Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Would Love to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature brought to you by the creativity of The Broke and the Bookish.

Today's theme: Authors I Would Die to Meet

(I changed it to love, because, y'know, I'm not ready to die yet.) 

 

1. Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is one of those classics that redefined my childhood. I can't tell you how many times I watched the 1983 BBC ministries (starring Timothy Dalton, or as my sister and I dubbed him, Horseface) before I finally managed to get my hands on one of our copies around sixth grade. Instant adoration. When I got into high school and I could finally dissect the storyline properly, I was amazed at how a woman could get away with writing such a strong, feminine novel in a man-dominated world. If it were ever possible, I would love to meet Charlotte Bronte simply to hug her and thank her for setting a new standard for a female heroine who's willing to fall in love but determined to keep her freedom.

2. Jane Austen

Yes, who's not surprised that Miss Austen is on my list? Show of hands? Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Little Women - the major three classics that shaped me as a reader and set my future standards up to this day (which is probably why I can barely tolerate contemporary romances sometimes). I would give anything just to be able to see her writing notebooks and hear about her creative process. 

3. Laini Taylor

She writes like a poet, she has a sweet smile and I just love her pink hair. It's the sign of an artist who knows herself and doesn't care what anyone else thinks about her style as long as she likes it. I'm hoping I can catch one of her book signings somewhere in this lifetime, or (even better) maybe she'll be at BEA again next year WHEN I CAN FINALLY FIND A WAY TO GET THERE.

4. Kate Milford

Have you read The Boneshaker yet? If not, you have no idea what you're missing out on. It's supposed to be a MG steampunk, but I'm pretty sure even the YA crowd will enjoy it. The rub of it is that Mrs. Milford lives forty-five minutes away in Brooklyn. I'm thinking to work our library into another author appearance pretty soon. 

5. Cornelia Funke

A couple of months ago, my best friend told me that I remind her of Mo - the type of person who needs to eventually own a book shop and surround herself with her best friends 24/7. For this brilliant imagery (and very well-thought out comparison) I will always be grateful to Cornelia Funke. Her stories really are the type that you can read aloud and actually imagine being sucked into. And, since she now lives in the US, there is a good chance that I might be able to meet her someday. Hopefully.

6. Gail Carson Levine

Alright, insert another rambling "this author redefined my life" right here and skip on, right? No, sorry. If you want your life to be easier, I'm not the person to depend on. I love Gail Carson Levine. I think she is one of the sweetest lady-authors (and no, still haven't met her - hence her being in this post) and Ella Enchanted was the catalyst to make me believe that anyone can have their happily ever after.

...Yeah, that was really cheesy, wasn't it? 'S the truth.

7. Maureen Johnson

She is hilarious. Like, hold your sides because this is the big one, make you laugh on a rainy day type of hilarious. I haven't even finished one of her books yet, and I'm trying to find excuses to crash one of her author signings. (Just check her out on Twitter and you'll see what I mean.)

8. Diana Wynne Jones

What really makes me sad/frustrated/disgusted with myself is that she only passed away this year. All that golden opportunity of sneaking aboard an airplane and flying to Britain, standing reverently outside her house in the middle of the night, dressing myself as Sophie and asking her to sign my large, floppy hat...

Yes. I'm kidding.

But I am still upset. God bless you, Mrs. Jones. You made a lot of kids happy while you were in this world,  and I hope you're having a good time in that Great Big Castle in the Sky.

9. Scott Westerfield

No matter what the post's theme is, it all comes back to Leviathan, doesn't it? Well. I think that Mr. Westerfield is an amazing author, especially when it comes to steampunk, and I would love to ask him about his inspiration, his research, what he eats to make his brain so incredibly versatile...you know, non-stalkerish stuff like that.

And finally, we make it to...

10. Jennifer Bradbury

Have you read Wrapped yet? If you haven't, totally missing out. She's one of those authors whose books I read and go, "Wow, I've been wanting to use an idea like that, but she took it and made it just as good."

Good, not better. I do have my pride.

Anyway, I'd love to meet a fellow Austen enthusiast, and SHE WAS ACTUALLY A JEOPARDY CHAMP. Have you any idea how long I've wanted to try out for Jeopardy?

*sighes* Maybe someday.

**Edited**

 BONUS AUTHORS (three people I can't believe I forgot!!!)

Ally Carter 

Girl power. Friendship. Just the right pinch of romance mixed in with kicking bad-guy behind and taking names. I'm not sure how I forgot to add her on that list up there, but if I ever met her, I'd totally squeeze her for creating the Gallagher Girls - and tell her that I think my school invitation got lost in the mail.

Louis Sachar

Lemony Snicket

Huh. I never noticed: two of my favorite authors from middle school both have the initials L.S. Anyway, Holes and A Series of Unfortunate Events are two literary creations that I am grateful for, because they brought me and my best friend so much closer together, and gave us something awesome to talk about when we saw each other. I'd love to see either or both of these authors just to thank them for making my life more amazing.