National Book Festival in DC

On Saturday, I went to the National Book Festival in DC.  It was super fun (and literally RIGHT off the metro) and it definitely lived up to my expectations.  I still miss the LA Times Festival of Books, but this is a reasonable substitute for my east coast life.  Plus, their line up was awesome on Saturday for the Children and Teen tent.

First up was John Green.  I got there about 9:30 and the tent was already packed.   I stood in the back and as always, John was hilarious.  Books he recommended: Every Day by David Levithan and The The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson, which he called a "literal work of genius".  I bought the audio with my new audible credit.

A small portion of people in line behind me.

After the book talk, everyone pretty much ran over to the signing area.  I was nowhere near the end, but it took a good two and a half hours to get through the line.  At this point, he was only signing two books per person with no personalizations.  I was a little disappointed, but I get it.  Also, every John Green Book I own is now signed.

John Green being a rock star.

I got through the signing line with just enough time to make it back to the teen tent for Maggie Stiefvater.  Again, it was standing room only by the time I got there.  As always, Maggie was funny and I loved hearing her stories.  She's right up there with John Green, for me, in being both an awesome writer and incredibly entertaining live.

I snagged a seat when all the Maggie-fans ran off to the signing (all the books I own by her are already signed).  Melissa Marr was up next.  She was the only author of the day who I had never seen live before.  Her session was in a bit of a different format than the other authors, who read a passage from their book, talked about it, then took questions.  Melissa was interviewed on stage before a Q&A.  I found the interview to be a bit awkward, but I really liked Melissa and I'm way more excited to read Carnival of Souls after hearing her speak.



David Levithan

 Next up was David Levithan, talking about Every Day.  Apparently, because of John's recommendation earlier in the day, there was a swarm of nerdfighters who bought his book and the festival sold out.  David is always funny and the crowd laughed a lot.  The most awkward moment of the ENTIRE day came during the question and answer period when someone (a librarian, maybe?) mentioned that the first time she read his book she hated it.... WHAT?  Seriously, I may do a post on how to ask a question during a Q&A, because that should NEVER happen.  What made you think that was a good idea?  I don't walk up to you and say "Dude, your sweater is stupid, but your hair is really pretty."  David handled it better than I would have.  And here are his book recommendations: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCouer and Ask the Passengers by A.S. King.  He recommended another book, but I didn't catch it, so let me know in the comments if you were there and remember what it is.


The funniest, scariest man alive... R.L. Stine.


Finally, last up was a LEGEND: R.L. Stine.  Seriously, the man is hilarious.  And awesome.  And he wrote freaking Goosebumps and Fear Street, which were my favorite as a kid.  He's one of my favorite authors and he's one of the funniest people on twitter.  The Q&A was awesome, with tons of little kids asking adorable questions.  He recommended Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury and said that he reads Dandelion Wine at least once a year, to remind himself what good writing is.

Seriously, they had a great line up.  I am still a little disappointed that I couldn't make it on Sunday, but I'm already excited for next year.