Fangirling- I Get to Meet Claire

Last week, Claire Lombardo, breakout author of The Most Fun We Ever Had, visited my local bookstore. I loved the book, so when Books & Company announced that Claire was coming I literally squealed like a school girl. As a reader, it’s amazing to get to meet the person who wrote a book I loved. As an aspiring author, the chance to meet someone who wrote an amazing novel was something I couldn’t miss. I put it on my calendar immediately, warned my family that nothing better interfere with my chance to meet Claire, and then tried to go on with my life.

The Most Fun We Ever Had

If you haven’t read The Most Fun We Ever Had, move it to the top of your TBR and get ready for a roller coaster ride.

Most reviews describe the 537 page novel as a “saga.” Had I known that going into it, I probably wouldn’t have read it. Multigenerational books that span decades aren’t usually my thing, but I seriously couldn’t put it down. TMFWEH tells the story of the Sorenson family, both present-day as all four adult daughters are going through some form of personal crisis, and the origin story starting back in the ’70s when Marilyn and David met, fell in love and married.

Claire Lombardo weaves these two stories seamlessly and effortlessly, which is where I often give up on books like this. Typically in books like this, one story, either the past or present, is strong and the other portion isn’t. This can happen because the storyline itself is weak, the pacing is off, or a number of other issues. However, that wasn’t the case here. Every part of Fun was well done and an exceptional read.

I do love a good family drama, though, and this one delivers. I loved every one of the characters in this novel, because they were so real and relatable. They each in turn made me laugh, cry, and even shake my head in frustration at times.

In Conversation with Jason Gobble

The evening with Claire was done in conversation-style with another of my favorite guests to Books & Company, Jason Gobble, from Penguin Random House. Their conversation about TMFWEH flowed easily, and I loved that they both agreed Wendy was their favorite sister (mine too, BTW). I enjoyed hearing her talk about how the characters and the story progressed and grew, and then had to be edited down. I know that I am personally looking forward to an entire book about one of the characters that got cut out all together. Claire made him so lovable the way she described him. The question and answer section at the end was also super insightful. She talked about how the book came into being, how she works as an author, and what we might see from her next. My favorite answer of the night was that we might see one or all of the Sorenson clan again in an upcoming book (or books????)

My Favorite Part of the Evening

My second favorite part of the evening was when Claire read a passage from the book. I know that technically she was reading to the entire group, but it was like she was reading just to me, her newest, biggest fan.

My favorite part, of course, was when I actually got to MEET CLAIRE LOMBARDO!!!!! She signed my book, chatted with me for a few moments, and then I had to move on and let the next fan have a turn. Sigh.

The Long Wait for What’s Next…

Claire Lombardo was warm and funny and if I hadn’t read The Most Fun We Ever Had before the author talk, I would have bought a copy that night and started reading it the minute I got home. I can’t wait to see what she writes next- she is truly skilled at putting words together to make magical stories.