April California Young Adult and Middle Grade Book Events!

Some of you may have noticed that I no longer do Book Events Listings for the entire country. I used to but it just honestly got to be way too much work for me. I know it was really cool for you guys but it really was a ton of work. If any of you need help on finding book events in your area, visit web I will be more than happy to help, erectile but for now, physician I will be sticking with California (mostly Southern) events!

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April 8th: 

Elizabeth Wein

Kepler’s Bookstore

Menlo Park, CA

7 pm

We are ridiculously excited to be hosting Elizabeth Wein for her new book, Black Dove, White Raven.

As poignant as her award-winning and bestselling CODE NAME VERITY, and as complex as ROSE UNDER FIRE, Elizabeth Wein’s new novel BLACK DOVE, WHITE RAVEN presents a captivating and deeply affecting story that explores race, family, the bonds of friendship, the resilience of young pilots, and the strength of the human spirit. to persevere through adversity

April 11th-12th: 

YALL West

Santa Monica, CA

Saturday: 9 am to 8 pm at Santa Monica H.S.

Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm at Santa Monica Main Library

Please check the official YALL West website for list of authors attending, panels and signing schedule. And if you see me, make sure you say hello! The fest is free however there ARE a few events that are ticketed, at 5 dollars a ticket!

April 16th-19th: 

Star Wars Celebration Convention

Anaheim Convention Center

Anaheim, CA

Click here for tickets!

Head over to the official website in order to find out what sort of things are going on that weekend! I will be there in attendance so if you spot me, make sure to say hello!

April 18th-19th: 

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm

Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm

Please see the official FoB website for a complete list of authors attending. You may also head to the FanGirlFeeels blog to check out a list of all YA authors attending and their panels! 

Most panels are FREE but ticketed! Check out the FoB website for more information

April 21st:

Jessi Kirby

Barnes and Noble, Fashion Island

Newport Beach, CA

6:00 pm

Not Wristbanded

Meet Jessi Kirby, author of Things We Know by Heart, an unforgettable teen romance that fans of Sarah Dessen and Susane Colasanti will devour!

April 28th: 

Sabaa Tahir, Launch Party!

Kepler’s Bookstore

Menlo Park, CA

7 pm

Please join us as we host a very special launch party for local author, Sabaa Tahir.

Set in a terrifyingly brutal Rome-like world, An Ember in the Ashes is an epic fantasy debut about an orphan fighting for her family and a soldier fighting for his freedom. It’s a story that’s literally burning to be told.

Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire’s greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution. Elias is the academy’s finest soldier— and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias is considering deserting the military, but before he can, he’s ordered to participate in a ruthless contest to choose the next Martial emperor. When their paths cross at the academy, they find that their destinies are more intertwined than either could have imagined and that their choices will change the future of the empire itself.

Sabaa will be in conversation with Evelyn Skye.

April 29th: 

Sabaa Tahir

Barnes and Noble, The Grove

Los Angeles, CA

7 pm

Sabaa Tahir is joined in conversation with Marie Lu celebrating the launch of An Ember in the Ashes, a tale brimming with political intrigue and haunted by supernatural forces. Join us for an amazing discussion followed by both authors signing.

Ontario Teen Book Fest is THIS Saturday!

Its finally nearly here and I’m so excited! This is my favorite event of the year, this and I’ve spent a lot of time promoting the hell out of it, and I hope to see you guys there! Come and say hi if you see me!

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When: March 21st, 9 am to 5 pm

Where: Colony High School
3850 E. Riverside Drive
Ontario, CA 91761

This event is a completely free and un-ticketed event! Priority seating WILL be given to teens, but come one, come all! There will also be giveaways and raffles at the Fest, also free! Also, keep scrolling to find a giveaway held by us bloggers!

You can visit the website, to see the full schedule of the day by visiting the official Ontario Teen Book Fest website.

Books WILL be available for purchase at the event, available from Once Upon a Time Bookstore :) They are an amazing company so definitely bring your books from home, but try and support Once Upon a Time by purchasing a book!

AND the official blog tour for the event has concluded and there are a TON of amazing spotlights and interviews with these fantastic authors. Make sure to check out each stop below to read all about these authors and to check out the exclusive interviews!

