First let me say to everyone that I am sorry I missed you last week. I had to go back to Idaho for a funeral and was traveling or sitting with family most days. There was enough time to check mail and to keep tabs on the day to day stuff, but blogging didn't make the cut. Sorry.

Well everyone, I have some news.

I know what you are probably thinking, "The Blog is called "Event News" this goof should be bringing us news every time he writes something but more often than not, he just blabs about something that has made him angry during the week. What kind of news is that? "

Okay, I will give you that one. I do rant a little too much about things that irritate me. This time, I am bringing you some actual news, two pieces actually.

First up, the rocking event for next week.

Friday night, April 18th sees the return of a big friend to Olsson's and most of our staff. It was over a year ago that I first received an invitation to attend an author dinner with a debut author who was going to be in the area. Never one to pass up a free meal, I accepted and cleared my schedule for the night of the dinner. I had never heard of the lady who penned an ambitious novel with a funny name, which is why I was so surprised when I I got to the restaurant to fine a very beautiful woman who knew my name and had brought me a gift. A ball cap from the Yankees that I still have and wear. You see, Min is from New York and brought gifts to all the booksellers that came to her dinner. Chocolates from one of her favorite shops in Manhattan or a ball cap from the Yankees, also she said her mother would kill her if she didn't have a gift for everyone.

I was excited about dinner, who would have thought I would be getting gifts on top of it. We went to New Heights and I have no idea what I ate (odd for me) but we ended up staying very late and pouring everyone into cabs but not before we all made a new friend in Min.

A few days later, I received a letter at the office. It was a thank you note from Min. Not just a note, but she remembered things that were said in our conversations that I imagine no one else ever would. She remembered that my first job was painting semi-trucks and I hardly remember that job.

I ran into Min at BEA that year as well. She was pushing the book and signing copies for the screaming masses. She looked a little frightened up there with the Beetle-esque fans swirling about her. She was worried about how well she had done and was remarking to her handlers that she wasn't sure if she did alright. . .She ran out of books which is better than Nelson Demile had done --That is just what I heard. It is unsubstantiated-- and that is nothing to shake a stick at. She bought me and ice cream to counter the heat of the Javitz and we promised to catch up later. We did catch up the next day and had lunch with her Brother in Law at a great little pub. After lunch, when everyone else went back to wrap up their commitments at BEA, Min and I skived off and although completely stuffed from lunch, we went for cupcakes and coffee at another of her favorite spots. We chatted about crazy families over the most beautiful cupcakes ever and drank coffee while outside the cafe, a warm summer rain dropped the temperature a couple of degrees.

When I decided to start up a fictitious book club, Min was one of the first authors I asked to play along. When she needed help coming up with a playlist for her characters, I helped her with some songs. Last time she was touring about with her hardcover, she read at P&P with a host of Olsson-ites in the crowd. After her talk, we al went to Indique and ordered everything on the menu, staying out way past our bedtimes and trying all sorts of crazy cocktails. This time around, I am VERY happy to announce that She will be reading with us. Not just a reading, Min will be interviewed by our very own Andrew Getman (Longtime Olsson's guy, formerly of the Airport, now running Old Town and pinch hitting at Courthouse) I will be on hand to introduce the event and let Andrew run the show from there.

If you missed her book on the first run, if you thought it looked good, but didn't want to spring for the hardcover, If you liked the book and missed the chance to hear her talk last time she was in town, or if you just enjoy seeing a very beautiful girl answer questions about her work, please come out to Dupont on Friday night. Bring your date, enjoy the show and see me, Andrew and Min Jin Lee (just back from a stint in Japan. She is huge in Japan) as she discusses her book, Free Food for Millionaires, now out in paperback and widely available for all off you to purchase.

As for the other news. . . Ah, I will tell you next week.