The baby and I hit the road again, this time to my old home city of Madison, Wisconsin, for a reading on Mother’s Day. Madison has lost many of its bookstores, but A Room of One’s Own is still alive and kicking. I have read there twice, so it was really fun for me to go back. The store is right off State Street, which makes it a pretty festive place to be on a warm and sunny Sunday.

The baby was in good company. The reading was a real family affair with other kids and babies in attendance. What a wonderful and engaged audience. I always love the Q & A at readings, and this one was particularly enjoyable since many in attendance had already read the book. A huge thank you to my friends who came out—it felt more like a reunion than a reading.

I also got to meet my Twitter friend Jen in person, which was so fun. She has been incredibly supportive of me and the book. Anyone who drives two hours to a reading is a friend indeed.

As for Madison, it made me a little sad we don’t live there anymore. Good friends, good town.  I was proud of Madison in the state showdown a couple months ago, even if the governor prevailed. (For an insightful look at what Governor Walker has done to Wisconsin click here to read Maggie Ginsberg-Schutz’s piece in Madison Magazine.) And even though we’ve lived in Minneapolis since September, Madison still comes first to mind as home. And not only because we haven’t been able to sell our house there.

The four-plus-hour drive each way with an unhappy baby in the back seat was not so great, but we survived. And on the whole she’s a pretty good traveling companion. At least she doesn’t mind my singing.

Related posts:

1. Tour Stop: Chicago
2. The Tour Rolls On: Thanks, New York
3. And We’re Off
4. Getting Away
5. The Book Tour