Hi guys! Welcome to Day 4 of #MorganMatsonWeek! Today I’ve got some serious Morgan Matson fans here to tell you what Morgan’s work means to them. And one of them, Gabi @ Let’s Gab About Books, has a special giveaway for you US readers: mini-The Unexpected Everything book necklaces (I SO want one of these!).
Also today, check out my interview with the lady herself: Morgan Matson! We’re talking summer, grief, friendship, George R.R. Martin, and more.
What do Morgan Matson Books Mean to You?
Morgan Matson is hands down one of my personal favorite YA authors. Ever since I read Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour years ago, I have continuously fallen in love with her characters and books. She is so creative in the way that she presents her stories. The playlists, doodles, pictures, receipts, and other interesting objects that pop up throughout Amy and Roger’s were just so cool.
Morgan creates these stories and characters that feel so real to me. There are always some real rough situations that they find themselves in. Amy is dealing with the aftermath of a tragic car crash, Taylor from Second Chance Summer has to confront friendships gone wrong that she thought she left behind years ago while coming to terms with her father’s cancer, and Emily has to find herself in the wake of her best friend’s sudden disappearance. Every single story that Morgan writes includes her characters experiencing incredible amounts of growth and healing, and I find them all to be inspiring. Throw in some to-die-for amazing male leads, and you can literally never go wrong with a Morgan Matson book. She was the first author I really had the chance to interact with! I find that her stories are like familiar friends, ones I continuously go back to when I need a comfort read.
Fave quote: “The best discoveries always happened to the people who weren’t looking for them.” -Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour
This is my favorite because I feel like it’s a good reminder to myself, as someone who likes to plan and organize my life as much as possible, that when I let go control, I’ll probably find what I was hoping for.
Fave book: Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour
Fave boy: Roger Sullivan, absolutely.
Fave ice cream flavour: Earl Grey
I dare another Matson fan to…make a playlist for an important person/road trip/event in your life!
It’s really difficult for me to sum up what it is I love about Morgan and her books. Each one has come into my life at a time when I really needed it. Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour came into my life the summer I graduated from high school. I can’t remember much about my reading experience, but I know I enjoyed it immensely. I read Second Chance Summer when I had a family member going through cancer, as well as some other family issues, and it was one of the only things that got me through that time. I read Since You’ve Been Gone when I was worried about moving away from my best friend. Sloane and Emily were my best friend and I in written form; reading about how they got through everything comforted me and told me that I would survive the move as well. And of course, Morgan’s Katie Finn series has been one of my favorite things to read while tanning on the beach. I LOVE fun contemporary YA, and this series is the epitome of some good summer reading.
While all of her books hold special memories for me, having met Morgan and being able to talk to her and flail over all sorts of things has been probably one of the most special things of all. I know here in the blogging world, being able to interact with your favorite author is fairly easy, at least compared to how it used to be, or is for other genres. But every time I send her a tweet or a message, I’m still in awe that I can talk to the person who wrote some of the most important books in my life. That’s wild! And being able to express how her work has made me feel, how it’s helped me, and being able to TELL her that, is truly incredible and something I am eternally thankful. Morgan Matson is one of the sweetest and most enthusiastic people I have ever met, and I’m so very happy she exists on this planet at the same time as me ?
Fave quote: “Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home. And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.” – Since You’ve Been Gone
Fave book: Second Chance Summer
Fave boy: FRANK PORTER FOREVER (Since You’ve Been Gone)
Fave ice cream flavor: definitely blue moon (Editor’s note: someone explain this flavor to me?)
I dare another Matson fan to… I am honestly the worst at coming up with dares.
When I created my blog, GReads!, in 2010, Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson had just been published and it was one of my first reviews to write for the blog. Since then, I have been a huge fan of her writing, as well as an advocate for her books. Not only are they my go-to recommendations for those seeking contemporary YA fiction, but I’ve also put them in the hands of my students. A few months ago Morgan was so gracious to do a Skype chat with the book club kiddos at my school. They were so excited! I love that she embraces her audience and reaches out, creating a unique and personal experience for them.
I love Morgan Matson’s books because they are so realistic. Realistic fiction is my favorite genre, and Matson creates perfect summer romances. I like how the romance is not love at first sight, or a love triangle, but just simple and innocent love. The books are romantic, funny, and well balanced with friendship and realistic conflicts that make your emotions go wild.