February 28th: Spotlight on Kasie West — Adventures of a Book Junkie

March 1st: Spotlight on Melissa Landers — What A Nerd Girl Says

March 2nd: Spotlight on Brad Gottfred — Recently Acquired Obsessions

March 3rd: Spotlight on Catherine Linka — Read Now Sleep Later

March 4th: Spotlight on Debra Driza — Read Now Sleep Later

March 5th: Spotlight on Katie Finn — Fearless Kurt Reads YA

March 6th: Spotlight on Claudia Gray — A Bookish Escape

March 7th: Spotlight on Shannon Messenger — People Like Books

March 8th: Spotlight on Lauren Miller — The Thousand Lives

March 9th: Spotlight on Mary Elizabeth Summer — What A Nerd Girl Says

March 10th: Spotlight on Anna Carey — The Reader’s Antidote

March 11th: Spotlight on Sherri Smith — Movies, Shows and Books

March 12th: Spotlight on Elizabeth Ross — Kid Lit Frenzy

March 13th: Spotlight on Jessica Khoury — The Consummate Reader

March 14th: Spotlight on Maurene Goo — The Windy Pages

March 15th: Spotlight on Cecil Castellucci — Nite Lite Book Reviews

March 16th: Spotlight on Jessica Brody — The Romance Bookie

March 17th: Spotlight on Gretchen McNeil — Movies, Shows and Books

March 18th: Spotlight on Aaron Hartzler — Fangirl Feeels

March 19th: Spotlight on Michelle Levy — The Consummate Reader

AND DON’T FORGET YOU HAVE A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO ENTER TO OUR GIVEAWAY!

You have the chance to win one of TWO posters signed by all of the authors above!

Sounds pretty awesome, right? ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GoFundMe: Help What A Nerd Girl Says Get to RT Book Lover’s Convention!

I’ve been thinking for awhile now on whether or not to actually make a GoFundMe for this. I felt kind of weird actually asking people for money. But I sat, salve talked to a ton of people who have used it, and decided I would use it. Its used for such a great variety of things and I thought, you know what, why not?

In May, my friends and I will be embarking a road trip to Texas to attend the RT BookLovers Convention. Its an absolutely incredible convention, that changes location every year, and focuses completely on books, the love of reading and the love of writing. I wish I had the funds to do the entire convention but that’s just not in the cards. However, they have a Teen Day, which is focused ALL on YA authors. It is literally heaven on earth for me. Literally. Authors like Meg Cabot, Richelle Mead, Jennifer Armentrout, Susan Ee, Lindsey Cummings, Sara Raasch, Victoria Scott, Cora Carmack, Tammara Webber, Kiera Cass, Bethan Hagen, Tonya Kuper, Marie Lu, Stephanie Perkins, I could literally go on for ages…its an incredible line-up.

And I want to see each and every single one of those authors. But what sold me, what broke my heart about not being able to go last year, was the my favorite author in the entire world (besides good ol JK Rowling), Tamora Pierce, is going to be there. Tamora is a goddess. She has been writing teen fantasy since the early 80s and she’s just absolutely incredible. The mere thought of meeting literally sends tears to my eyes. Literally.

So I knew I had to get there. I had to be there. And I’ve been planning with my friends for awhile now. But we finally made a solid move in our planning: we booked our hotel. We’re doing this. We’re going to drive to Dallas and go to Teen Day at RT and meet a ton of authors and MEET TAMORA PIERCE.

I’m dying.

And here’s the thing: I will make this happen. No matter what I have to do, I will make this happen. One, I’m not bailing out on my friends. Two, I’m not bailing out on such an awesome event.

But life happens, guys. I’m 27 years old and only just about a year and a half ago, I made the decision on exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I dropped out of school to put 100% of my focus on my blog and on writing a novel and getting published. In the process, I’ve also gotten a job at Disneyland, one that I’ve wanted for SO long, and one where I am totally happy. But the thing is, while I’m seriously happy with WHAT I’m doing in my life, it doesn’t pay the bills. It just doesn’t. And it sucks. Its stressful and it makes my anxiety shoot through the roof. But I don’t want to give up the happiness I’ve had so I push forward each and every day to try and make this work because I believe in chasing after my dreams.

So I’m asking for your help. I’m asking for donations from all of you, to help get me to RT. This money will go towards my hotel, my food, books, gas money to get there, etc. It will ALSO go to extra books and stuff for an EPIC giveaway for this blog’s THIRD birthday, which will be celebrated when I return from the trip. You guys like that idea, right?

I hope that you can help out :) Even the smallest bit helps, and I would appreciate it more than you even know. Click the picture below to head to my GoFundMe.

