It was a beautiful spring day in May and our publisher, Elisabeth Scharlatt, hosted a pre-event luncheon at her home in Southport, Connecticut. Author Stephen Scanniello, Ginny Arndt (director of programming for the Pequot Library), Carolan Workman, and myself enjoyed gazpacho, poached salmon, and farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs with stinky cheese and crackers. We sipped wine and ice coffee and chatted excitably about the roses, among other things.

While some of us meandered over ice cream and berries, Stephen and Elisabeth went out in the yard to scout the best place to plant the rosebushes that he had brought for her. A fine place was found along the white picket fence in front of the house. Stephen and Elisabeth dug in and within moments the bush was planted. Gardening has never looked so easy!

Stephen brought TWENTY rosebushes as prizes to be raffled off after the event, to earn money for the library. The lucky winners in the audience went home with a rose bush (or two!), accompanied by a flier describing the name of the plant and its required care. All were roses that appeared in A Rose By Any Name.

The event itself was great fun. In the old, beautiful meeting room of Southport’s Pequot Library, Stephen told tales of rosebushes once lost then found, scandalous re-namings of roses, and how he has worked with various organizations to preserve, protect, and bring back roses in danger of being lost forever. Oddly, many of his slides included cemeteries (where some of the best rosebushes can be found). It became apparent that Stephen makes a habit of scouting roses wherever he goes, sometimes showing a slide of a rosebush he pulled over the side of the road to photograph because he couldn’t believe that some obscure rose was growing amok in somebody’s yard. Stephen’s delight was contagious. He followed the presentation with a book signing, although I stole his attention for one moment to get the lowdown on the Souvenir d’Anne Frank rose bush I won in the raffle for my mother.

After a long and pleasant day, Stephen bade us good-bye, soon on his way to Paris to be a judge in the International New Rose Trials at the Jardins de Bagatelle.

- Andra

Robert Pattinson, who will be playing the lead role of Jakob Jankowski, is in this weekend’s New York Times, talking about the new Twilight: Eclipse movie, and his hectic shooting schedule for the upcoming Water for Elephants movie. Here’s an excerpt:

“It’s the kind of serious literary role that could bring critical attention and stretch minds about Mr. Pattinson’s range. ‘There is a profound vulnerability about Rob and his mannerisms, and that makes him supremely accessible,’ said Elizabeth Gabler, president of Fox 2000, the studio unit making the film. ‘He also has an innate kindness about him that is wonderful in this role.’  (Read the entire article here.)

Match the dog, below, to the President, on the left. Tell us the name of both dog and master for a chance to win a free copy of First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends. As Calvin Coolidge said, “Any man who does not like dogs and want them about, does not deserve to be in the White House.”

1. “This Scottie was a gift from the President’s cousin Margaret Suckley. He lived in the White House from 1942-1945.” Apparently there’s no need for a threatening guard dog at the White House.

2. “Dash had his own private quarters next to the White House. The dog was a gift from the President to his grandchildren, who, along with their parents, all lived in the White House.” Hint: I was unaware that this President even existed.

3. This dog never actually made it to the White House, but the President had this picture taken, so his sons could have a photo of their pet. Thanks, Dad. Incidentally, the dog was assassinated (stabbed) one year after his master.

4. This dog licked the the microphone, the first time a reporter tried to get a bark for the record. Really guys, no one should get this wrong. Portuguese water dog? Ring a bell

5.“Cold War Couple: They produced four pups: Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie, and Streaker.” I suddenly have the overwhelming urge to wear topsiders…odd.

6. “(This) airedale not only had his own hand-carved chair to sit in during cabinet meetings, he had a personal White House valet.” Apparently, being First Dog would be a good career move.

To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com. We’ll announce the winners next Friday.

To one randomly selected winner, we’re giving away a free copy of Lincoln As I Knew Him. This book collects interviews and anecdotes from the people who actually knew Lincoln, up close and personal.

To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com. Also, leave a comment here, telling us your favorite Abe Lincoln factoid! We’ll announce the winners next Friday. Best of luck!

