John Green - The Rock Star

If you know me at all you’ll know that I’m a HUGE fan of YA so when I found out John Green was going on tour for his newest novel, The Fault in Our Stars, there was no doubt whether I’d be going or not. I was planning on reserving my ticket for the Atlanta event because it was the closest listed. Then my friend Heather tweeted me that he was coming to Birmingham! 

This was VERY exciting because I wouldn’t have to worry about a six hour roundtrip drive when it was mostly dark out and I could stay in my normal time zone! It was also pretty cool because it was at John’s alma mater and was where he based the school in Looking for Alaska off of (yes, they DO have a swan that we were advised not to go looking for).

I met my friend Harley there and we were lucky and got seats in the Concert hall (they had people seated in the Theater across the hall and John and Hank kept running back and forth between the two rooms. I’m guessing we got the room of awesome because we reserved our tickets early and the other was overflow). So Hank Sock was introduced by the head of the school and he introduced the one and only, John Green.

While John read an excerpt from The Fault in Our Stars, Hank went to the next room to play for those people. When John was finished reading, Hank played a few songs for us and forgot the lyrics to the song for The Fault in Our Stars. They ping-ponged back and forth until the second half of the Q&A session (John answered questions off cards and when Hank came for the second round, John took audience questions, while Hank read questions off cards). John was punished, Hank played more songs – including I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – John talked about Indian Springs (the school) and the whole thing was just plain awesome.

 Hank forgot the lyrics to Video Game Books

 John's solo Q & A

 This doesn't need words

 Q & A

 John was talking and got buzzed..then this happened.

 500 Miles and John messing up

The signing line was LONG but that was to be expected. They did the other room first since the concert hall (where we were) was where they had Hank Sock and where John and Hank stayed for the Q&A. Harley and I sat around observing and talking and we saw Daniel Radcliffe’s profile doppelganger! What was even better was he was with a red-headed girl! There was also that time I thought Harley said a girl had nice boobs. Yeah, she actually said boots. We also found out that the drinking fountain was in the bathroom. That was weird. 

 Can you spot the Radcliffe doppelganger?

I think we waited almost 2 hours before we even got in the line (once they got to the concert hall, they went row by row) to get our books signed but the wait was TOTALLY worth it. I was ball of excitement and nervousness and I can honestly say that talking to John Green had The Rock Star effect on me. I got the shakes. Even so, I was somehow able to form COHERENT sentences and didn’t stumble over my words! I gave him this picture and said we could pretend it was him. 

Commence nervous butterflies and shaking

 The girl behind us had a note from her 10 year old sister to give to John and got him to sing her Sing-A-Ma-Jig

I also told him that Looking for Alaska and especially The Fault in Our Stars made me cry like a little girl and all I wanted to do was put it in my freezer. I said I loved it and thanked him for writing it.

 Excuse the shiny but this was the extent of getting our photo with John Green

I've been to quite a few author events and seeing John Green was like the holy grail of authors. He and Hank were so nice once we finally got to the signing table. I expected them to be a little tired after sitting there signing stuff for two hours, but they were just the opposite and seemed to be genuinely interested in each short conversation with everyone.

These guys rock and that's all there is to it. Nerdfighters for life!