And if you’re heading to RT, make sure to say hi to me :) I’ll be the one in a puddle of tears in front of Tamora Pierce’s table. Legit.

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Thanks guys :)

March California YA and MG Book Events!

Some of you may have noticed that I no longer do Book Events Listings for the entire country. I used to but it just honestly got to be way too much work for me. I know it was really cool for you guys but it really was a ton of work. If any of you need help on finding book events in your area, illness I will be more than happy to help, stomach but for now, ailment I will be sticking with California (mostly Southern) events!

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March 10th:

Penguin Teen on Tour

Morgan Rhodes, Rachel Hawkins, Seth Fishman, Maggie Hall, and and Jessica Khoury

Vroman’s Bookstore

Pasadena, CA

6:30 pm

Not Wristbanded

Those wishing to get books signed will be asked to purchase at least one copy of the author’s most recent title from Vroman’s. For each purchased copy of the newest title, customers may bring up to three copies from home to be signed. This policy applies to all Vroman’s Bookstore events unless otherwise noted. Save your Vroman’s receipt; it will be checked when you enter the signing line.

March 10th: 

Andrew Smith

Book Passage

Corte Madera, CA

6:30 pm

Once again blending multiple story strands that transcend time and place, The Alex Crow author Andrew Smith tells the story of 15-year-old Ariel, a refugee from the Middle East who is the sole survivor of an attack on his small village. Now living with an adoptive family in Sunday, West Virginia, his story (beginning with a misplaced summer at a boys’ camp for tech detox) is juxtaposed against those of a schizophrenic bomber and the diaries of a failed arctic expedition from the late nineteenth century. Oh, and there’s also a robotic, reincarnated crow.

Andrew Smith knew ever since his days as editor of his high school newspaper that he wanted to be a writer. His books include Grasshopper Jungle and Winger.

March 11th: 

Lauren Oliver and John Corey Whaley

Barnes and Noble at the Bella Terra

Huntington Beach, CA

7 pm

Bestselling YA author Lauren Oliver will discuss her anticipated new novel Vanishing Girls. Lauren will be joined by Printz medalist and SoCal local favorite John Corey Whaley, author of Noggin.

March 20th: 

Girls Gone Sci-Fi Tour

Jessica Brody, Debra Driza, Claudia Gray, Melissa Landers and Jessica Khoury

Mysterious Galaxy

San Diego, CA

7:30 pm

Blast off for adventure with young adult authors Jesssica Brody (Unchanged), Claudia Gray (A Thousand Pieces of You), Jessica Khoury (Kalahari), Melissa Landers (Invaded), and Debra Driza (MILA 2.0: Renegade). Unchanged completes the thrilling SF trilogy started in Jessica’sUnremembered; fans are encouraged to check out the ebook short, “Unleashed,” as wel, for more insights into the mysterious Diotech Compound. Bestseller Claudia’s A Thousand Pieces of You is blurbed as “Orphan Black meets Cloud Atlas in the first book of this epic dimension–bending trilogy about a girl who must chase her father’s killer through multiple dimensions.”  The Corpus Files that Jessica began with Origin in the depths of the Amazon rainforest and continued with Vitro in the South Pacific islands now takes readers to the wilds of Botswana with Kalahari. Linda’s review of Melissa’s Alienated reads, “Appealing to science fiction and YA readers, a plot with a forbidden love theme involving intergalactic exchange students allows Landers to discuss important issues such as teen romance, peer pressure, trust and acceptance of those a little bit different from ourselves.” The story continues in Invaded. The 2015 version of San Diego author Debra will captain the ride!

March 21st: 

Ontario Teen Book Fest: Where Books and Teens Meet

Click this link to find out ALL the authors, panels and more information!

Colony High School

Ontario, CA

9 am – 5 pm

March 21st: 

Authors Under the Lights

Hilton Universal City

Los Angeles, CA

11 am to 6 pm

This multi-author/genre signing event will take place in sunny Southern California at Universal City Walk Hilton in Universal City on March 21, 2015.

Any and all pertinent information pertaining to attendance, including a list of featured authors, party with the authors & models, blogger/author brunch, hotel information, and sponsorship opportunities can be found on this site.

