imagesI’m so thrilled to be posting about Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! This year is the first year I went BOTH DAYS, yep, you read that right, and it was a blast!

Thank you to Los Angeles Time FoB for the best book festival!

And a special shout out to my friends  Thuy from Nite Lite Book Reviews, Laura N., the Bookyurt, Jane G and Nicole from The Reader’s Antidote for hanging!

 

 

Of course, I started the morning off right with a John Green panel!
This hall was packed, three tiers and sold out.

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Here is the famous John Green in conversation with David L. Ulin

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As always, John Green is honest, quick witted and funny. He talked about a lot of things but I loved it when he talked about how everyone, rich or poor has problems that need addressing. He was speaking about Catcher in the Rye and how some readers may regard the book as rich kid problems. But John argues that all the problems teens face are real, they demand attention and for that person, their pain is very true to them.

I also loved the fact that he talked about his parents and how lucky he is to have had wonderful parents. That if you had good parents, then you don’t have to really think about them when you’re young. But if you did have to think about them, then maybe the home situation was more challenging. I’m paraphrasing so forgive me, but it was a really well spoken (as only John Green can say it) and it made me think about about my parents and how lucky I am.

Then I ran over to the Rainbow Rowell signing. Her panel, sadly, was at the same time as John Green (sometimes I wish I could clone myself) but I was lucky enough to get in line and meet Rainbow!

Here is the very talented Rainbow Rowell signing a copy of Eleanor & Park I bought for my mom for her birthday (shhh don’t tell)

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I grabbed lunch and hung out with friends and bought way too many books.

I met the lovely Katie Alender who signed my copy of Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer,

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And met John Corey Whaley who was so charming, I had to buy his books and get them signed.

And before I knew it, it was 4:30. I’ll be honest, I was supposed to leave early Saturday, but that so did not happen. I was having way too much fun.

Moderator: John Corey Whaley
Soman Chainani
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Margaret Stohl
Laini Taylor

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Sorry the pictures are fuzzy!

Soman Chainani really impressed me on the panel and though I had never heard of his book before, afterwards I rushed out to get books one and two. The School for Good and Evil sound amazing and I can’t wait to read them this weekend! Cynthia Leitich Smith, who I hadn’t heard of her or her books before, was very clever and hilarious. I am eager to learn more about her series and check it out!

The ever popular and talented Laini Taylor was there, charming and sweet as ever. I mean, I sorta want to be her best friend. You know?

It was a hilarious panel, good energy and really funny banter.

Afterwards, I headed home, exhausted and ready to unpack and get ready for Day 2!!!