Tuesday Top Ten-My ‘Auto-Buy’ Authors!

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Tuesday Top Ten!

I honestly have had a crazy week, and I’ve been so incredibly busy that I honestly couldn’t even remember if I did a Tuesday Top Ten last week. Turns out I did!

I got the idea for this week’s top ten from my dear friend Kayla’s blog! She did a booktag where she posted what authors she owned the most books of from her auto-buy list. I thought it was kind of fun but…I have over 500 books and I don’t have bookshelves so that’s a lot of work for me. But then I thought, well, I don’t have an idea for this week’s Tuesday Top Ten so voila! Now I have one.

All ten authors are authors that from right this moment (and perhaps before), I will buy everything they release, without even thinking about it. You know what I mean. Those kind of authors that you’ve read enough books to trust them, so that when they release a new book, you immediately want to pick it up and read it. Those ones.

Here are my top ten, erm, eleven:

11. Richelle Mead 

Its funny that a year ago, I would have scoffed at this, rolled my eyes at the cover of Vampire Academy, and never known how amazing this author is. Luckily, I put aside my vampire prejudices and read this book. Now I’m addicted to VA and Bloodlines, absolutely adore Richelle and I have a VA tattoo now. I will buy anything she writes because she takes something that has been done over and over again, has been beaten to a pulp and makes it fun, fresh, adventurous, sexy and amazing. Richelle Mead is incredible and I will be picking up every single one of her books from now on, easily.

10. Jennifer L. Armentrout

This is a very…I will buy everything she publishes from here on out. I don’t own everything by her at this point. I have read the entire Lux series (so far) and I don’t own it all. I have read the entire Covenant series and again, don’t own them. But I’ve read so much from her now, and I’ve been so thoroughly impressed by her, again and again, that any time there is a new release for her, I’m determined to head to the bookstore in order to purchase her new book. I trust her to take me on adventure, to make me laugh and to have perfectly steamy scenes that leave me panting for more.

9. Marie Lu

After reading the entire Legend trilogy, and being completely blown away from beginning to end, I’ve developed not only an addiction to Marie Lu, but a complete trust in her. I was ready to dive happily into her new book, The Young Elites, and worked my ass off to get a copy of it at ALA. I read it just last week and it blew my mind. I already have my ARC of it but I know that when it is released in October, I will totally be picking it up. I trust Marie Lu to write an incredible story every single time, and she will be one that I will be following for quite some time.

8. Veronica Roth

The Divergent series means so incredibly much to me; I don’t get tattoos of series just because I feel like it. I love Veronica Roth. I love her characters and her stories. I picked up the Four collection and read it in about an hour. I trust her, and I want to read everything that she puts out. She’s the same age as me so I know that she has a great future as a writer in front of her. Right now, I am unsure of what she is working on. Everyone is just talking about the new Four collection and I don’t think there’s anything set in stone planned for the future. Whatever it is though, you can definitely count on me to purchase it on the day it comes out.

7. Tamora Pierce

There is a stipulation to this, even though she’s totally tied for first in the list of my favorite authors. I buy every single thing Tamora Pierce writes as long as its in the Tortall world. Everything she has written in that world has just blown my mind and I love going back again and again and again. She hasn’t put anything out in that world for awhile, which makes me sad, but I always eagerly await a new one. I need to go back and read her Circle books, in the hope of getting an “auto-buy” feeling for those as well :)

6. Andrew Smith

Okay, yes, I need to go back and buy all the books he’s already released since I don’t own all of them, but of the ones I’ve read and own, I just can’t imagine him disappointing me. He is an absolutely incredible author and every book I read makes me love him even more. From now on, every time he releases a book, I will be at the  bookstore, grabbing a copy (or two…or three…) and making sure its in my collection. I trust him enough to always make me a happy reader.

5. Jessica Brody

Did I just use a picture of Jessica Brody from the first time I ever met her, over a year ago at WonderCon 2013? Yes, yes, I did. Apparently when I google “Jessica Brody author”, most of the pictures that pop up are the ones from my blog…which is kind of cool and maybe a bit creepy and stalkerish. But the point is, I’ll buy all Jessica Brody’s books because they’re all so good! I’ve read them all (except the Fidelity Files, which I’m working on), and she makes me laugh and she’s a great writer and I love supporting her. Its easy to imagine going to the bookstore on her release days and picking up her new book!

