Yes, I was at BEA. It was my second year attending and my intention was quite different this year. I definitely wanted to meet some of my blogger friends (new and old), I wanted to attend publishing events outside of BEA, and lastly, I just wanted to meet authors.

But my biggest goal for BEA this year was to walk away with 15 books or less. Making a quick mental tally, I’d say that including books I got for others (mainly my younger brother and sister), I got 16 books in total, with at least 11 books that I am definitely reviewing.

My favorite BEA moment: Maggie Stiefvater recognizing my name and telling me that I am in her newest novel, The Raven Boys. (Pretty sure it is on page 37 of the ARC. Check it out if you have it.)

Favorite author that I met: Erin Morgenstern, author of The Night Circus. I almost forgot that she was signing at BEA. The Night Circus is one of my favorite reads and it was one of the few books that I really wanted to pick up at BEA.

Favorite blogger that I met: After months and months of talking to Brent of Naughty Book Kitties online, I finally had a chance to meet him.

First book I read from BEA: I am currently reading Rachel Cohn’s Beta. I got this on the last day of BEA. It was the only book I got that day and I had time to kill while waiting for my best friend. I’m surprised at how well Cohn can pull of science fiction!

Book I can’t wait to read from the rest of my BEA pile: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Obviously.

Book I wish I had a chance to pick up at BEA: Kristin Cashore was signing at BEA. How I wish I could get a signed copy of Bitterblue. But you know that her line would be ridiculously long. While it would have been great, I wasn’t prepared to stress out for a signed copy.

Overall, BEA is a fun but exhausting experience. The two highlights of the event really are meeting my few blogger friends and meeting authors. I love seeing publishing industry people that I know. I don’t know if I will be attending next year, but I am glad that I had a chance to go in 2012.

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Now that I’m back in school, I don’t have that many excuses not to go to bookish events going on around New York City. Over the summer, my life was pretty hectic. A full time internship from 9:30 – 5:45 is a bit stressful and it leaves little time to do fun things during the weekdays.

I’m now only a bus ride away from my favorite bookstore Books of Wonder which hosts lots of fantastic events throughout the month. Their September calendar is jam-packed with events, but I will probably only attend a handful of them. In addition to Books of Wonder, there are tons of other bookish things going on this month.

I probably did not catch them all, so let me know if you know of other events going on around New York City! I looked through the events for Books of Wonder, St. Mark’s Bookshop, the Strand, Barnes & Noble Union Square, and WORD in Brooklyn.

Definitely Attending

Wonderstruck Launch Party at Books of Wonder
September 13th at 6 PM
Why: I read Wonderstruck over the weekend and I could not believe just how fantastic it was. I need to celebrate this book’s birthday.

Pies, Keys, Burnouts and Troubled Boys at Books of Wonder
September 15th at 6 PM
Why: It’s the launch party of David Levithan’s newest book, Every You Every Me as well as four other titles. Levithan is one of my favorite authors and I always try to attend as many of his events as I can.

Brooklyn Book Festival
September 18th at 10 AM – 6 PM
Why: Two words: Diana Gabaldon. I’m a huge Outlander fan and I’m super excited to see her and meet her! This is really a huge event. I’ve never gone before but it looks like there are lots of other things going on that day.

Maybe Attending

Largehearted Lit at WORD
September 25th at 7 PM
Why: I love Libba Bray – mostly because of the Gemma Doyle series – but I haven’t read Beauty Queens yet. Also, I’m definitely going to read Brooklyn Burning – eventually. I haven’t been to this bookstore yet, but I’ve been wanting to go there for a while now!

Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis Signing at Barnes & Noble Union Square
September 26th at 7 PM
Why: After reading a ton of reviews of Wildwood, I think I just have to read it. It sounds like a super fun MG novel. I don’t know much about this author or illustrator so I don’t know if I would actually want to get a book signed by them. I’m also trying to limit the books I buy this month because there are other releases that I’m dying to purchase (re: LOLA!!!). This book isn’t high on my priority list, unfortunately.

The Name of the Star Publication Party at Books of Wonder
September  27th at 6 PM
Why: I’m interested in reading this book, but I really don’t know much about it. Plus, I don’t think that I’ve ever read a Maureen Johnson book before. This might be a book that I just want to borrow, and not exactly buy.

Wish I Could Attend

All These Things I’ve Done Launch Party at WORD
September 7th at 7 PM
Why: Would have loved to come to this launch, not only for the book, but also to meet other bloggers such as Rachael at the Book Muncher. Unfortunately, I have class at the Upper East Side until 7PM and there’s no way I’ll make it to Brooklyn in time. Darn night classes!

Will I be seeing any of you in the month of September?

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So fellow guest blogger Loreal and I went over to Books of Wonder on Tuesday for the reading and signing with Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and Lauren DeStefano. To be honest, we really just went to get signed Withers. I have not yet read the Mortal Instruments series past the first one and I have never read a Holly Black book.

There were a lot of people. Of course, it doesn’t compare to the time that Suzanne Collins was there for the Mockingjay release party, but I was shocked on how packed the bookstore got. I didn’t expect it to be so crowded, especially since it was a Tuesday night! I guess I underestimated the popularity of the Mortal Instruments and the Curseworkers series.

Here’s a video from the reading:

After the reading, I have to admit that I’m curious to see what the fuss is all about since everyone was just fangirling over Cassandra Clare. And Holly Black? Man, she writes good smut. I have a fine appreciation for that.

I did only walk out with a signed Wither, which I am very proud of. I resisted the temptation of buying books that were not on my wishlist.

On a side note, after the purchase of Wither, I am now on a book buying ban until further notice.

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