Thursday, May 29, 2014

Morgan Matson & Jenny Han Event Recap & Giveaway!


Recently, at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a book signing with two fabulous authors, Jenny Han and Morgan Matson.  People, if you get the chance to see them, especially together, take it! These two are a blast to meet, they are both so outgoing with their  audience.  They actually interviewed one another, which felt much like sitting in on a conversation between old friends---which they are! These two have known each since college!

 From the crowd, they got some really great questions.  They each read from their books, then talked about their writing processes, writing the YA voice, and shared stories about seeing each other succeed after being in the same writing courses in college.  Morgan spoke about her own best friendship that inspired Since You’ve Been Gone and also talked a little about writing under her pen name, Katie Finn. Jenny let us in on how she doesn’t write the scenes of her books in order, a scene here, a scene there(!! Fascinating!!).  She also talked a little about parallels of her own experience growing up Korean in comparison to her main character, Lara Jean in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and how making that part of Jean’s experience has caused some negative comments from readers.  This led to a great discussion on why we read, and how reading should make us more open to other life experiences and cultures, not the opposite.  It was great food for thought.   She also gave us a little insider info on the next book in the To All The Boys duology and who it will be about!


They gave out some fun prizes, one of which was a very cool pink pen and journal set embossed with the To All the Boys title (which we won!).  They signed lots of books and graciously posed for pictures.  Best part was Jenny declaring that my daughter was her character come to life! She said her look and outfit (you can't see them but she wore this dress with cute knee high socks and vintage-y shoes) was exactly how she pictures Lara Jean!
<~~~~~

Such a fun night!

On to the giveaway! :D
Ok, this is an odd one, people.  I'm giving away signed ARC of both books BUT in full disclosure I want to mention that:
A- The To All the Boys ARC is a bound manuscript with a picture of the cover on a white background and has what looks like a staple ding on the page edges. It came from the publisher that way. BUT the cool thing is---Jenny signed it ON THE COVER :D.  
And B-The Since You've Been Gone ARC is signed... but it's signed to me LOL. Bit of a mix up on my part oopsie!
SO if you don't mind all that, enter away! :D  

Ends June 12th, 2014
US mailing addresses only please.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

9 comments :

  1. My favorite Jenny Han books are the Burn for Burn series she writes with Siobhan Vivian. I cannot wait for the third book. I have yet to read anything by Morgan Matson, but I've heard great things.

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  2. I've been wanting to read Jenny Han's Summer series for so long now!

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  3. Jenny Han's Summer series was really good. I'm super excited to get my hands on a copy of Morgan's Since You've Been Gone. This looks like a great event. Thanks for the chance!

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  4. I love the Burn for Burn series, it's one of my favorites :)

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  5. Coool! And you're daughter is so adorable.

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  6. What a cool experience! I can totally see your daughter as Lara Jean; that's perfect! How fun that they went to college together, too!

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  7. ChristinaBookAddictMay 29, 2014 at 6:16 PM

    WOW! What an awesome signing. I adore Morgan Matson and Jenny Han is my absolute favorite. Your daughter is exactly how I pictured Lara Jean as well….so pretty! :) I'm glad you had a great time at the signing.

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  8. I haven't read any of their books yet, but they look really good! I definitely want to read both of these!

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  9. Amazing post Becky. <3 And ack. It makes me so jealous when you get to meet all the authors, lol :) But also so happy for you :D Sounds like you had an amazing time. <3 Also, thank you so much for the amazing giveaway. (Though I'm not entering, since I live in Norway ;p)

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