BEA 2013 Recap!

The 2013 Book Expo America has come and gone again. This was my 3rd year attending the expo and my first time attending without a structure plan or schedule. I truly enjoyed that and feel that it made my experience this year easier and happier. The first official day of BEA is when I downloaded the BEA app on my iPhone and would randomly check it to see what was happening that day. Like I said, no schedule whatsoever. So when the doors opened everyday, I would head over to the booths and see what books were being dropped and if I didn't have it at home, I would grab a copy. This year I concentrated more on meeting authors, I had yet to meet in person before and only knew via twitter or email.  So as soon as the morning drops died down, I would head toward the signing lines and see what line I could get in that wasn't a mile long. Then I would check the BEA app for In-booth signings too. This approach again I cant stress enough ho much I loved. I hardly became stressed out at BEA this year. 

So lets begin with my first day in New York. I arrived Tues afternoon in NYC and my buddy Damaris from Good Choice Reading picked me up at the airport. We went into the city to have a snack and a drink before we headed to the Simon Teen BEA blogger preview event that night. Once again Simon Teen did an amazing job. I had a ton of fun talking to the authors and Simon people. The foods and drinks were great. 

Simon Teen blogger party - slideshow

Then on Weds we headed back into the city to attend the Harper Collins party later that night. I took advantage of being around the Javitt and I went to pick up my badge and came across this:

This Allegiant banner was located by one of the main entrances onto the exhibit floors. This banner was HUGE. I was so excited to see it. 

Later that day it was time to finally head to the Harper Collins party that was combining for the first time the YA side and the adult side. This party was crazy, so many people to talk books with. The food and drinks once again were great. Got to meet new authors, publicist and editors. Got to see old faces. I also met the Team Time ladies in person, that was exciting. 

HarperCollins Party - slideshow

On to Thursday, the official first day of BEA. The day started off with attending Harlequin teen breakfast which consisted of a speed-dating type setting. Got to chat with Harlequin teen authors such as Julie Kagawa, Katie McGarry and Elizabeth Scott. Then just at 9am, doors opened. The usual happened we head to the booth and go see what books are being dropped. Then I headed to a few signing lines such as Gretchen McNeils, Veronica Rossi, Veronica Roth and many more. 

Then after BEA concluded that day, it was time to start getting ready for the The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones party that night. I was so excited for this party. Thursday was one of the busiest nights during BEA with several parties happening that night, but I knew once I got the TMI Invite, that's where I had to be. So a long cab ride later, I arrived at that Angel Orensanz Foundation for Contemporary Art building. Those attending got to mingle, enjoy cocktails, food an music. Plus get your own Rune airbrushed on you. I got the Fearless one of course. Here are the pictures I took that night.

Then Friday was upon us. Once again I head to as many signing lines as I could to meet or see again authors I have interacted with. Then at lunch time, I head to a Fire & Ice Luncheon from Penguin Teen that had Richelle Mead and Melissa de la Cruz in attendance. I was able to take some video that you can watch HERE and HERE. They talk a little about the movie and lifetime show. It was exciting. 

So that pretty much concluded BEA this year. It felt really good to not have a schedule and just browse the BEA app when needed. Another great thing was being able to go into the press area to charge cell, use computer and grab a refreshment while waiting. Next year BEA will be back again in NYC before it movies to Chicago the following year after that. I don't know what my plans are as of yet for BEA14. I do truly recommend that if you have yet to go to BEA and you are involved in the bookish world somehow or even if your a just a book reader, that you must attend at least once. 

To all old blogger friends, I was so happy to see and hang out with everyone here and there. To new blogger friends that I finally met in person, here is to many more years of friendship. To BEA thank you for a great conference again this year. To the publishers, you guys always make me feel welcomed and to the authors, THANK YOU, because if you didn't write books, none of this would be possible. 

Last but not least, a picture of my book haul. I limited myself big time this year. I only mailed home one box of books and the rest brought in suitcase. Most of the books pictured are from the signing lines I attended to meet the authors.