random ramblings of a 29 year old.

I turned 29 yesterday and while I don't feel any different per se, I do feel something.  I've just been doing a lot of thinking this last week.  Thoughts about life and change.  Thoughts that are all over the place and ambivalent, which feels pretty indicative of the age I'm at now. It's the last year of my 20s and turning 30 is a big deal.  And here I am, right on the brink.  It's like there's this line.  One side being that part of me that wishes I could go back to 23 and stay there, and the other that's so ready to move on to the next phase of my life.  But today, despite all the uncertainty I may feel about the future, I woke up thinking there are a few things I do know.

That the people in my life, whether we're family, friends or just acquaintances, never fail to surprise me.  Like on my birthday.  Three of my best friends texted me first thing in the morning just as I expected (love you girls!) and most of my cousins did too (love you too!).  Other good friends took the time to greet me personally also.  Then others who I expected the same from resorted to just twitter or facebook, which is nice, don't get me wrong, but kind of impersonal? I think close relationships warrant a little more than that. Then people I don't really consider close took the time to IM me or do something nice.  I had a coworker getting me macaroons, another one gelato (I was in sweet tooth heaven!). I was just touched and surprised by everyone's kindess.  It's the little things, you know?

Sometimes you have to go for the things you want.  For the longest time, I felt I deserved a promotion but I didn't want to ask because I thought it should be offered to me.  My work should just speak for itself! I'm highly praised by everyone in the office - not trying to show off, it's just a fact. I work hard and I take my job seriously.  Then one day I decided to talk to my boss about it and he completely agreed.  Less than two weeks later, I officially became the web development manager.  I realize now that them not offering me the position in the first place didn't mean they didn't value my work.  That's just how the company operates.  You have to tell them what you want and I'm glad I did. 

It is actually possible to be too nice or too generous.  I'm not perfect.  I get annoyed with people, I get frustrated and I sometimes show it.  But for the most part, I'm pretty much a people pleaser.  I like to offer help and take care of others.  But I've learned more than once (and keep learning) that helping can quickly turn into enabling.  Sometimes you're actually making it worse.  The best thing you can do for that person is to say no and let them grow up and learn how to help themselves.  

Love and relationships.  So I kind of had this fleeting moment of what felt like possibility a couple weeks ago.  Nothing happened and I didn't think anything would.  And I don't want to share the details here but.. it was enough to make me feel pretty giddy for a few days,  I'm still thinking about him -- I had forgotten how nice it feels to like somebody.  Then, love has been a topic of conversation on my blog lately too.  Specifically the notion of love at first sight.  I will tell you right now that I don't believe in it, unless you're seeing your child for the first time.  I'm not disregarding the people who will tell you that they just knew or anything because truth be told, I love hearing those stories.  They're romantic and fill me with hope for the future! But.. okay, have you ever taken those online personality quizzes? I've taken a bunch for fun and I remember this one quiz asked me to choose a picture I felt depicted love and I chose the one of an old couple sitting in a park together while holding hands.  Love isn't simple.  It's not something determined by a glance, I mean maybe you might have a feeling.  But it's really the years and time and obstacles you face together that truly make you certain of that love.  I want to know and feel loved long after first sight.  To me, those are truly the best love stories.  (See, I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic under all the cynicism!)

Anyway, this is probably the longest entry I've written ever but I've been wanting to share these thoughts all day.  I've got nothing else to say except.. here's to being 29! 