4. Sarah Dessen

I’ve literally bought every single Sarah Dessen book, on the day its released, since I was about fourteen years old. I doubt that is going to change any time soon, unless she starts writing truly awful books.Even then though… Sarah is one of those authors that usually makes me happy, and I love reading her books. Her last couple have been a little lacking compared to some of her earlier ones but I still buy each one with much eagerness because I know what a terrific writer she is and I always look forward to the great stories she tells. Plus they’re always the perfect summer books and I just love that.

3. Cassandra Clare

Whatever you feel about her, that’s your deal. I ran into a lot of people at ALA who don’t like her, and that’s your deal. But she is literally one of my favorite authors ever, I have a tattoo from her series and I will buy each and every one of her books on the day they come out, no matter what. I absolutely hated City of Fallen Angels, and I’m upfront and honest about that. But that didn’t keep me from continuing to buy The Infernal Devices series or from picking up the next TMI book, Lost Souls, the following year. I will pick up a copy of The Iron Trials (her novel with Holly Black) this fall (though I already have an ARC copy of it), and I’ll pick up a copy of The Bane Chronicles and Lady Midnight and so on. This is one author that I’m definitely going to continue to buy, because even though she writes a dud sometimes, she writes a great book that makes me happy too.

2. Meg Cabot

Meg Cabot has been one of my favorite authors since I was 12 years old, when I first picked up a copy of The Princess Diaries. I’ve literally bought every single book of hers, on the release day, since then. That’s 14 years of complete dedication. In fact, a few months ago, I thought “Wait…how is it Meg isn’t releasing anything this year?” Not even a week later, Meg announced two new adult books, based off of two of her very popular YA series. Those will most definitely be auto buys, without even pausing or thinking about it.

1. J.K. Rowling

She’s my favorite author in the entire world and she’s written a total of 10 books. Which seems like a lot but the first one came out in 1998, and that was nearly 20 years ago. She wrote the Harry Potter series and when that was over, I thought I would never again be able to experience the beautiful and incredible writing and storytelling of her again. Then The Casual Vacancy came out. Not one of my favorites but I did enjoy it and I purchased it immediately. As soon as it was revealed that she was Robert Galbraith, and that The Cuckoo’s Calling was, in fact, her novel, I immediately went on my e-reader and bought it. (I had to; at the time, bookstores didn’t carry enough copies to meet the sudden demand). Just recently I purchased The Silkworm, the sequel. I will continue to buy every single thing she writes, even if its, like, a history of toothpicks or something because I will read anything this queen writes :)

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Who are some of your favorite auto-buy authors? Share in the comments!

Vlog: My Adventures in Las Vegas for the ALA Annual Conference 2014!

WHEW! I am SO exhausted everyone. I just had one of the most incredible weekends possible, price and yeah, I’m fairly pooped.

For those of you who don’t know, or don’t follow me on Instagram or Twitter, I just the previous Friday through Monday in Las Vegas, NV for the American Library Association Annual Conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

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Now if you’re not sure what that is, I’ll explain. The ALA AC is basically a conference for librarians to come together and talk about books, libraries and all sorts of things. They talk about banned books, ways to get children, teens and adults to read, what programs to bring to their libraries…all sorts of things. It’s literally an entire weekend about books. Its sort of like a BEA convention except way more professional, because its through ALA and its centered on librarians and publishers and that sort of thing.

Now, outside people are invited to go, of course. There is a badge that is designated just for those people, that can get them on the exhibit floor, where they can mingle, talk about books, meet authors and grab ARCs.

Now, Courtney, who you may know as one of my good friends and the youth services librarian behind the epic Ontario Teen Book Fest, has been encouraging me to attend for awhile. I didn’t think that I had a place, as a blogger, and not a professional but she disagreed. Then at TBF, Jessica Brody jumped into the conversation as well, pointing out how passionate and hard working I am and that I definitely should go.

Because here’s the thing: bloggers don’t have the best reputation at ALA. They have a reputation for being fangirly (there’s a time and a place, people) and grabby. I guess a few years ago, a blogger went to ALA and while all the librarians are busy in panels and such, grabbed a TON of ARCs…over 100, easily. She had also brought her sister, and her sister grabbed doubles of everything. An exhibit hall badge is a mere 35 dollars, while librarians and such pay over 200 for theirs, plus travel expenses and hotel and all of that. And a lot of librarians were left hanging on ARCs that they genuinely wanted.

So I was nervous about going but I was encouraged to go, and Vegas is only a 4 hour drive for me, so I booked a hotel, started saving all my tip money from work and decided to go.

