May's Reader Interview with Matt, Part Two

Welcome to day two of Reader Interviews, a monthly feature here at Let Me Tell You a Story! Matt is an all-around great guy who loves to read, write and blog YA. (If you missed part one of Matt's Reader Interview, click HERE.)

Matt with Stephenie Meyer

Continuing where we left off... What is your favorite book cover of all time, and why? 

I KNEW THERE WOULD BE HARD QUESTIONS. As an artist, this one's a toughie. So I'm going to cheat and give more than one answer...

I'm gonna go with The Clockwork Princess, because it's BEAUTIFUL!!! It reflects the Victorian era in which the series takes place and it displays the mystic beauty of Tessa. And the cover is STROKABLE. Plus, if you open it up, there's a family tree of shadowhunters on the inside. Mind=blown. Just kidding, I had one answer after all. (But I'm also in love with the Grisha trilogy covers).

How about favorite title?

I hate picking favorites because I feel like I'm betraying my other precious lovelies. But ALL of Tom Clancy's books have epic titles! If you look them up, you'll feel satisfied just reading them all off.

I know you also love to write. If you could ask your favorite author one question regarding the writing process, what would it be?

WILL YOU WRITE A BOOK WITH ME??? And when I say 'with me' I really mean sit back and watch you work your magic while I stand in awe, contributing a few cool sounding words here and there.

Most recent book that made you laugh:

I actually read over something in my novel, and I laughed hysterically. Does that count??

Name one character you would never want to be stranded with on a desert island.

President Snow. Because he'd irritate me to the point of murdering him. Then I'd feel bad for killing an old man. (First thing that came to mind).

What merits a book making its way onto your personal favorites list?

If it's well-written, if I can relate to the characters, if the characters are believable and real, if the plot pulls me in, if it makes me feel satisfied at the end, if I get emotionally attached to characters, if it makes me want to advertise it to the world.

I like to say I "initiate" all of my books into the family by spilling coffee, chocolate on them, or both. Is there anything that you enjoy eating or drinking while you read? 

Chips and salsa. But I always get salt between the pages...

E-reader, paperback, or hardcover?

I prefer owning hardbacks, but paperbacks are more comfortable to read. I tolerate E-readers in desperate situations.

Have you read any books recently with low expectations that ended up rocking your socks?

The Fault in Our Stars!!! I thought it would be a cute love story but WOW!! So much depth. Also Across the Universe by Beth Revis! I started reading it before I went to bed (big mistake) and I literally stayed up ‘til 4:30am devouring every page. It was spectacular and I wanted more when I finished. (READ IT FOLKS.)

If someone borrowed your books, what would be the first thing they'd notice?

They're in perfect condition. Okay, that's a total lie. They have signs of love and lots of reading on them.

Have you ever read a character so entertaining, you actually wished you had a friend like that in real life?

URIAH (from Divergent). He is 100% me, and I've always wanted a friend like me. My twin brother is nothing like me.

A lot of readers save their favorite quotes (my middle daughter has tabs stuck throughout a lot of our books). Do you have one you'd like to share?

"We accept the love we think we deserve." -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

It's profound. And it's a flaw we all possess.

Dystopian, sci-fi, or contemporary?

Dystopian. I own more dystopians than anything else. (Plus, I kind of wrote one).

Last, is there a book-to-movie adaptation not yet in the works that you would love to see happen? If so, why?

Across the Universe by Beth Revis. HANDS DOWN. But it would have to be EXACTLY LIKE THE BOOK. Because it's perfect the way it is. That is all.

Thanks so much for being here today, Matt, and letting us pick your brain! :D 

But wait... Matt isn't finished yet... he added HIS OWN question! ;D And here it is...

What is your favorite novel of all time and why?

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Patterson. It has adventure and discovery, love and friendship, magic and imagination, brilliance and depth. I read it when I feel sad. I've practically memorized it. It's precious to me. Everyone should read it AT LEAST once.

Matt with Neal Shusterman

About Matt: Book Blogger, Reader, Friend, Aspiring Author! Jesus, Books, Sports, Friends, Food, Blogs, Awesome! 
Find Matt at That Crazy Fanboy or on Instagram: crazy_cato | Twitter: MattCrazy_ http://coffeelvnmom.blogspot.com/2014/05/mays-reader-interview-with-matt-part-one.html

May's Reader Interview with Matt, Part One

Welcome to Reader Interviews, a monthly feature here at Let Me Tell You a Story.

