Hello loves!
So it’s been a while since I’ve done this feature on the blog. Basically the feature is for recapping any book-related events that I’ve attended. If you want to see the other posts you can check them out here.
So last night I had the opportunity to attend a book talk & signing at one of my local indie bookstore. The book talk & signing included three YA authors: Jen Malone (Wanderlost), Molly Booth (Saving Hamlet), & Jaye Robin Brown (Georgia Peaches & Other Forbidden Fruit).
The event ended up being a bit informal, but that created a really relaxed atmosphere that I enjoyed a lot. The authors began by blurbing their books in 6 words or less and then opened the floor to us for questions. Since there were no takers right away, the authors began asking each other questions from some preplanned questions which spurred a lot of good conversations surrounding their respective books and writing styles.
These questions were then followed by a “popcorn” reading in which someone threw out a page number and the authors then read from that page in the book. Each reading gave a great insight into the books’ tones and enticed me into the stories.
Afterwards, the floor was open for Q & A.ย I started everyone off with my go-to question: “What was your favorite scene to write?”
Anotherย question someone asked revolved around if their books contained characters based off real life people or real life experiences that the authors had. This question had really great answers. I loved that Jen Malone based two of the more prominent senior citizen characters in her book,ย Wanderlost on her grandmother and great-grandmother. These characters also appeared in her favorite scene of this book ๐ Molly noted that she wrote one of the characters based off one of her best friends and Jaye mentioned that she had a line in her book that came directly from an exchange she had with a friend when she was in college.
I loved being able to hear these little anecdotes! Book readings & signings always seem to bring more to the stories for me. It’s great getting the “behind the scenes” and hearing about writing the books and getting a taste of them before reading them!
Overall it was a wonderful night! I’m so happy I went out to it even though I was tired and my homebody self was like just go hibernate in room haha. But anyway, if you’re interested in the books/authors mentioned above, I’ve put the blurbs below!
Thanks for reading!
Wanderlostย by Jen Malone
(Synopsis)ย Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novelโs whirlwind trip through Europe.
Aubree canโt think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and sheโs ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabethโs summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.
Aubree doesnโt even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company ownerโs son, Sam. Considering sheโs pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldnโt fall for him, but she canโt help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.
But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like sheโs letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really isโshe just hopes she likes where she ends up.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Jen’s Twitter | Jen’s Website
Saving Hamlet by Molly Booth
(Synopsis) I wanted sophomore year to be different, but this was a little much.
Emma Allen couldnโt be more excited to start her sophomore year. Not only is she the assistant stage manager for the drama clubโs production of Hamlet, but her crush Brandon is directing, and sheโs rocking a new haircut that’s sure to get his attention. But soon after school starts, everything goes haywire. Emmaโs suddenly promoted to stage manager, her best friend, Lulu, stops talking to her, and Joshโthe sweet soccer player whoโs been cast as the leadโturns out to be a disaster. Itโs up to Emma to fix it all, but she has no clue where to start.
One night after rehearsal, Emma stays behind to think through her lifeโs latest crises and distractedly falls through the stageโs trap doorโฆlanding in the basement of the Globe Theater.
Itโs London, 1601, and with her awesome new pixie cut, everyone thinks Emmaโs a boyโeven Will Shakespeare himself. Dropped into the middle of the original production of Hamlet, Emma gamely plays her role as backstage assistant, jumping at the chance to experience theatre history and rub shoulders with legends. But the Globeโs Hamlet has its own problems, and once Emma starts traveling back and forth through time, things get really confusing. In which reality does she belong? And can she possibly save two epically tragic productions of Hamlet before time runs out?
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Molly’s Twitterย |ย Website
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruitย
by Jaye Robin Brown
(Synopsis)ย Joanna Gordon has been out and proud for years, but when her popular radio evangelist father remarries and decides to move all three of them from Atlanta to the more conservative Rome, Georgia, he asks Jo to do the impossible: to lie low for the rest of her senior year. And Jo reluctantly agrees.
Although it is (mostly) much easier for Jo to fit in as a straight girl, things get complicated when she meets Mary Carlson, the oh-so-tempting sister of her new friend at school. But Jo couldnโt possibly think of breaking her promise to her dad. Even if sheโs starting to fall for the girl. Even if thereโs a chance Mary Carlson might be interested in her, too. Right?
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Jaye’s Twitterย | Jaye’s Website
Have you read any of these books? Been to any recent book events? Let me know in the comments below!ย
As always,
Happy Reading!
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