I haven’t blogged or read a thing since I got back. BEA also doubles as a vacation for me and my husband so it wasn’t just BEA that did me in. It was also the week of walking about a million miles in NYC and could possibly be the food bender I went on. (the food post will be coming soon – hopefully next week)
BEA 2015 made me realize a few things. I no longer have that all consuming drive to get ALL THE BOOKS. That actually made BEA fun for me this year. Instead of running around like a maniac from book drop to book drop I chilled out a bit and managed to spend time with my favorite bookish friends. (Jen - YA Romantics, Pam - Midnyte Reader, Alison - Alison Can Read, Melissa - Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf, Mary - The Books Swarm & made many new blogger friends!) Of course with all the running around it’s never enough time but I’m still really happy with how many people I managed to catch up with.
I think this is my last BEA. I’m going to ALA next year because it’s right near me in Orlando but I think that’s it for me. The lines – the blogger hate – I’m just done. Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast and I think BEA did a great job overall this year but I like I said earlier – I don’t have that all consuming drive to push my way through the line frenzies to get books.
This sign at one of the publisher booths pretty much sums up my experience:
Here are a few sights from the convention:
Top pic – right entrance to exhibit hall. Bottom pic – the left side at 6:30 am with people already lined up. That’s the side that had all the big publishers.
The publisher booths & autographing area.
Books – Day 1
Books – Day 2
Go me! Only 4 books!
Books – Day 3
Friday was the craziest day. It seemed like everything was dropping within the same hour but I managed to get everything on my list.
I have to thank my husband, Kevin, for that. He’s a line ninja! While I’m running around like a chicken with it’s head cutoff – he calmly manages to get first in every line.He’s my secret BEA weapon! xoxo
So that’s the BEA 2015 wrap-up post. Kind of boring but I’m just happy I managed to post something in my lifetime. lol
Haha, you could rent your hubby to other bookworms from next year on ;).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure BEA must be an intoxicating experience...but exausting too. And blogger hate? Do me a favour. I wonder if these people get to have any fun when they participate in such events. They're so sad, really.
Yay for posting in your lifetime! LOL
There was a lot of blogger hate while I was waiting in line to get into the exhibit hall from book sellers and librarians. It seemed to calm down last year but I guess it's picking back up again.
DeleteApparently we're awful, greedy book hoarders.
I'm not saying there aren't pushy bloggers but I've also seen my share of pushy librarians and book sellers. It gets old. But they were nice enough to say that they didn't mean me - I wasn't one of *them*. Um....thanks??
And my hubby is AWESOME at BEA. lol He doesn't even mind lines.
Heh, I kind of wonder what BEA would be like for me... It doesn't sound like a great vacation if it's that tiring and the lines are that long and people are rude to bloggers, etc. But it is still something I would like to experience at least once in my lifetime! I can understand why this might be the last one for you though. Maybe I could go to Chicago and use my bf like you use your husband, although he's no line ninja, heh.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't HAVE to walk around the city as much as we do lol
DeleteIt is a lot of fun. It's just changed a lot over the years. This was my 5th one. It used to be very laid back but because of the crowds they have a schedule for every book drop now and it's line after line.
Despite the negatives it is still SO much fun to meet with other book people and authors!
I've never been inclined to go to one of these. The sheer volume of people just seems exhausting. Glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteIt is exhausting and I think I'm done but it's also a lot of fun. You're with *your people* lol
DeleteNever had the pleasure or attending. Some day though..
ReplyDeleteSounds like you hit the highs and the lows but glad to see you made it out alive...and the book haul? Sweet! Thanks for letting us live vicariously. ^-^
Oh I'm sorry that it wasn't all roses but at least you did have some fun! I think I would totally be out books b/c I refuse to shove in line for them. I would love to meet some of you bloggers though! Can't wait for the food post! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds fun and exhausting!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the world! I've missed you :) But I understand, it sounds exhausting but I'm glad you had a nice time and that you spend time with friends, that is the best part.
ReplyDeleteI searched some of the books you have that sounded good but oddly after reading the synopsis none of them seem appealing to me... all the BEA books are weird to me, always. They are hardcore lol The only only one that maybe is Tonight the Street are Ours. Not the biggest fan of her other book but I liked it enough.
That's good you were able to meet up with friends and have a nicer time, and yay or getting the books on your wish list! I had a good time but yeah, walking in NYC really killed me feet. I have bad feet to begin with, so there's that. haha I really do want to go next year because it would be fun to be able to attend longer, AND it's closer to me (Chicago wise) so I wouldn't have to worry about flights and stuff.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Aw yay for a good time with friends and a family trip too :D I swear every time I have a vacation I come home and feel like I need a vacation from the vacation just to catch up and recover. lol
ReplyDeleteBlogger hate? The nightmare never ends! Gosh, what is up with people?!?!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back, Karen, I missed your posts... and your ever changing digs. Happy weekend!
Blogger hate ...i guess it does come back again. Also I heard that book con was happening during BEA. Poor planning for those that wanted to walk the floor, or so I have heard.
ReplyDeleteYes Kevin is the BEA Ninja or so I have been told :) I know a book I want to borrow. I can't wait to read the BEA food post and I am so glad that you and Kevin had a great time in NYC. Have fun at ALA.
I'm glad you had fun :) I couldn't wait to read your wrap up post to see how it went. I love that your hubby helps you :) I know my fiance and I would have a blast if we ever went, too :)
ReplyDeleteI want to try to go one year, but haven't yet. Great haul
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a blast. I would be tired too. I will be attending next year Karen so hopefully we will meet up. Enjoy all of your new lovelies!
ReplyDeleteSeems like we both go through a lot of things at the same time. I was like you as well...I kind of didn't care...the only signing that I really wanted was Maggie Stiefvater and Brenna Yovanoff. I was so happy to see my friends though. Maybe I'll have to look into ALA. I have friends in Orlando : )
ReplyDeleteSo glad we were able to catch up...even if only for a few moments at BEA! It definitely is one of those experiences that has such highs and lows. I can't stand crowds...but as you say...at least it's "our" people! And you definitely had restraint this year...I was there for less than 1/2 time and came home with more books. I finally sorted them last night into the months that I need to read them based upon Pub date...daunting! I've already read two though...so progressing! lol
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a good time and picked up some great reads! I can only imagine how tired you must be when the event is over!! Enjoy all your goodies, Karen :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy that I got to see you and Kevin and thanks so much for all your good deeds for me during BEA :) :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the BEA fatigue, though. I was kind of missing any sense of urgency this year. And I was definitely not hoarding anything -- I got fewer books this year than my past three years at BEA. I'm learning!
I'm trying to make my husband go with me next year so we can divide and conquer but he insists that he has to "work." Blah.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you managed to have a good time even with the blogger hate. Blah. I dont understand bow the bookish world can be so divided!
Did ALA happen already?