So tonight I had some friends over for a book swap party. For this party, I baked the chocolate chip cookies featured on Orangette's blog here. They didn't turn out as pretty as hers, but they were tasty all the same.
Because I enjoy cooking (and being the hostess with the mostess) I also made a lemon yogurt cake with raspberries (also from Orangette's blog) and bruschetta. Note to readers - please ignore the unsightly cat door in the background.
After cookies were consumed, the book swapping began.
Jeff was very concerned about the women duking it out over a coveted book. I tried to reassure him that this was not a particularly aggressive crowd, and if necessary, rochambeau (correct spelling compliments of Dan) would be employed. Bless his heart, he still brought out post its and pens in the hopes of encouraging some order to the process. This is how the post-its were actually used:
Not really what Jeff had in mind, but helpful nonetheless. Needless to say this book is still sitting on my dining room table. Thanks Maggie.
Little readers were also welcome at this party. This one is a speedy little devil. Look at how fast he is!
People did seem interested in Not My Pony, but alas, he insisted on bringing it home with him. Any who. I was actually pretty impressed by how many good books people brought.
In the end, I think we all walked away with some new reading material; so I'd deem the party a success. We may have even pawned off our old buffet that was recently exiled to the front porch and has been awaiting its fate on Craig's List. At one point, the books were ignored and the entire party filed out to the front porch to assess the buffet's value. Consensus? Twenty dollars.
In the end, here are the books I walked away with:Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
While I Was Gone by Sue Miller
Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier
Thanks to everyone who came over! Hopefully even more of you can make it to the next one.
9 comments:
Okay, three things:
1) What is this "ro sham bo" you speak of? It's "rochambeau". As a French American, I am embarrassed by your ignorance of an important cultural institution.
2) You failed to mention that you also walked away with "Tolkien: A Biography". What, are you so embarrassed by the book I hear earned a place of honor in your home?
3) Those cookies were delicious.
Dan, in response:
1. Thank you very much for your HELPFUL critique of my spelling. I almost left it spelled "ro sham bo" just to irk you.
2. Who says I *did* walk away with "Tolkien: A Biography"? Maybe I secretly slipped it inside Maggie's bag before she left.
3. Thank you.
Thanks for hosting a great party Jill! I'm excited to delve into my new reads on my upcoming trip.
Sorry I missed it, but glad to see you were able to put some of my books in your "to read" pile! Sophie and I hope to join next time (not Jeremy, he doesn't even know how to read!). I am also very sorry I missed those delicious looking cookies and yogurt cake!!! :(
Sorry I missed the party! Sucks living ninety miles away sometimes.
You SCORED on those books! East of Eden? GREAT! Handmaid's Tale? AWESOME! Keeping Faith? (I've heard it's) GREAT! Girl With a Pearl Earring? GREAT! Sue Miller? I totally want to read her.
I LOVE the idea of a book swap party! And the cookies look awesome!
What a cute idea. I never thought of a book swap party before. I guess I need to find people in my area that have some of the same tastes as me, though. :)
Cute pictures.
I love book swapping (I do it online usually) and have been to a few in person as well. But I think I'll have to do this in conjunction with one of my book club meetings sometime - it would be great fun!
Thanks for sharing this link. I'd never been to your blog before but I'm definitely hanging around to check things out!
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