As most of you know, Book Expo America happened last week! I drove up Wednesday evening after work and attended Thursday and Friday. I went to BEA last year for the first time, so this was my second year. I had so much fun this year! I mean, don't get me wrong, I had fun last year, but this year felt more relaxed. There weren't any books that I was like DYING to get, plenty that I really wanted, but none that I would be devastated over if I didn't get them so that helped. I also had a much better handle on things this year. No matter how many tips you read before going for the first time, it's still really overwhelming. But this year, I knew what I was doing and it made it much more relaxing.
I went to more galley drops this year than author signings. The author signings just take so long and you're in line for 1+ hours. Unless it's an author that I absolutely love, I don't need my book signed. So I made sure to walk around to the publishers' booths and ask for their galley drop schedule. I also was on Twitter most of the day and heard about the drops that way as well. I just penciled things into my schedule as I went. If I missed something, I missed it. It wasn't a big deal to me at all. I wanted to spend more time this year meeting other bloggers and networking with publishers than rushing around grabbing as many books as I could. And it made the whole experience just so much better.
I got to meet so many amazing bloggers including Kelly or the first time! Yay! Love that girl and had such a good time hanging out with her. I also met Alexa, Ashley, Chelsea, Becca and lots more. I got to see some old friends like Jamie and a couple non-blogging bookish friends that I met last year. And I got to know a couple different publicists for various publishers and even chatted up some authors while waiting in line for Starbucks. That line was practically longer than the author signing lines. But a girl needs her coffee.
I only got to attend BEA Thursday and Friday this year, which I was kind of bummed about. I still would love to go to Blogger Con one year, but I wasn't crazy about the fact that it overlapped with time on the showroom floor this year. Maybe they should have done blogger con Tuesday and had BEA start officially on Thursday? Thoughts for next year, BEA gods.
Overall, BEA was an awesome experience. It got me even more psyched to go next year. Even though it's in Chicago and I'll have to fly, I'm definitely going to try to make it happen. Because it's BEA and I think I'll cry if I can't go.
And now for the moment you've all been waiting for: the book haul! I was really good this year about being picky and managed to come out with only 31 books! Yay! I still have about ten books from last year that I haven't read and I got like 40 last year I think. So hopefully that means I'll actually be able to get through all these ones. I was going to make a huge book haul video, but then I thought that would be too long so here's some pictures.
I got these super cute note cards and a journal! Love love love them! I'm definitely going to look the note card company up. Rock Point Publishing if you're interested. And the journal is from Disney and goes along with Tamara Ireland Stone's newest book, Every Last Word.
That one on the top left is A Whole New World by Liz Braswell.
Which ones am I most excited about? Definitely Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl. Oh my gosh, it's Marvel YA and I can't even contain my excitement. I'm also super excited for Walk on Earth a Stranger, Rae Carson's newest book. Because it's Rae Carson and I LOVED the Fire and Thorns series.
Coolest book I got? Definitely Illuminae. That's a hardcover ARC. I know right? I've never seen a hardcover ARC. And look what it looks like when you take the jacket off and here's a sneak peek of the inside. The whole book is like that guys. I think it's going to be a really interesting read.
That about wraps it up. A great year at BEA. Can't wait for next year!
Did you go to BEA? What book did you grab that you're most excited about? Are you going next year in Chicago?
It was SO GREAT to meet you Rebecca! I had a lot of fun hanging out with you in line. :) Hopefully I'll see you again next year!
ReplyDeleteYou got a pretty awesome haul too. I'm jealous of Legacy of Kings. That was one of the books I wanted but wasn't able to get. I hate the Harlequin signing X_X
Yes, I hope so! I'm going to try really hard to make it to Chicago! I know, the Harlequin signing is pretty terrible. I hope you get a chance to read it soon!
DeleteBEA was FUN. Lots of fun! :) Illuminae was definitely the coolest ARC at BEA this year. I think I'm most excited to read This is Where It Ends. Talking to the lovely ladies at the Sourcebooks booth really made me excited for it.
ReplyDeleteNext year I probably won't be going since it's in Chicago. Plus my job situation is up in the air. That's the problem with being a recent graduate though. :/ I really want to go to the RT Booklover's Convention if I can. I think Las Vegas is more feasible for me. Plus I can tag along with family. My family always wants to go to Vegas.
Yes, This is Where it Ends sounds so good. I think it's going to be really emotional, but so good.
DeleteNo!!! That's so sad. :( I can't believe I didn't run into you on the showroom floor! What the heck?? Are you still living in the DC area right now? You do live in the DC area right? I'm not going crazy am I? Lol.
That's an awesome book haul! And wow, that notebook is so pretty! Hopefully I'll see you next year at BEA! Since it's in Chicago, I may be able to go.
ReplyDeleteYay!! Would love to meet you in real life!
DeleteThanks! I hope you get to go next year too!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such an awesome time!!! Love the selfies! And amazing haul!!! :) I wish so badly i had been there! I'm really hoping to go next year in Chicago!! Fingers crossed. Also -- yes that illuminae arc is amazing! I got approved for it on NG but it doesn't adapt to kindle so it's only available to read on my computer. Boo. I'm hoping to borrow a friend's physical arc bc I really don't like reading on my computer haha.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Yes, Illuminae I think is one of those books that you HAVE to read a physical copy because it's so unique. I hate reading on the computer! Hurts my eyes and gives me a headache.
DeleteSo many great books! Glad to hear you had a much more relaxed time at BEA this year. And I can see me wanting to go to more galley drops and less author signings given how long you have to wait. I am not the most patient person. I actually got Illiminae from NetGalley, but you can only download it on your computer, which makes sense when you look at it, it just wouldn't work on Kindle. Hopefully I can go next year! (I know, I keep saying that every year). ~Pam
ReplyDeleteYes, the lines for the author signings are ridiculous so unless it's an author that I LOVE (like Sarah Maas), I decided I didn't want to wait. Sometimes though, that's the only way to get a book you want. Yeah, I'm curious how they're going to do the final version of Illuminae for Kindle... It's such a unique book as far as layout and design goes. I hope you can go next year!! It's in Chicago so that's closer for you right?
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