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Monday, January 20, 2014

Gayle Forman signing recap + a giveaway

The first signing of the year, and judging from how it went, I'm pretty sure 2014 is going to be an awesome year for us YA readers and bookworms!


Best selling author Gayle Forman is the first author to visit the Philippines this year for a signing, and she's just lovely! As always, I'm starstruck whenever I get to see an author whom I admired up close. And Gayle Forman is one of them.


One of the things I love about signings, aside from meeting my favorite authors, is meeting my book blogger friends. We don't get to see each other that often, but when we do, it's always a spazzfest of books and authors and fictional hot boys! I love these people here.

Gayle answering questions.

I was lucky to get a chance to ask Gayle a question, and I was so nervous that I didn't even get to say hi. I felt like I was mumbling as well, but it turned out fine in the end. I really need to compose myself during Q&As.

A quick rundown of some of her answers to some of the questions:

- If Gayle was to branch out of YA Contemporary: Some people refer to If I Stay as a paranormal, so she has somehow already "branched out". Gayle loves writing about the world we live in right now, and that's why she writes YA contemporary.

- Gayle was pretty much involved with the making of If I Stay's movie, and she cried 4 times when she was reading the script.

- Gayle has a new book coming out Winter 2015, the name is I WAS HERE.

- The name of the main character in the book is Ben.

- She was pretty much singing a lot of songs because there were a lot of music related questions. *sings Let It Go~*

The public signing, as I expected, was pretty much jampacked. There were a ton of people already waiting for Gayle (that includes us!) and everyone was all smiles and screaming when she walked to the stage. This is what happened once she got on stage:


Gayle removed her jacket (like a rockstar!), walked off the stage and took a selfie with everyone in the crowd holding up their books. I told you, she's awesome!

Ms. Xandra Ramos of NBS asking Gayle some questions before the signing starts.

There was a fan who was crying her eyes out (lucky fan, actually) when she got a chance to ask Gayle a question, and Gayle got off the stage again, this time with a box of tissues ready and offered it to the fan.

A friend of mine got to the signing around 11 am and her number was 454. 454 and the mall has only opened for an hour then! I heard from an NBS staff that the line started around 8 am, two hours before the mall even opened. WOW. Just... wow.


Thank you so much National Bookstore for another wonderful event! It was such a long day, but it's so worth it! I get to much such a lovely lady who is so smart and friendly and sweet and it's another wonderful experience I can add to my bookish adventures.

GIVEAWAY TIME!
A MYSTERY BOOK FROM MY PILE

It totally slipped my mind to buy an extra book which I should've asked to be signed for a giveaway, but to make up for that, if you win this giveaway then I will send you a book from my current pile. It's a secret, and I won't tell you what it is, you just have to wait for the package to arrive at your doorstep and see what it is. I'll give you a clue though: It's going to be an early 2014 and late 2013 release.

Rules:

Open to everyone
Ends Feb. 1
Must be at least 13 years old to enter

Just leave a comment and tell me what your favorite Gayle Forman book is and why. Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner. If you help spread the word (Twitter, FB, Tumblr, etc), you get an extra point!

Update:

The winner for this contest has been picked. Thanks to randomizer.org, who picked:


Congratulations Jayvee! Please check your inbox for my e-mail.

Thanks everyone for joining!

35 comments:

  1. IF I STAY! Mia is just... I have no words for her. Major page turner.. And it's going to be a movie! With one of my fave stars, Chloe Moretz. Although books will always be better than movies unless it's Harry Potter. :)

    speechlesskid@gmail.com

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  2. actually have one book that I bought from Gayle... I haven't updated my pile, but soon, I would.
    If I Stay got me thinking.. A lot. About my life, of what exactly I've been doing with it! I can relate to how Mia is thinking of whether she'd just die or stay. I didn't go through a critical condition but I did get operated to and thought of my life and whether people would forget about me even if I left or what things I would be living for if I stayed. I cried to my Mom that time, and when I read the book, it gave me the same feeling that I've suppressed for so long. I even thought of stopping coz it hurt but I continued to find whether Mia actually would get that future or whether she just left. It was beautifully crafted and I can't see any reason to hate it. I just love it to reese's pieces. And to actually meet Gayle, though I was #508, was the most amazing thing ever! She was so rockin' and nice. And I got to talk to her and tell her how much she inspires me, both as a writer and a person. She is now my contemporary hero. She made me believe in the worth of me staying. Looking forward to read Where She Went

