Top Ten Tuesday: New-to-me Authors I Discovered in 2022

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today the prompt for Top Ten Tuesday (check out all the posts here) is ten new authors that are new to you this year. So let me just look at my list and see who those are:

Axie Oh (XOXO)

Clare Vanderpool (Navigating Early)

Christina Lauren (In a Holidaze)

Emily Henry (People We Meet on Vacation)

Sally Hepworth (The Good Sister)

Matt Haig (The Midnight Library)

Justina Ireland (Dread Nation)

Mira Grant (Feed)

Nita Prose (The Maid)

Priscilla Oliveras (Island Affair)

There you go! I really enjoyed them all and here's hoping a read some more of their books this year! (I have Emily Henry's on hold...so she might be the first one up!)

Author Event: Jennifer A. Nielsen and Heather Clark

 Not only are concerts back, but authors too!

I've really been missing going to author events but this past week, they are back! This event was to launch the debut book for Heather Clark called Lemon Drop Falls. And her author friend Jennifer A. Nielsen, and a favorite author of all or ours, was there as part of it. 

This book is a middle grade book about a girl dealing with her anxiety and fear after her mom dies. I think. Heather told us about when she herself almost died and how rough it was on her kids and especially her one daughter. So that's the inspiration for the story. 

The both of them told several other stories and it was all very inspiring. Hearing Jen's publishing story of how she tried and tried and tried and was rejected by everyone even the place that takes everyone, was really inspiring too. It really just hits home how if you want something bad enough, you just can't give up.

So I ended up with both of their books and we stood in line for quite awhile waiting for them to be signed. When it was our turn ,Jennifer give me my own personal writing pep talk and I felt fired up for... about an hour. Now that I've come down from the evening, I still feel very... I think what I mostly feel is that I'm just riding some band wagon and that I'm not for real enough in this writing quest... and I guess until I take myself seriously, no one else will either. It's a hard thing to do and something I will struggle with forever I'm afraid. 

Anyway, the biggest thing I took away from that pep talk is there are people out there who need my stories and why should I let MY fear get in the way of that happening...like just suck it up and stop worrying about it so much. 

It was a great night and I'm so glad I went. Next week the library is having its annual best books of the year talk and we plan on supporting that one too. I wish I had more time to do all the things, like read all those books that they will make me want to read!

Here's some pictures from the night:

With Jennifer. 

With Heather

Can you see our smiling eyes?

So exciting to be back at it, supporting the authors!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New-to-me Authors from 2021

 

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic:

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Discovered in 2021

I read a lot of authors I hadn't read before this year. Here are ten that stood out: 

Arianne Costner (My Life As a Potato)

Beth O'Leary (The Flatshare)

Celesta Rimington (The Elephant's Girl)

Katharine McGee (American Royals)

Marisa Kanter (What I Like About You)

Naomi Novik (Spinning Silver)

J.L. Esplin (96 Miles)

Laura Taylor Namey (A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow)

Mary Weber (To Best the Boys)

Laurie Forest (The Black Witch)

Anyone familiar with them and have suggestions for other books by them that I absolutely need to read? Let me know!

Meeting Markus Zusak... AGAIN!

Back in 2011 I think it was, all my reader dreams came true when Markus Zusak came to our library and talked about The Book Thief. Previous to that I thought he'd never show up in my neighborhood. And then one day he did. I thought we were lucky then to have that happen. I never imagined it would happen AGAIN!

But it did! It's been THIRTEEN YEARS since The Book Thief came out and now he's making the rounds, like a real true and intense book tour, for Bridge of Clay. And Utah was on the list again.

So last Saturday afternoon, we traveled to the location (picking Jenny up from the airport on the way since she was coming back from vacation just in the NICK of time!). We arrived a good hour or more early which got us a nice leather bookmark, and prime spots in the auditorium for his presentation.

Then he walked in, about a half hour or so early, and sort of started mingling with the crowd. And then people started lining up to get their books signed. I was embarrassed at their audacity! Like, he was going to sign AFTERWARDS! Why bug him NOW? But then they announced that he had to make a flight and wouldn't have a whole lot time afterwards, so he wanted to sign some beforehand too. So of course, we jumped in line then and joined the crazy crowd.

(Actually it wasn't that crowded or crazy, yet, but that line grew and grew and grew.)

Suddenly I was nervous. And soon it was my turn. I wondered if he would remember me (having written me a couple of tweets and a postcard all those years ago and because of my unique-ish nickname) but he didn't. However, he loved my shirt. It said, I am haunted by humans! (I had debated wearing it thinking it was over the top too fangirly and a little cringy but....)

