In conjunction with the release of her new novel How To Save A Life, Sara Zarr came to my local independent bookstore for a reading on Thursday. Since I read Sweethearts a few years ago and had already bought a copy of HtSaL I thought, why not? It was the company that sealed the deal (Thanks for the invite, Angie!). Here is Sara reading the first chapter:
Her entire talk was quite interesting but my favorite part was what she had to say about Jill and Mandy, the two main characters.
“Jill is sort of like me on a bad day, but Jill’s having a bad day every day.” Anyone who’s read the novel will completely understand this comment. 
After saying that Mandy had to grow on her too, Sara told us that her publisher thought that she should “write more characters like Mandy – I love her!”
After the Q&A we got our books signed:
And here’s the signing itself:
And I can’t not post a photo of the awesome cake we had for refreshments:
Overall it was a fantastic night. As for the book itself I finished it this weekend and will get the review up soon.
Has anyone else met Sara Zarr by chance? What did you think?
I met Sara once at a bookstore opening and was able to interview her prior to her launch party for How to Save a Life. I wish I could have made it to the King’s English event. Sara is so down to earth and humble about her writing. She quickly found a place on my favorite YA authors list.
Down-to-earth describes her perfectly. I really enjoyed hearing her speak.
I’ve never read any book by Sara Zarr but I’m really curious about her latest because I’ve been hearing good things. I look forward to seeing what you think of it. It’s always nice to meet authors in person and get your copies signed, right? Even better when you’re with a bookish friend like Angie.
Yep. Bookish friends are the best company.
I wish genre fiction and/or young adult authors would do signings near me. Downside of living near NYC but not IN NYC means everyone goes to the city instead of the suburbs for their signings. I’ve been checking my local B&N and we get Michael Moore and Snooki.
Anyway, the signing looks like it was a good time.
Michael Moore and Snooki? Lol, looks like you have pretty slim pickings. When I say “local” in this post I mean about an hour drive. I’d never thought of that downside to living near NYC.
Looks like a great event, it’s so cool that both Angie and you were there.
I haven’t read a book by Sara Zarr yet but after hearing so many good thinks about her books in the last weeks I’m interested in her stories.
Yeah, I want to go back and read Story of a Girl, which was a National Book Award finalist and her release last year, Once Was Lost. I’d recommend How to Save a Life over Sweethearts but they both have lovely writing.
oh, this is awesome.
i love the cake and thanks for sharing the pics (seeing as i never go to signings, i love looking at other peoples pictures of them
)
anyways, how to save a life is one of my fave books this year. it really is SO good.
Oh, you’re welcome! It’s always nice to know that a post is appreciated. I totally agree – the book is very good. I’m having a hard time writing the review.
It was so fun! Glad we decided to do it.
Yes! Pleasantly uncrowded.
Wow, this looks like it was so fun! That cake is fabulous. I saw her recently on the Smart Chicks Kick It YA Tour but almost all the other authors (and the fans) were all about the paranormal so she didn’t get to talk too much:-/ She does seem really down to earth.
Great pictures! I can’t wait to check this one out:)
She didn’t get to talk much? :/ I hope you like it! I’ll be interested to see what you think.