Sunday, February 8, 2015

Author Event & Signed Book Giveaway: Gayle Forman Author of I Was Here

Gayle Forman Author of I Was Here
Vromans Bookstore Pasadena, CA
February 2015

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to an author event, so when I heard Gayle Forman would be promoting her new release I Was Here at one of my favorite independent bookstores, Vromans, I was excited to meet my long-time partner in book crime Rachel from The ReadersDen for the event. As always, Rachel seems to time her events much more carefully than me, so a huge thanks to her for saving me a spot in the second row where we had prime view of Gayle and her entourage.

Joining Gayle Forman was the incredible narrator of the audio for I Was Here, Jorjeana Marie. She kicked off the night by reading an excerpt of the book and did an amazing job with the narration! It almost brought my reading buddy Rachel to tears!! :) The small portion she read convinced me that the audio book is the way to go. I can’t wait to give it a try. At the end of the event, Rachel and I were fortunate enough to get some time with Ms. Marie and chat a bit more. Amazing lady!

Gayle Forman shared a few tidbits with the crowd, but the most exciting news I took away from the night was that Just One Day and Just One Year will be made into one movie!! I loved this 2.5 book series, and I can’t wait to see this hit the big screen. So stay tuned for more information.

Gayle Forman was also joined by her best friend Deanna Kizis and fellow YA author Margaret Stohl. The ladies did what could be compared to a stand-up comedy show. There was definitely chemistry between these three, and they had many in the audience laughing throughout their lively discussion. I have to say, the funniest moment came at the end of the discussion that was at about the 40 minute mark.  A little boy who had joined his mom raised his hand to ask a question. When his turn was called, he asked the author panel, “When is this going to be over?”  The crowd roared in hysterics, and we quickly moved on to the book signing portion of the event for his sake.

So before I tell you about what I walked away with, let me share some book details on I Was Here.

I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Published January 27, 2015
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Purchase Links: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble
Cody and Meg were inseparable.
Two peas in a pod.
Until . . . they weren’t anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss.


I was fortunate enough to get my hardcopy edition of I Was Here signed my Gayle Forman, and I’ve also brought an additional copy to giveaway here! This giveaway is open to US Residents only. Be sure to fill out the rafflecopter and share with us your experience with Forman’s books. Happy reading.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 comments:

  1. Christina R. in the rafflecopter

    It's awesome when you go to an author signing and get so much insight into who the author is, her plans and like you said her humor!

    Awesome photos :)

    Because there weren't any fields to input follower names, I'm Christina Kit. on Bloglovin, Christina Kit. on GFC

    I have a US address but rafflecopter might show my location outside US because I’m doing a semester abroad

    thank you so very much :)

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  2. I'm so jealous that you got to see her in person! I've loved all of her books, and the event sounds like so much fun.

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  3. Wonderful recap, Arlene! That little boy really did save us! It was like a comedy skit. :)

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    1. Oh, and I almost cried?!! What about you, lady, who NEVER (but was suspiciously sniffling beside me) book cries? I think I captured rare and blackmail worthy moment, lol! :)

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    2. LOL! Allergies... That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :D

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  4. Oh how fun! I love seeing author events like this. I live in an itty bitty town and we never have author events around here.

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  5. Gayle Forman is one of my favorite authors! I have been to one of her events and she is INCREDIBLE! I am glad you were able to meet her!

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  6. this sounds like it was an awesome event ;) thanks for sharing with us!

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  7. Excited to read another emotional book by Gayle Forman! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  8. I'm not used to audiobooks, but I definitely want a copy of this book asap! I'd love to know why it's getting so many good reviews and why it's somewhat sad from what I heard. I'd also love to meet Gayle one day. Even if she doesn't talk about her books that much lol. n_n

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  9. Thanks for the chance to win this book. :)

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  10. I have only read one of Gayle's books so far - If I Stay - and I'm really excited to read more from her! I got to meet her at LeakyCon last year and she was lovely. :) Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  11. I'm so excited for this book! Gayle has such a gorgeous writing style and I just know I'm going to adore this book as much as her others :-)

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  12. Yay a Just one day movie, I love the book, i want meet people Like Allyson and Willem, they are amazing characters
    And I cant wait for read this book, love like a diferent style but i think will be amazing like all her books

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  13. I really enjoy Gayle Forman, so I'm interested to read this book. In the past, I haven't really liked or connected with books about suicide (hello, only person in the world who HATED 13 Reasons Why!), so if I didn't know the author, I think I would skip it. I've really liked her other books, though, so I want to give it a shot.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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