Author Event | Colleen Hoover - Without Merit Tour!

Last night I had the opportunity to quickly meet Colleen Hoover, author Ugly Love, November 9, It Ends With Us, and her newest YA book Without Merit. She was touring for Without Merit, which I was lucky enough to receive an eARC for. Thanks to Ariele Fredman and Atria books for giving me the opportunity to participate in another blog tour. If you haven't checked that out, I have a short review on the book yesterday and there's also a giveaway!

 

Colleen Hoover was appearing at Chevalier Books in Los Angeles and when I found out, I immediately bought my ticket. I also convinced one of my best friends to get a ticket too, so I wouldn't be on my own. With the purchase of the ticket, we also received a copy of the book, which is great because I love adding more books to my CoHo collection.

We got there right on time and it was packed. The bookstore itself is small to be holding such a large event, so people were filled up all the way in and even crowded around the front. I noticed there was already some sort of line so I asked a nearby fan if they were in line to get their book, but they were already in line for the signing even though CoHo was speaking. We got directed to the front and after making our way through the crowds, we managed to get our books. But our number in line was #133 so we realized we had a bit to go. It was a little difficult to hear Colleen even though she had a microphone, but she was answering questions for the most part. She discussed the names of her characters in Without Merit, and talked of possible upcoming movie adaptations, but she only spoke for about 10 minutes which was a little disappointing.

After her talk was over, they had people get in line by their number but since we had such a long way to go, we headed for the coffee shop next door, and then continued to browse a few more shops down the street. About 45 minutes later we made our way back and they were only in the 60's but we decided to hang around the shop instead. We browsed through books, and I really wanted to get a few, but am on a book buying ban! Finally we were standing in line, and even though we had a few restless people get ahead of us, it was overall a quick process.

When we finally met her, she signed all my books (I had 4 for her to sign) and I took some pictures. I felt sort of awkward because CoHo didn't seem to want to talk at this point (since she was probably tired from the commotion) so we got a quick picture and were off. It was a overwhelming, but I was really excited about visiting the "oldest indy bookstore in Los Angeles" and am glad I had my friend with me. I was a little disappointed with the whole experience because there were too many people in the small area, and the bookshop workers weren't coordinating the event as well as it should have been, but overall am glad I was there to meet her.

Don’t miss Colleen on tour for WITHOUT MERIT:

SEATTLE, WA

Monday, October 2^nd

THIRD PLACE BOOKS

7:00 PM    

17171 Bothell Way NE

Lake Forest Park, WA  98155

https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/colleen-hoover-without-merit

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/137295906877328/

LOS ANGELES, CA

Tuesday, October 3^rd

CHEVALIER'S BOOKS

7:00 PM    

126 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90004

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-talk-and-signing-with-colleen-hoover-for-her-new-book-without-merit-tickets-37139282594

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1911946199130358

KANSAS CITY, KS

Wednesday, October 4^th

WOODNEATH LIBRARY CENTER

7:00 PM    

8900 NE Flintlock Rd

Kansas City, MO  64157

http://www.mymcpl.org/events/calendar/story-center-speaker-series-colleen-hoover

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/174560183089713

CHICAGO, IL

Thursday, October 5^th

ANDERSON'S BOOKSHOP – LA GRANGE

7:00 PM    

26 S La Grange Rd

La Grange, IL  60525

http://hooverandersons.brownpapertickets.com

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/264445024062577

CINCINNATI, OH

Friday, October 6^th

JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS

7:00 PM    

2692 Madison Road

Cincinnati, OH  45208

www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3081217

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/113057092698266

POTTSTOWN, PA

Saturday, October 7^th

BOOKS-A-MILLION

6:00 PM    

Coventry Mall

351 W. Schuylkill Road Ste G16

Pottstown, PA  19465

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-colleen-hoover-at-books-a-million-pottstown-pa-tickets-37311651153

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/352249878530498

NEW YORK, NY

Sunday, October 8^th

NEW YORK COMIC CON

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM   

500 West 36th Street

Hudson Mercantile

New York, NY  10018

https://www.showclix.com/event/ColleenHoover5yf6nuy

RSVP and details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1979991848924145

DALLAS, TX

Tuesday, October 10

SMU BOOKSTORE

7:00 PM    

B&N College

Southern Methodist University Bookstore

3060 Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, TX  75205

Author Event | Gretchen McNeil and Kendare Blake

Two nights ago I got the chance to go to Mysterious Galaxy for an author event. It had been a few months since I went to any author event so I was really excited to go even though I have met both Gretchen McNeil and Kendare Blake before. The event started at 7:30pm and I was a wee bit late.

