Saturday 7 February 2015

Author Event Recap & Giveaway: Gayle Forman

 On Thursday February 5th, 2015 I attended an Author Event at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California for Gayle Forman to mark the release of her newest book: I Was Here. I'll be giving away a signed Hardcover below so be sure to scroll down and enter the rafflecopter!

Gayle Forman

This was probably the most unusual author event I've been to, and I can't really say that Gayle's newest book, I Was Here, was discussed much. It was more of a girlfriend-gathering-free-for-all, as Gayle had her friends Deanna Kizis (screen & film writer) and Margaret Stohl (author of Beautiful Creatures & Icons) appear with her as guests up at the table.  


 Jorjeana Marie, Margaret Stohl, Gayle Forman & Deanna Kizis

Also in attendance was audio narrator for I Was Here: Jorjeana Marie who opened up the event with a scene read from the book. Her performance was amazing! I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't cry and my bookfriend and partner in crime, Arlene from Winterhaven Books almost cried too, which speaks to how intense and moving Ms. Marie's performance was, because Arlene NEVER cries!! :)  I'm definitely listening to the audio version! 

Audio book narrator Jorjeana Marie reading a scene from I Was Here

While there was mostly reminiscing about young friendship at this event, I did manage to find out a few little tidbits about Gayle's books:



  • Gayle's inspiration for Willem in Just One Day & Just One Year was a Dutch boy who broke her heart. Aww...  
  • Just One Day/Just One Year might turn into one movie alternating back and forth between Willem and Allyson's POV.
  • Where She Went may not be made into a movie, dang it! I want Adam's story!



A Signed Hardcover Copy of I Was Here by Gayle Forman. Open to US Residents only.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter below for a chance to win. Good luck!

I Was Here


a Rafflecopter giveaway

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw, I'm still hoping they'll make a Where She Went movie. Keeping my fingers crossed! :)

Christina Fiorelli said...

Christina R. in the rafflecopter

Where She Went! I love that book, Adam's voice was perfect and I love the reunion scene!!

I have a US address but rafflecopter might show my location outside US because I’m doing a semester abroad

thank you so very much :)

Joy said...

Aw. That sucks about Where She Went. I so want to see Adam's story, too. And I didn't quite enjoy Just One Day/Just One Year so not all that enthused about the movie. Anyway, you had fun, regardless, yeah?

Carina Olsen said...

Aw, awesome post Rachel :) Sounds like such a fun event. <3 So happy you were able to go to it :) I haven't read any books by this author yet, but one day! <3 Probably :D Will see ;p Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3

Abby Joy said...

Author events are always fabulous and fun! So glad you enjoyed the event! :D I haven't read a single Forman book *gasps i know right?* I really want to! In fact I should start with If I Stay *crossing fingers*

Emma said...

I haven't read any of her books myself as I find these will be pretty emotional for me. But I think eventually I may actually read one to see what all the hype is about. The film has been released on DVD here so I might give that a watch too. Great recap! :)

erin said...

I actually haven't read this author yet but I've read such great reviews! One of my goals this year is to read her book and see the movie ;) thanks for sharing!

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Where She Went is my fav

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

The only one I have read is If I Stay - Loved it!

SarleneS said...

Wonderful recap Rachel. I was happy to be able to meet up with you for this event. You forgot to mention the little boy who stole the show at the end. LOL :)

Rachel said...

Thanks, Arlene! That little boy saved us at the end! :)

Anonymous said...

I have not read anything by her yet. But this book sounds awesome!!

Unknown said...

I haven't read any yet, but I'll be starting If I Stay soon!

Brooke Showalter said...

I love love love If I Stay! Such a great story.

BookOwl93 said...

I do not have a favorite Gayle Forman book because I haven't read one yet. I thought I would like the If I Stay duology, but after reading several negative reviews, I changed my mind about reading those. I still want to read Just One Day and Just One Year though. I think I'll like those. :)

Sayomay said...

I have yet to read any of her books, but I'm def curious to see what all the hype is about! :D
Mary G Loki

Christina Reads YA said...

SO COOL, Rachel. I used to live in Southern California, but I was terrible at attending author events. One of my friends was like, "have you ever been to Vroman's?! I must take you there at least once!" And it sounds awesome.

I heard about this event, that she'd have her closest friends there, one not a YA writer (though I didn't know she was a screenwriter). It sounds a bit unusual, but also really cool. Though you didn't find out as much about I Was Here, was the event a bit more relaxed? Girlfriend-gathering-free-for-all. I like that description.

Oooooooh, I've been to maybe two, three author events in my life but you're making me want to go to more. Having the audiobook narrator is so cool! And now I know I ought to try the audio version of I Was Here :P.

"Gayle's inspiration for Willem in Just One Day & Just One Year was a Dutch boy who broke her heart. Aww..." -- Interesting... I saw a bunch of pictures from Gayle's traveling experiences when they were promoting the book but I hadn't heard of that. Maybe that's why I was less a fan of Willem? lol

"Just One Day/Just One Year might turn into one movie alternating back and forth between Willem and Allyson's POV." -- That'd be really cool! I wish they'd also optioned Just One Night. I haven't read that yet, but I also would hope that if they made the movie, after all the trials and tribulations, we got a bit of JON at the end ;).

"Where She Went may not be made into a movie, dang it! I want Adam's story!" -- It'd be interesting to have his perspective. I guess I could see this happening though. If I Stay is a lot more high concept than Where She Went. If If I Stay had been the TFIOS blockbuster, I bet they would've made WSW.

Anita Yancey said...

I haven't read any of Gayle's books yet, so I don't have a favorite. This book sounds really good. Thanks for having the giveaway.

KayCee_K said...

I haven't read anything by Gayle Forman, I want to but haven't been able to get my hands on any of her books! Thank you for the chance!

Christine said...

I read If I Stay and Where She Went a while back, and both are easily up on my all-time favorites list :-)

Jana said...

I love Just One Day SOOO much!

alena said...

Just One day, I love all her books, but Just One day is amazing, I love how Allyson experiment and had courage to do things that fear was not trying

Unknown said...

looved just one day and i just read if i stay and loved that too

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