronicle on ATLAS

Welcome to the countdown, friends: one week til my book arrives in your local bookstore where you can pick up a copy or at the very least, give it a reassuring pat on the back.

In the meantime, here's some early hometown love from the Courier Journal

For tour stops near you, check out the Calendar to your right.