And I’m SO SO SO SO glad that I did. It was an absolutely incredible experience. I only experienced the blogger negative attitude a few times, but for the most part, people were nice and welcoming. Honestly, I think a lot has to do with the fact that I know when to be professional about What A Nerd Girl Says. I also made sure to grab only books that I knew I wanted or that really sounded great. I knew people who left with 80-100 books but I only left with 40 and I’m very pleased with that.

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But anyway, I met a ton of amazing authors, librarians, writers, bloggers, all sorts of people. It was INCREDIBLE. I’m blown away by the fantastic experience I had. I learned that next year’s conference will be in San Francisco so I’m definitely planning a trip for that because I just feel like I can’t miss this again! I also did a ton of networking and handed out SO many business cards!

But enough of that. Now its time to check out my official vlog video for the entire event! Enjoy!

Don’t forget, you can also see all the photos from my “crazy” weekend in Vegas here in this album on the official What a Nerd Girl Says Facebook page. 

Thanks for reading and watching!

Happy Reading!

Weekly Fangirl Round-Up

Nerd Girl News

Check out all the information on the movie tie-in edition of If I Stay!

New Maze Runner stills have been revealed!

E. Lockhart’s most recent novel, sales which is getting SO much buzz, viagra 40mg has officially been optioned for film!

One of my favorite childhood story characters, medical Paddington, is heading to the big screen; check out the new trailer!

New images from the newest Jurassic Park film have been released, featuring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Divergent fans, what you’ve been waiting for is finally here! Our Uriah has officially been cast for Insurgent and has arrived for filming!

More casting news for Insurgent, Rosa Salazar has been cast as Lynn!

In other Divergent news, Hector, the younger brother of Lynn and Marlene, has been cast as well!

Two new cast members have been announced for the adaptation of The DUFF.

A Song of Ice and Fire author, George RR Martin has officially joined twitter!

City of Bones star, Lily Collins, has been cast as the lead role of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Zomibes!

The first official trailer for Legend of Korra season 3 has finally been revealed!

Its happening, 90s kids, Netflix orders a reboot of The Magic School Bus!

Interesting announcement for video game fans: Sony has a Sonic the Hedgehog movie in the works.

Anomaly, featuring Ian Somerhalder and Noel Clarke, has a trailer!

Vanity Fair has chosen 23 women that will be the new wave of the future.

Check out all these new behind the scenes photos of the filming of Divergent.

The official author list for YALLFest 2014 has been announced and its MIND BLOWING.

Posts and Vlogs

Monday Missions #9

Girls Gone Sci-Fi at Mysterious Galaxy: Book Boyfriends Dating Game!

The Darling Buds at The Hotel Cafe-Recap and Live Video

Tuesday Top Ten: Best Books I’ve Read so Far This Year

Beta Readers Needed for The Awakened! Apply Now (til June 30th)

The Darling Buds at Gibson 90210-Recap and Live Video

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Vlog: Ontario Teen Book Fest Authors!

So as some of you may have known, view this past weekend was the Ontario Teen Book Fest. You probably know because I promoted it like crazy and it was an event that I was SO highly looking forward to!

Sylvia from Fangirl Feeels and I were the official bloggers for the event which meant that we did a lot of promotion and really got to spend some awesome time with the authors.

We asked all fifteen awesome YA authors two questions and got it all on video for you guys. The answers were all super awesome, generic and we are so glad to share this vlog with you!

A recap video of the actual event is coming VERY soon, but for now, enjoy learning about all the authors from the Fest!

April Book Events

I apologize for this being so late guys. I’ve been massively busy. This month (for me) is Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, malady WonderCon and Pasadena Teen Book Fest and I’m getting ready for Ontario Teen Book Fest next month so it’s just NUTS. But here are some events to enjoy in the month of April!

 

April 7th:

Las Vegas, NV: D.J. MacHale at Barnes and Noble, Rainbow Promenade at 7 pm

New York, NY: Ann Brashares at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

St. Louis, MO: Melissa de la Cruz at St. Louis County Library at 7 pm

April 8th:

Albuquerque, NM: Laini Taylor at Bookworks at 7 pm

Frisco, TX: Melissa de la Cruz at Fresh Fiction Event at 7 pm

Woodstock, GA: Ridley Pearson at Barnes and Noble at 4:30 pm

April 9th:

Austin, TX: Laini Taylor (In Conversation with Margaret Stohl) at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

April 10th:

Burbank, CA: Amy Tintera at Theater Banshee at 8 pm

Huntington Beach, CA: John Corey Whaley at Barnes and Noble Bella Terra at 7 pm

San Antonio, TX: Laini Taylor at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

San Antonio, TX: TLA Conference. Check website for full list of authors.

