BEA: What If There Really Was Author Speed Dating...

So I was going through my BookExpo pix and thinking about Children's Author Speed Dating. And I decided to expand it to the whole show. Which author would win my reader's heart based on our quick meetings? I've narrowed is down to three:

Scott Westerfeld: Ahhh, Scott Westerfeld...your books take my breath away. Face-paced, filled with adventure, and definitely excitement-making. So unpredictable. Such strong characters. Plus you were nice and posed for a photo despite your super long autograph line.

Markus Zusak: Ahhh, Markus Zusak. I haven't read your books yet, but you've won two Printz Honors. You seem super nice and you have an accent. Mmmm. I can't wait to rip open those pages and see what all the fuss is about. Plus you were nice and posed for a photo despite your super long autograph line.

Frank Portman: Ahhh, Frank Portman. You've got the whole rock star thing going. And, dude, your writing is so intelligent and funny. You were an "It" author guy in Entertainment Weekly--you got an A and a full page. Plus you were nice and posed for a photo with your super editor Krista Marino (who has an article on writing for boys in the upcoming 2008 CWIM).

It's too hard to choose. It's author Big Love. I want you all. But Markus, you're the only one who gave me a whole book. Scott--it was only a chapter; Frank--a postcard. What's a girl to do? It's The Book Thief, new in paper, now on the top of my stack. (Look for Scott Westerfeld’s next book in his Uglies series, Extras, in October. Frank Portman's second novel Andromeda Klein is due out in January 08.)