As usual, McNeil was in an amazing dress and shoes! I love her style and always admire what she's wearing. Blake is also so cool, and she shared with us that she recently got a quote from the Illiad, which makes her that much more awesome! Anyways, the authors began by telling us a bit about their books.

I'd heard of 3:59 previously from McNeil herself at another event so I was really excited to finally grab a copy. Earlier that week, I had picked up a copy of Antigoddess, but I hadn't even read the synopsis yet, so I was completely fascinated as Blake told us all about it. It sounds so good, and I can't wait to finally dive into it.

Both authors are great when speaking to crowds, and it was obvious that neither of them wanted to read from their books (just because they didn't know what to read from them!) so they jumped straight into questions. I never ask questions (actually, I did ask a question once but that rarely ever happens) but I am always interested in what others ask, especially if they don't know the author or his/her writing.

After the questions died down, there was the signing and I always feel super awkward talking to authors cause they are so awesome and stuff. I went to purchase my copy of 3:59 and also grabbed a copy of NOS4A2 by Joe Hill which Kendare Blake highly recommended, and so did the book seller.

Even though I didn't say much to either author, I did ask to take pictures with both of them after they were done signing my books. I am really looking forward to reading both books since I have previously enjoyed their work. And that was my night! Happy reading :)

Author Event | L.A. Times Festival of Books 2013

I wasn't sure I was going to make it this year to the festival. Partly because my brother's birthday (or birthday party) falls on the Saturday, a.k.a. the first day of the festival. On Sunday, I had plans to go hiking and meet up with a classmate after that to do some work together. I felt too tired to wake up early for the hike though, so I cancelled that. Around 10am, I still had about six hours before meeting up with my classmate. I checked online the schedule of activities and my attention was instantly caught when I saw Sarah Dessen was going to be there that day! I double checked on her website and saw that she was in fact going to be on a panel around 12pm and signing after.

I decided I would go after all! I got ready quickly but ended up in traffic and was having a hard time parking, so I didn't get there until a little after noon. I wandered around for a bit once I was there, but without a map or schedule, I really had no idea where to go. I set out to find the YA stage, but after a few minutes I saw a sign for the information booth. I headed that way instead and finally managed to snag a schedule and a free tote bag. On my way to the YA stage, I checked the schedule and realized that the signing and panel I had seen for Dessen was in fact a ticketed event, for which I had no tickets. Bummer!

Disappointed, I decided to continue since I knew I would find some author signings to attend anyways. I made a quick detour to the Harlequin booth, who were handing out free paperbacks of several of their titles and snagged a copy of Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. I made another quick stop at the Once Upon A Time bookstore booth and grabbed two t-shirts.

Once I reached the YA stage, I sat down for a few minutes even though it was too hot to sit for too long. The festival was really crowded around this area because it was also near the children's stage and booths. Since the authors on the panel were Middle Grade, I wasn't too familiar with them and eventually decided to keep wandering. I was walking past one of the booths when I saw that Lisa McMann was sitting at one of the tables watching the crowds walk past. I was super excited and went up to her and started chatting with her about her books. I didn't have my copy of Wake with me (which I now realize I let someone borrow once and they never returned it) or Fade because I had no idea she was going to be there. Since Wake was one of favorite books the year that I read it, I bought the trilogy and had her sign it!

I continued walking and across the way, Katherine Applegate (author of Eve and Adam) was sitting there also by herself just chatting with one of the volunteers. I already have an ARC of Eve and Adam, but I decided to go ahead and pick up a finished copy for her to sign as well.

Since I had checked Sarah Dessen's website while sitting at the panel, I knew she was going to be signing elsewhere, so I went to look for the other Mrs. Nelson's booth (they had three at the festival!) and hopefully find out what time she was going to be there. I found it eventually, not too far down and saw that Gayle Forman was also going to be signing, an hour before Sarah Dessen. Since I still had about an hour left to kill, I wandered around the festival. I saw a few performances, took a break under a tree (did I mention it was hot that day? It was hot!)