April 11th:

Atlanta, GA: JordanCon 6

Dallas, TX: Amy Talkington at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

San Diego, CA: J.R. Johannson, Debra Driza, Shannon Messenger, Nancy Holder and Rachel Hawkins at Mysterious Galaxy at 7 pm

April 12th:

Atlanta, GA: JordanCon 6

Las Vegas, NV: Jessica Brody at Barnes and Noble Rainbow Promenade at 2 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Time Festival of Books at USC

April 13th:

Atlanta, GA: JordanCon 6

Huntington Beach, CA: Laini Taylor at Barnes and Noble Bella Terra at 2 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC

Tigard, OR: Kimberly Derting at Barnes and Noble at 3 pm

April 14th:

Manhattan Beach, CA: DJ MacHale at Pages Bookstore at 7 pm

Menlo Park, CA: Laini Taylor at Kepler’s Books at 7 pm

Pasadena, CA: Melissa de la Cruz at Vroman’s Bookstore at 7 pm

Tigard, OR: Kelley Armstrong at Barnes and Noble at 5:30 pm

April 15th:

Alameda, CA: Laini Taylor at Books Inc at 7 pm

Naperville, IL: Deb Caletti at Anderson’s Bookshop at 7 pm

New York City, NY: Jennifer E. Smith at McNally Jackson

Richmond, VA: Jenny Han at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

San Diego, CA: Melissa de la Cruz at Mysterious Galaxy at 7 pm

April 16th:

Beaverton, OR: Laini Taylor at Powell’s Books at 7 pm

Beaverton, OR: Marissa Meyer at Beaverton Library at 6 pm

New York, NY: Sara Benincasa at Books of Wonder at 5 pm

April 17th: 

New York, NY: Michelle Madow, Kady Cross, Maria V. Snyder, Dawn Metcalf, Cara Lynn Shultz, and Amalie Howard at Books of Wonder at 6 pm 

April 18th:

Anaheim, CA: WonderCon

New York, NY: Jenny Han Launch Party at Books of Wonder at 6 pm

April 19th:

Anaheim, CA: WonderCon

Easton, PA: YA Fest at Easton Area Public Library

Hampton, VA: Jodi Meadows at Barnes and Noble at 1 pm

Salt Lake City, UT: Salt Lake City Comic Con FanXPerience

Santa Clarita, CA: Sarah Skilton at Barnes and Noble at 1 pm

April 20th:

Anaheim, CA: WonderCon

April 21st:

 

April 22nd:

Orem, UT: Shannon Hale at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

April 23rd:

WORLD BOOK NIGHT!!!!!

Brookeline, MA: Laini Taylor at The Children’s Bookshop at 7 pm

Shreveport, LA: John Corey Whaley at Barnes and Noble Bayou Walk at 6:30 pm

April 24th:

Carle Place, NY: Jen Calonita Launch Party at 7 pm

South Hadley, MA: Laini Taylor at Odyssey Books at 7 pm

April 25th:

Bowling Green, KY: Southern Kentucky Book Festival

Layton, UT: Brandon Sanderson at LDStoryMakers

North Merrick, NY: Jen Calonita at North Merrick Public Library at 6:30 pm

April 26th:

Bowling Green, KY: Southern Kentucky Book Festival

Federal Way, WA: Kimberly Derting at Barnes and Noble at 1 pm

Houston, TX: Teen BookCon. Check out website for more details.

Pasadena, CA: Pasadena Teen Book Festival at Pasadena Public Library

April 27th:

Des Moines, IA: Jennifer Armentrout, Jay Crownover and Cora Carmack at Des Moines Public Library

Highlands Ranch, CO: Ann Brashares at Tattered Cover Bookstore at 3 pm

April 28th:

Boulder, CO: Ann Brashares at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

Naperville, IL: John Corey Whaley at Anderson’s Bookshop at 7 pm

April 29th:

 

April 30th:

Milwaukee, WI: John Corey Whaley at Boswell’s Book Company at 7 pm

Wenatchee, WA: Marissa Meyer at North Central Regional Library at 7 pm

February Book Events

I’m so sorry this took so long. Check out the February events! If you know of any that are NOT on this list, web please let me know!

