Oh just some random thoughts on this nasty Friday before my birthday tomorrow…which probably should be a holiday and I should probably not be at work. I’d like a holiday for the day after my birthday too.
I was looking at my calendar of book events recently and started feeling super nervous and anxious because I haven’t read the author’s books yet and DAMMIT I want to have those books read before I go. I started thinking about it and realized HOW many authors I’ve met that I haven’t actually read their books yet. My thing is..mostly all of the time I PLAN to read their book in the near future but I am not going to pass up a chance to meet an author or go to something fun and bookish. But sometimes, I’ll admit, I feel AWKWARD. I sit there like, “Hmm I can’t say OMG I LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!! BIGGEST FAN EVAHH” but I don’t want reallyyyy want to admit I never read their books before..particularly if they have lots of books. I’m sure most authors would be happy that you are coming to support them either way but I just always FEEL bad…but seriously, attending their events mostly pumps me up for their books!
But sometimes I am a complete weirdo. I am kind of obsessed with a few authors I’ve never actually read their books. I’m not naming names because I will be mortified if they read this and think, “OMG what a sham! That girl knocked over the elderly and small children to meet me.” But seriously..I will sit there and say I LOVE THIS AUTHOR. And I realize that I shouldn’t say it because I’ve never read them!!. Even though what I really mean is that I follow them on Twitter, I probably own all their books (but haven’t read them!), I read their blog religiously, I think they are awesome people and lots of other people tell me how good their books are! I get GIDDY to meet some of these authors and I am kind of obsessed with them….on a basis that has nothing to do with their books. Is that not weird?!
So, what about you? Do you feel crazy compelled to have read the book prior to the author event? Have you ever gone to an author event without having read the book? Do you feel awkward or bad..or is that just a weird Jamie thing? Because let’s be honest..I am weird like that. Also, have you ever been obsessed with an author you’ve never read? Or is that just me…because I AM BIZARRE like that!
Bookfool says
To be honest, I seldom get to go to author events because of my location. So, when I do . . . yep, I've read the book. If you've got a lot of author events to go to, don't worry about it. You can ask to have a book signed and say, "I'm really looking forward to reading this!" I promise you that every author is just happy to have people show up, especially those who are newer to publication. It's the kindest thing you can do for an author – show up, buy the book. 🙂
Jen says
Before I read a single book by a couple authors I fangirled over them because I LOVED their twitter feeds and blogs. There are still a few that I do that for actually but I'm working my way down the list.
Jenni Elyse says
I always go to the local author events even if I haven't read the book yet. Like you, I plan to read them before I go or soon after I do, but life has a tendency to throw curve balls at my schedule.
I always try to find something else to talk to them about. For example, when Markus Zusak came earlier this year, I told him I had an irrational fear or Australia. Weird, but true. He thought that was really interesting and even ended up drawing a snake in my book and said, "Snakes are okay" plus the other stuff he usually writes in the books. It was a really cool experience and I'm glad I went even though I hadn't finished reading The Book Thief before the event.
Casey says
I've gone to author events quite a few times without having read their books. There aren't many author events near me so when one does come, I go even if I can't read their book before hand. I feel weird because I get all giddy too and never know what to say to them.
April says
I have never been to an author event yet! I only find out about them when it's too late to go. Usualy through your twitter posts. lol, because I live in Pa as well.
But I follow tons of Authors on twitter, some of them I haven't read yet, but I still love them.. because they can do something I can't.. write 🙂 I would probably feel weird about meeting an author before reading their book, but I woudln't pass up the opportunity. Even if I stand there feeling like a dork. lol.
As the Crowe Flies and Reads says
I work in a bookstore, so frequently I feel compelled to read a least a little bit of the books of those authors whose readings I'm attending or working. but for those books I've not peeped into, I tend to say something like, "this book was already near the top of my to-be-read pile and it looks great, but now that i've heard your reading I'm going to head home and start it right away."
Jenny says
Yes! I always want to read the book before I see the author but sometimes it doesn't happen. And, yes, I always feel terrible. However, hearing them talk about their book definitely revs me up to get to it! Plus it's fun to get books signed regardless of whether you've read it or not.
lisa :) says
Well if you read their blogs and Twitter feeds, you could technically say "I love your writing" and not be lying! Granted if they come back with, "Which book is your favorite?" you could be in a tight spot. 😉
Hafsah says
There are a bunch of authors I love but have never read. It's awkward that I have never met them, but I just feel like I know them because of their twitter!
jax says
I don't think that's weird. Just because you haven't read their books doesn't mean you can't like them. If you're following them on twitter and reading their blogs you're still aware of them and know who they are, and what they're like. I don't think that's weird at all!
christina says
I will fess up. I am totally in crush with Maureen Johnson BUT I've never read any of her books. Yet. But oh my god – how can you follow her on twitter and not love her?
Jenny says
Haha I totally feel the same way!! I had an author sign a book for me and I told her I hasn't read her but planned to soon. She sort of teased me about it. But then we had a good conversation and I totally felt like we were friends by the end lol!
The Book Girl says
Bahaha I love this. I totally do it all the time. In fact, I'm planning to go to a signing on Sunday and I've been freaking out telling everyone about it. Then someone asked me which book of theirs I liked the best and I was like, huh, I don't think I've ever actually read one… So no worries, you're not alone 😉
A Backwards Story says
I do! I bought THE LIPSTICK LAWS by Amy Holder this summer and wanted to read it before I saw her, but…didn't get around to it. And she's part of that ten-author event next weekend, so I REALLY want to read it this week so I can be like, "I so read this."
I'm going into NYC next month to see Tamora Pierce, Rae Carson, and John Connolly (wanna come with? ^^) and would love to read my copy of THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS before then so I can say I have!
Sometimes, it's nice to go to an event with multiple authors. When I went to the Diversity Tour in April for Cindy Pon and Malinda Lo, I wound up purchasing a couple of new (to me) authors as well!