“Propelled down West Broadway, the clackety-clack of my heels kept rhythm with my speeding heart… Finally, I was there, beneath the Cipriani awning, brushing past the seats of my dreams, pushing open the glass doors, entering a world where I could live Ms. Didion’s lines instead of just reciting them.”

See y’all tonight! (I’ll be the one in the fuschia party dress.)

“So this is the story of how I–a Southern girl from the Gulf Coast of nowhere–set out to become a part of it all, an elegant, colorful piece of the Manhattan media puzzle. How I tried to prove Granddaddy, Mamma and their newspaper wrong, make New York City my city, even if nothing was all good or bad or nearly as lovely and depressed as Joan Didion’s essays told me it was going to be. Things would work themselves out, I thought. Life always seemed to have a generous way with me.”

Enough with the free excerpts! Now go out and buy a copy!

My Aunt Kristi was the first person to ask me about my book tour wardrobe. Until then, I hadn’t given it a thought. (This is a Save-My-Sanity measure more than anything else; when your rent is in the $1,000’s and a box of cereal costs you $6, fashion is, unfortunately, an absolute luxury.)

My thought: just pack staples–black pencil skirt, navy blue Chloe blazer, jewel-colored blouses, little black dress, skinny jeans–and make do. You’ll be fine, Brooke. You’re not attending red carpet movie premieres, you’re reading passages from a novel. Chill.

Then I became aquainted with MINT, by Jodi Arnold. Y’all know it? Jodi’s also a Southern girl and her lines are hip, young and unexpected.

One visit to the showroom in the Garment District and I was hooked, they were hooked.

So now, my book tour wardrobe (I feel kinda funny saying that word–it’s as if I’m packing a steamer trunk and going on my European grand tour. Instead, of course, I’m doing a southeastern book tour with my mom!) is all MINT, all the time.

Thank you, Jodi! Thank you, Deenie! You’ve pulled me out my librarian mode and into the realm of chic and stylish (fingers crossed).

My legs might not be as twiggy as Ms. Blonde Thing on the right and my hair might not be as sleek as Ms. Brunette Temptress up top, but my book tour wardrobe will be fun, doggone it!