Latest Read: Eve & Adam

Here are the basics ...
Book: Eve and Adam
Author: Katherine Applegate, Michael Grant
Site: http://theoneandonlyivan.com/, http://themichaelgrant.com/
Category: Young Adult - Science Fiction

[Note: ARC c/o BEA! Book will officially be available on October 2, 2012]

My thoughts...
Summary:  There was a car crash, a horrible debilitating injury, and the hospital.  But before Evening Spiker could even lift her head out of the fog of unconsciousness, there was Solo, a boy she never knew was under her mother's care, checking her out of the hospital and rushing her to Spiker Biopharmaceuticals - her mother's research facility and his home.  Just when she thinks she will die  - not from her injuries but from boredom - her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.  (Adapted from back of book)

The good:  I thought the premise was really interesting.  I mean, Eve gets to create a boy - the perfect boy! Which seems fun and cool in theory (my guy would probably be a cross between Ian Somerhalder and Ryan Gosling) but in reality? Kind of on the creepy side.  But I enjoyed Eve as a main character.  She's really picky about dating guys and in one scene, she and her best friend run down a list of guys she's rejected for various reasons.  It reminded me of a conversation I could've had with one of my own friends.  

The bad:  The pacing of the book.  It took about 100 pages for the story to pick up and then once it did, the plot was kind of all over the place and then got wrapped up in a pretty bow, super fast.  I got to the last page and was hit with this feeling of.. what just happened here?  The chapters also alternated between Eve and Solo, which I normally like in a book.  But their individual voices weren't distinct enough.  I'd start reading a chapter, get confused as to whose POV I was reading and have to go back.  Plus these two suffered from a case of instant love.  After like 3 conversations, Solo was all - I'm madly in love.  NO. YOU. ARE. NOT.  I can't say enough how much this irritates me.  But when they would talk, I enjoyed their interactions! The book should've been longer and given these two more time together.  

Do I recommend?:  I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.  For me, it was just okay and probably better suited for a younger crowd (as in much younger than me, haha). 

Happy reading! 

Signed copy! 

Latest Read: Something Like Normal

Here are the basics ...
Book: Something Like Normal
Author: Trish Doller
Site: http://trishdoller.com/
Category: Young Adult 

Thanks Estelle for lending me the book! 

My thoughts...

Summary: When Travis returns home from Afghanistan, everything at home has changed and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death.  It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. (Adapted from Goodreads)

The good:  This was one of the most realistic books I've ever read.  Every character and the entire situation felt so true-to-life and not overdone in any way.  I rarely read books that are from a guy's POV and Travis' perspective was one that I really enjoyed.  He's not perfect.  He's flawed, haunted by his experiences in Afghanistan and trying to figure out what it means to be home again with his friends and family.  His voice was so clear and all typical guy but I think that was my favorite thing about him. He felt like someone I could know.  The girl he runs into from middle school also felt like someone I could know.  Another thing the author captured perfectly - girls DO remember what happens in middle school and high school.  Especially if you were treated like crap.  So Harper's reaction to seeing Travis? Spot on! And even though we only saw her through Travis' eyes,  I loved her character. She's in a situation I think a lot girls want to be in - the one where you're the girl that changes everything for this one guy. But their relationship, while important, was secondary to what Travis craved most..peace with his past and a sense of normalcy after all he had gone through. 

The bad:  It's not even 200 pages! Ok, not a bad thing per se but I definitely wanted more of Travis's story, more of his relationship with Harper.  Even though the book did end at a point that made sense, I still wanted more. 

Do I recommend?:  Yes, I do! 

Happy reading! 

Latest Read: Beta

Here are the basics ...
Book: Beta (#1)
Author: Rachel Cohn
Site: http://www.rachelcohn.com/
Category: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy 

[Note: ARC c/o BEA! Book will officially be available on October 16, 2012]

My thoughts...
Summary: Elysia is an experimental teenage clone, born as a sixteen year old girl with no life experience to draw from. She was replicated from a dead teenager and created to serve the inhabitants of Demesne, an island paradise for the wealthiest people on earth. Everything about Demesne is bioengineered for perfection - even the air.  But soon Elysia realizes that Demensne is flawed and there is discontent among the clones.  She knows she is soulless and cannot feel—so why are overpowering sensations clouding her mind?  If this is discovered, she will suffer a fate too terrible to imagine. (Adapted from Goodreads)

The good:  The only good thing about this book was the idea behind it.  I hadn't read anything like this before and was really intrigued by where the author could go with it.  The idea of creating clones and trying to have this genetically engineered utopia where these clones act as.. I didn't even know what to expect.  Would these clones be adopted by people to become part of their family, as servants, etc? I thought that Elysia realizing she did feel things and might have a soul after all had SO much potential.  