February 1st:

No Events

February 2nd:

No Events

February 3rd:

Los Angeles, CA: Vampire Academy Cast Meet and Greet at The Grove at 12 noon (pick up wristbands)

February 4th: 

Huntington Beach, CA: Robin Benway at Barnes and Noble: Bella Terra at 7 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Vampire Academy Movie Premiere

February 5th: 

Santa Rosa, CA: Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando at Copperfields Montgomery Village at 4 pm

February 6th: 

Houston, TX: Robin Benway and Megan Miranda at Blue Willow Bookshop at 7 pm

February 7th:

No Events

February 8th: 

Christiansburg, VA: Kiera Cass at Barnes and Noble at 4 pm

Orem, UT: Marissa Meyer at Barnes and Noble at 3 pm

February 9th: 

Redondo Beach, CA: Marie Lu, Margaret Stohl, Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner at Mysterious Galaxy at 2:30 pm

February 10th:

No Events

February 11th:

No Events

February 12th: 

Fresno, CA: Kasie West at Petunia’s Place at 5:30 pm

New York, NY: Lauren Oliver at Books of Wonder at 6 pm

February 13th: 

Asheville, NC: Fight for the Future Tour (Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner, Lissa Price, Jodi Meadows) at Malaprop’s Bookstore at 7 pm

Frisco, TX: Neal Shusterman at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

New York, NY: Marissa Meyer at Books of Wonder at 6 pm

February 14th: 

Lewisville, TX: Marissa Meyer at Barnes and Noble at 7 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Gallifrey One at the LAX Marriott

February 15th: 

Charlotte, NC: Fight for the Future Tour (Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner, Beth Revis, Lissa Price and Jodi Meadows) at Park Road Books at 2 pm

Conroe, TX: Montgomery County Book Festival (Visit Website for Full List)

Hurst, TX: Neal Shusterman at Barnes and Noble at 3 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Gallifrey One at the LAx Marriott

February 16th: 

Los Angeles CA: Gallifrey One at the LAX Marriott

Richmond, VA: Fight for the Future Tour (Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner, Lissa Price and Jodi Meadows) at Fountain Bookstore at 2 pm

February 17th:

No Events

February 18th: 

Alexandra, VA: Fight for the Future Tour (Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner, Jodi Meadows and Lissa Price) at Hooray for Books at 7 pm

New York City, NY: The Dark Days Tour (Tahereh Mafi, Veronica Rossi and more) at the 92nd Street Y at 8:15 pm

Orlando, FL: Marissa Meyer at Barnes and Nobles at 7 pm

February 19th: 

Asheville, NC: The Lovestruck Tour (Megan Shepherd, Megan Miranda, Robin Constantine, Kasie West) at Malaprop’s Bookstore at 7 pm

Washington DC: The Dark Days Tour at Bethesda Library at 7 pm

February 20th: 

Brentwood, TN: Tahereh Mafi (Dark Days Tour) at Barnes and Noble at 6:30 pm

Raleigh, NC: The Lovestruck Tour (Megan Shepherd, Megan Miranda, Robin Constantine, Kasie West) at Quail Ridge Books at 7 pm

February 21st: 

Chapel Hill, NC: The Lovestruck Tour (Megan Shepherd, Megan Miranda, Robin Constantine, Kasie West) at Fly Leaf Books at 7 pm

New Orleans, LA: Dark Days Tour Featuring Veronica Rossi, Tahereh Mafi, Sophie Jordan, Claudia Gray, Kiersten White at Octavia Books at 6 pm

February 22nd: 

Greenville, SC: The Lovestruck Tour (Megan Shepherd, Megan Miranda, Robin Constantine, Kasie West) at Fiction Addiction at 4 pm

New York, NY: The Fight for the Future Tour featuring Amie Kaufman, Megan Spooner, Alexandra Bracken and Dan Krokos at Books of Wonder at 4 pm

February 23rd:

No Events

February 24th: 

Decatur, GA: The Lovestruck Tour (Megan Shepherd, Megan Miranda, Robin Constantine, Kasie West) at Little Shop of Stories at 7 pm

Los Angeles, CA: Tahereh Mafi at the Barnes and Noble at The Grove at 7 pm

Redondo Beach, CA: Jessica Brody at Mysterious Galaxy for Unforgotten Launch Party at 7:30 pm

February 25th: 

Highlands Ranch, CO: Neal Shusterman at Tattered Cover at 6 pm

February 26th:

No Events

February 27th: 

MY BIRTHDAY!

San Diego, CA: Shannon Messenger at Barnes and Noble at 4 pm

February 28th: 

Highlands Ranch, CO: Jessica Brody at Tattered Cover at 7 pm

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