The Stories Behind My Kindle

I guess you're probably wondering why I brought you here. *shy glance* 

Oh, wait. You're not?

Oh...

Well, this is awkward...

I guess I'll just come out and say it, then! I brought you here because I want to talk about my baby:  My Kindle. More specifically, my Kindle CASE.

I swear it's a tad bit more interesting than I've just made it sound!

Over the past couple of years (since 2009 to be exact), I've been collecting the autographs of some of my favorite YA authors. It all started at a Richelle Mead signing in New York City. Let's be honest, I wasn't going to ask her to sign my boobage (maybe if she was Adrian Ivashkov...you know he'd do it!) so I opted for the next best thing!

Ever since then, my kindle has followed me to every single book event! Every author signature has its story and I'm here to share those stories with you guys!!

Laurie Stolarz - Laurie's books were some of the earliest Young Adult books I ever read. Her Blue is For Nightmares series really got me into paranormal romance and when she finally came to New York I knew I had to meet her. And declare my undying affection for her characters! I met Laurie at Books of Wonder. She was awesome enough to sign EVERY SINGLE COPY of her books (yes, I own them all!) and we even chatted about The Vampire Diaries. If I remember correctly, we're both Team Damon. It's safe to say Laurie holds a very special place in my heart.

Rachel Caine - SQUEE!!! I actually met Rachel Caine while I was volunteering at New York Comic-Con! I may or may not (MAY) have flagged her down right before her author panel. Rachel is incredibly sweet and words can not describe how incredibly bad-ass this woman is! And her husband? R. Cat Conrad? Um...ROCKSTAR! He made sure to draw a little something on my copy of Glass Houses. He's an artist, you know!

Richelle Mead - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!! Richelle was my very first kindle autograph! How could I not love that? She's such a sweetheart in person and I definitely look forward to seeing her again, if she's ever in the area! Come on! The woman created Adrian Ivashkov and Dimitri Belikov. *fans self*

Carol Tanzman  - The woman who rocked my lady pants!! Carol Tanzman is a DOLL! So down to Earth and lovely. I got to meet her at special Teen Author panel here in New York City. She remembered my dancergirl review and we got to chatting for a bit. She even wrote up this lovely post that left me FLOORED. I'm SO excited about her second book, Circle of Silence!

Anna Godbersen  - I was never one for historical fiction until I read Anna Godbersen's The Luxe series. Anna's writing is beautiful so when she made a rare book signing appearance I jumped at it! She was just as lovely as her books and I definitely was at a loss for words upon meeting her! I missed class to see her but it was totally worth it!

Kimberly Derting - OH. EM. GEE!  Kimberly is one of THE nicest and coolest people on Earth. #FACT. I met her at Books of Wonder, I told her I loved her and she sent me the nicest little package, chock full of The Pledge goodies!! Um...my heart goes "bah boom" for her!

Cassandra Clare  - Okay, if you've ever seen this woman on tour, please know that she's an experience! And insanely ridiculous IN THE BEST WAY experience. She's such a bundle of energy and enthusiasm that it's hard not to smile like a goof if you're ever in her presence. The woman will also sign anything! And I mean it! So when I handed over my kindle, she just went along with it :) She's so awesome I've met her twice! 

Stephanie Perkins  - Stephanie Perkins is a BELLE. She's also the most adorable human being. Ever! This meeting wasn't so much about me as it was about BFF Saz McGee. Stephanie personalized a very special copy of Anna and the French Kiss for Saz in which she wrote, "WHY ARE YOU IN AUSTRALIA??!!" Epic.

Leanna Renee Hieber - Leanna is on my Top 50 Most Awesome People list! She's a writer, an actress and she plays a MOTHER FREAKING AUROR on a fan-made Harry Potter webseries!! Seriously!? As if loving Darker Still wasn't enough! I got to meet her at the Apocalypsies panel at BEA!!

Maria V. Snyder - The woman created Valek. How could I not approach the woman who created Valek??!! I definitely skipped a group of people in line at the Harlequin Booth (BEA 2012) to get to her. No worries, they were waiting for the next author lineup and they understood my enthusiasm.

Melina "My Goddess" Marchetta - I can't even...

Except I TOTALLY can! SQUEEE!!!! I finally, finally, FINALLY met Melina Marchetta at Books of Wonder!! She was co-hosting a panel with Kristin Cashore (we'll get to her in a bit) and Gayle Foreman. I got to ask a question during the Q&A portion of the night and I managed to tell her (and everyone there) that she was my goddess. And that I loved her. Fangirling, my friends, would be an understatement...

John Green  - I'm pretty sure I looked like an open-mouthed fool when John Green stood next to us at BEA. He was definitely having a conversation with people who were not us, but he freaking stood RIGHT NEXT TO US. *SQUEE* I had just run in to Rachael from The Book Muncher and Kody Keplinger! Thank god Kody went up to him first, otherwise my kindle would be John Green free. That thought makes Kristin a sad blogger :(

Joan Bauer  - Game over, people! I've been reading Joan Bauer's books since before college. When I ran into her at the Penguin BEA party I almost lost my shiz! She was, hands down, the sweetest person I've ever met. She even gave me a hug!! 15-year-old me did a happy dance. Words can't describe how much I love her novels. Squashed is my favorite :)

Veronica Roth  - As a fan of Tobias (aka. Four) I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to meet Veronica Roth. Molly, her editor, and I both graduated from the same university so it was really cool to meet her, too! Thanks, Barnes and Noble Tribeca, for one of the coolest experiences!

Kody Keplinger - Funny story. I actually met Kody Keplinger at Veronica Roth's event. I have since then proceeded to bump into her at EVERY. SINGLE. book event in New York City!! Kody is really friendly and I can't stress how much I love the messages her books deliver!

Kristin Cashore - Up until meeting Kristin, I'd never fangirled so hard in my life. This is honestly, word-for-word, what came out of my mouth when I met her at the Penguin BEA party: "I don't know what to say to the person who created Katsa and Po" I then proceeded to flail my arms like a lunatic. Lucky for me, Kristin is a very warm/accepting/non-judgmental person. I got a picture with her and I even brought up Melina Marchetta into the conversation. I WAS NERVOUS, PEOPLE!!! Please don't judge...

John Corey Whaley - I'm pretty sure John Corey Whaley said I was his favorite stalker. Crazy thing is, I can't even argue with that. I pretty much twitter-stalked him for about a month before driving out to see him at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Luckily he was aware of my fangirling and didn't scare easily.

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I treasure each and every one of these wonderful little moments. They give my Kindle personality and spunk. It's not always about the books inside the kindle. It's the stories behind it!

And my job here isn't done. I still have a couple of authors I want to get on there. Brigid Kemmerer (#50ShadesofMerrick) and Jessica Shirvington for starters!! Consider yourselves warned, ladies ;b

Let's see what crazy shenanigans I'll get up to this time!