Q&A with Myla Goldberg discussion

Hi everybody, and welcome to the discussion group! I'm excited to have to chance to talk about The False Friend, as well as generally-related writing and book stuff. As you can see, there are three discussion threads to choose from (Here, I picture a big room, with us all rushing from one corner to another). This thread is a place where we can all introduce ourselves, maybe say what sort of books we like to read, what we do when we're not reading, and whether or not we're new to this whole online discussion thing (I'm rather a newbie myself. I look forward to meeting you!

Hi! I'm Gretchen and I'm delighted to be a part of this group. I read Bee Season for book club several years ago and it haunts me still! (I have to go do some deep breathing and get over my excitement so I don't come off like a dumb groupie! More later.)

Hi All. Years ago, I read and adored Bee Season. I just reread my review (blurb) and I'd actually love to reread it. It's definitely a 5 star book for me. I am eager to read your newest book, Myla. I do have it on my bloated to-read shelf. Huge to read lists tend to happen to active Goodreads members! I should check out your other books as well.

Hello all! A few days ago, I caught the tail end of your interview on the Diane Rehm show, Myla. I was very glad to hear of the new novel, and enjoyed your insights in regards to bullying. This is a topic of much personal and professional interest for me! I look forward to reading the new novel. Thanks for the Q&A opportunity. This is cool.

Hi Everybody! It's always so great to hear from people who enjoyed Bee Season, and I'm looking forward to chatting with you over the next few weeks. My own to-read shelf is my bedside table, which more often than not houses a pretty perilous stack of books I'm making my way through.

Now that I've jumped on in and am already asking questions, I guess I should introduce myself. I post here as stormhawk and I'm an inveterate book lover! I read voraciously, well over 100 books a year (and not much "fluff" reading).

As I mentioned I live and work in the area where Bee Season is set.

I'm Jamie; I loved Bee Season, were you happy with the movie version?

Hi Myla

I should admit right away that I am a little star struck. I first discovered your writing when I listened to Wickett's Remedy about a year ago and to this day it is my very favourite audiobook ( I go through about 2 per week). In addition to the subject being perfectly suited to my fascination with epidemics, your narration of it was very much a part of what I loved about this story.

Looking forward to " chatting" with you.

Jamie wrote: "I'm Jamie; I loved Bee Season, were you happy with the movie version?"

Hi Jaime - I was happy that the movie brought more people to the book, and happy with the way I was treated by everyone involved with the film. It was an awfully tricky adaptation to make, given the deeply internal nature of so much of the story, so I was never quite sure how they were going to manage to accomplish that, but their hearts were definitely in the right place, and I felt that they put their all into the effort.

Bxrlover wrote: "Hi Myla

I should admit right away that I am a little star struck. I first discovered your writing when I listened to Wickett's Remedy about a year ago and to this day it is my very favourite aud..."

Wow, Bxrlover, that's high praise indeed! I really enjoy doing my audiobooks, so it's really gratifying to hear from folks who like them. Wickett's was especially challenging, given the "extra" voices that chime in (which in the book run down the margins of the page). I was really pleased with the solution the producer came up with.

Hi Myla:

My daughter gave me Wickett's Remedy as a Chanukah Gift a couple of years ago. Honestly, I had no idea what the book was about, I just read it because someone I loved gave it to me.

I was taken in immediately and somehow felt connected to Lydia. The story of her strength and love for her husband kept me reading.

The book was wonderful and I've passed to along to other strong women.

Anita wrote: "Hi Myla:

My daughter gave me Wickett's Remedy as a Chanukah Gift a couple of years ago. Honestly, I had no idea what the book was about, I just read it because someone I loved gave it to me.

I wa..."

Thanks so much, Anita!