Event: Ellen Hopkins Signing at The Tattered Cover

Ellen Hopkins reading from "Tilt"
Photo taken by Lana

In July, I was at The Tattered Cover's website for my weekly visit, checking to see if there were any authors I wanted to see stopping in Highlands Ranch. I hadn't been to a book signing for a while, and I was desperate to see someone. When I saw that Ellen was coming, I choked. After that, I checked back every day to make sure it didn't disappear- I just couldn't believe it!

I've been a fan of Hopkin's book since I read 'Crank', about two years ago. I hadn't been able to get any of her other novels, unfortunately, due to time and money, but when I saw she was coming, I ordered every single one. Figuring it would be good to have read more than one of her books, I started 'Burned', and finished it in all of three days. I am currently half-way through 'Triangles' and enjoying it much.

Ellen reading from "Tilt"
Photo taken by Lana

 Ellen was full of life and very sweet. As she was reading 'Tilt', I found myself wanting to finish 'Triangles' all the more quickly. Each character sounded different, her facial expressions told more than just words could. I almost wished she'd just finish the book right there, and stop tormenting us.

Ellen taking about Shane and Alex in "Tilt"
Photo taken by Lana

Like she just so happened to do when asked about "Smoke", the sequel to "Burned". 

"All I can tell you is the book opens with Pattyn's father dead on the floor, and she is on the run... Tease, tease, tease!" -Ellen Hopkins on "Smoke"

As if the wait wasn't bad enough...? I'm just glad I wasn't one of the people who read it when it first came out- I would've died waiting so long!

Ellen Answering Questions

 "The reason I wanted Alex to have HIV is because everyone seems to think we have it completely under control, so no one is talking about it anymore... Well. I'm talking about it." -Ellen Hopkins on Alex from 'Tilt'

Ellen talking about Collateral

 She also let us all in on a few secrets about Collateral, her latest adult novel (due out November 13th, 2012!). I am very excited about this book, though I am almost 100% positive Hopkins will make me cry (that's just what her books do- Which is a reason why she's on of my favorite authors). She told us she spoke to several military families; the spouses, the kids, the survivors. She dug deep, and it makes me very excited to dig into this!

Ellen reading from Collateral

"This book is gonna freak people out- That's what I'm good at." -Ellen Hopkins

While waiting in line to sign my whopping thirteen books, I had the pleasure of meeting two very awesome girls, Bridget and Rahie, who were freaking out just as bad as I was. Which, honestly, I was thankful for. We fangirled in line for the entirety of the wait, and yet, when I got to the line, I was still having a hard time...you know...inhaling?

[Left to right] Ellen Hopkins, Tattered Cover Employee (I did not catch her name), and me.
Taken by Bridget (Thank you!)

 I usually have some sort of social skills at these things. Now, I am well-aware I always sound like some creepy fangirl, but I can usually get out more than a, "Hi!" ...Well. That's not the case here. I was standing there stammering like a total nincompoop. Thankfully, Ellen didn't seem to mind. *phew* (Told you she was a sweetheart..)

Ellen Hopkins and me!
Taken by Bridget (Thank you!)

I haven't had this much fun in a long time, even if my brain wasn't working right. Ah, well. It was great meeting Ellen, Bridget and Rahie! Definitely a great event!

HVYAS July Event: Signing with Cassandra Clare, Holly Black & Sarah Rees Brennan

From left to right: Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare and Holly Black!

On July 15th, I, along with Touya from The Reader's Garden, were lucky enough to attend the Hudson Valley Young Adult Society's July event at Oblong Books & Music in Rhinebeck, NY.  Neither Touya or I had ever been to a book signing before and when we saw who was to be featured at the event we ( or I) nearly died with excitement.  Cassandra Clare, Holly Black and Sarah Rees Brennan, all at the same signing, only a little over an hour away from home! We decided pretty quickly that we would not be missing this event. 


We arrived early, 10:15 am, for me to get my signing line ticket; Touya was smart and had pre-ordered her books online so she received a priority line ticket. From the moment I stepped inside Oblong Books, I was in love. It really is the most excellent bookstore I've ever been in.  The staff was friendly, the store was beautiful and it had that wonderful BOOK smell that I love so much. After chatting with the staff at the store and with a few hours to kill, we decided to peruse the local farmer's market and then meandered through the town making our way to the most perfect little diner. It was there, at Pete's Famous, where I had the most delicious and filling breakfast I may have ever eaten.  From there, Touya and I set up shop on a bench outside a very nice smelling soap store and talked for a while about the book she's writing (be excited, guys, because it's gonna be great!) and enjoyed the sunshine. 


Finally, it was time to line up for the signing. Of course, right about the moment we got in line it started to rain, but it wasn't too bad at first. When the downpour started, the lovely staff at Oblong Books & Music was kind enough to let us in early. I can now attest to the fact that their music selection is vast and varied as that is where they had us stashed until it was time for seating to start. Touya and I found seats about three rows back and settled in to wait for the event to begin. There were prizes given away and lots of laughs while we waited for the ladies to arrive and honestly, the time flew right by for me. 


When Holly Black, Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan arrived at the store, the room seemed to erupt with excitement. These ladies were hilarious from the very beginning. You can easily see the friendship that ties them all together. They did readings from their upcoming works and told highly amusing anecdotes about how they met, how it feels to see their books on the shelves in book stores and answered countless other questions from fans. 

Holly Black & Cassandra Clare answering questions!

Holly Black read to us from The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, which hasn't even been to her editor yet (*squee*), it's about vampires and I really can't wait to read it!  Cassandra Clare read the prologue to Clockwork Princess and made us promise not to record her. I am anxiously awaiting that book, so getting to hear the beginning from the author, herself, was pretty huge for me. Sarah Rees Brennan hilariously acted out a scene from Unspoken as she read it. She had Holly Black hiding her head in her hands and laughing hysterically along with the rest of us.  

Sarah Rees Brennan acting out a scene from Unspoken & Holly Black's reaction. 

I was pretty nervous by the time I made it up to the table where the authors were signing, these are some of my very favorite authors of all time, my idols, really, and I was afraid I would be rendered speechless. That wasn't a problem at all though, I actually managed to have conversations with all three ladies.  Cassie, Sarah and I discussed the ABC tv show, Revenge  and Sarah complimented me on my hair clips. When I got to Holly, she and I talked about our mutual distaste for zombies.  A successful outing if ever there was one. 

Me & Holly Black! 

Me & Sarah Rees Brennan!

 I felt like jumping up and down the entire way home, of course, because I was still so revved up, I couldn't be calm. I had been among other readers, people who understand how I can gasp and ooh and ah over words on a page and get so emotionally invested that I cry when it's over sometimes, even when nothing sad has happened.  Add that to meeting three of my favorite authors and I'm surprised I slept that night. I was like a kid on Christmas Eve. My poor husband listened to me rant for hours when I got home that night.  Saying I had a good time would be a vast understatement.