Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
The full prompt for this one reads – These can be authors, book characters, book bloggers/influencers, cover designers, cover models, etc. – so it’s going to be a really fun topic! To keep myself more limited in this, I’m going to go for authors and characters, otherwise I feel like I could spend forever trying to narrow it down.
March 7th: Top Ten Bookish People I’d Like to Meet
Author: Becky Albertalli
Reviews: Kate in Waiting
Becky Albertalli writes such great YA novels, and I always find myself relating a lot to her characters – especially in Kate in Waiting and The Upside of Unrequited. She captures the teen voice really well, and it would be great to actually meet her.
Character: Gwyn Jones
Review: The Ex Hex
Gwyn really comes into her own in The Kiss Curse, and she seems like she’d be so much fun to hang out with! She has a loose disregard for the rules, but proves herself to be powerful and capable in the follow up to The Ex Hex, and I love her overall general attitude.
Author: N.K. Jemisin
Reviews: The City We Became / How Long ‘Til Black Future Month
An amazing writer, whose books are consistently among my favourites read. I would love the opportunity to meet her and simply express my love for her books. Well deserving of the three Best Hugo Novel awards in a row and all the other awards, and any opportunity I can get I’d recommend her work.
Character: Tara Gallagher
Review: The Sh!te Before Christmas
Tara was so very entertaining throughout this whole book, and there were multiple times I wished I could be in the same room as her, filling up her glass of wine and just letting her vent. I loved the way she treated the women around her, especially some of the younger women she works with and this is a woman who will not stand for bull. She cares deeply for her loved ones and despite all her own stresses in life, she still takes time for her friends. Christmas might be over but I definitely recommend this for all mums before Christmas 2023!
Author: Neil Gaiman
Reviews: American Gods / The Sandman Volume 1 / Volume 2 / Volume 4
Gaiman is the author (and co-author) of some of my favourite books. I fell in love with his work after reading Stardust, and have since read too many of his books to name. I also tend to really like the adaptations of his work and it’s great to see him being able to influence these more, especially with The Sandman and Good Omens.
Character(s): Jack Whitaker and Marin
Review: Becoming Human
Yes I am including these two together because it would feel too strange to have them separate – they just go together so, so well, and if I had the option to meet one, I want to meet both! Jack’s grumpiness works best alongside Marin’s sunshine, and they just seem like the absolute best people to go on a road trip with – as long as there isn’t the constant threats-to-life like there is in the book!
Author: R.F. Kuang
Review: Babel
I think I had the same reaction as a lot of folks when reading The Poppy War – that this was an author who was going to do some absolutely great work – well, more great work, considering The Poppy War is an exceptionally excellent novel. I haven’t yet continued the series but absolutely plan to, but reading Babel just cemented my feelings from that first book.
Character: Kate
Review: The Man With No Shadow
Kate is a bad ass who never backs down and does everything in her power to keep her campground and the people in it safe. She doesn’t always succeed, but she always gets back up. This is a series I definitely need to continue, but I honestly would weirdly enough love to visit Kate in her campground – look, as long as you follow the rules, it’s perfectly safe! Though maybe I wouldn’t go as far as to stay overnight…
Author: S.H. Cooper
There are so many people I’ve met in the bookish community over the years who I would absolutely love to meet, but as far as authors go…again, many who I want to meet, but S.H. Cooper is top of the list. A great author (check out her work with The NoSleep Podcast, Calling Darkness podcast, and in her books!) and someone who has really been a friend. Hopefully, fingers crossed, one day!
So there we have it – five authors, five characters I’d like to meet. Let me know who would be top of your bookish to meet wishlist.
Unwrapping Words 
This is a great list! Would totally love to meet Kuang too!!
My Top Ten!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right? Thanks so much – looking forward to reading yours!
LikeLiked by 1 person