The bad:  Honestly? Just about everything else.  I felt like the main character Elysia was written really inconsistently and in a way that just dumbed her down. So much of her dialogue is spent describing the different guys she meets in excruciating detail (over and over again), not to mention an obsession with sex (which she likes to refer to as the "mighty mighty" - ugh!). The whole pace of the book was super slow too and then within the last 50 pages or so the author hits you with like 5 different WTF twists.  One of the twists was particularly hard to stomach and I certainly don't want to imply that YA books shouldn't be dark but this felt unnecessary.  Plus there were a lot of plot holes.  Like why did they start cloning people? Who was the first clone and what were the circumstances? What was the purpose of genetically engineering everything? Basically - how did they get here? Almost none of that is explained.  So that on top of very unlikeable characters (the secondary characters consisted of a bunch of rich brats who like to get high) just didn't make for a good read in my opinion.

Do I recommend?:  I hate writing bad reviews and I really do wish I had more positive things to say but in the end, I didn't think the story was executed well.

Happy reading!

my crazy birthday wishlist

With my birthday coming up on Friday, I thought it would be fun to put together a crazy wishlist of things I want (and obviously do not expect to get!).

1.  Between my iPhone and my Fujifilm Instax, I technically don't need this but I can't help but want this polaroid digital camera   ||   2. Bright pink Prada document holder that I would use as a wallet.   ||   3.  I love trying new products and I've heard amazing things about this moisturizer but there's no way I'm paying $140 for 1 oz!   ||   4. A ticket to Paris, need I say more?   ||   5.  Chanel Classic Medium Medallion tote aka my DREAM bag.   ||   6. Of course I'd have at least two bags on this list - the Louis Vuitton Trevi PM   ||   7. I love these earrings and bracelet from Tiffany's.   ||   8. Christian Louboutins..  what a beautiful pair of shoes. 

Sigh.. anybody else feel like shopping right now? ;) 

Latest Read: Throne of Glass

Here are the basics ...
Book: Throne of Glass (#1)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Site: http://sarahjmaas.com/
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy 

[Note: ARC c/o BEA! Book will officially be available on August 7, 2012]

My thoughts...

Summary: After serving a year in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince Dorian, who offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.  Her opponents are other thieves and warriors, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she wins, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? (Adapted from Goodreads)

The good: The author did an amazing job of throwing you right into this fast-paced story while still taking the time to build the mythology of this fantasy world.  But, as always, I loved the characters best.  Celaena Sardothien is probably in my top 10 of favorite kickass heroines.  Aside from being a tough, feisty assassin with a big heart - she cracked me up.  Not what you were expecting me to say right? But her snark and her swagger (as often described by other characters) was one of the most enjoyable things to read about her.  Especially when you read everything she's gone through, I like how she never loses her sense of self.  The two other main characters - Dorian and Chaol - are well-developed and great to read about too.  They both play a big role in the book and each share a different relationship/view of Celaena.  They also help to form the inevitable love triangle.  I think the most difficult triangles are the ones where both guys are great, which is the case here.  Right now, I'm rooting for Dorian.. but I could see myself possibly changing my mind later on.  But characters aside for a second, the plot itself is a page-turner and was a great first book in what I hope will be a long series. 

The bad: I've got a love/hate relationship with triangles but right now, I'm loving this one.  Other than that - nothing bad to say about this book! 

Do I recommend?: This is one of my favorite fantasy reads this year, so definitely. 

Happy reading! 

Summer Vacation Throwback

I'm a day late but.. happy first day of summer! I didn't even realize since I was so focused on it being 94 degrees outside (and 97 today!) and all. 

