YA Blogger Event at Random House Canada (with John Boyne, Shane Peacock, Teresa Toten and Eric Walters)

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending an amazing invite-only YA Blogger Event organized by the fabulous Random House Canada!

After meeting up with Nicole from Nicole About Town, Wendy from A Cupcake and a Latte, Angel from Mermaid Visions, Christa from Hooked on Books, Jenn from Lost In a Great Book and Andrea from Cozy Up With a Good Read at Starbucks and chatting a bit over some delicious coffee, we headed over to Random House Canada HQ where we were later joined by Gwenny from Rants~n~Scribbles, Brenna from Ever After Esther and Liz from Midnight Bloom. 

A wonderful variety of snacks, fruits, hams and cheese was served and we could enjoy the yumminess while admiring the fabulous book display! Now, I don't know about the other girls, but I was pretty distracted by all the gorgeously looking novels. Book blogger at Random House Canada HQ equals kid in a candy store. 

I was absolutely shocked and delighted to learn that the wonderful John Boyne was one of the guests of honor! There's one thing you need to know about me. I am a HUGE fan of John Boyne's. I loved The Boy in Striped Pajamas, I absolutely adored Noah Barleywater Runs Away (which I reviewed back in May 2011), and I just can't tell you how excited I am for John Boyne's latest novel, The Absolutist (published April 10th by Doubleday Canada!).Yes, I FREAKED out (in a good way!). The inner me was performing the craziest happy dance ever (the actual happy dance had to wait till I got home later that night, but it DID HAPPEN. And I wasn't alone - my hubby was dancing with me, as he is a fan, too!). 

I was also totally excited to meet the fabulous writing duo: Teresa Toten and Eric Walters (the authors of The Taming), as well as the charming Shane Peacock (author of Boy Sherlock Holmes series). 

All four authors were breathtakingly fantastic, funny, very approachable and just so interesting to listen to! 

To see each of them talk about their books and writing process, please check out the videos below! 

John Boyne:

Shane Peacock:

(The last video will be uploaded later tonight, as my Internet connection refuses to cooperate at the moment! Sorry!)

After listening to each author speak about their novels, all the guests were given goodie bags containing copies of the featured books. We were also given the opportunity to get them signed! Like that wasn't wicked awesome enough, Lindsey and Pamela also prepared a stack of giveaway books for each of us to grab and take home! (*insert another happy dance here*).

John Boyne and I! 

(Wooooooohhooooooooo ^_____^)

Shane Peacock and I.

(Woooohooooooo again! ^____^)

Teresa Toten, Eric Walters and I.

(Woooooohooooooo once more! ^___^)

Toronto Bloggettes with the fabulous authors and the equally fabulous Lindsey from Random House Canada.

From the right top: Teresa Toten, Lindsey, Nicole, Sarah, Brenna, Christa, me, Liz, Andrea, Angel, Wendy.

Sitting in front: Shane Peacock and Eric Walters.

(John Boyne left early *insert sad face*).

My amazing book haul!!!!

(and let me just tell you: I LOVE THE TOTE BAG!!!)

Signed copies of:

- The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters

- Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

- Dragon Turn by Shane Peacock

Toronto Bloggettes and Lindsey from Random House Canada!

Overall this was a wonderful evening! We all had a great time, enjoyed listening to the authors speak about their books, getting our copies signed, and mingling with the fabulous crowd. Lindsey and Pamela are just so fantastic, I seriously love them both and am so happy to finally have met them in person! I can't wait to see what phenomenal event they'll come up with next!

Thank you so much Lindsey and Pamela for organizing this awesome event and for inviting me to attend! I was absolutely honored and delighted to be there with you guys last night! <3