    jayveedecastro27@gmail.com
    yinfen27@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am literally speechless after reading your comment. I'm glad If I Stay inspired and helped you a lot. It is an emotional book. And Gayle is such a wonderful person! Thank you so much for sharing.

      Delete
    2. WOW! I didn't see this! I'm sorry! :'''( But thank you! Yes, it did! i was a young kid back then when it happened, but it truly helped that I got to read about Mia. Thank you sooo soooo much! <3

      Delete
  3. Of course, It's the "If I Stay and Where She Went" Books. It definitely touched me. I love how this book let me appreciate life more. How to love and be thankful to those people around you who never leave your side, sometimes we tend to be annoyed or take for granted this people but we only live once right?. Anyways, I love all the characters here, they are very captivating and inspiring, they struggle yet they work hard. I shredded a lot of tears and I also want to have my own ADAM. That's it!

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  4. Awwww, ate Kai! I love you peepz too! And omg karaoke fest with Gayle Forman was fun! And you were very composed when you asked your question, hahaha. Can't wait to see you guys at the next signing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww shucks. Not really, but thanks~! I was halfway through asking my question when I remembered that I even didn't get to say hi to Gayle. See you at the next signings!

      Delete
  5. Just One Year is currently my favorite book by Gayle Forman. I enjoyed getting to know more about Willem and reading about his journey, leading up to that point where he and Allyson reunited once more. The ending in this one wasn't that different from the one in Just One Day, but somehow, after reading it, I felt contented.

    Email: smalfoys@gmail.com

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  6. I read only one book by Gayle Forman, If I Stay and must to say that I really enjoy it :) I want to read her other books, especially Just One Day and Just One Year. I can´t wait to read them. And moreover, all her books have amazing covers! :)
    I tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/dinky___/status/425312246370009088
    and shared it on Facebook as Diana Dinky.
    Thank you very much for this chance to win :)
    dinkyka@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would love to own If I Stay. I thought it was well written and I am so excited for the movie. I am a huge fan of Gayle's and jealous that you got to go to a signing. I live in a small town so no authors ever visit here. :( Really looking forward to her book that comes out next year. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and of course the giveaway.
    Email ~ Areuscared66@yahoo.com
    Tweet ~ https://twitter.com/MistiSomething/status/425352305257369600
    Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/MistiSumthing/posts/589745214435005?stream_ref=1

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't have a favorite yet. I need to catch up.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  9. Your Philippines author events always look so awesome!! Exciting news about Gayle's new book:) I have only read IF I STAY and I have to admit...I didn't like it that much. Now my copy of WHERE SHE WENT is sitting here on my shelf all sadly and doesn't get the attention it probably deserves. Many many readers loved JUST ONE DAY, and I really want to give it a try soon, hoping I'll like it better than her first book.

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  10. My favorite is Where She Went, love If I Stay too, but Where she went is more mature, the character are grown up, they have more experience, both have suffered, have searching for your dream and know what they want

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  11. My first book of Gayle Forman is If I stay and I loved it, mesmerized by the story, but then I read Where She Went and I fell in love even more to the story and characters. I get emotional just reading that book, I love everything about it. Definitely one of my favorite books of Gayle Forman.

    tinfrencillo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. My fave book by Gayle Forman is If I Stay, and it was the first too. It really spoke to me, and I'd never connected so well with a contemp book before that! I really need a reread of it, it's been ages.
    Glad you had such an awesome time at the signing! So jealous :P

    cityofbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I haven't read any of her books yet.. :(( maybe I should read all four of her books before feb 1 so I can enter this giveaway .. Wait for me.. I shall come back with a proper comment about my fave Gayle Forman book :)))

    All the feels!!! The book signing event looked so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  14. If I Stay because it just didn't put me to tears it also taught me a lot of things about life. That life is too short and we need to live at our fullest because tomorrow is always a question. Love is something that really make us alive and we should fight the one we love even its a matter of life and death. We also need to be strong and brave enough to overcome loss and heartbreaks like how Mia showed.