I do love summer though.  Even though the humidity wreaks havoc on my hair and my family thinks I'm crazy for not wanting an A/C in my room.. I totally love summer.  Blue skies, sun shining, heat and vacations! I always associate this season with jetting someplace far (or even close by) and remembering that it was the official first day of summer made me think of where I've been to. 

My first post-college vacation with the girls (actually most of my vacations are with them).
We drove (I love a good road trip) to Myrtle Beach and just had an amazing time.  

Still @ Myrtle Beach 

Weekend getaway to Cape May, NJ for my birthday. It was surprisingly nice there

and our hotel was right across from the beach which we loved.

Ocean City / Baltimore, Maryland! Our last vacation with all four of us which was a few years ago.  It's been hard to coordinate our different schedules since then but we might be in luck, we're trying to plan a trip this September! 

Baltimore, MD - At the Aquarium

Ocean City, MD - Seacrets Restaurant

Naples, FL - Definitely one of my favorites, if not my most relaxing vacation.  We had a condo all to ourselves, cooked breakfast together every morning, went to the beach and just chilled.  I wouldn't mind going back.

My one recent attempt at a family vacation - a couple days spent in Atlantic City.  Let me tell you.. disaster! But I blame it on the adults in our family.  Lesson learned though.  Us cousins (and only the cousins + our two nephews) have a trip planned next month. 

Just looking at this photos makes me wish I could go on vacation right this second.  I'm pretty sure I'll be dreaming of the beach all day long. 

Latest Read: The Jungle

Here are the basics ...
Book: The Jungle 
Author: Upton Sinclair
Site: N/A but here's his wikipedia page! 
Category: Fiction

My thoughts...
Summary: 1906 bestseller shockingly reveals intolerable labor practices and unsanitary working conditions in the Chicago stockyards as it tells the brutally grim story of a Lithuanian family that emigrates to America full of optimism but soon descends into numbing poverty, moral degradation, and despair. A fiercely realistic American classic that will haunt readers long after they've finished the last page. (Taken from Amazon.com)

The good: I wasn't sure if I could get into this book because it's a complete 180 from what I've been reading over the last year.  But a friend said it was his favorite book and that it should be my 51st read of the year.  Plus he bought it for me so.. can't argue with free! Turns out, I was able to get into it.  Not all of it but the parts pertaining to Jurgis Rudkis, his wife Ona and their family pulled me in.  Their story is a sad one and I'm not going to lie, it's also very depressing.  They all just keep getting hit with  one obstacle after another and you see how their dream of America doesn't match up with reality at all.  They can't catch a break and I think what kept me reading all the way to the end was the hope that they would.

The bad: Unfortunately too much of the book felt like a history textbook to me.  It's well-written but I'm not really into politics.  I wanted to read more about the family.  Also when I started reading the book, I tweeted a picture of it and one of the responses I got was that I might want to become a vegetarian after.  She wasn't exaggerating and I'm glad I got the warning.  I made sure to skim through those parts. (I like my cheeseburgers thank you very much.)

Do I recommend?:  Tough call.  Yes it's well-written and a true, sad tale of a family's struggle, not to mention a true story of the working conditions during that time.  If you're into history, this is probably a good book for you.  If not.. you might want to skip on this one.  

Happy reading! 

Latest Read: Unraveling

Here are the basics ...
Book: Unraveling (#1)
Author: Elizabeth Norris
Site: http://liznorris.blogspot.com/
Category: Young Adult 

[Note: Book c/o BEA! Book already available]

Summary:  Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, Janelle knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.  (Adapted from Goodreads.com)

My thoughts ...

To quote Maria DeLuca - "This whole thing is so Roswellian."

That's pretty much what kept repeating in my mind as I read this book - Roswell, Roswell, Roswell! Followed by a couple Veronica Mars and Fringe exclamations.  So I'm going to do something completely different with this review.  It's going to be spoiler-filled, includes a lot of videos/images and it's dedicated to the Roswell fans.  But before I start, let me say that this review isn't meant to bring down the book or its enjoyability.  It was just very, very familiar. 

Here goes.