And then he asked could he take a picture of me? Guys. I'm so glad I didn't faint.  I said, sure, and so he did. And then this assistant dude took his phone and took a picture of both of us together with it.. and then with my phone. I was shaking so bad.. and do you think anything AT ALL intelligent came out my mouth. NOT ONE THING! I pretty much didn't say anything. My mind had totally shut off. OH MY GOSH!!

And then we waited until the rest of our group had their moment with him and then we all got to take a group shot. It was awesome.

When he did signings afterwards.. he was doing no posed picture taking... so we really lucked out being there for the pre signing moments and taking advantage of that situation!

Well.. and so we had seen that he was posting pictures of "reading faces" as he traveled around. And so the next question was, would I end up on his instagram? About an hour after we got home that evening, sure enough.... I made the cut! LOL! But he took several "reader faces" pictures so I was one among a bunch. Still. SO CRAZY!!!

But to backtrack...his presentation/speech was awesome as expected. He talked about how important back stories are to make your characters real and for an author to know what's going to happen with the story. He talked about how tiny insignificant things that happen in your life can spark an idea and make it into a story. He talked only a little about his struggle over the past 13 years, mostly that he KNEW what this story needed to be and he just couldn't get to the right place. Until finally he did. I love know that the book we are reading now is exactly what he wanted... finally!

He's just so down to earth and real. And still my favorite author ever. I really hope that he's starting on something new and that it's not so long until we get more!

Here're the pictures:

Book Review: Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi

Book: Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
Genre: YA Dystopian
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

We went to this book signing awhile back when Tahereh was in the neighborhood. Very fun as usual. It was great to see her in person. She is spectacularly beautiful. I already can't remember a whole lot about what she had to say (most of it was random stuff that Alli Condie asked her) but I do find it impressive that an author truly knows everything that's going to happen in their books and how it will all end! There are still several books to come in this series I think. So much to happen!

This one starts pretty much right were the other one (Ignite Me) left off.  The bad guys have been killed and Juliette is now in charge of the country. She is preparing to meet some of the leaders of the other countries in hopes that some sort of peace negotiations can be worked out.

But, as they wait for that to happen, Warner begins to freak out because he knows he needs to fess up to Juliette about his past. And it's not good. There's so much she doesn't know. And he has to be the one to tell her.

Then, all that opens up a new aspect to this story which will now provide the basis for the following books! So for me, this is like the start of another side series of sorts, even though it's all our same people.

For the Team Adam friends, sadly, Adam is barley in this book. I'm still hoping he will get his own story at some point. New characters are introduced and they are quite fascinating.

It took me a few pages (50 or so?) to get into to this one, which made me worry for a minute, but then it got going and I was hooked. Pretty much I will need to read them all to find out how this all ends and to see if Juliette ever gets a normal life. And if Warner's mental distress ever gets healed.

Author Signings: Jeff Kinney, Cressida Crowell, Marissa Meyer, Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman, Shannon Hale, Jennifer Nielsen, James Dashner

We've had a plethora of author signings lately, so I figured it was time to catch you up! Plus a few that happened that I never reported on. Because... life.

Last night we managed to BARELY get to Jeff Kinney! (Dumb traffic and dumb accidents!) It was in an auditorium full of crazy excited kids! And I felt just like one of them. I don't know what it is about these books, but they make me laugh pretty much like nothing else. It was fun to see what this author was like and see his method of drawing and planning and plotting. I'm amazed how such a simple idea has been so popular and successful for him. It's awesome. 

He came through the audience answering questions
and walked right by us. Here's the blurry result.

They had the most awesome balloons out front of the event!

The night before last we meet the author of the famous and popular How to Train Your Dragon books, Cressida Cowell. She was an absolute blast.. so animated and funny and spunky!

Sangi meets Cressida Cowell

Toto meets Cressida Cowell

Tori and Sangi with Cressida Cowell

 The week before that was Marissa Meyer, who we've met too many times to count now. She has a new book in a new series out about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland fame... and what she was like as a teenager. It's called Heartless. Yeah. I hope to fit it in somehow. When we talked to her, we asked her if there as any truth to the fact that she was inspired by the in real life Kai from the kpop group EXO for her very own Kai... she said... no.. but when someone sent her a picture she said... I approve! That's him!!!

Kai from EXO

We got a pretty good crowd of friends to go to this one with us! 

Marissa Meyer

Last year I was disappointed that these awesome authors of my favorite book last year, Illuminae, came on a night that I couldn't go. But they came BACK! All the way from Australia! Thank you for that Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman! So I got to see them this time and.. it was awesome. I find them to be pretty amazing and I've started the next book, Gemina, and am reading while cringing... it's so intense!