March 22nd: 

Girls Gone Sci-Fi

Jessica Brody, Melissa Landers, Jessica Khoury, Lauren Miller

Once Upon a Time Bookstore

Montrose, CA

2 pm

Jessica Brody, Jessica Khoury, Lauren Miller and Melissa Landers all write terrific SCI-FI adventures for young adults.  Join this gaggle of writers to discuss current trends in writing, YA, new science discoveries and more!

Sweet treats will be offered as well as booksignings for all authors’ books.

March 24th: 

Jennifer A Neilsen

Kepler’s Books

Menlo Park, CA

7 pm

Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of the NYT and USA TODAY bestselling Ascendance Trilogy (The False Prince, The Runaway King, and The Shadow Throne), has woven an electrifying tale of greed and power, magic and destiny, and one boy’s courage at the heart of it all.

March 27th: 

Cecil Castellucci and Rachel Searles

Mysterious Galaxy

San Diego, CA

6 pm

The Galaxy includes Speculative Fiction for readers of all ages – our event with Cecil Castellucci and Rachel Searles is focused on SF for teens, and middle grade readers, but of interest to readers of all ages. In Stone in the Sky, Cecil’s thrilling follow-up to Tin Star, Tula will need to rely on more than just her wits to save her only home in the sky, as she faces possible death and romantic complications. The Stolen Moon, second in Rachel’s Lost Planet series, offers hero Chase an opportunity to save the world, maybe, with the help of hacker BFF Parker and the assistance / hindrance of his younger sister.

March 28th: 

Ridley Pearson

Barnes and Noble at the Americana

Glendale, CA

7 pm

Check store for details. 

March 29th: 

Ridley Pearson

Mysterious Galaxy

San Diego, CA

2:30 pm

Ridley Pearson is known to many readers as the award-winning author of multiple adventure series for (young-ish) readers, including The Kingdom Keepers, Steel Trapp, and with Dave Barry, Peter and the Starcatchers. Ridley is also a best-selling crime novelist of more than two dozen titles. The adventure of the Kingdom Keepers, a group of young people responsible for battling magical villains in Disneyland afterhours, continues in The Return, as they discover defeating the Overtakers is not their only challenge. The Red Room, a Risk Agent novel, is Ridley’s most recent adult suspense novel.

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2014: A What a Nerd Girl Says Recap of the Year!

Aw, yes. The year has come to an end. It is officially 2015. What a crazy year its been.

I’ve always prided myself in the closeness that I’ve had with all of you. I share with you. I could just write about books and events and all of that and leave it at that. But I share with you all and I know that you guys know that its been a rough year for me. Its one of the hardest years I’ve had to deal with. Trying to figure who I am and what I want, dropping out of school, finding a new job, losing the person I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with, all of that. It was a hard year. There are times when I have to stop, take a deep breath and tell myself, Sara, its going to be okay. Its going to be okay.

But despite that, or perhaps because of it, I’m trying to find the good in all things. Not everything this year was terrible. In fact, there were many, many great things about this year, and that’s what this post is for, to remember all the amazing things I was able to experience this year.

And here’s to hoping that 2015 is even better.

JANUARY 

 

Met Ransom Riggs and Tahereh Mafi…Officially

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I had unofficially met them while at the City of Bones premiere, when I kind of attacked them in excitement. I officially met them at Ransom’s release of Hollow City and I’m so glad I did :)

Got My Divergent Tattoo

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I had been wanting to get a Divergent tattoo for quite some time and I thought, now would be the time to do it, before the movie releases and it gets even bigger than it already is. So I did. And I love it.

I Met Penguins for the First Time

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Possibly one of the most amazing days in my entire life. I am massively obsessed with penguins and I spent the entire day giggling and smiling and just being all around happy. It was such an amazing day.

FEBRUARY 

 

Attended the Vampire Academy Meet and Greet, Music Party and Red Carpet Premiere

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Zoey Deutch is one of my absolute biggest celebrity crushes and Rose Hathaway and the Vampire Academy books are some of my absolute favorites so this was an absolute fun time. Especially since I met both Zoey and Danila Kozlovsky.

Got My Vampire Academy Tattoo

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I was so inspired by being around the Vampire Academy cast and fellow VA fans that I knew it was time to get my newest tattoo. Another addition to my body that I am so happy with. I know, its in the “wrong” spot. I couldn’t put it on the back of my neck because I already have something there!

Attended my Second Gallifrey One Convention

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Best. Convention. Ever. I will continue to go to this convention as long as I can get a badge to that thing. I met Arthur Darvill and Billie Piper, which was just straight up mind blowing, and I partied all night and I was even on my first ever convention panel. All in all, GREAT weekend.

