I've been to a lot of author events and had the chance to listen to a lot of great people speak.
So with that in mind, let me tell you just how much I LOVED getting to hear Markus Zusak speak last week. When I got a chance to talk to him I asked him if while he was in the states (he's from Australia) if he was able to visit any other places or having any other signings and he said Pennsylvania and Ohio (I think it was).
I'll be honest. I've heard A LOT about his more popular book The Book Thief, but I haven't read it. Yet. I own it. And I plan on reading it this year. I even started another one of his, I am the Messenger and I'm really enjoying it!
He was so engaging and funny and cute and that accent. I love accents.
He told this great story (some video below) of a childhood memory between him and his brother and at the end told us he used that story to make a point of how he writes. He said the details he included are important to writing and creating a story because it's what makes you own the story. It's also important because it's what makes it believable and real to the person listening /reading it.
I can not believe how long he stayed to sign books. He finished his talk around 7pm and I was in the first 75 people and we finally made it through in about 1.5 hours or so (and that was with everyone only getting to have 2 books signed). My friend Karen's son was there and was one of the last few people to get signed and left around 1am! He was so so nice though and wrote a few sentences (and even drew pictures) in everyones books.
Plus it was fun to go with a bunch of people I knew!
Pictured above (front row: me, Jenni, Rachel, Jamie back row: Becca, Amy, Esther, Olivia)
10 comments:
LOVED IT!
So jealous! I did watch the live stream though, and I loved his accent too. I can't wait to read your review of I Am the Messenger. I want to reread both that and The Book Thief now.
Um. I need to know what happened with the egg though! Did he crack the egg on his head, did his brother get mad?! WHAT HAPPENED?!?! :) He's super cute, loved the accent, loved the story. Can't wait to read some of his stuff. :)
Wow...you got to meet him? Very cool! I really loved The Book Thief. Now I'm gonna have to read I Am The Messenger.
Thank you for sharing your photos and videos from the event! Glad you girls had an awesome time! :) Markus is much younger than I'd imagined, and his egg story was too funny! How cool that he gave everyone so much individual attention and stayed so long to sign everyone's books!
Melinda I'll upload the other video or two (his story took a little while so I can't remember how many more videos I have). These two took me like an hour to upload so I put them up first. Haha. I'll upload the others today so you can hear his version of the end. :)
Loved that you posted video. Hearing him is much better than a recap, you know. No matter how much I tried to describe how engaging and captivating he is as a speaker. It was so fun to go!
Sure...you tell me all about this great guy, and he has a great accent and then I find out he's married. Not cool:) I've been meaning to read The Book Thief but haven't yet. You'll have to let me know what you think after you read it.
Wow, I am crazy jealous!! I loved The Book Thief and I Am The Messenger.
I LOVE that first picture! He's giving quite the look! :)
I can't wait to do this again!
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