Two blogs in one day? I know, I'm crazy!! Keep reading to find out how our YA panel at the Texas Book Festival went this afternoon!

Above is a photo of the Texas Book Fest plus our panel on "How Not To Be Popular" featuring (L-R, sitting): YA novelists Melissa de la Cruz and Lauren Myracle and (L-R, standing: me and YA novelist Jennifer Ziegler and our moderator and editor Jennifer Brown. For more info on everyone and our panel, check out this link to a previous blog with links to everyone's websites and bios: http://paulayoo.com/content/goin-texas-thurs103008

I was still daydreaming of queso from my brunch as I ambled down 11th St. towards the book festival. It was very crowded, and it was breathtaking to see the beautiful Capitol Building looming over the downtown area. Below are more pics along with Bartlett, my travel bear:

It didn't help that I paused by the Cooking Tent and got hungry again as I watched a cooking demonstration from cookbook authors/chefs Renato Poliafito and Matt Lewis ("Baked: New Frontiers in Baking)...

Our panel was a lot of fun. Everyone read from their latest books and we discussed the concept of popular v. not popular in high school and how that affected the themes in our books. Lauren brought up a great point about how we have to be careful about stereotyping the popular - being popular doesn't mean you are superficial, and being geeky doesn't mean you are socially inept! Our moderator Jenny Brown and the audience asked some great questions. I did my usual "schtick" by talking about my novel and playing some of the pieces from the book on my violin. The room however was FREEZING with air conditioning so my hands were quite cold. It's funny, you can take the girl out of "Good Enough," but you can't take the "Good Enough" out of the girl - I was so worried because my hands were quite cold and I wasn't completely in tune during the Mendelssohn because I hadn't had a chance to warm up. I think I'll never truly get over my "Patti Yoon"-ish pursuit of perfection! LOL!

We also a breaking news moment because Lauren's famous "TTYL" novels are being challenged by some parents at a local school. Go here to see some news footage on this breaking news story: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/education/entries/2008/10/28/controversial_book_to_remain_i.html

A librarian asked Lauren about what she would advise parents and schools to do about her TTYL series - the librarian said she enjoyed Lauren's books but wanted to be able to figure out a solution for parents were concerned by the books' edgy and frank discussion of sexuality. Lauren's answer was quite eloquent as she defended her books, saying they should be read in context to understand that the "edgy" subject material was actually dealt with in a sensitive manner that taught teens about the consequences of their actions.

We discussed this topic in the authors' green room before the panel, and it was an intense and fascinating chat. I will post a separate blog later on my own personal thoughts on why we need these edgier titles in our schools and libraries along with the more "PG" type YA novels in order to make sure students, parents, and teachers can have an open and honest dialogue about these very complex and challenging issues for teens today.

After the panel ended, we stayed to sign books for readers and met a lot of really cool librarians, teachers, and students. Can I just say now that every middle school and high school student in Austin is soooo photogenic?!!! What a good looking city! I'm really falling in love with Austin! I wish Texas wasn't so far away!

Well, I now have to get ready for ANOTHER author cocktail reception party. Man, these Texas Book Festivals sure know how to spoil us authors!!! Then I'll be speaking with the following authors at the Austin Bat Cave tonight: Melissa de la Cruz, Shannon Hale, Michael Harmon, Varian Johnson, Bill Konigsberg, Claudia Guadalupe Martinez, Shelia P. Moses, Travis Nichols, Margo Rabb, Benjamin Alire Saenz, Martin Wilson, and Jennifer Ziegler. So yes, stay tuned for what might be a THIRD blog in one day. If I don't post tonight, then I'll post a blog tomorrow before I fly back to LA.

Okay, I really hope they have some queso at this reception! LOL! If anyone is from Texas and has a really good queso dip recipe, please comment on this blog and include it! Thank you!