Attended Jessica Brody’s ‘Unforgotten’ Release Party

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Always a good time to go and see Jessica Brody :) I was DYING to get my hands on this book and I went home and basically finished it that night.

Had an Amazing 26th Birthday Party

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I got a year older, and celebrated some of my absolute favorite people in the entire world. I’m lucky to have such incredible friends.

MARCH 

 

Met Willow Shields at the Catching Fire DVD Release!

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A friend told me this was going on, I had the day off and I thought, hey, why not meet Willow Shields again :) A super ton of fun and now my Catching Fire blu-ray is signed and pretty.

Saw Set It Off in Concert, Met Them, Fell in Love with Them Even More

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I saw these guys live when they opened for Story of the Year at the end of 2013. They were INCREDIBLE and a huge inspiration for the start, middle and end of me writing The Awakened. Seeing them play after falling so much in love with them was super awesome.

Met the awesome guys of Green Light Theory

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These guys are the best. They played outside the Set it Off show to bring attention to their band, and they completely sold me on it. Plus they’re a great group of guys and I’m proud to call them my friends!

Was First in Line for the Divergent World Premiere

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I got no sleep, was freezing, had more than a few frustrating moments but I had a ton of fun and met Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, amongst a lot more and I got to show Veronica Roth my Divergent tattoo. I call that a win.

APRIL 

 

Met Stephen Chbosky and debut author Ava Dellaira

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I absolutely LOVED being able to meet Stephen again, who is just such an awesome person, besides just being a great author. Ava is a great addition to my ever growing list of authors that I love. She’s sweet, and totally talented and if you haven’t read Love Letters to the Dead yet, you’re crazy!

Attended Festival of Books, as a Member of the Press!

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Was SO excited to be press, and all that it entails, and being able to meet such fantastic authors. I always have such a blast at this weekend event and this year was no different, especially since I was able to meet John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Deb Caletti, Marissa Meyer and so many more. A GREAT year at the fest.

 Attended WonderCon 2014

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My second year at WonderCon 2014 and I had a fantastic time. I absolutely love this con and I love how close it is to my own home. I met the cast of The 100, a show I didnt’ watch until recently but one that I totally love. And I got to hang out with a ton of great friends and meet authors like James Dashner, Kiera Cass and Frank Beddor.

Attended the FIRST Pasadena Teen Book Fest

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Such an awesome new teen fest in Pasadena :) I had a blast meeting a ton of authors I’d never met before and being a part of the blog tour and blog team for this fest. Thanks to everyone who put this on and let me be a part of it. Andrew Smith was the honored guest of it and he’s so funny and I discovered a few new authors from this as well.

MAY

 

Saw Jamie Campbell Bower Live on Venice Beach

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In the past year, Jamie has spent a lot of time with his band, The Darling Buds, writing new songs and playing them for everyone. He had done a pop up acoustic show in the UK and I was mean green with jealousy until he announced he would do one in NYC AND LA. I was SO excited and of course I made sure to be there!

Finally Met One of my Favorite Authors, Tammara Webber!

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Immediately after I saw JCB on Venice Beach, my friends and I RACED to Glendale to meet Tammara Webber and Abbi Glines. I LOVE Tammara so so so much and I’m so glad to have made it to her signing. She’s a doll, and I use her as an inspiration a LOT.

Met Morgan Matson again and Met Jenny Han for the first time!

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On Mother’s Day, both Morgan Matson and Jenny Han were doing a signing that I just couldn’t miss. So what did I do? I took my mom with me! Seeing Morgan again was fun, of course, and I fell absolutely in love with Jenny Han and immediately went home to read her new book, all in a matter of hours!

The All-Around Amazingness of Ontario Teen Book Fest 2014

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I loved everything about this year’s Ontario Teen Book Fest just as I did last year. I loved being the blogger for it again and getting to know a bunch of absolutely fantastic authors. I loved the addition of the author speed dating and I loved being a part of this community. This fest means the world to me, and I will continue to be a part of it as long as I can! Also, I was in the program and that was awesome.

Rainbow Rowell Sends me a Postcard

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YES! When I went to the Festival of Books, I wrote letters to John Green, Veronica Roth and Rainbow Rowell. I never ever expected anything back from them, but I wanted to know how much their books meant to me. When I received a postcard in the mail from Rainbow, I literally burst into tears. This was so sweet of her to answer me back, and I have this hanging on my wall as a reminder of the amazing authors that I admire.

