Author Jason Reynolds in my hometown!

Author Jason Reynolds & me! A meet and greet author event hosted by the OC Library in Southern California --- another fantastic reason to love our libraries and librarians!!

Last year, I posted a blog about one of my top-tier favorite authors, Jason Reynolds. He's a best seller and multiple award-winning writer of middle grade books, young adult fiction, and poetry.

In my blog post last year, I shared the way I feel after reading Jason's work:

I'm never disappointed when I finish a Jason Reynolds' book. Instead, I'm immersed in the emotional tangles that tighten and knot throughout the narrative while the characters navigate their fragile world, feeling every fracture and crack in their bones. I'm in awe of the way the stories unfold. The way Jason opens a narrowing door (after door, after door,) giving readers a focused view of the unrelenting, prejudiced attitudes human beings tend to unlock repeatedly from the deepest recesses of their hearts and minds. To strike down another person is a horrible feeling. I can't help but ask, repeatedly, Why is it so difficult to be kind to one another?

Yesterday, I met Jason Reynolds at an author event hosted by the OC Library. Yes! It was an absolute pleasure. I took notes, listening as Jason spoke about words and rhythm and the power of sound; layers of subtext as meaningful ideas that don't have to be shouted in the dialogue or paragraphs of his stories; and his passion for the heartbeat of language, his love of Shakespeare, and his fascination with all creatures living on the land or oceans of our earth.

I smiled wide when Jason shared envisioning his future with a dog. Whoo-hoo! That's when I couldn't help myself. My heart throbbed, my mouth went into overdrive, and I pitched -- as hard as any story I've written -- that Jason needed a pug or two. Sure, he wanted a big dog, a chill dog, and that's when I said pugs have big heads, a big belly, and a huge personality. They are sweet and cuddly and the perfect companion to warm your heart and soul. He asked about my two pugs, Anakin and Amidala, both pug mixes. One a pug Boston-terrier (lots of energy) and one a pug-yorkie (chill and snuggly).

Jason smiled as he signed three of his books (one a complimentary gift, the other two I had towed with me to the event). He didn't make any promises but he said pugs are all right with him.

"I'll keep watch," I said. And that's when I knew. There could be a future story in his portfolio about a curly-haired girl named Renee and her two lovable pugs.

Huge thanks to both Jason Reynolds and our OC Library team! It's a dream come true when we can meet authors like Jason. Books truly bring light into our hearts and souls.