Morgan Matson Book Signing Recap!

Hey everyone! First off, I’d like to say sorry for not posting for over two weeks. This month has been terribly slow book wise. Even though, ironically, SO many books I wanted came out, it was such a busy month for me. And I only read one book so far, and I haven’t been blogging much. Anyways, about two weeks ago, my best friend and I went to a Morgan Matson signing.

If you didn’t know, Morgan Matson is my favorite contemporary author and one of my favorite authors in general. I’ve loved all of her books and because her new book–The Unexpected Everything–just came out, she was on a tour and luckily she came to the mall really close to my house!

Morgan is also the author of three other books: Second Chance Summer, Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour, and Since You’ve Been Gone. ALL of which I have read and reviewed! (You can click on each of the titles if you want to see my reviews.)

The signing wasn’t too big–about 30 people were there? (That’s considerably small, especially compared to the Alexandra Bracken signing I went to which had over 100 people.) We came right on time, since a few minutes later Morgan Matson came. She first introduced herself, and then talked about The Unexpected Everything and took questions. Then, she read random lines from the book, which I had already finished by then. And of course, finally the actual signing began.

While she was taking questions, I took my opportunity and asked her–of course–about her upcoming book and what she could tell us about it. I wasn’t sure if she was writing a book, but thank goodness she is. This is what I’ve gathered about it during the signing:

• I think(?) it has to do with one of the main character’s best friend’s siblings from TUE.
• It is NOT going to be taking place over the summer, it’ll be spring break instead.
• The time frame will be a couple of days.
• Its about a wedding that’s happening and family is coming over.

Of course, Morgan is only writing the first draft right now so, so a lot might change, but that doesn’t make me any less excited.

Then, we got into the signing line and I was so excited and nervous at the same time that I started speaking super quickly and you can tell I was flustered by the photo I took. She signed two of my books, since I don’t own all of them, and I told her how much I love her books. I also asked her another question: if her new book will have a strong sister relationship, and she said yes! I asked her because my sister was sick so she couldn’t come, and when I told her that, she gave my sister an additional “The Unexpected Everything” pouch which I got as well!

Morgan reading from TUE 🙂

Morgan was super sweet to everyone and one thing I thought was really unique about her signing–and I’ve been to many signings–was that she not only gave pouches, but she also took a photo with her polaroid and gave the photo of her readers and her. It was so, so cute ❤ I actually currently have mine up in my room because I love it so much :’)

After that, we left but I will forever hold that day in my heart just because it was such a great experience. Not only did I see my best friend who I can barely see anymore, but I also met one of my favorite authors which was a valuable experience in itself.

Not so great quality, but that’s the polaroid I took with her <33

And that’s how this amazing event went 🙂

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my social medias: // goodreads // instagram // tumblr // questions? contact me: aloofbooks@gmail.com

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson <3

Some links you might want to check out: Amazon // Book Depository // Goodreads

The BEAUTIFUL cover:

I don’t know where to start. I loved this so freaking much. And I know this year I’ve basically loved like SO many of the books I’ve read, but this is the first contemporary I’ve read all year. And it was amazing.

Honestly though, it wasn’t unexpected that I would like it. Morgan Matson is easily one of my favorite contemporary authors and I’ve read and loved every single book of hers. My only concern, however, before going into this book was being disappointed by it. But obviously, that didn’t happen.

First, I want to talk about why I loved it so much, in the list of a why-you-should-read-this-book:

1. It is SO realistic. I will get to this later; since it’s what I want to discuss the most. Its heartfelt and makes you connect with the characters that sometimes doesn’t happen with a contemporary.
2. Awesome relationships that are actually REALISTIC. What I love about Matson’s books is that there are relationships, and they’re lovely, but most of all: they feel real. Not only was the romance (which was sososososo well written) A+ quality, but the relationships between Andie and her father and her friends also felt real.
3. It was cute and adorable and makes you want summer to come. However, the part that makes this cutesy novel different from other cutesy novels is this: it’s cute, and great and giggly, but at the same time, it does not sugarcoat bad things as well.

One thing I’ve realized in contemporaries–even in some of my favorite books–is that they’re adorable, and they have bad things happening in the books as well, but they’re not as “real”. As in, the friends fight, but they make up, and it’s as if it wasn’t a huge deal when it would actually be in real life. Or the parents have perfect relationships with their children. But you know what? That’s not true. And Morgan Matson doesn’t make her stories like that.

Andie has a really bad relationship with her father in the start. She’s not close to him at all, she despises him, sometimes, even though she loves him. And honestly, that’s how it is in real life. Same with her friends. Since I don’t want to give anything away, I won’t say anything, but I believe that Morgan once again created an actual portrayal of friendship. In a lot of books the best friends are always on good terms. I can say for sure that this is not true. A lot of times arguing with my friends or my best friend, well, it’s depressing. And she showed that well. Life’s not perfect.

You might argue with me that the situations aren’t that realistic. And honestly, sometimes they weren’t. I mean, you probably won’t find the love of your life like Andie did with Clark when she went to dog-walk with him. But this is fiction. It’s supposed to be like this. When I say a book is “realistic” I mean the characters and how they react to certain situations is realistic. If Andie was a perfect adult and acted calmly to all the situations, this book wouldn’t be as amazing as it is, because it wouldn’t be R E A L I S T I C. I don’t know how many times I can say it.

That brings me to the character development. IT WAS SO WELL DONE. At the end of the book, I wanted to cry. Of course she wasn’t this perfect character. But she changed so much. In the beginning of TUE, Andie was honestly not that much of a great character. By the end…she was still not perfect. But she grew from her mistakes.