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Probably last month it was, these group of crazy authors came to the library, all sporting read hair like Squirrel Girl... whoever that is. LOL! I'm not totally up on my superheros... but they've all written stuff to do with her and so they came together and talked. They are: Dean Hale, Ryan North, Margaret Stohl, and Shannon Hale.

And then there was on my other favorites, Jennifer Nielsen. She was promoting her latest book called The Scourge about a plague of sorts.

Jennifer Nielsen

And I just had to throw in this picture because he's so freaking famous now... we said hi to James Dashner at Comic Con, and yes, he still remembers me from back in the days when he was still a little author.

Toto and Sangi with Mr. Dashner Dude

Hmmm.... it seems like we went to see Brodi Ashton this past summer too, but I must not have taken pictures. Wait, Really?


I can't remember who's in the queue coming up! But I'm sure there's someone!!! What fun authors have you all seen these days?

Thirty Days of Books: Favorite Author and Book

Well, with these two 30 Days of books prompts, Jenni has given me yet another opportunity to gush about my favorite author and his books. You can't be sick of it yet, can you? It has been awhile, right? A few months anyway...


The prompts:

Who's your favorite writer? 

and

What is your favorite book by your favorite writer?

I made this collage awhile back and so I'll share it again:

And that pretty much sums it up! Mr. Markus Zusak rules in the area of writing with a style that can not be matched. I love it so much and I'm feeling in so much withdrawal since it's now been so long since we've heard from him. I hope he's still alive! :)

As for a favorite book of his... I always say The Book Thief, though I truly love them all. The first three (top row above) are a series about Cameron Wolfe and his brother. You can tell when reading them they are his first books and have no where near the polish that The Book Thief or I Am the Messenger have, and yet... they are still so deep and strong and heartfelt, just as much or more so than the others. So... I love them all. They are all amazing and unique and powerful.

And I wish we could add to the list!

Who's your favorite author and book by that author? Join us over at Jenni's!

Author Signings: Ally Condie, Julie Berry, Darren Shan, Maggie Stiefvater

There's been a bunch more author events! Time to catch up with a few pictures!

DARREN SHAN

Here we are with Darren Shan, famous for the Cirque du Freak series.
My daughter-in-law was ecstatic to meet him so we gave her the position of
honor... to be straggled by him! I guess this is his trademark pose.
How fun is that!?

My DIL Jenniffer talking to her most favorite author!

Darren Shan reads from his book.
And he knows how to read!
I'm wondering if he does his own audio books. He's dang good!

JULIE BERRY

Here we are with Julie Berry, one of my favorite authors.
I can' wait to read this latest book, The Passion of Dolsa.

Julie Berry gave us a most awesome medieval history lesson.

ALLY CONDIE

Here we are, (sister Megs included) with Ally Condie.
Toto won a shirt with Ally's face on it. Funny!

Talking with Ally Condie.

Ally Condie signing books.

Sister Megs got to visit and attend this event with us. We had a blast!

MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Maggie Stiefvater signing books.
I love her look!

We had a pile go together for this one.
Kathy, Jenni Elyse and Jenny. 

There was a huge crowd and we are glad we got a spot to sit!


That's it until the next time! What authors have you seen lately?

More Author Events: Kathryn Purdie, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black

Last night we found ourselves at a pretty big author signing event. It was Cassandra Clare and Holly Black! I've seen them doing promotions together for awhile and wondered if we'd have a turn in our area. Well, last night was it!

The auditorium was filled and many people were fangirling and even weeping in awe over meeting their favorite authors. It was fun to watch and I totally understood the feelings. Mostly.

We got a bunch of books signed, but they herded us through the line like cattle. Yeah, it frustrates me when that happens. Maybe I'll save that rant for another day. Maybe I've already done that rant, I can't remember.

But we had a great time and here are the pictures!

Cassandra Clare and Holly Black

Here we are in the crowd, waiting!
From front to back:
Jenny
Catie
Jenni Elyse
Jayne
and Toto

 

When I saw how she signed her name I was like,
seriously? :) 

 Last week we took part in a book launch for the debut of another Utah author, Kathryn Purdie. Her book, Burning Glass, sounds awesome.

Getting our books signed!
Left to right:
Kami, Toto, Jenny, Kathryn, Jayne, Abbie, me and Jenni Elyse

Here's Jenni getting her book signed.

Kami had to get off her pregnant swollen feet!
But isn't she cute!!

I love this picture of our group waiting in line.

Kathryn Purdie

And that's it.. until the next time! There are more coming up! It never ends...