Loving Life in Austin

Some of my younger readers offered to sign books in my place (an offer, incidentally, I was very tempted to take them up on)

My dad helped keep the usual pre-reading nerves at bay with his always calming logic....("Hey, La, it's not like you're David Sedaris and hundreds of people are going to show up.....") Which was of course, wise AND true.

Hi y'all! Despite the crushing heat wave, I'm having a great time in the Lone Star State. Kicked things off Tuesday with a reading at Borders in Dallas—and had the pleasure of meeting fellow chick-lit author Emily Giffin, who came out to say hello—and caught up over dinner with an old friend from high school (thanks, Cheryl!). My dad met me in Austin yesterday to check out life on the road, and we had a terrific time. Lunch at the historic Driskill Hotel, a reading at Book People (which might just be one of the best bookstores I've ever been to—and trust me, I get to my fair share of bookstores), dinner at a cute little restaurant named Wink, and—because we were only in Austin one night and how could we not—a little live music at the Continental Club. I'm headed now to Houston, so if you're in the area, come on out and say hello.

Also, I owe all of you a HUGE thank you. I just got word that Chasing Harry Winston will debut at #6 on the New York Times Bestseller List on 6/15, and I could not conceivably be more excited! Thank you all for all for making it happen—I have the best readers on earth.