My 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Photos

This past weekend, I had the amazing privilege of attending the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, along with my fellow Baby Librarian and Book Blogger, Erin (Check her out at her blog: Uniquely Geeky Girl)

So I had a TON of fun!  Being with librarians, who love books so much, is always a blast. Also, everyone is so polite and nice and organized (there was many a time when people just started forming lines because that's what you do, LOL).

And while I went to a few panels, I haunted that Exhibit Hall, met some awesome authors, schmoozed some publishers, and collected all the books!  Like...ALL the books people.

I captured some highlights in the snapshots below, but I was such a bad documenter because I didn't capture half of what I did!  But please enjoy what I have, and if you ever have a chance to go to ALA, take advantage!  It is so much fun!!!!!

The entrance up to the Exhibit Hall, my home away from home for four days!

I am all ready to defeat Day 1!  

Tried to keep it casual, but still nice because, boy, was it hot out!

Yes, that is my haul from Friday, Day 1.

Now the Exhibit Hall was only open from 5:30PM to 7:00PM, and just for full weekend attendees.

I got 34 books in a hour and a half!  CRAZY!

Day 2 here I come!!!!!

So excited to experience more of everything on Saturday!

Waiting for the Jay Asher signing!  We all received an ARC of his latest book, What Light.

Super excited to read that one!

ALA had gender neutral bathrooms.  

To achieve this, they put a curtain around the urinals to offer privacy.

While not a perfect fix, I've always though urinals needed more privacy anyway!

I got to meet Jesse Andrews!  

Sadly, I left my physical copy of The Haters in my hotel room, but he was signing book plates instead!

I loved Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl, and I can't wait to dive into The Haters!

Day 2 Haul!!!  That's 55 books....I got a lot of books!

Erin and I are all ready for Day 3!

We were waiting for the YALSA YA Author Coffee Klatch to start!

Speaking of the event, these are the authors we got to meet!

In order from top down, left to right: Jonathan Friesen, Laurie Halse Anderson (QUEEN), Jenny Han, Peter Brown Hoffmeister, Laura Ruby, Jordan Sonnenblick, Tim Federle, Morgan Matson, and Jonathan Auxier (not pictured: Terry Farish and C.M. Surrisi).

Look at that AMAZING tattoo, Laura Ruby got to commemorate Bone Gap!

If you haven't read that book yet, you really need to.  It is the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature winner.

So this picture has a story to it: "When Elizabeth was 14 yrs old, she was recommended a book from the Children's Librarian at Hudson Library. This book was titled Speak. 

Elizabeth scoffed at the recommendation because she liked to read adult books, none of that "kid" stuff. But the librarian was insistent, "You will find yourself in this book." (Elizabeth had been having a hard time and through the weeks of visits over the summer, the librarian had come to know about it). Elizabeth took the book, and started reading it that night. 

She finished it in one sitting. 

That book was written by the woman pictured here: Laurie Halse Anderson. She is the reason I love books and believe in books and treasure books the way I do. Speak was given to me at a time when I needed it (this also influenced me immensely--thank you Ms. Mary!!). 

Speak changed my life, and Laurie has continued to change my life with each book she writes. Then I actually got to meet her, and it was amazing. 

I got to meet my hero, and I cried. I cried for that young Elizabeth who was kind of lost and I cried for the help a simple book gave me and I cried because I don't know where I would be now if that didn't happen. 

So thank you, thank you, thank you Laurie for all the books you write; I'm sure I'm not the only one who's life you've changed."

Then of course, she actually commented when I posted to Instagram!!

I MEAN CAN YOU EVEN?!!!!!

Uh, Day 3's haul...that's 100 books.  

So if you're counting, I'm currently at 189.....

I feel both extremely repulsed and extremely elated.  It is weird.

This is how I started Day 4. So. Very. Tired.

I don't even have a photo from my haul, but I believe it was closer to what Friday's was.

I haven't counted the total yet...I'm still tired.

So that was my first ever ALA experience.  It was a freaking blast, and one trip I will treasure forever!  Authors/librarians/book bloggers/readers are such awesome, amazing, generous people (at least in my experience), and being able to be surrounded by those people for four days was just too good!

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Teaser Tuesday (65)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following!

• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
• Share a few teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• MAKE SURE NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (you don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for other readers)

Share the title and author too, so that other readers can add your book to their TBR list if they like your teaser!

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Requiem

Lauren Oliver

March 5, 2013

          You should've stayed.  That's Hana, reaching out across an expanse of time, through the murky-thick layers of memory, stretching a weightless hand to me as I am sinking.

(pg. 1)

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I am going to see Lauren Oliver this Saturday!!!!!  She is going to be at Books & Books in Miami, and I am so freaking excited!  I have to hurry and finish reading so I can be all caught up!  Oh I can't wait!  Hopefully, I'll be able to get something to share (maybe a book signed?)!  But if you haven't read these books yet GET ON IT!  They're so very good, and Requiem is turning out to be a crazy intense ending to this awesome trilogy!

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Let's Talk Author Events

I love getting to meet authors in person!  It's so much fun to be able to hear them talk about their books and writing.  They are total rockstars and to be able to meet them is a real treat!

