Book Signing: Sarah J. Maas

   The Sarah J Maas signing was a little bit different than the Maggie Stiefvater Signing was, and the same goes for other signings I had gone to at home. Her signing was just that, a signing. As much as I would have wanted to hear Sarah talk to us about A Court of Mist and Fury, I understood the reason why she didn't. Sarah had gone to BookCon that morning/afternoon, the same thing that we had done. With us being exhausted, I wouldn't find it hard to believe that Sarah would be too, then there's that hour long drive from BookCon to Anderson's Bookshop to factor in as well. 

   Even if I was exhausted, I was still super stoked to meet her again. Even with the odd spotting at BEA, I had actually met Sarah for the first time at YALLfest 2014, although I wasn't a fan of her work quite yet.  It was a little bit after that event that I became obsessed. 

   With having to buy a copy of A Court of Mist and Fury at the event, I also bought a hardcover copy of The Assassin's Blade, ( I was having the darn hardest time finding a hardback at home), and I had also brought my ARC of A Court of Thorns and Roses to have signed.  

   The line process went as followed, when purchasing your copy of A Court of Mist and Fury, you received a ticket with a number on it, that was your place in line. We were numbers 80-something if I recall correctly. The line went up to numbers in the 200's. Luckily though, because we had our numbers predetermined for us, people with large numbers were allowed to leave and come back when it got closer tot their numbers. 

   We ended up staying and just waiting for our turn, so for the most part I ended up chatting the series with a few people standing around me, the rest of the time I started my reread of A Court of Thorns and Roses. The people we were in line with were the sweetest, one of them even blogged on Tumblr with one of my best friends at home. So that connection was really cool to talk about!

   When my turn in line was just around the corner, I was even more excited to read ACOMAF than I was before. Sarah was just as excited to see my ARC and matching ACOTAR bookmark, the only bookmark that one needs to survive. 

   She was just as sweet as before and really excited to talk to you. We discussed my ARC and Bookmark for a bit, as well as YALLFest 2014 before unfortunately it was someone else's turn to have their books signed. 

   In the end the signing was sweet and simple, and now I can gush every time I look at my Court of Thorns and Roses books!

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: May 3rd, 2016

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2

Format: Hardcover, 624 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

   Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

Check Out Ohana Reads' Review Here

Check out the book that started it all.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: May 5th, 2015

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1

Format: Hardcover, 416 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

   As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Check Out Ohana Reads' Review Here

 If you haven't seen my other posts from BEA you can see those here:

Maggie Stiefvater Signing

BEA: Day 1

BEA: Day 2

BEA: Day 3

BookCon 2016

   Have you met Sarah before? Were you at the signing? Would you ever want to meet her in person? Tell me your stories! I'd love to hear!

Book Signing: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

   I first read a Stiefvater book in grade 7, so roughly 5 years ago. I still remember being kicked out of class while reading Linger, because my teacher was so fed up with me reading it in class rather than reading the assigned book. (I had done this with Shiver as well.) From then, I remember rushing to pick up the then, finale book in the series Forever. I also did this a year and bit later when The Raven Boys released. Since then I've read the book twice in hopes that I'd have time to continue the series, unfortunately that still hasn't happened. Hopefully after this signing, I will finally have the time to finish the series.  

   While in Chicago for BEA 2016 with my friend Stephanie @ Doodle's Book Reviews, we were able to check out the Raven King signing in Naperville, IL. Both of us being huge fans of Maggie, we knew we were in for a treat before all the bookish madness that would follow in the following days. (Although if you ask to see Steph's collection of Maggie books, then oooooh boy you'd definitely see that she's an ultimate fan.) 

   Maggie spent the signing discussing her past profession as a for hire artist, talking about that moment when she just couldn't do it anymore because of one scarring piece she had to do. (See video below).

   From there she went onto telling us how she once put a picture of her boob on Twitter, and having her publisher retweeted it. In all it was a hilarious story, involving a goat, some very reflective sunglasses and a shower. I think what made it better was the fact that the stores speaker system was also on, outside. So everyone passing by also heard the story aha.