What Morgan’s books mean to me is bringing other readers together because we all have fallen in love with her stories and characters. I look forward to any book she writes in the future.
Fave quote: “Or maybe I hadn’t. Maybe I’d just been waiting for this moment, right now.” – The Unexpected Everything. I loved this moment in the book where Andie and Clark are getting to know each other better at the same time realize her emotions for him are stronger than any other boy. I was already blushing around this moment!
Fave book: I can’t choose!! I love all her books!
Fave boy: Clark from The Unexpected Everything or Frank from Since You’ve Been Gone (both are too dreamy)
Fave ice cream flavour: Reese’s Peanut Butter or Cookies and Cream
I dare another Matson fan to…kiss one random boy at a party.
One of my favourite things in YA is reading about teen girls stumbling through really tough life situations with the help of friends and a cute love interest and Morgan Matson is one of the best in the biz for this. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour was one of the last books I picked up on a whim, without knowing anything about it; before I started blogging. I remember being so excited because my best friend and I were about to embark on a long road trip to a couple of Taylor Swift concerts and was obsessed with all things road tripping. Thus began my love of Morgan’s gorgeous books (as well as road tripping, specifically to Taylor Swift concerts). I love all of Morgan’s books but, like Taylor Swift’s Fearless, Amy & Roger will always have my heart for being the introduction to something I adore.
Of course, you can’t talk about Morgan’s books without mention of the EPIC PLAYLISTS that add to the Morgan Matson Reading Experience – I highly recommend downloading these playlists while you read as it makes it an A+ experience. The playlists are such a great bonus to the already amazing stories and bring you even more into the characters’ lives, which is just the best way to read.
Fave quote: “Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home. And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.” – Since You’ve Been Gone
Fave book: Since You’ve Been Gone, an amazing book that speaks to the power of friendship!
Fave boy: Frank from Since You’ve Been Gone! I mean, who can resist a guy who says THIS…”He looked right at me as he gave me a half smile. “You’re the brightest thing in the room”, he said. He lifted his hand from my waist, and slowly, carefully brushed a stray lock of hair from my cheek. “You shine”.”
Fave ice cream flavor: Cookies and Cream…just like BFFs, these two belong together!
I dare another Matson fan to…live their best life. Take chances, go out on a limb, be fearless! So many people are afraid to go outside of their comfort zone but when you truly dare yourself to take that chance, great things can happen!
This entire week is a testament to what I love about Morgan and her books. But aside from what I’ve already written about in my reviews and essays, having gotten to know Morgan a bit over these past few weeks, I really appreciate how much time and fun she gives to her readers. I think she, like her books, personifies what it means to make every moment count in your life – without any self-consciousness.
Whether she’s jetting off to visit friends, or spending time with Murphy, or enjoying ALL the Starbucks and junk food, Morgan embraces the things and people she loves fully, and isn’t afraid to show it. She recognizes that little joys are what make a life full and rewarding and she pushes us, as readers, to appreciate what we have and take chances on new joys. It’s always summer in Morgan Matson’s world, and the wisdom she shares with readers is pure sunshine.
Fave quote: “I don’t think you have to do something so big to be brave. And it’s the little things that are harder, anyway” – Since You’ve Been Gone.
Fave book: The Unexpected Everything. It just spoke to me. Although the ending of Second Chance Summer is probably one of the best (and hardest) things I’ve read in my life. EVER.
Fave boy: CLARK (Sorry, Frank, he beat you out because he’s more literary than you are ?)
Fave ice cream flavour: The Earl Grey Tea ice cream at Van Leeuwen is what started me on my ice cream obsession, so probably that? In Toronto, I’m obsessed with the Toasted Marshmallow from Ed’s Real Scoop.
I dare another Matson fan to…go into a park, yell “I love young adult books!” and then leave one on a park bench.
Gabi @ Let’s Gab About Books is not only a huge Morgan Matson fan, but also a book crafter, and she’s generously giving away The Unexpected Everything mini-book necklaces to two lucky US readers. Check out her process (it’s so cool!) and sign up below to win!
