BEA '15 (+ Book Haul)

I seriously am a lucky girl when it comes to Book Expo America (BEA) because for the past three years (2012, 2013, 2014), I've been able to take the time off to attend. This year marks the last New York BEA before it moves over to Chicago, and I knew I had to make the time to be there. I'm definitely glad I did because, in spite of sore feet and tired limbs, I had so much fun!

As I said in last year's recap, I always feel a little more prepared for BEA every single time I go. This year was no exception! I felt a little bit like a pro as I dodged crowds, figured out galley drops and made my way to signings (and for some reason, I found it much easier to navigate the hall this year). In spite of not getting everything I was hoping to snag, I'm still quite happy with what I did get (and you'll see it all a bit later). And I'm also glad that I was pretty chill about things in general, since having a relaxed attitude is the best way to deal with the overwhelming BEA exhibit hall. 

[2015 blogger selfies project]

But what I'm most happy about is the fact that I actually had many opportunities to talk to people - bloggers, authors, publicity & marketing reps. It was nice to take time out of my days there to just gush over books and authors. Basically, BEA 2015 was all about making connections and I'm proud to say that I did just that.

[2015 author photos]

It was also a major bonus that I spent majority of my time with Kelly of Belle of the Literati. In spite of the fact that, prior to this BEA, we had only really spent less than five minutes together, she's one of my best friends and I'm so, so, so thrilled we were able to have lots and lots of quality time. (I don't feel like it was enough though. In fact, I'm experiencing withdrawal as I type this.)

[2015 pub events]

So yes, BEA was fun! And I'm pleased to report that BookCon was pretty good this year. I didn't come in Saturday, only Sunday, but I had a very positive experience. The atmosphere was a lot more relaxed and welcoming than last year's crush of people, even with the crazy number of attendees. I think it really did help that the signing lines were all in a different area this time, and the space open to attendees was a lot larger. They did a great job changing up the format, and I think it bodes well for the future of BookCon if they continue to handle it this way.

[2015 BookCon]

This year, I'm really happy with how my haul has a great balance between adult and YA! I've been focusing on reading YA for the most part in these last few years, but I'm slowly allowing myself to revisit the world of adult novels - and loving it! So I tried my hardest to make sure to grab some adult titles at BEA, and I definitely think I've succeeded.

from the Harlequin High Tea: Ransom Canyon / Redemption Bay / Too Good to Be True / Fatal Affair / Tough Love / Evergreen Srpings / The Closer You Come / If You Only Knew / Come Away With Me || from the Epic Reads Party: Ash & Bramble || from the Harlequin Teen Breakfast: Legacy of Kings / Never Always Sometimes || from the Macmillan Happy Hour: Signs Point to Yes / Tonight the Streets are Ours / Firewalker / Fairest / Six of Crows || from the Penguin Teen Lunch: Saint Anything / Daughter of Deep Silence || (not in photo) from the Bloomsbury Breakfast: Because You'll Never Meet Me / Open Road Summer / A Curious Tale of the In-Between

I just want to take a moment to thank all the publishers who so graciously extended invites to their events during BEA this year! It's always an honor, and I'm happy I was able to attend quite a few and talk to some of the people that have worked so hard to bring us the books we love.

ADULT: After Alice / Named of the Dragon / A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding / The Sparrow Sisters / The Art of Crash Landing / The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend / Early One Morning / We That Are Left / The Muralist / A Window Opens / Everybody Rise / Cleopatra's Shadows || YOUNG ADULT/MIDDLE GRADE: Wonder / Snow Like Ashes / The Marvels / Soundless / Dream Things True / A Whole New World / A Little in Love / Blood Passage / A Million Miles Away / Vengeance Road / Wolf by Wolf / Court of Fives

And that's it for me + my BEA recap for 2015! I hope you enjoyed getting a peek at everything I got up to, the people I got to meet and the books I managed to pick up. To everyone who I spent some time with at BEA, or who stopped me to say hi, thank you. I enjoyed just getting to meet new friends, hanging out with old ones and really being able to have some lovely chats! Here's to the next big book event/convention I get to go to, hopefully in 2016 <3