Maggie looking like a proud mother after signing my books.

 Then finally it was signing time, having brought my hardback of The Raven Boys from home, I was able to get that and a new hardback of The Raven King signed. 

   In all it was a wonderful signing, even with me being half dead because of having flown earlier in the day. Maggie was a wonderful person to have met, and I hope that I'll be able to go to future signings of hers as well!

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Release Date: April 26th, 2016

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Series: The Raven Cycle, #4

Format: Hardcover, 439 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.

   For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey…and is certain she is destined to kill him.

   Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

   

   And don't forget to check out the first three books in the series, below!

The Raven Boys, #1

The Dream Thieves, #2

Blue Lily, Lily Blue, #3

   Have you ever met Maggie before? Were you at the signing? Would you ever want to meet her in person? Tell me your stories! I'd love to hear!

Chicago Hiatus

   Hey guys! 

   So I just wanted to let y'all know that from May 10th-15th, I will be in Chicago for BEA, BookCon, and the Maggie Stiefvater & Sarah J. Maas signings! So there will be a slight internet absence until the later evening(unless I can find wifi), but the blog should have posts up!

   I'm not quite sure what my schedule and plans will look like for BEA/BookCon quite yet, but if you see me around, definitely make your way over and say hello! I would love to talk! But I apologize in advance if I don't recognize you right away!  

   I can't wait for the trip, and you should most definitely expect MANY pictures and posts!

   Let me know if you'll be attending! I'd love to be able to meet you all!

 

Book Signing: Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

   Last friday evening, The Autumn Bookshelf and I went to the Finding Hope Book Launch by Colleen Nelson at McNally Robinson! 

   My sister and I had been out of the world excited for the launch since February when we first found out about it. Roping the rest of the girls in, we had ourselves a pack car of girls that were excited too.      

   Dunburn had actually asked about a month ago if I'd like a copy of Finding Hope to review before it's release. So luckily I had finished the book that day for it's launch!

   The launch started off with everyone starting to wander in and find a chair, I didn't expect it to be so full. They actually had to move things around to make room for more chairs! While this was going on Colleen made her way around the crowd saying hi, and thank you to everyone for coming. She had such a large turn out when it came to friends and family, I couldn't help but smile every time she would talk to one of hr siblings.

   The event itself was moderated by Joanne Kelly, McNally's own Book Club runner. So she went ahead was introduced herself and Colleen then we jumped into reading the first few chapters.

   Then after there was a discussion time with Joanne and Colleen, as well as a question period with
the audience after they had finished. There were a lot of jokes from her family members, and coworkers.

   Then finally we were able to go and get out books signed!


   Overall, the signing was a wonderful experience and I'm excited to see what The Autumn Bookshelf thinks of Finding Hope! And to see what Colleen's next series has in store for us! (She gave us the heads up of it being a co-written dystopian, written with her sister.)

 

Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

Release Date: March 19th, 2016

Publishing: Dundurn

Series: N/A

Format: Paperback, 200 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   Hope leaves her small town for a fresh start, but her plans are derailed by an online romance and the appearance of her brother.

   Hope lives in a small town with nothing to do and nowhere to go. With a drug addict for a brother, she focuses on the only thing that keeps her sane, writing poetry. To escape, she jumps at the chance to attend Ravenhurst Academy as a boarding student. She’ll even put up with the clique-ish Ravens if it means making a fresh start.

   At first, Ravenhurst is better than Hope could have dreamed. She has a boyfriend and a cool roommate, and she might finally have found a place she can fit in. But can she trust her online boyfriend? And what can she do after her brother shows up at the school gates, desperate for help, and the Ravens turn on her? Trapped and unsure, Hope realizes that if she wants to save her brother, she has to save herself first.

Check Out Ohana Reads' Review Here

   For anyone who hasn't yet read Finding Hope, I highly recommend it! It's a quick Contemporary read, although I do warn of some mature content!