That leads me more to how I felt reading from Andie’s perspective. You can sayu she’s annoying and childish and stuff but. In the end, I felt for her. I wanted to rip my hair out because of certain things she did, but then I paused. And I thought, what would I do in this situation. Honestly? I don’t think I would do any better.

I think a lot of times in YA books, because the characters are so mature and they know so much, we expect them to not be whiny and not cry and be mean and terrible. While in real life, us teenagers, we’re like that ourselves. Andie was an accurate portrayal of a teenager. Even though I will probably never be in her situation, I bet I would act like her.

Anyways, I realize this review has gotten a bit long. This was definitely a five stars worthy read, though. I think it ranks as my favorite(?) Morgan Matson book, or at least tying with Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour which is one of my favorites. Thanks for reading!

Have YOU read TUE? How did you like it? PLEASE let me know!!

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my social medias: // goodreads // instagram // tumblr // questions? contact me: aloofbooks@gmail.com

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson | Spoiler-free Review & Discussion!

Buy Since You’ve Been Gone here on Amazon & check out the synopsis here on Goodreads. Below is a picture I took with it and posted on my Instagram, also featuring Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour:

Okay I know every single review of this book out there starts with this, but…

In a well-ordered universe, Morgan Matson will write a new book every day and I will read and love each and every one of them.

This is my third (and last book that is currently out) by Morgan Matson and I think it’s safe to say that she is a genius at writing perfect, sweet, but deep summer contemporaries. (She’s actually one of my favorite authors now!)

I had my eyes on Since You’ve Been Gone the day I learned about it and heard it’s synopsis. However, I never got the opportunity to read it until now, and I’m so glad I did! Although I didn’t love this as much as Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour , just because that one hit me more emotionally as it is a favorite of mine, I still loved it. I don’t think I can properly gush about how beautiful the stories Morgan Matson creates.

Since You’ve Been Gone is not only the story of a friendship, but also a story of a girl trying to find herself, and accepting who she is. Just like her other two books, Emily, the main protagonist, feels like she doesn’t belong at the beginning of the novel. She wants to be able to fit in, but she can’t. But, of course, by the end of the book there is miraculous character development and GAH, its just so good.

If you want a summary, you can look at the Goodreads synopsis since it pretty much explains what this book is about. It’s 1:00 AM in the morning right now so I don’t feel like going into a summary. All you have to know going into this book is that it is about a friendship, finding yourself, and while reading it I can guarantee that you will love it.

Throughout the course of the novel, Emily’s goal is to be able to find Sloane by accomplishing the list Sloane left her. She basically worships Sloane. In her head, Sloane is not only her best friend but the person she literally looks up to. At the end, though, Emily realizes that she herself is a person of her own, and that Sloane is just a person with flaws too, not a goddess.

I know I’m forgetting everything I wanted to say about this book because I’m just gushing about it, but… Sorry. The only thing my brain is processing right now is that I want more pages because it was a satisfying read, but you can never get enough of Morgan Matson.

While her other two novels focus more on family issues, this one focuses more on friendship, which I also loved. It is, once again, so unique to read a book where the main character is not solely focused on the love interest. This does have romance in it, but minimal and slowly moving so it is not overwhelming at all. Though sometimes–I do have to admit–I just wanted to shove Emily and Frank’s lips together because COME ON ALREADY.

Anyways, as I said before, right now I obviously can’t say anything but positive things about this book and you should read it. Its just so good, so good, that I want more.

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my social medias: // goodreads // instagram // email: infinitebooooks@gmail.com

some recent posts:

~ Waiting on Wednesdays #1: Every Last Breath

~ Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge | Review & Discussion

~ Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi | Spoiler-Free Review

check out some of my other reviews, on my review archives.

Musing Mondays : What I’m Currently Reading! | July 20, 2015

Hey guys! Today I decided to do a Musing Monday because these are always entertaining to write and they take up less time than my normal posts. If you didn’t know, A Daily Rhythm is the creator of this meme. You can learn more about it here!

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

Today I decided to talk about two quick things: what I’m currently reading and that I got approved for an arc I was looking forward to on NetGalley!

Anyways, I’m currently reading two books right now. The first one is The Catcher In The Rye by J.D Salinger (cover below) If you didn’t know, this is a popular classic that’s very easy to read. And I’m actually really enjoying it! (Especially as a classic, even though its kind of weird sometimes)

The second book I am reading is Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson! This is my third Morgan Matson book so far, and I’m loving it! I’ve been wanting to read it since its release date but I just got around to it now. Morgan Matson is a genius at writing contemporaries, I love it! ❤

The other news I’m just really excited about is that I was approved on NetGalley for the ARC of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon! This book has been getting A LOT of buzz because its supposed to be unique and cute. It comes out September 1st, but I’m lucky enough to be able to read it before! I will start it in a few days or so, after I finish the books I am currently reading. Plus, look at that gorgeous cover.

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Are you able to read while in a vehicle (in motion)? Have you always been this way?

I actually read in the car a lot, whenever I get the chance! I don’t know when I started reading in a vehicle, but throughout the years I think I got used to it and I like reading in the car just because I can spend my time more efficiently. Sometimes my head hurts when I look down too much, but if I’m feeling good, then its totally fine!

That’s it for todays MM! What are you currently reading? Leave a link to your MM down below so I can check it out! 🙂

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my social medias: // goodreads // instagram // email: infinitebooooks@gmail.com

some recent posts:

~ Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge | Review & Discussion

~ Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi | Spoiler-Free Review

~ Secret Life of A Blogger Tag!

check out some of my other reviews, on my review archives.