The best way to sum the main character Janelle Tenner is with these two videos:

She's got Liz Parker's life (even the same love life), Veronica Mar's spunk and both aforementioned characters need to discover the truth.  That's not where the similarities end though.  She's dedicated to her family and has an especially close relationship with her father.  She's also got a snarky attitude towards most people in her high school after she experiences a traumatic incident at a party.  (VM fans:  think a "Trip to the Dentist", as in exact same situation.)

And what she discovers about Ben Michaels is an awful lot like Max Evans (their names even sound the same!).  Turns out Mr. Michaels isn't from around here -- more on that soon but I half expected him to point his finger towards the sky -- and he can "manipulate molecular structure" which is how he healed Janelle.  And while healing her, she got to see his memories of her as a child and how he's felt about her all these years even though they've never really spoken until now.  Sound familiar? 

(Source: detkatebeckett.tumblr.com)

As to where Ben is from, I'll give you a hint. 

And if you're wondering about the other characters, there's Janelle's loyal best friend Alex and Ben's two friends, Elijah and Reid.




At this point, you're probably wondering what I actually thought of the book.  I enjoyed it.  It was a fun, easy read and I'm curious to see what happens next.  But I found the similarities to other shows distracting.  It's a fine line to tread.  On one hand, if you like Roswell, Fringe and Veronica Mars - then you'll probably enjoy this book.  On the other, it might be too similar for you to focus on Unraveling itself (which is a well-written fast-paced story).

I'll put it this way - if you like the idea of reading about a snarky female junior detective dealing with weird science and falling for a guy she probably shouldn't be falling for - pick up Unraveling.

Happy reading!

Latest Read: Pushing the Limits

Here are the basics ...
Book: Pushing the Limits
Author: Katie McGarry
Site: http://www.katielmcgarry.com/
Category: Young Adult 

[Note: ARC c/o BEA! Book will officially be available on August 1, 2012]

My thoughts...
Summary: In Pushing the Limits, two teens, brought together by their court ordered therapist, work together to learn the secrets of their case files, but neither foresaw the shattering consequences of learning the truth regarding their families or of falling in love. (Taken from katielmcgarry.com)

The good: I'm not even sure where to start.  The book alternates between Noah's and Echo's point-of-views and the sort of tragedy they've each experienced is so completely different from my own life.  I can't even begin to imagine or relate to it.  But somehow, I connected and became so invested in their characters.  The author really brought them to life and I could hear their voices so clearly through her words.  I wanted them to find peace individually and of course, find their way to each other.  Which, by the way, was SO well-done.  Seriously, the chemistry between them was just wow. I don't even know how else to explain it. It's a scenario we've all read before - good girl, bad boy. But I loved every minute of it.  I think what added to the intensity of their story was that they're both trying to find love and normalcy in a world that hasn't been very kind to them.  
The bad: I gave this book five stars on Goodreads but there were a couple little things here and there that had me going.. huh. Like Noah had this tendency to get really poetic when describing Echo and I'm not quite sure I buy an 18 year old talking like that.  But at the same time, it was nice to read about a guy talking about how beautiful Echo is (you'll especially understand if you read the book). I'm getting sick of the YA novels where the girl constantly goes on about how hot the guy is and how she isn't.  Another thing about Noah's dialogue, he said "damn" and "baby" a lot (also a little possessive at times) but I think I could see a guy really speaking this way. There's also some talk about being together forever but given their circumstances and their age, I get that too. Just putting this all out there!   

Do I recommend?:  Yes! I definitely recommend.  If you're in the mood for an intense love story filled with complex characters, this is the book for you.

Yes, I have a signed copy :)

At the end of the book, the author provided a playlist (which I think is awesome of her to do!), so I decided to recreate it for you here. (Minus "Hey Soul Sister" by Soul Train - can't stand that song.)

Happy reading!