Met Kiera Cass!

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I had met Kiera Cass briefly at WonderCon but I was super excited to see her again, where I could spend more time with her and tell her how AWESOME The One was. Because seriously that book was incredible.

Read City of Heavenly Fire in 6 Hours

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I was insanely anxious to see the end of this series that I love so much, so much that I rushed down to Walmart when my friend informed me that they had released it early and rushed home to read it as quickly as I could. Of course, I was massively disappointed in the ending but that’s a whole ‘nother story. At least I read fast ;)

Finished The Awakened!

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I finished my novel. This was my number one goal of the year and I literally cried my eyes out when I did it. I was so proud of myself. I still am proud of myself. This novel took so much out of me, time and sacrifice and blood, sweat and tears. I worked HARD on this one and I continue to do so.

JUNE

 

Met Morgan Matson…Again…

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I like to stalk Morgan Matson or something. Nah ;) I just absolutely love her and I’ll take any opportunity to meet her. Plus I hadn’t been able to get my copy of her Katie Finn book signed so I brought that along with me!

Saw The Darling Buds in Concert

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After seeing JCB on the beach about a month earlier, his band announced they’d be playing a 21 and over show and I immediately got tickets for it, as did my friends. We had a blast going to it and we were able to meet all four members as well. AND I was finally able to get that picture will Lily Collins!

Girls Gone Sci-Fi Hits Mysterious Galaxy on Its Last Day

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Hung out with some of my favorite people and favorite authors AND spent a tearful last day at one of my favorite bookstores in the entire world, Mysterious Galaxy. The store reigns on in San Diego but its Redondo store closed its doors and I’m glad I spent one last time there with some seriously awesome people.

Saw The Darling Buds…Again

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Just a few days after the 21+ Darling Buds show, they held a free all ages show at the Gibson 90210 studios. We of course had to go to this as well and had a blast again. This time was especially fun as Jamie came over to my friends and I and sang part of the song with us. That pretty much made my entire life.

Went to the Ruin and Rising Release Party!

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Leigh Bardugo is one of my favorite people in the entire world so I was VERY excited to be a part of her launch party once more, especially since I went home and read the book and was just blown away at how incredible a conclusion it was. There were drinks and goodies and a photo booth and a great great time.

Got my First Shout Out in a Book

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I was browsing around instagram when a fellow blogger of mine posted that she was thanked in Siege and Storm, which had just been rereleased in paperback. I had a feeling so I rushed out to the bookstore (which I think was about to close) and grabbed a copy. I nearly cried when I saw that, yes, What A Nerd Girl Says had made the list. It was an honor to be amongst so many awesome blogs and to be in there, period.

Went to My First Ever ALA Conference in Las Vegas

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For months, Courtney, my librarian friend, had encouraged me to attend the ALA Conference in Las Vegas. I went back and forth, especially since I knew I’d probably have to go alone. Eventually I convinced myself that a solo trip would be fun and I’m SO SO SO glad that I did. I met new people, made great connections and met a ton of new authors. DEFINITELY glad at.

JULY

 

Saw Hank Green in Concert

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I had bought tickets to the concert months before I finally decided to go to ALA and this landed on the day I would be leaving Vegas. There was SO much drama on my way home and I nearly skipped the concert. My friends, however, convinced me to go and I’m glad I did. The concert was a total blast and I got to meet the other Green brother, Hank. Both Vlogbrothers in one year? That’s success.

Fangirl Day at Disneyland

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My friends and I spent the entire day at Disneyland. I hadn’t started work there, so my parabatai, Sylvia, signed me in because she did. We brought our books and had a blast going on rides and taking pictures with our books. This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.

Saw James Dashner again 

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I was missing out on Comic Con again, because, let’s face it, I’m too poor for CC but I decided to go down to San Diego to meet James Dashner. It was a crazy day, one where my tire exploded on the way down and there was drama in trying to get it fixed, but, all in all, a great day.

AUGUST 

 

Saw Set it Off…Again

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Set It Off became a little bit of an obsession with me, but I don’t mind too much ;) They’ve been an incredible inspiration to me this year and I’m glad that I keep getting to see them and meet them. Their music makes me happy!

Fangirl Beach Day 

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Like fangirl day at Disneyland, I gathered a few friends and had a long, but awesome day at the beach with some books. It was a blast and as you can see, we had way too much fun taking pictures. Definitely something I will have to do every single summer.