1. What was the name of Lincoln’s First Dog, and how did he die?

2. Who was Lincoln’s closest personal friend?

3. How many children did Lincoln have? And who was the only child to survive to adulthood?

4. How tall was Lincoln? (Bonus Points: Who was our shortest President?)

5. Where did Lincoln graduate from college?

Algonquin would like to congratulate Amy K. from Oakland, California for winning our nature-centric Book Booty giveaway! Amy took home three titles by Diana Wells to celebrate today’s release of Lives of Trees: An Uncommon History.

Amy’s answers were:

1. Which tree is also known as the upside-down tree (because the sparse branches resemble roots)? Answer:  the baobab
2. The leaves and bark of this tree contain tannin and caffeine, used in both North and South America to make tea. It’s also popular for hedging. Answer: yerba mate
3. This tree–also known as a harem tree–doesn’t bear fruit till it’s a decade old. The fruit is edible (and sometimes made into preserves), but it can also cause hallucinogenic sensations and, if ingested in quantity, can even cause death! Answer: nutmeg
4. Coffee (which helped keep monks awake during night vigils) became known as the “beverage of the friends of God.” But how much is too much? Name the French writer said to drink sixty cups of coffee every night — and let’s just hope most authors don’t practice this method of madness!  Answer: Balzac

Thanks to all who entered–and keep reading, there will be more swag to be won!

To celebrate this beautiful new book, we’re hosting a Book Booty giveaway which includes all three of Diana Wells’ fun-fact collection! We’ve concocted a quiz drawn from Lives of the Trees. To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com…then come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite tree! We’ll announce the winners next Friday — good luck!

1. Which tree is also known as the upside-down tree (because the sparse branches resemble roots)?
2. The leaves and bark of this tree contain tannin and caffeine, used in both North and South America to make tea. It’s also popular for hedging!
3. This tree–also known as a harem tree–doesn’t bear fruit till it’s a decade old! The fruit is edible (and sometimes made into preserves), but it can also cause hallucinogenic sensations and, if ingested in quantity, can even cause death!
4. Coffee (which helped keep monks awake during night vigils) became known as the “beverage of the friends of God.” But how much is too much? Name the French writer said to drink sixty cups of coffee every night — and let’s just hope most authors don’t practice this method of madness!

-christina

Five Features of a “Reliable Spouse”

1) He can’t be Tiger Woods,
2) or Jon Gosselin,
3) or Mark Sanford.
4) He also needs to be dependable enough to remind me to TiVo my favorite trashy reality TV shows,
5) and the only thing he should be guilty of stealing is my heart.

Second place is awarded to Emily, and a tie for third place goes to Jen and Megan.

Thanks to everyone who responded!
Katie

In this suspense-driven novel, Ralph Truitt placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for a “reliable wife.” She responded, saying that she was “a simple, honest woman.” She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination to marry Ralph and then kill him, leaving herself a wealthy widow. Ralph Truitt may regret not being more specific in his advertisement.

If you were searching for a ‘reliable spouse,’ what five features would you be sure to include in your ad?

Let us know in the comments, and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of three great prizes to celebrate the upcoming release of A Reliable Wife in paperback. Responses will be judged based on wit, style, and ability to weed out murderous and deceitful gold-diggers. Winners will be announced on December 18.

One lucky reader will receive an Algonquin fleece blanket, Algonquin travel mug, and a copy of A Reliable Wife before it’s available in stores! The second-place winner will receive a travel mug and copy of the book, and the third-place winner will win a copy of the book.

A paperback copy of A Reliable Wife, Algonquin fleece blanket, and an Algonquin travel mug. Cozy!

HARD WORK; My Life On and Off the Court, by Roy Williams

Congratulations to Jamey, Michael, Kathy, Allison and Jennie – each winners of a signed copy of the New York Times bestseller, Hard Work. I’ll send you an email in just a bit to get your address!

If you weren’t a lucky winner, you can still get a signed copy of Hard Work! Coach Williams will be signing books tonight at The Regulator Bookshop in Durham, NC at 7:30. To see the rest of his upcoming events, visit www.roywilliamsbook.com.