Maureen Fergus' Buddy and Earl Book Launch Event

   Yesterday I went to my first book signing in a year! I was able to go to the launch event of Buddy and Earl by Maureen Fergus and Carey Sookocheff located at McNally Robinson, though it was a picture book and not a YA I really enjoyed myself! My father actually grew up with Maureen's husband, and so when I was younger we did some camping trips together. We had actually lost touch till recently, so it was great seeing them again!

Me, and Maureen.

   Besides meeting some old friends, I actually went to get my book, The Gypsy King signed by Maureen because alongside a few picture books she has also written a YA series! I've only read the first book but I really enjoyed it, so it felt good to get it signed!

   Anyhow the signing went as follows, we started off learning a bit about the lovely authors then went onto reading the book! It was all so adorable. After the reading and answering a few questions, Carey offered to have some of the little kids in the audience pick an adventure for Buddy and Earl to go on! The kids had some good ideas, Buddy and Earl ended up in the Jungle and in a Desert! Once again it was all so cute.

Carey drawing Buddy and Earl in the Jungle.

   After that we went onto signing some books! I ended up waiting till the line died down just a bit, but it was a perfect wait time so we could grab some cookies and drinks!

   In all it was a fabulous event and I can not wait to read the rest of Maureen's Gypsy King series!

   Maureen Fergus was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she was sixteen her family moved east; while there, she received an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration from McGill University. Upon graduating, she moved back to Winnipeg to embark upon her business career. She has worked in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. She has also taught at the college level.

   When she was growing up, the idea of becoming a fiction writer never even crossed her mind. Then, six weeks after her first daughter was born, her husband Nick suggested that she give it a try. Thinking that it might be a good way to keep her brain stimulated in between diaper changes, she decided to do so. That first time she reached her fingers toward the keyboard to write a story it felt as though she was slipping her hands into a pair of gloves that had been waiting for her, her whole life. It was the first step on the long, challenging path that led to her becoming a published author.

   These days, her life is busy. She went back to work in the business world as the part-time Managing Director of a Financial Services company five years ago when her youngest child started grade one, so two days a week she lives in the fast-paced corporate world, three days a week (plus whatever other time she can manage!) She works on her writing. In between, she shops for groceries, makes lunches, does laundry, cleans the house, coaches soccer, runs twelve miles a week, studies karate and hangs out with her husband, her three kids and the family dog! 

Buddy and Earl by Maureen Fergus and Carey Sookocheff

Release Date: August 1st, 2015

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Series: Buddy and Earl, #1

Format: Hardcover, 32 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   Buddy does not know what is in the box that Meredith carries into the living room. But when the small, prickly creature says he is a pirate — and that Buddy is a pirate too — the two mismatched friends are off on a grand adventure.

   In this first book in the Buddy and Earl series, a dog who likes to play by the rules meets a hedgehog who knows no limits. Their friendship is tender and loyal, and their adventures are funny and imaginative. Maureen Fergus’s text is witty and understated, and Carey Sookocheff’s art emphasizes both the humor and the warmth of this odd and loveable animal couple.

The Gypsy King by Maureen Fergus

Release Date: January 22nd, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill Canada

Series: The Gypsy King, #1

Format: Hardcover, 434 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   A runaway slave with a shadowy past, sixteen-year-old Persephone has spent four long years toiling beneath the leering gaze of her despised owner and dreaming of a life where she is free to shape her own destiny. Then, one night, a chance encounter with a handsome chicken thief named Azriel changes her life forever.

   Sold to him for a small bag of gold coins, Persephone soon discovers what she already suspected: namely, that Azriel is not what he seems. And when she realizes that he believes Persephone has a special destiny—she is determined to escape him and his impossibly broad shoulders.

   But things are no longer as simple as they once were. Torn between her longing for freedom and her undeniable feelings for the handsome thief with the fast hands and the slow smile, Persephone faces the hardest choice she will ever have to make. And no one least of all her—could have imagined the shocking truth her decision will reveal.

   Thanks for stopping by! How does the Gypsy King sound? You interested in giving her a try? Definitely let me know if you do! I'd love to discuss it!