Meeting Gayle Forman and If I Stay director Ray Cutler

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Honestly, in all complete and total honesty, this event SUCKED. The Barnes and Noble it was held at was disorganized and unprofessional and just straight up terrible. BUT I’m glad to have met Gayle and RJ and Gayle’s parents were sitting in front of us, and were SO incredibly sweet as well. And we got cupcakes after the event so that’s always good.

Saw Fall Out Boy and Paramore

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I had tickets for MONTHS to see Fall Out Boy and Paramore. I was sitting a million miles away but that’s okay. That is, until my good friend Jade snuck me to the front with her and I got see Fall Out Boy up close for the first time since I was in high school. It was also my first time seeing Paramore, and they are INSANELY good live.

Went to the If I Stay Red Carpet Premiere

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This was such a dramatic and irritating day at a premiere. I was there all day and things weren’t going the way I wanted them to but then I was determined to make things work, and they eventually did. My one goal was to meet Jamie and Liana and I did so that was fantastic!

Got My Very First Rejection

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This was one of the roughest moments of my year. This has been a rough year and hearing this sucked. But I keep trying to remind myself that this was the beginning of the right path for The Awakened. Some people don’t even make it to the querying agents stage so the fact that I’m doing it means I’m on the right path to becoming a published author.

SEPTEMBER

 

Met Josephine Angelini for Release of Trial by Fire

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Josie is a total doll. I had just seen her at ALA and gotten my hands on Trial by Fire, which I totally loved, so I was excited to meet up with her and celebrate the actual release of the novel. Plus she brought cupcakes, which is always fantastic.

Celebrated New Releases with Natalie Whipple, Kiersten White and Stephanie Perkins

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I was able to attend this event down in Oceanside just days after I ended my relationship. And I’ll just say this, I’m grateful for each and every single one of these authors for putting on SUCH a great event and keeping my mind off of such a terrible thing in my life. All of the authors were funny and helpful and I’m glad to have met them all.

Got a Job at Disneyland!

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This is easily one of the best things to happen this year. I have wanted to work at Disneyland for most of my life and I’ve been told many times that I could not, because of my visible tattoos. I decided to try one more time, because my parabatai encouraged me to, and so I did and I finally became a cast member. I have been there nearly three months now and I’m in love with my job. I’m so grateful for this job and how its kept my head above water the past few months.

Met Sarah J Maas Again!

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This was SUCH a fun day. I have met Sarah a few times before and she was doing a full signing at the Barnes and Noble in Glendale with a panel but after the terrible time I had there for Gayle Forman’s panel, I decided I would just go to this quick signing at Costco. She remembered me and signed my Heir of Fire, and I also was able to meet a fan of my blog that day, which was fantastic as well.

Got My 13th Tattoo, Calcifer from Howl’s Moving Castle!

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I had wanted this tattoo for quite some time, and I had planned on getting it soon. It was something that I really needed because of the terrible month that September had been, so this tattoo means a lot to me. Its beautiful, I’m very proud of it, and it was the perfect moment for it to become a part of me. And let’s face it, its damn cute too.

Met Misha Collins!

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Not only did I get to meet Matthew Thomas, who is still getting so much buzz and accolade for his debut novel, but I got to meet its champion, Misha Collins who plays my absolute favorite character on Supernatural, Castiel. Pretty much one of the best days of my life.

Met and Interviewed Drew Daywalt

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Normally I don’t tend to do children’s books on this blog. Its not my thing. But this book was read to us at the Matthew Thomas event and I FELL in love with it and knew I had to be at this event. It was a ton of fun, and I was able to interview Drew, who was fantastic, and a great person to meet. I’m glad that I decided to go to this.

Celebrated the Release of Kami Garcia’s Unmarked

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Immediately after the Day the Crayons Quit event, Kami Garcia had her event for Unmarked. Such a fun a time, I had never met Kami before! Plus a ton of other authors joined in on the fun, including Christopher Rice. An epic day for sure.

OCTOBER

 

Met Becca Fitzpatrick and the duo of Christina Lauren

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I’m not a massive fan of Becca’s Hush Hush series but I loved her new novel, Black Ice, so I definitely wanted to get it signed by the author. She was super sweet and I also discovered the duo of Christina Lauren, whose book Sublime is now definitely on my TBR list.