    -janinenava@gmail.com

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  15. JUST ONE YEAR ♥
    I love Gayle Forman's books, but I don't know why, I feel connected much more if the story was written in the guy's perspective. Have you ever felt so lost and empty? Sometimes, I do feel that way. I don't know which way to go, what's the right choice. After I read Just One Day, I simply had to know everything about Willem. How he is lost, but eventually found himself, he found his way back to his mother, and he found home. This story has taught me a lot about life, fate, one's choices. How life and fate blows us to where we are now, how one little thing can make a big difference. I love this book so much I think I have highlighted almost every page. ♥
    The first book I read by Gayle Forman, If I Stay! I asked my sister to have my book signed because I can't go to the event. :( I was so sad, I didn't get to see her and take a photo with her. And that I owe my sister big time, but at least I have my first ever signed book. :D

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  16. I really enjoyed If I Stay. It was one of the first contemporary novels that I actually liked, and it gave me so much to think about and feel.

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's weird... I got there at around 1pm, I think, but I got 436. o_O What time did you get there? We went out for a while after the registration and came back at 3:30pm and the place was already so jampacked we were left sitting at the second floor. My legs were so stiff from sitting on the floor too much and I got my books signed around 9:30pm. I'm pretty sure I looked retarded then. She kept talking to me and I was only staring-grinning at her like... "8D" ugh but Gayle was such a champ! She was still so energetic by then. It was my first signing event so I was pretty clueless how things worked. Anyway, I really can't wait for the Ransom-Tahereh-Veronica signing event in April! I'm thinking about camping out there just so I'm first in line, haha. I'm guessing you'll be there too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I will be there! You should camp out early if you want to be among the first ones in the Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs, Veronica Rossi signing, I'm positive it's going to be a REALLY BIG signing event. Give me a holler on twitter if you're there so I can meet up with you to say hi? :)

      Delete
  18. Where She Went! I love it. I love Adam`s thoughts. Who could have imagined that they`ll be back together, and Collateral Damage just proves his words that if Mia doesn`t want any song, she should wake up. <3

    jan[_]eriele[@]yahoo[.]com

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  19. Lucky fans! Unfortunately for me, I was not able to go. I can't pick one, I love all her books! They're all my favorite. Although Gayle Forman's books always left me a big blubbering emotional mess, I still love it. If I Stay is filled with love and loss, happiness and grief, and all the emotion you can imagine. Unforgettable characters, striking and amazing plot, settings. I just love it all!
    shai08ph at yahoo dot com

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  20. If I Stay is my fav Gayle Forman book. Loved the writing and word building in the book- it was pure magic!!!
    blackcapballistics AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  21. My friend Lindsay got to meet Gayle too. You were probably at the same event. I never got to meet an author since I live in the middle of nowhere.

    My favorite Gayle Forman book is Where She Went. She created Adam and the song lyrics were amazing.

    shared on twitter:

    https://twitter.com/Zemmy89/status/427430612463415297

    zemmy_lifehouse(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I haven't read any Gayle Forman books. If I Stay is on my TBR list though!
    Dedezoomsalot @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are so lucky! The perks of being in a known city. Me jelly ><
    Well, I guess my favorite book by Gayle Forman is "Just One Day". This book is my favorite, not because of the plot, but because of the message behind the story. A lot of things can actually happen in a 24-hour time frame and that book proved it. Falling in love, traveling, making decisions, and accidents can happen in just one day. After reading the book, it made me want to try a lot of things and value life even more. Also, it showed everyone that giving up is not an option. Another reason why I love this book is because of the characters. I really love Allyson (not Lulu). She is like the heroine who gets what she wants by striving hard. And I just want to be like her. I mean, everyone should idolize her for being herself. Everything about this book is just amazing!
    I just want to share this quote from the book that can make you ponder: "We are born in one day. We die in one day. We can change in one day. And we can fall in love in one day. Anything can happen in just one day."

    Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/LexaChinita/status/427444779140407296
    Email ad: iraalexa24@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, I wish I could have been there. My favorite Gayle Forman books are If I stay and Where she went. The emotions, the story, the characters and the writing and the lyrics, all so amazing. Thanks for the giveaway :)

    ladyinblack20@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have loved every Gayle Forman book I've read so far (with my least favourite being Just One Year... I think I gave that 3.5/5...), but my absolute favourite is If I Stay. Despite how sad it is I could read that one over and over; that's actually still the YA book I've reread the most. :)

    (+1) Tweeted: https://twitter.com/cc9309/status/427841346611601409

    cc932005(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. If I Stay is the only one I've read but I really liked it! There was a lot of emotion and I really admired the characters.

    cjbergman1 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  27. My favourite Gayle Forman book is If I Stay. It was very powerful, emotional and I loved all the characters.

    +1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/Sparima/status/428751833264164864

    spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. My favorite Gayle Forman book is definitely Where She Went. OMG, I cried a river while reading it! Beautifully written book about love and loss and putting pieces of yourself and your life together. I loved If I Stay, but Where She Went was absolutely perfect. Thanks for a giveaway! :)

    sandra.zg.13 @ gmail.com

    * tweet - https://twitter.com/_Sandra_R_/status/428797185258299393
    * Google+ - https://plus.google.com/107598100375357110332/posts/47Y4orKYGyU
    * tumblr - http://shoes-booze-and-boys-wth-tattoos.tumblr.com/post/75031638132/amaterasu-reads-gayle-forman-signing-recap-a
    * pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/pin/48061920997506935/

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh I'm so jealous!! It seems you had a pretty good time :D
    My favorite book is If I stay! I haven't read a book that was so emotional before. When I finished it I started recommending it to everyone. Thank you for the international giveaway.

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/InUraniborg/status/428974649230106624
    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristia.miltiadou.54/posts/1419552728283010?stream_ref=10

    milkristia(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I haven't read any of Gayle Forman's book, although I have to say my favorite is If I Stay, because of the cover :D I'd really love to read one, plus she seems like an amazing person.

    Thanks for the giveaway :D

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/TheMediators/status/429109255489085441
    Google+: https://plus.google.com/102747107044499905083/posts/DBUkYKi9faK

    blacathy(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. IF I STAY - it's the only Gayle Forman book I've read so far. I stopped reading a few months ago after I got really depressed and just did not feel like doing any of the things that made me happy, including reading. I bought my copy like 2 or 3 years ago. It was recommended to me by a friend. When she told me what it was about I got really curious and promised myself to get the book. It was a nice read although it does break my heart, these kinds of stories. I bought Where She Went when I found out Gayle Forman was going to have a book signing tour here. My friend and I was quite far from the venue but did not stop us from participating. We thought we were a little late at leaving our place but arrived an hour early than the opening of the NBS. I was number 45. It was my first book signing experience. The people were nice, I think. We just left our things in our seats (just like the others) so we could eat and roam the place (we don't always get the chance to go there at Glorietta) and came back our stuffs untouched. If only that happens at other places (and time) as well. I did not have a good photo with Gayle Forman cause mr. photographer did such a great job (sarcasm aside) hahaha. But, overall, it was pretty enjoyable. I hope I could attend again next time another favorite author comes. Good day to you and thank you for the giveaway. Whoever shall win will get a book. Even if we didn't atleast we got to share our stories. My comment probably did not answer your question but atleast I got to share mine. I'm pretty okay with that. Excelsior!

    ReplyDelete

I love getting comments from my readers and fellow bookworms, and I try my best to respond to all of them. Feel free to give me a piece of your thoughts. Also, this is an award-free blog. I simply don't have the time to highlight them anymore, but thank you for thinking of my blog!

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