Latest Read: Time Between Us

Here are the basics ...
Book: Time Between Us
Author: Tamara Ireland Stone
Site: http://tamarairelandstone.com/
Category: Young Adult 

[Note: ARC c/o BEA! Book will officially be available on October 9, 2012]

My thoughts...
Summary: Anna and Bennett were never supposed to meet: she lives in 1995 Chicago and he lives in 2012 San Francisco. But Bennett’s unique ability to travel through time and space brings him into Anna’s life, and with him, a new world of adventure and possibility.  (Adapted from Goodreads.com)

The good: One of my favorite books is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Time Between Us is basically a happier, more uplifting version of The Time Traveler's Wife for Young Adults.  So - I loved it! I think what made me love the book was that it really wasn't about time travel.  It played a role obviously in getting the characters together (and providing conflict) but at the heart of the book was the theme of choice.  How choices you make can affect your life and your future in ways you can't imagine.  Plus I loved the two characters, Anna and Bennett.  I thought Anna was a strong character and while it might've made more sense for Bennett's time traveling abilities to freak her out completely, I can understand why it didn't (as much as it should have).  She's obsessed with travel and he can basically show her the world.  And yes, it's as romantic as it sounds!

The bad: Some of the "rules" behind the time traveling in this book were a little fuzzy but it didn't bother me too much.  It was more important to me to connect to the characters and the story, which I did. 
 
Do I recommend?:  Yes! I really enjoyed this and after not really loving the last few books I've read, I wanted to read something happy, uplifting and romantic.  This definitely provided that.  

Happy reading!

Latest Read: Code Name Verity

Here are the basics ...
Book: Code Name Verity
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Site: http://www.elizabethwein.com/
Category: Young Adult - Historical Fiction 








My thoughts...
Summary: Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.  When one girl is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. (Adapted from Amazon.com)

The good:  I've never read a book that dealt with this particular topic - two women and friends in the war, one acting as an enemy agent and one as a pilot.  The whole premise was really interesting and I think the author created two wonderful and different characters.  I think all my favorite moments in the book were the ones that focused on their friendship.  And of course, all the little twists and reveals I didn't see coming. 

The bad: I know I'm probably in the minority here but the book dragged for me.  It took me close to two weeks to finish it.  The only parts that grabbed my attention were the ones that dealt with the characters and I don't think there was enough of that.  So much of the book was spent on being a pilot and aircraft mechanics.  I really struggled with that and found myself skimming it as quickly as possible so I could get to the "good" parts.  I thought the latter half of the book was more touching as more truths were revealed but in the end, the book didn't make me FEEL anything. I kept waiting for more. But I never reached a point where I felt emotionally invested in the story. 
 
Do I recommend?:  I really wanted to like this book.  I wanted to LOVE this book.  I've read so many amazing reviews (and a couple who felt the same way I did so now I feel less crazy).  I think you're either going to really love this book or not.  So it's up to you to take the chance! 

Happy reading!

best friday ever.

I took a half-day this past Friday to spend some time with the best friends but we didn't really have any specific plans other than to see Javier Dunn that night.  I was already pretty excited about the day when this happened ...

Yes - Javier Dunn tweeted us! So I was doubly excited for the concert (which I'll get to in a minute).  But first I met up with Tida at Central Park for a picnic.  It was such a beautiful day out.  We just sat and talked for a while and then eventually Carina joined us.  We walked to Lincoln Center, found another place to sit and.. talked some more.  It probably doesn't sound exciting but I feel like I spend so much of the work week rushing through the day, hoping that it'll end you know? I enjoyed being able to walk leisurely through the city and just talk.  I wanted to savor a wonderful day with wonderful people.  

After parting ways with Carina, we immediately met up with Loren and headed towards Rockwood Music Hall.  We managed to find it easily (yay us!) and grabbed dinner at Boca Chica.  Really good food and I liked the atmosphere of the place - very casual. 

