Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Armchair BEA: Author Interaction & More Than Just Words

Design by Amber of Shelf Notes
Welcome back for Day 2 of Armchair BEA!

Today's topics are Author Interaction and More Than Just Words (click here for the full agenda and more information on each topic).  Before I move on to chatting about authors, I want to refer you to my guest post on the main Armchair BEA website today on Graphic Novel Recommendations for More Than Just Words.  If you are regular follower of Tif Talks Books, you know that I love me some graphic novels and comics, so I definitely recommend you check out my list of recs today!

Now, on to authors . . . I love to attend author readings, signings, and events in general.  I remember my first signing took place in one of my favorite independent bookstores and the author was James Patterson.  I was hooked from the beginning and have attended as many as I can since.  In honor of Armchair BEA, I thought I would highlight my top five favorite author events.  I will link back to original posts about these, some of which were written for my freelance gig that I had via Walrus Publishing.  *Drumroll please*



I have had the pleasure of attending a number of events where Ridley Pearson was present because I used to live in the same city that he resides.  My favorites though were when he talked about his Kingdom Keepers series.  He would bring in pictures from his behind-the-scenes research of the Disney parks and always had such wonderful experiences to share for each one.  It helps that I adore this series too!



I have only read two books by Erik Larson, so far.  BUT, both books are at the top of my favorites, both of all-time as well as for non-fiction specifically.  When I saw that he was coming to town, I had to go.  When I arrived, it was standing room only and I stood for the entire presentation.  It was completely worth it.  I was quite surprised at how funny this man is, especially considering the very serious topics that he writes about.



Hosseini is one of those authors that I will read everything he writes without even looking at the description or reviews of his books.  I love stepping into a world that I know nothing about, getting lost in his often tragic tales and yet learning so much along the way.  This was not an author event I could miss and I sat mesmerized throughout the entire event, hanging on to his every word.



Okay, this is where I admit that I have actually seen Maguire twice -- once before I had ever read any of his work and once after reading a number of his books and falling in love with them.  In fact, Wicked is one of my all-time favorite books and musicals (and yes, I know that they are very different and I love them for very different reasons).  In the most recent event I attended, this man had me amazed by his talent, humor, and yep, even his singing!  I can listen to Maguire for hours!



This man gets the first place position because it did not feel like an author event at all, but rather a very humorous one-man show!  My family LOVES his Elephant & Piggie series, and meeting the man behind the stories completely made our night.  We laughed so hard, and my kids felt so special when he personalized their books with a little doodle.  It was an unforgettable event!

What have been some of your favorite author events or sightings?  

28 comments:

  1. I'm so envious that you've met such wonderful authors! Most of my author interactions happen online since our local indie went out of business. :(

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    1. Andi ... I'm now living in a location that doesn't get many authors and will likely be moving into an area next month that gets even less. It makes me so sad because I love ones IRL sooooo much!

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  2. I've never met any authors, or been to any kind of places where I could meet one. I almost got to meet Ridley, but had to work, so I did get a signed copy of the first Kingdom Keepers, which of course a "friend" took and never gave back. I'm disappointed with his series, I LOVED it starting out (having worked for Disney it was amazing) but just lost me through it and I couldn't even finish the last one. I wish it had stopped around book 4.

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    1. Karsyn Smith ... I'm so bummed to hear you didn't like the Kingdom Keepers series. I have read all but the last one in the series that just came out a couple of months ago and have had so much fun with them. But, then again, I have never been to Disney!

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  3. I am so jealous. I've had Ridley Pearson sign all my Kingdom Keepers books, but just at the LA Times Festival of Books, so I haven't gotten to see the behind the scenes pictures. And I missed Mo Willems at the Festival several years ago. Now I wish I hadn't.

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    1. Mark Baker ... I'm kinda jealous of you actually! I've heard so many wonderful things about the LA Times Festival of Books! I will be moving back to the west next month. Maybe I may be able to pull off a little visit one of these years!

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  4. Wow, what a list! I've met only two of my favorite authors, Kelley Armstrong and Mary Lindsey. I have so many people I'd love to meet!

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    1. Danielle ... I still have so many people that I would like to meet. When you mentioned your favorite authors, I just realized that all my featured here are men. I really should have added some women to this list!

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  5. Love Larson. Saw him at a preview talk right before Isaac's Storm was released.

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    1. vikk simmons ... Isaac's Storm is one of his books I have yet to read and I really want to!

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  6. How awesome! I've met a few YA authors but think I'd be crazy nervous to meet some of these, especially Gregory Maguire!

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    1. thegrownupya.com ... I actually think Gregory Maguire is one of the friendliest authors I have ever met!!

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  7. I mainly meet Dutch authors but sometimes one jumps over the Channel from England. So far, they've all been very interesting to listen to and pleasant when signing. I just wish there were more author events!

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    1. leeswammes ... Sometimes, I think the smaller events are more personable. And, you only get those smaller events with so-called smaller authors. I really love personable!

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  8. You like graphic novels? Never noticed. ;)

    Khaled Hosseini! I love him! So jelly!

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    1. Becca Lostinbooks ... LOL!! You make me laugh!!

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  9. Lucky you, meeting Erik Larson! The Devil in the White City is my go-to non-fiction recommendation. I also liked Thunderstruck and have In the Garden of Beasts in my TBR pile.

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    1. jessi ... Oh my! The Devil in the White City is my go-to nonfiction recommendation too! I love, love, love that book. I really enjoyed In the Garden of Beasts. It was really good too!

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  10. Wow, you really have been blessed with attending events. A couple I'm jelly over... :-)

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    1. fredamans ... Which ones?!? No really, I have been really lucky. I used to live a great location with tons of amazing author events. I miss it so much now though.

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  11. I love the Wicked series. Don't tell, but I still have to read the fourth book! It's on my shelf waiting for me. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to attend any signings or book events. Hopefully soon!

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    1. Chrissy TheEveryFreeChanceReader ... Okay, this is where I admit that I have only read the first book in the series, though I own every single book! I am intent in reading them all before year's end.

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  12. Your author list must be huge to have a top 5 list. I would love to start meeting more authors in person!

    --Brenda @DailyMayo

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    1. Brenda D Priddy ... I really have seen a ton of authors. I'm not sure how many I will see in my current or future location though, so I'm glad I've seen enough to last a lifetime! ;)

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  13. I envy you the Mo Willems experience. I can only imagine it must have been truly magical, just like his E&P books. Thank you for sharing; now I know I have to try to attend a signing if he's ever in my area!

    I must say, one of my favorite author events was a reading/signing by Tim Gunn. He is soooo engaging, and I feel like the persona on tv doesn't do the amazing man justice. What an artist, that guy.

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    1. Alisha (MyNeedToRead) ... Magical is a really good word for it! It's always a good sign when the whole family is laughing throughout the event.

      I don't think I have ever read Tim Gunn's books. I need to check them out!

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  14. so many great IRL connections!

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