Monday, February 11, 2013

Mid Winter ALA Event


On January 25th, I had the pleasure of flying up to Seattle to attend the Mid-Winter ALA event. Having never been to one of these before, let me just say… BOOK.HEAVEN!! All of the major publishers attended the event, and had a great group of representatives working the booths that were so well versed in just about every book I had a question about. I loved how willing they were to share book facts related to their recent and upcoming releases. 

This event happens twice a year, and is geared toward librarians and educators, but it doesn’t stop us book enthusiasts from joining the fun and mingling with publishers to gain some insight on what's up and coming. The biggest treat to attending this event was truly interacting with publishers, authors, and fellow book lovers to talk about books ALL.DAY.LONG! Fun!
I arrived on Friday in time for the Exhibitions Grand Opening and stayed until Sunday. Three days around nothing but books and readers would seem like enough time to get my fill, but I could have gone on for a couple more days… easily!

I have to say the best part of my trip, though, was definitely hanging out with two of my book buddies. I’ve known Flannery from The Readventurer for a few years now, but this was the first time we’ve met in person, which was a HUGE treat! Rachel from The Reader’s Den, who I’ve hung out with at book signings in California, also attended the event. It was such a blast hanging out with these girls, visiting publishers, talking about books, enjoying lunches and dinners and simply just chatting and catching up. Best time ever!

At the convention, I was able to get my hands on these ARCs I’ve been pining for, so let me share with you what I was able to picked up, which you'll be seeing reviews from me soon. So stay tuned!
The Moon & More by Sarah Dessen
Sever by Lauren DeStefano
In the After by Demitria Lunetta
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr
Under the Light by Laura Whitcomb


Speaking of books, I typically share a small giveaway along with my event recaps, so I have three books which we've had the chance to read and review recently, which are now up for grabs.  So if you don't mind winning a mint condition book that we've had the pleasure of reading then be sure to fill out the rafflecopter and let me know what book you’re most looking forward to.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

40 comments:

  1. All three books sound wonderful!
    lsbookcrazy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Good luck L.B. Shire! Thank you for posting. :)

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  2. This sounds like such a great event! I went to BEA for my first time last year and despite being seriously overwhelmed...I loved it! Thanks for the giveaway! I've been eyeing Mind Games for a while and the other two sound like great reads too!

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    1. I've never been to BEA, but I heard it's amazing! So awesome that you went. :) Thanks for posting Melissa. XD

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  3. It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with you and Rachel. I hope we can make our March plans work out as well. Certainly the weather down there will be a bit warmer:)

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    1. It was great spending time with you too Flann! Thanks for showing me around Seattle. I loved The Pink Room (that's the correct name, right?) Can't wait for you to head down here. See you then. XD

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  4. It sounds like ALA was tons of fun!! I never get to go to any conventions because they're all so far away from where I live. I'm really hoping to go to BEA this year though!!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. I hope you get the chance to go to BEA. I'll cross my fingers for you. :) Thanks for posting Steph! XD

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  5. WOW WOW WOW! Totally amazing. Sounds like a super great time. I love that you got to connect with bloggers who you have been in touch with but have not met. So awesome!

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    1. It was great fun. Thanks for posting Brooke and good luck with the giveaway! XD

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  6. Thanks for the fun post! i would love, love, love to got to these book conferences. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. You're welcome erin! Thank you for stopping by and good luck on the giveaway. :D

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  7. Sounds like such an amazing even and am so jealous you gotall those awesome books. Thank you for sharing your post and books with us and I hope you giveaway goes well and you enjoy all the new books you got!

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    1. Thank you Sharrice. I've already started to dive into them. Can't wait to share more with you all as soon as I can read through them. :)

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  8. Great post! I am planning on going to BEA this year and it'll be my first to so I am hoping not to be overwhelmed but it sounds like it was heaven for you! I can't wait to read Also Known As by Robin Benway and The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen!!

    new follower,

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. How awesome Maji!! I hope you have a wonderful time! XD

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  9. Wow awsome post its sounds so much fun the ALA Event I would love to go to an event like that one day thanks for sharing and thanks for the givaway!

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    1. You're welcome Katiria!! Thank you for stopping by!! :D

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  10. That's so cool! I've never been to an event like that. :( But I would LOVE to! Thanks for the giveaway (:

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    1. You're welcome Angela. I hope you get to go one day. :)

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  11. Awesome giveaway, thanks! Sounds like it was lots of fun, hope you get to go to a lot more =)

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  12. That place looks like heaven! Thanks so much for the giveaway! :D

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  13. I've seen Mind Games on GR and it sounds interesting :)

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  14. Sound's like you had fun at the convention..Great Giveaway..Tanks!!

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  15. OMG all these books would be amazing to own! Thank you so much for this giveaway! It is amazing! Good luck all!

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  16. I really wish events like this would happen closer to where I live. I live in ND so not a whole lot happens here and people don't usually want to come up here haha. Thanks for the chance to win!
    Brittany s

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  17. I've always wanted to go to ALA or BEA but im not a book blogger or librarian, just a book lover is all :)
    Happy you got to go!

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  18. That sounds like a great event. I live in small town Ohio, so nothing like that seems to happen around my area, though I'd love to go to an event like that. Thanks for the awesome giveaway, these books look great!

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  19. I am SOOO jealous that you were able to attend ALA Mid-winter! I have never gone to an ALA event. I would LOVE to. I'm a school librarian of 3 school libraries in a school district in WI, which is actually not that terribly far from Chicago where ALA's big Convention will be this year but even with being a member of ALA I truly don't think I'll be able to afford it. :( It's just too much money to justify when it comes down to it in the end with the hotel, gas, food, conference, etc. :( C'est la vie! Too fun that you got to go though! Great giveaway!

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  20. Gosh that sounds like HEAVEN! Maybe one day I can adventure into an event like this!
    Jenna_bearden_10152005(at)yahoo.com

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  21. An event like that sounds AWESOME! thanks for sharing! Wish we had things like that where Im from! :0( but thanks for the giveaway and sharing the Love!

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  22. Wow, awesome books you got there! Thanks for the giveaway ;)

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  23. I've heard great things about all of the books, but I really can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Mind Games. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. I've been really looking forward to reading Mind Games!

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  25. Looks like a fun event! Thanks for sharing and the giveaway!

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  26. I'd kill to go to ALA. So jealous. Someday:) Thank you for this giveaway!

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  27. I'm glad you had such a good time! It looks like it was fabulous fun, thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

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  28. I swear you have the best giveaways ever! I love your blog! Sooo jealous! You read so much amazing books! <3

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  29. Such great looking books, love it! Thank you :)

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