And finally, the Javier Dunn concert.  Not only is the man extremely talented but he's super nice too (and cute)! I loved his whole set.  He played almost all my favorite songs plus his banter with the audience made me laugh.  He was giving out free cds afterward and when we asked for one, he said - I promised to meet you guys right? He actually remembered us from Twitter! Which he reiterated again later when he said we were the girls he was semi-tweeting with the day before.  Pretty awesome, right?  Oh the power of Twitter.  Needless to say, the three of us were gushing about it for the rest of the night. 

And the rest of the night consisted of trekking all the way up to Laduree (which was closed), wandering around the Upper East Side, stopping by Starbuck's and Red Mango.. and then heading home.  

Between BEA and seeing Javier Dunn... I've got a really good feeling about this summer. 

bookexpo america 2012!

Where do I begin?  BEA was an overwhelming but amazing experience! You are literally surrounded by hundreds of publishers, authors, books and fellow book lovers.  Michelle and I thought we were so organized with our spreadsheet of books we wanted and author signings we wanted to attend.  But as soon as stepped onto the floor, we completely froze.  Then we saw people grabbing books and approaching publishers.  We eventually got the hang of things (with a bit of help from our new friend Natalia of Dazzling Reads!).  

l-r, top-bottom: Julie Kagawa (!!), Becca Fitzpatrick, Marie Lu, Veronica Roth 

We met so many more authors than we expected and got more than half our books signed.  We met Julie Kagawa (twice!) and got signed copies of both The Iron King and The Immortal Rules.  We didn't get to chat long but she did ask if I was Team Ash or Team Puck (Team Ash obvs!).  We also met: Veronica Roth, Becca Fitzpatrick, Marie Lu, Bethany Griffin, Aprilynne Pike, Cara Lynn Shultz, Katherine Applegate/Michael Grant, Katie McGarry, Kady Cross, Cayla Kluver, Elizabeth Norris, Deborah Blumenthal, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and R. L. Stine (we walked past him twice!).  

I just can't say enough about how much fun I had.  And for future BEA-goers, listen to all the tips you read on blogs! Bring a backpack, rolling suitcase, dress comfortably, bring snacks/water, be prepared and talk to the people you stand on line with.  We held spots for people and vice-versa so we could quickly run over to other booths for giveaways.  Lots of events overlap, so it's definitely good to bring a friend and meet some new ones! 

And finally.. my entire haul totaling 34 books! 

The Masque of Red Death by Bethany Griffin (Amazon | GoodReads)

Destined (Wings) by Aprilynne Pike (Amazon | Goodreads) 

Origin by Jessica Khoury (Amazon | Goodreads)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Amazon | Goodreads)
Torn by Stephanie Guerra (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken (Amazon | Goodreads)  
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone (Amazon | Goodreads)
Passion Blue by Victoria Strauss (Amazon | Goodreads)
Deviants (Dust Chronicles #1) by Maureen McGowan (Goodreads)
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee (Amazon | Goodreads | My Review)
Kiss the Morning Star by Elissa Janine Hoole (Amazon | Goodreads)
Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz (Amazon | Goodreads)
Allegiance by Cayla Kluver (Amazon | Goodreads)
Jepp, Who Defied the Stars by Katherine Marsh (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Lifeguard by Deborah Blumenthal (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa (Amazon | Goodreads | My Review)
Schroder: A Novel by Amity Gaige (Amazon | Goodreads)
Eve & Adam by Katherine Applegate & Michael Grant (Amazon | Goodreads)
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Amazon | Goodreads)
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Croak by Gina Damico  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Prodigy by Marie Lu  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Office Girl by Joe Meno  (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa  (Amazon | Goodreads | My Review)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick  (Amazon | Goodreads | My Review)
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry  (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Entice by Jessica Shirvington  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Crewel by Gennifer Albin  (Amazon | Goodreads)
False Memory by Dan Krokos  (Amazon | Goodreads)
Beta by Rachel Cohn  (Amazon | Goodreads)
The Farm by Emily McKay  (Amazon | Goodreads)

Wow, I am still amazed by that list.  Needless to say, I won't be buying books for a while!


FYI: BEA was held at the Javits Center in NYC.  For more information, click here.