Amazing Author Events

My friends and I with Rainbow Rowell

The past month i've had the pleasure of seeing two amazing author events. Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor and Park and Fangirl, came to speak at a St.Paul Public Library event. There was a bit of controversy with her events in my neck of the woods. She was originally supposed to come to the county I live in and do several library events but due to some parent outrage against her books, her events were cancelled. I absolutely LOVED Eleanor and Park and reviewed it earlier this year. I am currently listening to Fangirl and I have to admit, I'm in little bit in love with the Levi, one of the characters. Sigh.

Rainbow was amazing; funny, kind of outrageous, a little bit uncomfortable with the attention but wholly down to earth. She had a great presence and so wicked smart. She talked about what she read as a kid and teen, her fall into Fan fiction when Harry Potter ended and her love of writing dialogue (which I can tell because the back in forth conversations in both Eleanor and Park and Fangirl are electric!). 

We waited in line to meet her and got our books signed. I did not have a book and her sister, also assistant, made Rainbow sign a homemade "bookmark" for me. It was sweet! Her sister kept saying "Don't worry, sweetie, we'll get you something!" So lovely! They both were. Here is a picture of Rainbow, me and my friends. 
Such a passionate, literary inspiring evening. Go out and read her!!! If you are a parent of a teen, read her!!!

Amy Tan, signing.

The other event I went to which I frequent a few times a year is our Talk of the Stacks Library program. They host 4-6 authors a year at the main central downtown Minneapolis Library. I've seen Joyce Carol Oates, Michael Chabon, and Lousie Erdrich there. This time around I had the pleasure of seeing Amy Tan. I have never read any of her books which still surprises the hell out of me but I knew her place in the literary world is important and I was curious as to what she had to say.
She was poised, eloquent and funny. She told stories about her grandmother and mother and where she gets her ideas and inspirations for writing. Her new novel, The Valley of Amazement is currently on the my bedside table, ready to read. 

I am so blessed to live in such a literary city. I try not to take it for granted. I seek out at least one literary event a month. That's my idea of fun. I don't go to bars. I rarely go to movies. I am a book event junkie. :) Next month is Kate Dicamillo!

Any fun author readings in your neck of the woods?

Happy Reading and as always, thanks for stopping by!

red headed book child