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Allison Larkin

Internationally Best-Selling Author

You are here: Home / Book Tour / My oldest friends

My oldest friends

September 2, 2010 Filed Under: Book Tour, friends

On the plane back from Seattle earlier this summer, I read THE ONE THAT I WANT by Allison Winn Scotch (it’s wonderful, go order it, I’ll wait. . . ). There’s a line in the book where the main character talks about how she and her friends from high school “raised each other.” I read that line and spent the next twenty minutes fighting back tears, because it was such a perfect way to talk about that kind of friendship, and it reminded me of my friends from high school.
Last weekend, I had a reading in Poughkeepsie at the Maple Grove Restoration. I drove down on Saturday, and went to the Dutchess County Fair with 2 out of 3 of the Robs, and K. We met up with a friend we hadn’t seen in seventeen years (when did we get so old that this is even possible?) and walked around looking at pigs and prize chickens, eating maple sugar cotton candy, and catching up. And even though we were still an hour away from where we grew up, it was like being home in all the good ways and none of the bad. It was hard to leave when it was over.
The reading on Sunday was wonderful. Daphne Uviller and Amitava Kumar read too. It was great to have the opportunity to hear other writers talk about their process – what sparks an idea, why they can’t let it go. And I got to look up from reading and see so many familiar faces (including one who lives in Oklahoma and surprised us all!).
After the reading, we went out to dinner. We were talking and laughing and telling old jokes, and I had a moment where I looked at all of them and thought, these are the people who raised me. They are my oldest friends. I take after them. I grew up with them. I got my strange sense of humor from Tom and the Robs and the other guys in our group. I laugh with reckless abandon, because my friend S always has and it’s beautiful. I’ve learned so many things about compassion from K.
They’ve known me as long as I’ve known myself. I fell on my face in front of them, time and time again — the way you do when you’re growing up — and they love me anyway, or maybe even because of it. We went through the growing pains and the bad hair and the bad clothes and the bad teachers and the broken hearts together. And for the most part, if you don’t count things like the time one of the Robs threw me in the dumpster behind the school (because I don’t, you know, not really. . . or at least not very much), we were pretty kind and careful with each other. I am so thankful that I got to grow up with all of them and that I still have them in my life. And I’m so touched that they came out to support me.
Also, if you’re wondering, yes, that brave soul to the far right is, indeed, the lovely and amazing Noelle Tannenbaum. She’s now an honorary Somers grad, whether she likes it or not. It was so much fun to hang out with her again! You know, hers is the first personal blog I ever started reading, by the way, which makes her my oldest blog friend.
So, basically, I had a wonderful, wonderful weekend, and now I miss everyone like crazy and need to start planning my next trip. Also, since I was away, my canine entourage is a little more intense again. I need to go now so I can sit perfectly still on the floor next to Stella while she considers eating.

3 Comments

Comments

  1. courtney says

    September 3, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    That’s sweet. You’re lucky to have so many friends like that. I’m not terribly close with any of my childhood friends anymore, and that makes me sad.

    Reply
  2. Wombat Central says

    September 4, 2010 at 4:08 am

    Those high school besties are often the ones who really get you. Sounds like a great time!

    Reply
  3. The Modern Gal says

    September 5, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Awww, I love this. I’m not sure I could come together so easily with so many old friends, but I understand that feeling of the people who “raised you.” Love that Noelle was there too!

    Reply

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One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwo One of the people I keep, my dear friend @bakirkwood — who I’ve known since my freshman year at Ithaca — who read several drafts of my book about April over the years and kept telling me how much she believed in me — printed out the coloring sheets and made some art with her daughter Abby! (Brenda said they didn’t need to be included in the giveaway, but wanted to share). It made me so happy to see their covers! I’d love to see yours too! And if you tag me when you post or email me photos of what you create with the cover design (info at allielarkinwrites dot com) I’ll enter you in the giveaway for a signed paperback of The People We Keep, a book mug from @erinkillianpottery & some coffee from @caffe.appassionato! Link to download the coloring sheet is in my bio. Thank you so much, Abby & Brenda! Love you! ❤️
Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #d Lying on the floor, I come undone #weezerlyrics #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix
I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperb I had the most amazing time celebrating the paperback release of The People We Keep at @townecenterbks in Pleasanton last night! I’m so thankful for everyone who came out and especially for Judy, Stacy, and Mala for creating such a beautiful outdoor space for our chat and snack! And to @carriemedders for the pictures (goodness, it was good to see you, Carrie!)! We all had such a fun and heartwarming conversation about the book and writing and creativity. I am so appreciative of the chance to connect with kind, thoughtful readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! #thepeoplewekeep #townecenterbooks #bookstagram #authorevents
✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created ✨Paperback Day Giveaway✨ Gallery Books created a beautiful downloadable coloring page of the cover of The People We Keep! (Thank you so much, Bianca!) and I’m hosting a giveaway! I have a copy of the paperback of The People We Keep, a gorgeous book mug handmade by @erinkillianpottery, and some of my favorite coffee from @cafe_appassionato to send to one lucky reader! Download the printable coloring page (link in bio) and get creative! Color the page in your favorite colors, use it to tell us about the people you keep, or share something about how you’re feeling right now. Tag me in an Instagram post or Reel with your creation (make sure to tag me not just @ me or I might not see it!). I’ll share some of your art and on Tuesday, July 19th, I’ll pick the winner! Unfortunately, I can only ship this prize within the US, but I can share coloring pages from anywhere in the world! Happy coloring! #thepeoplewekeep #coloringtherapy #bookstagram #gallerybooks #paperbackgiveaway #bookgiveaways #coffeegiveaway #erinkillianpottery #bookclubofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookcoverdesign
Friends! It is paperback release day for The Peopl Friends! It is paperback release day for The People We Keep! I do love a paperback, and @gallerybooks did an amazing job making this one beautiful. There’s also a wonderful reading group guide in the back to give you questions and discussion topics for your book club. To celebrate the book release, I have an outdoor event with @townecenterbks in Pleasanton, CA this evening (join us!) and I’ll be posting again a little later today with a giveaway and an art project! 💖#bookstagram #thepeoplewekeep #paperbacks #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix #reading
Tear it up. All of it. #dailyroxydog #huskymix #ch Tear it up. All of it. #dailyroxydog #huskymix #chihuahuamix #fluffthepatriarchy
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