March 2015

While February is the shortest month of the year, I feel like March went by a whole lot faster than it did for some reason! I was probably heavily distracted by the fluctuating weather, which I'm both excited about (Spring is fighting for its right to be here!) and disappointed by (I just want Spring to be here already). I've had some fun experiences this month, and definitely wouldn't trade it for the world!

WHAT I DID

In March, I was able to attend a couple of book events - The Winner's Crime launch event, The Orphan Queen launch event, The Wrong Side of Right launch event + the "Perils of Perfection" panel for the New York Teen Author Festival. (I'll share more on each below!) On a more personal note, Macky and I started two new traditions - Sunday Movie Nights + Monday Date Nights! I also celebrated my best friend Patricia's birthday at her apartment, went on a mini road trip to IKEA and got a chance to be at an early screening and interview round table for The Longest Ride (which you'll hear more about this coming weekend!).

Here's a few brief thoughts on the various bookish events I was able to attend:

• The Winner's Crime Launch Party - Marie Rutkoski celebrated the release of the second novel in her Winner's Trilogy, The Winner's Crime at McNally Jackson. She was joined in conversation by Sarah Rees Brennan (!!!), and both ladies read from their own work. There was a very informative Q&A that included questions about writing fantasy, their writing processes and more. It was a pleasure to meet them both, as I really liked both their books!
• The Orphan Queen Launch Party - I feel like I've been waiting forever for this event! As a huge Jodi Meadows fan, it was obviously top priority for me to be able to attend her launch for The Orphan Queen at Books of Wonder. The panel was comprised of Joy N. Hensley, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, CJ Redwine and Jodi, and it was equal parts smart, irreverent and fun! They discussed their latest novels and upcoming work, as well as writing process and favorite reads. I laughed a lot during their panel, and that's always a good thing! I loved seeing Jodi again (and getting to wear her fabulous cloak) in person; she's always such a sweetheart. And I got to meet Joy for the first time, which was awesome!
• The Wrong Side of Right Launch Party - I really enjoyed The Wrong Side of Right, and am glad that I was able to attend Jenn Marie Thorne's book launch party at Astoria Bookshop. You can find a full recap of the event here.
• "The Perils of Perfection" - It was such a treat to be able to listen to such smart, complex conversation about writing for teens, about teens and from a teen perspective! These ladies all had such great insight into writing, teens and life, and I loved listening to them chat at WORD Bookstore. The panel was composed of Corey Ann Haydu, Kate Axelrod, Alecia Whitaker, Terra Elan McVoy, Melissa Kantor and Susane Colasanti, and was moderated by Amanda Maciel. I was super excited to officially meet Corey, because I love her books!

WHAT I READ

Of the 26 books I read, these were my favorites:

Seraphina / Making Pretty / Ransom
The Wrong Side of Right / Number the Stars / Rule 
Of Beast and Beauty / Under a Painted Sky / Jesse's Girl

WHAT I POSTED

Book Events // The Wrong Side of Right Launch Party
Personal // ApollyCon Weekend, An Empire State of Mind
Reviews // The Imaginary, The Orphan Queen, Abbreviations #4, The Start of Me and You, The Forgotten Sisters, Nowhere But Home, There Be Dragons, Abbreviations #5, Finding Mr. Brightside, Trust the Focus, The Faithful, The Fiery & The Fearful
Features + Blog Tours // After All This Time? Always, To All the Books I've Loved (These Three Years Past), If I Were a Princess, The Sunday Mix #3, An Author a Monday: Jodi Meadows, Behind the Mask, Books in Real Life: Nowhere But Home, Spring 2015 TBR, A Caper, A Folly, A Revolution, Bard on the Blogs, The Sunday Mix (4), An Author A Monday: Anne Blankman, When I Was a Kid, It Runs in the Family: Get Electrical, Tunes & Tales: My Everything, Flights of Fantasy: March 2015, The Picky Pledge: Quarterly Check-in #1