Wonderful, as always, to return to my former stomping grounds in Iowa — and especially during a book tour for “Our Diaries, Ourselves.” Excellent audiences with thoughtful questions during both events, the first at Prairie Lights and the second at the bustling Des Moines Book Festival held in the former Franklin Junior High in Beaverdale (now the Franklin Events Center).
In Iowa City, we had a quick dinner at Pullman Bar & Grill with friends, conveniently located next to Prairie Lights. Good place for a burger and swift pre-book event service. Next time, I’ll call ahead to put our name on the waiting list if we have a party of more than four people.
It was a kick to have my book event at Prairie Lights, a nationally-known destination for writers thanks in part to the Iowa Writer’s Workshop and one of my favorite bookstores anywhere. The staff working my event couldn’t have been nicer and the crowd kept me on my toes with some sharp observations and questions. And my conversation partner was my longtime friend Veronica Fowler, so lucky me!
The Des Moines Book Festival was packed with people on a gorgeous spring Saturday so kudos to the Beaverdale Books hosts for that! Loved seeing so many old friends at my event there. Andrew Klumpp of the Iowa State Historical Society was a great convo partner.
On the way out of town, we stopped at the boutique paper design company Moglea, whose journals and notecards I’ve spotted across the country at various posh shops. Little known fact: there are sale goods available in the small retail store attached to Moglea’s production facility downtown near Cherry Street. It’s become one of my last minute stops on the way out of town. I also stock up on South Union ciabatta at Gateway market and the incomparable Anderson Erickson cottage cheese at HyVee or Pricechopper.)
TakeBetsywithyou 