I got no book mail this week but I was at the Texas Librarian Association Conference this past week in Houston, TX. This was my first convention and it was so much fun! I got to meet so many amazing bloggers and meet Heidi FINALLY. I also got to see Becky Wallace and somehow I didn’t take nearly enough pictures. The experience was a highlight of my blogging life and I will be going again I’m sure of it!
The Convention
TLA was held at George R Brown convention center. It was my first time ever being there and it was a very nice facility (in case you are wondering the water in front is SUPPOSED to be there and was not due to flooding). I really enjoyed the BRIGHT red carpet. Pretty shocking upon first seeing. You might know that Texas had some pretty severe flooding so I believe that attendance was down this year. I heard various people say that it seemed like only about half the people that are usually there were here this year. The picture above seems REALLY empty only because it was lunch time so the hall was emptied out. Plus, upstairs panels and such were going on. This year I did exhibit floor only.
I went for 2 and half days and it was even better than I thought it would be. I got to meet Emily, Bridget, Nikki, Lena, Kate and Sondra-all bloggers. They were all so sweet and I really wish I’d thought to get pictures! I have a few but not nearly enough. I ran into others and everyone was so friendly. It was a terrific time had by all. I also got to finally meet Heidi Heilig (author of The Girl From Everywhere). I absolutely adore her and was so thrilled to meet her in person. She’s even better in person (how is that possible?) and I really can’t say how much I love her. Becky Wallace was there too and it is always so much fun to see her. I also went to her The Skylighter launch last week.
The Friends
Bridget and me, Heidi and me and Nikki and me
Bridget was my convention buddy for most of the time. We made a great team and she was so much fun! I can’t imagine convention going without her. I thought I’d feel shy and nervous meeting ‘new’ people but I felt like I knew all these ladies already (I guess we all do on Twitter). Being around so many bookish folks was such a pleasure and I know I’m going to be missing it as soon as I’m rested up. And I can’t tell you enough times how wonderful Heidi is.
What about Heartless?
Yes! I got Heartless and guys, it is even prettier in person. They only had 75 arcs available so I was sad that so many convention goers did not get a copy. I waited in line for 2 hours but it was well worth the wait to meet Marissa Meyer
Me standing in the Heartless line. This was still an hour before the signing.
The ever beautiful and kind Marissa Meyer
So What About The Books?
Well, I decided that I’d share a few pictures a day of my book haul from the convention over on Instagram. I thought it would be fun to take a picture of each of the books so you can see what I grabbed and also see the beautiful covers. I find that convention pictures are the best way to really add to my TBR so I hope I can introduce you to some you’ve not heard of. I know I was given some that were totally new to me but I’m very excited about them.
I will be using a hashtag over on Instagram for each of these pictures: #mfafTLA16bookhaul. You can find me here.
These are the books I’ve shared so far:
The Forgetting by Sharon Cameron
Vassa In The Night by Sarah Porter
And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich
Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi
So that’s really it. There were more stories but I’m still tuckered out from all the fun.
Looks like you had a great time!!!! Marissa Meyer!!!! EEEEH!
And I am really eager to read VASSA OF THE NIGHT!
I’ve known about Furthermore for sometime now, but Vassa in the Night sounds really interesting. It’s really refreshing that authors have started to do retellings from the less-famous fairytales.
YAY! So glad to hear you had a wonderful time!! I’m so excited for many of the books you got and I hope to get my hands on them next month myself! I so wish you were coming to BEA too! *hugs*
Wow! It looks like an amazing event. I have never been to a book convention before and it is high on my to-do list. What a fantastic opportunity to meet up with people from the online community and awesome authors. I must admit that I most envious of that Heartless ARC!! <3
Niiiiice! I’m hoping to snag Heartless at BEA. I am pretty positive I got my line ticket for it, so fingers still crossed! LOL! Ohhhh The Trees Crept In!!! I cannot wait for that one! Loooooved Dawn’s first book! Happy Reading!
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Have a GREAT day!
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Ahh, I am just so happy for you Kristen 😀 SO glad you got to go to this. <3 Hugs. And thrilled that you had the most amazing time. YAY for meeting such lovely people 😀 Love the pictures. <3 And yay for getting so many books. Sigh. So jealous, lol, but so thrilled for you 🙂 Gosh, I hope you will love them all sweet girl. <3 Thank you for sharing about the lovely time you had 🙂
Wow, great haul from the convention! I love library conventions like that. Hope you have a great week coming up!
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That looks like such a great event; that is so awesome that you got Heartless!
Yay! It sounds like you had a great time and meeting Marissa Meyer is such a thrill. I have my eye on Vassa in the Night – the cover is gorgeous. Enjoy your new reads, Kristen 🙂
“in case you are wondering the water in front is SUPPOSED to be there and was not due to flooding)”
LOOOOOOL. But in all seriousness, I’m so glad you were able to make it there and back safely. I was worried about you!
So, so glad you had an amazing time! You deserve ALL THE BOOKS. 🙂 And I’m just sad we couldn’t hang out! <3
Also, perfect way to share pictures/titles.