This month's reader is Matt from Texas. He's an avid reader, blogs at That Crazy Fanboy, and is an all-around great guy who loves YA!  

Matt meeting Veronica Roth

Welcome! Thanks for being our subject interviewee today! :) Tell us a little about yourself. 


Hi, I'm Matt! I am 16 years old and I've been reading since I learned how. I haven't even been blogging for a whole year yet, BUT I'm happy to be part of the community!

I know many of us are happy you are, too! 

What book/series got you into reading YA in the first place, and how did that happen?

I used to hate reading when I was younger. My mom would force me to read books, despite my obvious dislike for them all. But when she started reading Narnia out loud, I was hooked. I quickly finished that series on my own, then moved on to reading A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'engle and all its sequels. Then came The Lord of the Rings by the great J.R.R. Tolkien, which took me a month or two. But once I read Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan and The Hunger Games, I was hooked on books beyond return.


Being a "guy" who loves to read YA (let's be honest: this is not as common, sadly), has your enthusiasm over a book ever convinced another guy (who normally doesn't read YA) to try one out? 

Actually, I have influenced quite a few guys to read books they normally wouldn't pick up! To be honest, I'm a popular person in all my groups of friends, and younger kids and even teens look up to me. Because of that, I've been able to influence lots of boys to start reading, because it's super cool and totally awesome! 

Yay for book love! :)

The popularity of social media has made interacting with authors easier than ever for their readers/fans. What social platform do you prefer to use in that aspect the most?



Twitter, hands down, is the best way for a reader to communicate with authors and other readers! You can have conversations, be a part of Twitter parties, and ask your favorite authors pressing questions. It showed me that authors care about their audience in a personal way.



Speaking of authors, I'm just going to come right out and say it: You, Matt, have met a LOT of them. (I may or may not be jealous about this. Okay, okay... I am.) Share three of your favorite experiences with us so we can squee about it with you!

Oh wow, I've been incredibly blessed to have met so many amazing authors! My very first author was Stephenie Meyer. She didn't just sign my book and bid me farewell in the endless line. She looked into my eyes and talked to me. I told her how amazing all her books are and she told me that I was awesome for reading them, as a guy, despite how others hate Twilight. Then she gave me a big hug and we had our picture taken. (Then I kind of met Jake Abel and Max Irons a couple seconds later. Be jealous).

Matt with Marissa Meyer

Marissa Meyer was the most friendly and personal popular author I've met! She answered questions from the crowd, she told us about future plans, she took pictures with us, hugged us, talked to us, and signed as many books and other things that we brought. I've been a fan of hers since the week Cinder was released. I read it and LOVED IT, thinking it was going to be something I enjoyed by myself. Little did I know it would explode into something amazing!

Another great experience was meeting Veronica Roth! She's an amazing woman for conquering her fear of crowds and pictures to do the tour just for us! Although we only spoke for a moment, she was genuinely happy that we loved her books so much. (But she also have me a worried look because I was sort of on a Starbucks high and a social high and I was freaking out like little girl at a Hannah Montana concert). 

L to R: Nat Wolff, Ansel Elgort,
Shailene Woodley, and John Green

Two weeks ago, I had the unforgettable experience of meeting John Green, the one and only. (Along with Shailene Woodley , Ansel Elgort, and Nat Wolff.) John was by far the most inclusive author. He had amazing things to tell the crowd. He made us all feel like being a teenager was the best job ever. Because we're a powerful and passionate bunch! Hearing him speak so much encouragement and be involved in the humongous gathering of nerdfighters was quite possibly the best thing ever (since Jesus and bacon, that is.)


And, the last question for today: Are there any books not yet released that you're looking forward to reading this year?


There are always books I'm excited to read! The closest one right now is City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare! SO WORRIED ABOUT MY FAVS. Then The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings is released June 10th! The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies book #5) comes out this October, I think. That series gets better and better every book! But I am most worried about The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan. I SWEAR TO ZEUS, IF UNCLE RICK KILLS OFF MY BABIES I MAY HAVE TO TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES.


Read part two to find out Matt's favorite  book cover of all time, favorite reading snack (which is, sadly, not chocolate), and more, HERE. 


About Matt: Book Blogger, Reader, Friend, Aspiring Author! Jesus, Books, Sports, Friends, Food, Blogs, Awesome!
Find Matt on Instagram: crazy_cato | Twitter: MattCrazy_