Some books wiggle their way into our hearts. I don’t just mean the story, although that too, but the physical book. That treasured childhood copy, a favourite you read to death or a signed copy, slightly crinkled from sweaty nervous fingers when you met the author. Sometimes books have more stories than just the one they contain.
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
Not only did I love the book but I’m very precious about my signed copy, stashed away in my shelf.
2. Mirror Dreams
I picked up this book in the basement of an Oxfam when I’d just started reading and I finished it that very day. With its fallen out pages crammed between its dented paperback cover I still treasure that copy.
3. The Raven Boys
Another paperback with a peeling cover and signature sprawled across its front page. I got this one at YALC a few years back after a side splitting talk by the author herself. I’ll never forget waiting in the convention center for hours after to meet the author on her first trip to England.
4. Muse of Nightmares
Funny story: I have two. I got both copies from a publisher, who sent me one to read and one to take photos of. As my first and only novels from a publisher they have a firm place in my heart.
5. The Maleficent Seven
Derek Landy, author of Skulduggery Pleasant, was possibly the first author I ever met. My friend and I went to YALC just to meet him and giggled our way to front of the queue, me clutching this book, where I asked him to do a Skulduggery impression, which obviously ensured more giggles and a quick snap to send to a confused friend.
6. Legendary
The first hardback book I own, I got given a very pretty copy last Christmas and had read it by the new year.
7. Rebel of the Sands
Before the series took of, this novel was released on a small stand at YALC where the author was enthusiastically meeting all readers. Six months later I got a text from a friend saying it was brilliant, but it wasn’t until after a year later, having waited in a massive signing line for that same, once small author that I fell in love with the signed copy I now own.
8. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Stiff limbed and blurry eyed I crawled out of bed at midnight on the 21st of July, 2007 to follow my big brother to the bookstore for the final installment of his then favourite series. That first edition still sits happily on my bookshelf today.
9. Children of Blood and Bone
I was very sad I didn’t get to meet the author at YALC but I got this novel from a bookseller in Southampton who’d I’d chatted to a couple of times, giving it a happy memory.
10. Rose Under Fire
Another signed novel. I’ll never forget finishing it’s predecessor on a stuffy ferry in Greece, fighting back tears and chatting about the ending with my friend.
Lets Compare Notes
So there you have it! 10 physical novels that have an extra meaning to me. Have you read any of them? Do you have a list? Would love to hear from you in the comments section!
I love A Darker Shade of Magic and Rebel of the Sands. I met Alwyn Hamilton twice last year (Northern YA Lit Fest and YALC) and I think she must have thought me a little weird the second time because I was just slightly awestruck and rather awkward. Speaking of YALC, I’m buzzing that VE Schwab will be there this year! I don’t know which books of hers I’m going to bring with me but it’s going to be great and it means I will have finally met all three of my favourite fantasy authors!
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Ah so cool! I met her at YALC and don’t worry I’m always awkward around my favourite author’s 😂 what’s bizarre is she remembered us from her stand the year before when her book had only just come out! She’s so lovely. I know me too! Ooh who are the other too? Can’t wait to see you at YALC!
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That’s nice! I was gutted I couldn’t make it to her Manchester signing in Manchester so I’m thrilled she’ll be at YALC. My other two favourite fantasy authors are Samantha Shannon and Laini Taylor. I thought I’d never get to meet LT but I managed to see her in Liverpool on her Muse of Nightmares tour. I’m going to be at YALC with a friend this year and now it’s getting closer, I’m so excited!
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Ooh I’ve met both Laini Taylor and Samantha Shannon, both excellent authors! Me too! Hopefully I’ll see you there!
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I hope so!
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How often do you reread these books?
My TTT.
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Not very often actually 😂 too many new reads 😍
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Ah so many great books on this list! A Darker Shade of Magic is one of my favourite books and I’m so happy that you loved them too (cannot wait to see Victoria Schwab at YALC again this year). Us waiting for Maggie Stiefvater’s signing for like four hours is one of my favourite memories from YALC. And I love that we met Alwyn Hamilton before her book even came out, that’s pretty much the only time I can ever say that. I can’t wait to fangirl about Legendary with you, and hopefully Finale once you’ve read it. I wonder how we will embarrass ourselves in front of Derek Landy this year???
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Most of them on your recommendation that we went and got signed together 😂 oh me too, I already brought my copy of Vicious 😍 I know! And she remembered us the next year?! Oh me too, you’re reading Finale now right? Tell me if it’s goodddd. I’m so glad Derek Landy is going again, his presence was missing last year 😂 maybe this will be the year we don’t embarrass ourselves at all? 🤞
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Ha ha yeah I know! Ah yes, I’m so excited for you to read Vicious, I’ll think you’ll love it. She did! Yes, I am, and it is good, not quite as good as Legendary, but still good. Me too, I did miss him last year. Maybe, but I doubt it!
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I love so many of these books and it’s so amazing that you got to meet Maggie – jealous!
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I know! We did wait in a four hour queue though, which was a steep ask given it was over dinner time 😂
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I’m so jealous of that Raven Boys signed copy! So very cool!
My TTT.
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I know! We did wait so long for it though, like in a four hour queue 😂
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I’ve read Legendary, Children of Blood and Bone, and Muse of Nightmares. Books that you personally get the author to sign for you are the best.
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Yeah I love it when authors sign my books and I get to meet them and gush about how much I love their books 😂
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Yes to any and all Harry Potter books, especially those first editions!
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Haha I only have one first edition sadly and that’s the last one where they printed loads of first editions, but it’s still important to me
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A Darker Shade of Magic is so good! I’m hoping to get to Children of Blood and Bone next month.
Great list!
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Oh yeah one of my favourites series! Ooh I hope you enjoy it!
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Sounds like you have some great memories attached to these books! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
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Haha thanks! Yeah I do 😝
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This is a great list!
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Thanks!
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