Girls' Shenanigans: Book Club Edition ๐
On June 6 (late, ik ๐ ), my friends and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet one of our favorite authors, and the one that kick-started our bookclub, Faridah Abike-Iyimide! It was the best day ever!
Faridah was on a US book tour to promote her recent release, The Heirs, a YA murder mystery type thriller. We got tickets for her stop in Plainville, Ma and decided to make a day out of it. We got brunch in the morning, then went to Books A Million to purchase Faridah's books that we didn't have in hopes to get them signed. I needed a copy of Where the Sleeping Girls Lie, because I read it as an ebook.
Then we headed to the Unlikely Bookstore, where the book tour was being held. We did some browsing, acted a fool and took some pictures (as always). With some time to kill, we went to a cafe for some drinks and snacks and then to nearest goodwill for some trifting. Then we headed back to the bookstore just in time for the even to start!
When we got there, we were handed our copies of The Heirs, that was included with our ticket purchase, and a quiz. It was a personality quiz with the goal of matching you with one of the main characters based on your answers. I got Roman, the musician ๐.
Then the talk began. Faridah was in conversation with Brittany N. Williams, a YA fantasy author known for her The Forge & Fracture Saga. The talk was great and very insightful. Both writers were very engaging, full of deep thoughts and humorous. I even got to ask a question!
Once the conversation concluded, we were lined up to get our book signed by each respective authors. I had never read or owned any books of Brittany, so I purchased one on sight and was able to get it signed. She was very sweet to talk to!
Then I got to meet Faridah, the highlight of the day! She really gave us all an experience! She engaged us in conversation, personalized all our books and posed for pictures with each and everyone of us.
Here's what made my experience even more special for me:
At the beginning of the panel, Faridah had us draw a self portrait. She proceeded to ask each of us to show her our portraits and took pictures of them which she included in a really heartfelt post. When it was my turn with her, she complimented my name and took a picture of it (guys my name might show up in one of her future projects, who knows) and then we talked about my results of the quiz and our shared music interest (she's a fellow army ๐คญ). And because we told her about our book club and how her book, Where The Sleeping Girls Lie, is what started everything for us, she was kind enough to take a picture with our group on top of our invidualized ones and even signed a little message in each of our copies of the book. It was all so very sweet. This really cemented her as one of my all times favorite authors, because on top of her great writing, she's also a wonderful person!
After meeting her and freaking out about meeting her, we went to a Himalayan restaurant, ate some great food, debriefed about the day and the almost got stranded in a storm on our way home. It was legit the best day ever!!!
If you read this far, you're a trooper and I love you!!!
That's all I have for you today! okay byeeee โจ๏ธ
#lemon8bookclub #bookclub #girlstips #bookwormsoflemon8 #bookishfriends
Attending a book signing event like the one for Faridah Abike-Iyimide presents a unique opportunity to connect deeply with the stories and authors you admire. From personal experience, these moments not only enrich your reading but also create a sense of community among fellow book lovers. Taking part in activities such as personality quizzes themed around the book's characters adds a fun, interactive element that lets fans explore their connection to the story in a new way. Drawing self-portraits and sharing them with the author as part of a panel creates a surprisingly intimate interaction that goes beyond the usual meet-and-greet. It highlights how authors care about their readers and value their participation. This kind of engagement makes the reading experience more personal and memorable, encouraging continued support for their work. Including a visit to charming local spots like the Unlikely Story Bookstore and enjoying a day out with friendsโcomplete with brunch, thrifting, and delicious Himalayan foodโturns the event into a full adventure. It reminds me how much the social side of book clubs adds to the joy of reading. For those who love YA thrillers like The Heirs or unique book club gatherings, attending a live talk offers insights into the writing process and author inspirations. Hearing Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Brittany N. Williams discuss their craft reveals the depth behind the stories and the passion of writers who create immersive fantasy and mystery worlds. Overall, meeting an author who started your book club and hearing firsthand about their journey is truly special. It inspires continued enthusiasm for reading and fosters lasting friendships built around shared literary experiences.