I’ve been making book necklaces as a hobby for around four years! My first set of them were of Morgan’s books, and she still has those. I started an Etsy shop where I sold them – the most popular being Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird, unsurprisingly!
Shortly after, though, I went off to college and found that I rarely have time to make them in large quantities on a regular basis, so since then, the book necklaces I make are usually gifts for friends, for authors, or occasional special requests/commissions. I’m pretty open to making special requests for people who reach out to me.
The whole process is basically the same process as binding a real book, just on a super tiny scale. For the cover, I use thin cardboard and I wrap the cover onto that, and use paper on the inside for the end pages. I use an old thrifted copy of a book that was going to be thrown away for pages, which I cut up fold, and sew together. Then you just glue the pages on the inside and attach a jump ring for the necklace and you’re done!
Aren’t these adorable? You know you want one, right? Sign up below to win one if you’re in the US. If you’re looking for a different book cover for your necklace, contact Gabi on Twitter at @gabi_darling or by email at letsgababoutbooks@gmail.com!
Don’t forget to check out my interview with Morgan Matson & you could win a signed book!
Check out the rest of the posts and giveaways for #MorganMatsonWeek!
[…] more thoughts on Morgan’s work? Bloggers and readers are weighing in today on what Morgan means to them, and one of them is giving away a mini-book […]
I have 3 granddaughters who love these books. While they are at school, and making good grades, I try to win them books. We all enjoy this activity. A family of teachers who love books.
Hi Faye! Yes, you’ve commented here before – I’m so glad your granddaughters love Morgan’s work – she’s so amazing, and I think she teaches us a lot whether we’re 14 or 24 or 64! Thanks for stopping by!
My favorite Matson book is Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour.
I haven’t had the pleasure of reading Morgan’s books, but my favorite YA contemporary is All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.
I met Morgan Matson as Katie Finn a few years back. I was raving to “Katie” about Second Chance Summer and then she admitted she was the MORGAN MATSON. Second Chance Summer will always be my favorite Matson book, because of the strong friendship and family bonding in that novel.
I haven’t read a Morgan Matson book yet, but they are all on my tbr list! My favorite contemporary is Just One Day by Gayle Forman. ?
That’s my all-time fave YA, so you have great taste!
I’m new to Matson’s work, but she has rapidly made her way into my heart as a favorite author. I can’t pick a favorite contemporary book (it’s my genre of choice), but I also love Sarah Dessen and Katie McGarry books.
[…] over to Mostly YA Lit for a chance to win one of two The Unexpected Everything mini-book necklaces or a Signed, personalized copy of SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE, a Signed, personalized The […]
They make me cry and feel. Love them!j
I like the way she writes about friendship.
One of my favorite contemporary book is Compulsion by Martina Boone!
Morgan writes about situations that are so realistic (like keeping a secret from a best friend and having it totally backfire), and she does it in such a nice way. Her books are some of the best contemporary I’ve ever read.
My favorite is The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson. Because it’s entertaining and written really well.
Great little interviews! I’m tempted to try to do all the dares from Since You’ve Been Gone, but there’s not really anywhere to go skinny dipping, haha.
First off, I loved the interviews from everyone. 🙂 I like that Morgan’s books are realistic, that they’re fun, and that friendship and/or family always have a major role.
I love Morgan Matsons Ay and Rogers Epic Detour , it was great to read about there adventure together lolol
Those bookish necklaces are adorbs!!! Excited to read for Morgan Matsons. I’m new to contemporary reads!
This is such a sweet post! Not only was this like a warm hug to read, but I’ve discovered bloggers who I wasn’t familiar with. Off to check out their blogs 🙂
I haven’t read anything by this author but I like pretty much anything written by Maggie Stiefvater because her stories are unusual and interesting.
My granddaughter loves to read these books, great author
Morgan Matson books help me connect with my teenage daughter.
i am new to this blog and these cute little book necklace they are super adorable
I have not read any of her books – but I think I will now! My favorite is an oldie but goodie – The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
I love “Second Chance Summer”. It is a sweet and heartbreaking story!
I have not read her books yet. But I have read some by Meg Cabot and I Like Teen Idol.
[…] was very inspired by Tiff at Mostly YA Lit’s Morgan Matson book necklace tutorial and knew that I had to have my guests create a little momento […]