Events attended:
1. Kristen Simmons' Book Release Party for Breaking Point
2. The Sunshine Tour with Heather Burch, Karen Amanda Hooper, Anna Banks, J.A. Souders,  Jenny Torres Sanchez, Lucienne Diver, Gaby Triana, Trish Doller, & Kristen Simmons. (click above for more dates for the tour)

If you love Kristen Simmons, I'm giving away both of her books, so go check out my Article 5 & Breaking Point Giveaway!

I took more footage of Kristen Simmons' talk, so check that out here! And don't forget to check out my New to My Shelves.

Books Mentioned:

Article 5

Breaking Point

The Downside of Being Charlie

Something Like Normal

Renegade

Grasping at Eternity

Of Poseidon

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Win SIGNED Copies of Article 5 and Breaking Point

Article 5 and Breaking Point

By Kristen Simmons

Published by Tor Teen

Released January 31, 2012 & February 12, 2013

Links to buy: Amazon/Amazon, B&N/B&N, Book Depot./Book Depot.

(Check titles for Goodreads summaries)

Rules:

Open only to US residents!  

No INT entries!  

Must be 13 years old to enter.  

ONE winner will win a SIGNED paperback copy of Article 5 & 

a SIGNED hardcover copy of Breaking Point.    

Winner will be contacted by email.   

Winner has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or a new winner will be chosen.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My Book Haul from DragonCon

I've wanted to do this haul for weeks, but I A) didn't have the time and B) lost my camera charger. So, needless to say it was postponed.  But now that I have my iPad (even if the video quality leaves much to be desired) I can post videos once again!  Huzzah! 

I'm excited to share the books I had signed at the Con, and also some of the books I received throughout the month (this is really a sneaky IMM).  Let me know what books you're excited about getting this month, and DFTBA!

(The links for my 500+ Follower Giveaway are on the sidebar)

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The Faerie Ring (Review)

Title: The Faerie Ring

Editors(s): Kiki Hamilton
Edition: ARC, 352 pages

Publisher: Tor Teen

Publication Date: September 27, 2011

Source: Part of The Faerie Ring Book Tour for I Read Banned Books

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Summary

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The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion
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I've been wanting to read this book for a while.  I've been getting into historical fiction and I love fantasy so much.  The Faerie Ring contains a great mix of both, making the story that much more captivating.

Hamilton does a tremendous job at crafting 1871 London.  The world of orphans, faeries, and royalty is such a interesting juxtaposition, one you want to read more and more about. The journey in which Tiki goes through is captivating.  She is a great protagonist: caring, protective, and strong, all qualities which lends her to be the leader of the groups she moves back and forth between.

All the secondary characters are great as well.  None of them feel unnecessary, and they do their part for the story.  However, while this book is character driven, both protagonists and supporting characters are rich and play important roles, the book is really, in my mind, object driven.  These characters wouldn't have come together without the Faerie Ring.  This ring is one of the most powerful items in England, and Tiki has stolen it right from under Prince Leopold's nose.  In the meantime, Tiki herself has set into motion a series of events that will change her life as well as everyone else's.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!  I'm quickly growing to love historical fiction with the fantastical element, and The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton is added to the list.  Additionally, I met Kiki at NCTE this past weekend, and she was lovely!  I was able to get a copy of the book signed as well.  so if you love history, faeries, and adventure, then pick up a copy of The Faerie Ring to add to your collection.

Extras

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The Faerie Ring Trailer

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5

Book Title: 4/5

Plot: 8/10

Characters: 9.5/10

Writing: 9/10

Ending: 9/10

Overall: 43.5/50: B+

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NCTE: Day 3 - Mistakes & Madness

Today was the last day of the main conference portion of NCTE.  Today was also the day the exhibitors left.  Needless to say, it was a bit of a mad house!

My Schedule:

Session L: 8:30-9:45
L.25 21st Century Literacies

Stephanie Perkins Signing 10:30-11:30

Session M: 11:30-12:45
M.49 Teaching Literacy for Love & Wisdom

Session N: 1:00-2:45
N.01 Reports from Cyberspace

At least that's how my day was suppose to go.  It didn't work out that way.

I was running late this morning, so I didn't even make it until 8:45.  I suppose I could've gone to my first session still, but I feel it is very rude to enter late.  Therefore, I went to wait to get into the Exhibit Hall.  I had a really great conversation with a librarian from Chicago (I love talking to librarians who are my age to learn how they got their job).  I'm actually really happy that I went to wait for the Exhibit Hall because were the teachers going crazy.  Penguin waited until the last day to put out some amazing ARCs, as did some of the other publishers.  Additionally, some publishers had immediately discounted books to super cheap or were giving books away!  It was pretty amazing, but a nightmare for someone claustrophobic as there was a lot of squished bodies reaching for books.