Saw Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and Met Him

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Andrew McMahon and the many incarnations he’s been a part of (Something Corporate, Jacks Mannequin, etc) is the most important musician in my life. Every song, every note, is beautiful to me and important to me. I had bought tickets to see him at the end of November, at the very end of his tour, but when I saw there were still tickets left for his second show in Los Angeles and I decided, why the hell not, and I’m so glad. I met new friends and saw an absolutely incredible show.

NOVEMBER

 

Celebrated the Last Harry Potter Day at Disneyland

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It was a sad day for the very last day of Harry Potter Day at Disneyland. The word day was also used way too much in that one sentence…but anyway. I spent most of the day with my team, answering trivia questions correctly, as I do, before Disneyland basically shut down the entire event. Sadness. BUT I had a great day with my friends, so there’s always that.

Met Jessica Brody…Again

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I don’t know that I can say I “met” Jessica Brody. Its more like…I hung out with her again. At this point, I feel lucky enough to call her friend.

Went to the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Red Carpet Premiere

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Another tiring and stressful day, we waited in line all day, waiting to be on the red carpet for this thing. We were pissed at the set up and the way they did the line but eventually we got on the carpet and ended up right on the barricade and I ended up meeting Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Suzanne Collins (!!!), and so so so many more. And we got to see the movie too, which I always count a win in my book.

Saw Circa Survive in Concert!

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I was never a huge Circa Survive fan but they are my parabatai’s favorite band and I went with her to this concert. I somehow magically ended up on the barricade and had SUCH a blast. They’re so good, and Anthony Green is just an incredible musician, and I love him from his short time with Saosin. I can’t wait to see him play with them next month!

Saw Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Again

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Longest. Day. Ever. But worth every moment. I worked, tried to find Karen Gillan at Disneyland (and failed) and then got in line to see Andrew. I was SO far back, which pissed me off to no end but somehow, magically, ended up right in front at the barricade. It was SUCH a great show. He played more songs than he had at the last show, because he’s an Orange County boy AND it was the last show. I stayed after, of course, flirted with a cute boy ;) and got to say hello to my favorite musician again.

Went to The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Premiere

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I had been hoping to get to the premiere for the Hobbit and I’m so glad I was able to do so. It was a little disappointing because Benedict, Martin and Ian weren’t there, BUT I got to meet PETER JACKSON and Orlando Bloom and more, so I was quite satisfied. And I was able to see the movie as well, and I think its a fitting end to a very nerdtastic year for me.

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How was YOUR year? What were your favorite moments? Share them in the comments!

December YA and Middle Grade Book Events!

Some of you may have noticed that I no longer do Book Events Listings for the entire country. I used to but it just honestly got to be way too much work for me. I know it was really cool for you guys but it really was a ton of work. If any of you need help on finding book events in your area, sickness I will be more than happy to help, but for now, I will be sticking with California (mostly Southern) events!

If there are any events missing, please inform me so I can keep this list as updated as possible!

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December 4th

Robin LaFevers

Vroman’s Bookstore

Pasadena, CA

7 pm

Those wishing to get books signed will be asked to purchase at least one copy of the author’s most recent title from Vroman’s. For each purchased copy of the newest title, customers may bring up to three copies from home to be signed. This policy applies to all Vroman’s Bookstore events unless otherwise noted. Save your Vroman’s receipt; it will be checked when you enter the signing line.

December 5th

Marie Lu

Mysterious Galaxy

San Diego, CA

7:30 pm

Marie Lu, a staff and reader favorite for her Legend series, introduces readers to a new world with The Young Elites. Teen Adelina Amou­teru is among the persecuted malfettos of this world, about to be burned at the stake for the murder of her father, when she is rescued by the Dagger Society, a group of her super-powered peers. In her New York Timesreview, fellow author Maureen Johnson writes: “Lu is presenting a large-world fantasy that will involve multiple kingdoms. She hints that we will learn about the background of the Young Elites. There is clearly more to know, and I look forward to it. This is a world worth revisiting.” Adult and young adult readers are invited to visit Adelina’s world with us and Marie.

December 11th

Alexandra Monir

Barnes and Noble

Santa Monica, CA

7 pm

Combining spine-tingling mystery, romance and unforgettable characters, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride. Join us for the launch of this fantastic adventure! Remember that signed and personalized books make wonderful gifts!

December 12th

Shannon Messenger

Barnes and Noble

Oceanside, CA

6 pm

Call Store for More Details