About fifteen minutes left to the signing (and a few too many book purchases later) I made my way back to the booth and saw that there was another person in line already waiting. I stood in line and I started chatting with the other person in line. Eventually there were three of us in line and Gayle Forman arrived. I'd met her previously, but hadn't gotten a copy of her book Just One Day yet, so I purchased that and had her sign it. I also grabbed another copy of If I Stay for her to sign.

After that I got back in line to wait for Dessen, and landed the first spot in line. The other two girls I had been talking to jumped in line right behind me. One of them was also a blogger, Jackie, and we were able to chat for the hour we had to wait for Dessen to arrive. The line ended up getting pretty long so I was glad I got there early, and even happier I had Jackie for company. Luckily, Dessen arrived a bit early and we didn't have too wait much longer in the sun. I hadn't brought any of her books that I own for her to sign (because they are still at my parents house) and instead bought a few of her books that I don't own. She was really nice! It was awesome to meet her and I got to take a picture when I thought I wouldn't be able to.

Anyways, that was pretty much my entire day because I left shortly after. For such a last minute event, I was able to meet some great authors, bloggers and grab some great books!

Author Event Recap | L.A. Festival of Books 2012

Back in April I went to the L.A. Festival of Books. It was awesome! The day was warm, but not too hot, and I was ready to get some books and meet some authors. I had a vague idea of who was going to be there but I was not ready for the crowds.

I stood in the line to meet Alyson Noel and it lasted about an hour! I was able to get away and got to meet Deb Caletti and Ann Redisch Stampler. They were both super sweet! I spent a few hours walking around, checking out new books, getting food and just enjoying the day. Since it was the second day, there weren't as many authors signing as there are on the first.

I was looking forward to meeting Maggie Stiefvater though, but had a little while to wait.

I wandered a bit more, got a glimpse of Judy Blume, met Seth Grahame-Smith when I realized he was signing, forgot Kendare Blake going to be there also (I think!) and ended up being the first in line to meet Stiefvater.

I left early-ish in the afternoon, but the day was winding down and there wasn't much else to do. It was a great experience and I can't wait for next year!

Author Event Recap | Megan Miranda Reading & Signing

Last year I got a chance to go to quite a few author events and that made me happy. Earlier this year, I looked for a few events at my local Barnes & Noble and saw that Megan Miranda, author of Fracture was going to be there. I was really looking forward to this and since I hadn't read Fracture yet, I bought it also.

I got there a little late and so Miranda was already talking to everyone. It was a quiet night and there was a smaller crowd than usual, so we still got an up close view of the author as she was talking. She read a little chunk of Fracture and omg! It sounds so good. I haven't read it yet, but I am really looking forward to it. There was a signing afterwards and Megan is so nice! I know that I say that about all author's, but it's so true! She had bookmarks to hand out to fans so I was able to snag one.

There was a quick t-shirt raffle also, and I won! She signed my shirt and even though it is a Large and pretty big on me, I still plan to wear it. I was really glad that I got to meet her

Anyways, it was a simple and sweet event that I am glad I got to go to (even if I was late.)

Author Event | Becca Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Miles & Moira Young

About a month ago, I got the opportunity to meet author's Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush saga) Elizabeth Miles (Fury) and Moira Young (Blood Red Road.) It was an awesome event to attend at one of my local B&N store. I arrived a little late so I had to sit all the way in the back.

All three planned to read from their books, but since Becca figured maybe a good chunk of the crowd might not have read the second or third books in her saga (and she was right!) she told us a sweet story on how one of the scenes was inspired from her teen years. Pretty funny stuff that involves a hot dog and peer pressure :)

Elizabeth did read from Fury and it sounds like such a creepy book! I definitely need to get to reading that. I bought the HC of the book even though I had an ARC copy.

Moira told us how she was an actress and a few other things before deciding to write, so when she read from Blood Red Road it was so awesome. She "acted" out some of it by changing voices and moving around a bit. It was such an intense scene too; another book I am dying to read!

After they answered some questions from the audience, there was signing. The line for Becca was the longest, so I got to take pictures and chat with Moira and Elizabeth. This resulted in being one of the last to meet Becca. By then I was tired and anxious to get homebut it was definitely worth the wait. Becca was super nice and she was handing out signed posters to everyone who wanted them. Overall, it was awesome!