On a dready Sunday evening in NYC when the sky couldn’t decide whether it wants to shine or rain, there was a book signing featuring both Jenny Han and Morgan Matson in Books of Wonder. I was personally surprised by the little turnout – probably because the signing is on a weekend and it was during 4PM to 6PM, the last hours before people get off from work. But alas, I did not regret coming at all (even though I had to argue with my parents to be able to attend the signing, but it was SO worth it).
Because I was a fool and thought that I wouldn’t write up some information about the signing, I never took any pictures of the authors. So yeah, let’s pretend there’s a picture of Jenny Han with Morgan Matson right here. Jenny Han is wearing an awesome red lipstick shirt (or was it a dress?) paired up with a dark shade of lipstick and Morgan Matson is just gorgeous. That’s all you need to know. ;D
Anyways, onto the conversation. Please note that I do not remember a lot because 1. I was tired and 2. I didn’t plan on writing an event recap post the first place.
Jenny Han discusses how she is like Lara Jean – they both write love letters to boys to help get over the guys they liked and keep their love letters in a tin box. She also told us that once, she went to an event and noticed one of her past crushes’ friends come to the event, but thank god the actual guy didn’t come or that would be so awkward and embarrassing. Jenny Han also loves baking and Japanese fashion like how Lara Jean does.
Jenny Han and Morgan Matson talked about dream casts for their books. Morgan Matson says that she never pictures anyone for her dream cast while Jenny Han talks about how she wants the actor playing Lara Jean to actually be one-half white and one-half Korean like Lara Jean is, meaning yes, she doesn’t want anyone like Selena Gomez or Jennifer Lawrence for the role because they won’t fit. I completely, 100% support this because #WeNeedDiverseBooks.
Morgan Matson talks about how she struggled to name her main character. The name “Sloane” came really easily to her because it was a fancy name like her character Sloane, but she didn’t know what to name who we now know as “Emily.” Morgan Matson wished she didn’t use the name “Amy” from her first book, Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour, because it would be a perfect name to use for the main character in Since You’ve Been Gone. Morgan Matson also couldn’t use “Sara” since Sloane’s name already started with a “S.” Morgan Matson talked about going to her agent Emily and discussing the name issue and suddenly, BAM! the right name was right in front of her all along.
Jenny Han and Morgan Matson also discussed their covers. Morgan Matson loves her cover (honestly, who wouldn’t?) and said that it was a photo shoot cover – the cover designer asked her what clothes Emily and Sloane would be wearing and Morgan Matson showed the cover designer clothes from her own closet, which was then used for the cover, so the cover of Since You’ve Been Gone feels like a cover shoot of her clothes to her. The picture on the back cover of Since You’ve Been Gone was taken by someone climbing a ladder by the way. (Such dedication!)
Jenny Han says the same person who designed Morgan Matson’s cover also did her cover. (No wonder – their covers are both GORGEOUS!) She also mentions that some people thought it was her who wrote “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” for her cover since it looks like her handwriting, but it wasn’t her. Jenny Han also commented that the cover of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before might look really pretty, but the picture was really taken at a 27 year old guy’s dirty apartment; you just can’t see it since it’s zoomed in.
When I went to get my books signed and told Morgan Matson I haven’t read Second Chance Summer, but planned to, she warned me that it has a sad ending which means Kelly SCARED. I’ll read it when I’m in the crying mood then. Jenny Han was very nice like the last time I met her and commented something along the lines of “we’ve talked on twitter right?” She has an EXCELLENT memory since that was ages ago!
So now, time for the giveaway! I have SIGNED ARCs of Since You’ve Been Gone and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before up for grabs. Just enter the Rafflecopter below!
Terms & Conditions:
- This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY.
- The giveaway will run until June 7, 2014.
- You must be 18 years or older, or have parents’ permission to enter.
- All your entries will be disqualified if you pickup entries for something you haven’t done. (I had to do this for so many of my last giveaways, please don’t make me do this again.)
- If you only use ONE account to do all these tasks and enter under different names, they will still only constitute as ONE entry.
- If the winner does not respond to my e-mail within 48 hours, I will have to choose another winner.
- I am not responsible for any items lost in the mail.
I really wish there were signings with such great authors around here. But hey, it’s Belgium. So no chance that’ll happen anytime soon. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I loved To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before!
Bieke @ Istyria book blog recently posted…Review: Essence by A.L. Waddington
There really should be author signings EVERYWHERE. ):
Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A Giveaway
I almost went to that reading! How funny. I ended up reading in bed instead, but y’know. We almost met.
Amanda @ Off The Book recently posted…Clean Sweep ARC Challenge
Ohh, it’ll be cool if we actually met! ;D<3
But hey, at least you know what you missed!
Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A Giveaway
Very true! :) Will you be at BEA?
Amanda @ Off The Book recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten (Upcoming) Book Covers I’d Frame As Pieces of Art
Yep, I will definitely be at BEA! I take it as you will be there too? (:
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: A Cover Inside A Cover (Yes, You Read That One Right)
Thanks for this opportunity! I just borrowed and read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and loved it! Can’t wait for the sequel and I need to *own* this book!
Lucky you, getting to go to the signing!
I can’t wait for the sequel to All the Boys either! I NEED some answers!
Ha ha, I had to argue with my parents to be able to attend the signing. :P
Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A Giveaway
I’m so jelaous!! You don’t have idea how much I LOVE Morgan!
Ella Zegarra recently posted…Ken Baker: How I Got Skinny, Famous, and Fell Madly in Love [#Reseña]
I’m currently reading Since You’ve Been Gone and I am LOVING the book and her too! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…A Weekend Signing With Jenny Han + Morgan Matson With A Giveaway
These are my *want so bad* books right now, SO awesome giveaway!
I just love the stories, especially the clothes on the cover of SYBG and the 27 yr old dirty apt. Just makes me love them more.
Also, Second Chance Summer is sad, but it was really worth it. I loved that book a lot, and really enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
Thanks (seriously, thanks!) for the giveaway.
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…Cover Reveal & GIVEAWAY — Model Undercover: A Crime of Fashion by Carina Axelsson
I live in Mississippi, so there aren’t many signings for authors I want to see around here. I am super jealous that you were able to go see these two authors. I’m really excited about both of these books. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Fingers crossed. :)
Stefani @ Caught Read Handed recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: book covers I’d frame
Yay it sounds like you had fun at the signing! And it’s so cool that Morgan used her own clothing for her cover and how Jenny’s cover was shot in a beat up apartment :D It’s amazing how a cover can change with some good lighting and well placed angles!
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…Mini Review: Better off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg
These are one of the prettiest covers I’ve ever seeeeen! You’re so lucky to get them to sign your books. Jenny Han will be visiting the Philippines soon and I’m super excited!
Thanks for the recap! I cried so much at Second Chance Summer. Such a great book, but oh man, the feels! Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenny @ Reading on the Farm recently posted…Review: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
This is such an awesome giveaway! Jenny Han is coming to the Philippines and I’m really excited for it! <3
Jayvee De Castro recently posted…LIFE OF A BLOGGER: 101 Things I Love