After that I asked the amazing ladies at Penguin when they were starting the line for Stephanie Perkins, as Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler were signing that morning.  That's when I found out my program LIED to me!!  At the beginning of the conference, we were given an Author Signing program; inside it says Stephanie was suppose to be signing at Penguin at 10:30. Lies!  Then I thought I had gotten the booth wrong, as I didn't have my schedule.  To investigate I headed over to the Anderson's Bookshop booth where many authors were signing.  Nope, not there either.  Come to find out, after reading her tweet response to someone else, she's not going to be here until tomorrow!  Grrr NCTE!  Get things right!  Anyway, by that time I was caught up in the discount frenzy, so that's how I spent the next 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Then I went on to my last two sessions, both of which were fantastic!  My favorite topics to focus on during conferences are GLBT lit, 21st Century Tech, and Censorship.  I was lucky to get to go to all three.  Then it was definitely time to lug my books back to the hotel.  I can't wait until tomorrow for ALAN (which Stephanie will be at, along with an AWESOME YA Author panel at Anderson's Bookshop, which I am going to!!!).  I've never been to ALAN, but I've heard it is utterly amazing!

And here's my loot from today (when I get back home I'm doing a IMM like no other).

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NCTE: Day 2 - So Many Signatures!

Second day of NCTE down, and I am exhausted,  a good exhausted.

My Schedule:

Session F: 8:00-9:15
F.51 Zagat Guides, the New Yorker, & Cartoons

Session G: 9:30-10:45
G.45 Chicago Pride: The Streets of the Windy City

Session H: 11:00-12:15
H.08 Secondary Level Gallery of Posters

Veronica Roth Signing 12:00-1:00

David Levithan Signing 2:00-3:00

Laurie Halse Anderson 2:30-3:30

Session K: 4:15-5:30
K.01 Censorship Alive, Well and Showing

More awesome up there.

Today was a real focus on the authors for me, as many (MANY) amazing authors were signing.  In addition to the ones I planed on meeting above, I also got signed books from David Mccinnis Gill, T. A. Baron, Arlaina Tibensky, Jennifer L. Holm, Alan Sitomer, Kiki Hamilton, and Jackson Pearce (see, MANY author signings).  They were all lovely and couldn't have been more excited to meet us!  I love that about authors, especially YA authors.  Almost every time I meet one they are super pleasant and excited that you read their book.

I also sat in on a fantastic panel (all of them are awesome, but I especially loved this one) on Chicago itself. The panel had John Green, David Levithan, Simone Elkeles, Jillian Larkin, and James Klise on it; they've all written books which have been set in Chicago.  The panel examined how setting can play such an important part in a story, and what process/how much work it takes to place a character within an already established location.  It was very interesting to here from the people who live/have lived in Chicago (Simone, James, & John) and the ones who have visited (David & Jillian).

Overall, a very productive day.  I spoke with some awesome teachers, learned some awesome stuff, and can't wait until tomorrow!

Oh, here's a picture of my books from today!  Lots of stuff for my followers in here!

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NCTE: Day 1 - John Green, ARCs, and Crowds Oh My!

Today was my first official day of NCTE.  It was so fun, but a little crazy.

This was my schedule:

Session A: 9:30-10:45
A. 40 Modern Media Meets Masterpieces

Session B: 11:00-12:15
B. 28 Bullying - Reflecting on the Past

John Green Signing: 12:30-1:30 (OH YES!!)

Eric Luper Signing 1:00-1:30

Nathaniel Fick Signing: 1:45-2:45

Session D: 2:30-3:45
D.35 Creating Space Today For All

Session E: 4:00-5:15
E.34 Bisexuality and the Identifiable

LOTS of awesome up there!  Luckily everything was at the Hilton Chicago.  Not having to travel down to the Palmer House in this freezing Chicago weather made me very happy!

First off, meeting John Green was the highlight of the whole day.  He is so nice and awesome.  I brought all of his books except Let It Snow for him to sign and he jokingly said "Thank you for buying my entire collected works."  Of course I thanked him for writing them!  I also got a special something for all of you to give away for my birthday, so get excited!

Secondly, I really loved going to the panels on bullying and GLBT fiction (Sessions B, D, & E).  It is so nice to be in a room full of like-minded teachers, who want to go past simple tolerance and reach acceptance.  Such an important difference.  I also have a list of books to check out that have GLBT characters.  Can't get enough book lists!

Thirdly, teachers be crazy!  There were SO many people, mostly because this convention is NCTE's 100th anniversary (debating wether or not to buy a t-shirt).  Also, a bigger venue means more people.  I got hit with so many bags today it became routine.  One time as I was bending down, fixing my bags, hiding in the wall nook, I got beaned in the head.  I had such a big headache after that.  Jeez!

Lastly, I am over this cold weather.  I have a sore throat, super chapped lips, and dry hands and I've only been here TWO days!  Argh!  Also, what the F is up with the drivers here?  We almost get into accidents 5 times a day because people are constantly cutting you off, or driving partially in your lane or BLOCKING ONE WHOLE SIDE OF A STREET WHICH ALREADY HAS CARS PARKED ON IT!!  Deep breaths...but downtown is pretty cool.  I got to go to the Hersey Store and ate at Pizzeria Uno.  Love me some deep dish pizza.  All in all a pretty cool day!

Oh and did I mention I got 47 books today?  Yes that's right.  NCTE is definitely worth the free books.

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