In Love with Speak...

We all have that list of authors that no matter what they write, we must read it.  You know what I'm talking about.  When one of those writers has a new book out, you race to the store to purchase it.  You don't even bother to look at the book jacket to see what it's about because you know that because So-and-So wrote, it must be made of WIN.  Hell, you barely spare a glance at the cover art.  You just run right to the shelf, snatch it up--hey, you don't want to run the risk of someone else grabbing it before you--and then you rush to the checkout, vowing to begin reading as soon as you get home.

Admit it.  You know exactly what I'm talking about.  It's okay.  We've all been there.  In fact, I have so many authors who have new work coming out every week that I'm slowly being buried alive by my TBR pile.  But, hey, I'm not complaining.  Life is good when the TBR list stretches farther than the eye can see.  I only speak the truth.

But, something peculiar has happened this past year.  Yes, minions.  A new name has been added to my list of "Buy any book with this name on it" and it's not an author.

What?  Say that again.  Right about now, you're scratching your head in utter confusion.  "But, Karla/Karlie/LastWord0524, how is that possible?  If it's not an author, then who...or what?"

Friends, I have fallen head over heels, madly in love with a publisher.  There.  I said it.  And, I'm not in the least ashamed.  Now, everytime I'm in the store, I look for this little logo.  If it's there, I only look at the book long enough to make certain I haven't read it yet, and if not...it's mine.  And so far, everything I've read has been FIERCE. 

It all began last March when I finally caved to the tremendous peer pressure that was the John Green wave.  Yes, friends.  Until that moment, I'd never known the greatness that was Green.  But, that all changed with road map to a few PAPER TOWNS which then led me on a journey while LOOKING FOR ALASKA.  After that, I got cornered by AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES, so much so that, I was seeing and reading double when I crossed paths with WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON.

By that time, I said to myself, "Self, you need a break."  But, by a fortunate turn of events, a B&N gift card landed in my hot little hand, and to the mother-ship I went...where Gayle Forman posed the provacative question IF I STAY.  And, of course, I just had to know what would happen.

Next came the queen of beautifully written tales of teen tragedy, Laurie Halse Anderson.  SPEAK left me breathless, and WINTERGIRLS chilled me to the core. 

And, if I hadn't been hooked by that point...

Sarah Dessen joined the party and commanded me to JUST LISTEN while she told me THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER.  So, I went ALONG FOR THE RIDE, and I was almost off in DREAMLAND when I noticed that she was KEEPING THE MOON from me. 

And now, my lovelies, I am so completely and desperately in love with this publishing house...especially AFTER the emotional wringer that Amy Efaw just put me through. 

How about all you fun folks?  Have you found a publisher/imprint whose every book on their roster just SPEAKs to you?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments. 

Oh, and don't forget that today is Tuesday.  You know what that means.  Kelly's next installment of FUN & GAMES WITH K & K is up, and it's a good one! :)