Home.
As many of you know I was in Chicago this past week for the Book Expo (BEA). In the past, I have blogged from the expo – pictures, happenings, events…. this year, it was enough for me to just go. I forgot my two boxes of business cards at home, and after that initial “DOH!”, decided this was the year I would reconnect and took it easy.
I met up with my roommate Candace (Beth Fish Reads) on Tuesday late after noon after I drove the supposed-to-be-8-hours-and-is-actually-closer-to-10-hours drive from Minnesota to Chicago. We made it to our room, organized and then had appetizers and a glass of wine with Florinda (3 R’s Blog) and Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness).
As this week goes on I will give you a day by day break down of the who’s and whats of this years expo. I will share about the show, about the Audie Awards (SQQQUUUEEEEE), narrator connections, publishing connections, fellow bloggers (♥!), and more.
Today I just wanted to share that the Expo was a good decision for me to attend. It was good to get out of the house for a while and function like I used to. I have a long ways to go to coming back into some form of me, but this was a good start.
It is so easy to get caught up in the reconnecting with Publishers and people you have worked with in the past with reviews and write ups. It is also easy that while you are talking with these publishing houses to accept the 3, 4, 5,… books that the know you will just love and the pitch for these books leave you thinking that you must read this book. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I mention all of this because what i will share with you as this week goes on is how you go from driving to the expo with a few audio books in the front seat to keep you company (thank you Karen White you were an excellent road trip companion) to this….
LOL. Some people thought this would be pretty funny to stage my car and make it look over flowing with books. Anyway, stay tuned… there are plans and posts for these books as well as a save the date event (June 9) my 7 year Blogiversary where there will be the usual BEA giveaway packages to celebrate bloggers all over.
Until then… happy reading.
Book Journey 
THANK YOU so much, Sheila. I was waiting for your post. 🙂
I am so happy you attended and had a great time.
Looking forward to more posts this week.
HUGS.
Elizabeth
Thank you Elizabeth. It was weird not to post form BEA like I used to. With a little over a year of for the most part staying out of large public events for long periods of time the mental exhaustion of the week was about all I could handle – get up and GO 🙂
I love your overflowing car…and your mug. I’m looking forward to more posts about the books. Thanks for sharing.
I love your mug too. Why would anyone kick YOU out of the book club? 🙂
That saying has me curious.
Elizabeth I adore that mug…. it is a line out of the tv series LOST and I find it so humorous 🙂
Ohhhhh…..thanks. 🙂
Thanks Laurel – it was the three amigos idea – Kim, Florinda, and Candace. I like a good joke so I went along with it 😉
Hi Sheila. I’ve followed your blog for a while now – was hoping to perhaps bump into you in line at BEA to say hello.
Glad you had a good time. I look forward to comparing our BEA bookhauls in due course.
I have not even unpacked the car yet… lol. Today I mow the lawn, catch up on laundry and groceries… tonight I will bring the books in 🙂
Good to hear you were able to make it out to BEA and get back to some of your former groove. It’s great seeing you smile in these pics!
Thanks Laura, it was nice to smile
So glad you decided to go to BEA… it looks like you had a great time. I can’t wait to hear all about it!! The car pictures crack me up 🙂
Isnt that awful? lol can t wait to chat up these books!
Hahahaha…. the staging turned out well. Oh wait, those are really all you books? 🙂
Nice to have finally met you even if it was the last hour of BEA!
Yes you too!!!! When I told Candace and Florinda that I met you they were sad that they did not get a chance to!
Yes, me too! They were leaving just as I caught up with you. Next time! I do hope to do this again.
Sheila, I’m so glad you went and it looks like you really enjoyed yourself 😀 That’s one helluva hoard! LOL
Oh my gosh the great titles this year! It may be that I am so out of the loop about what is coming out and who is writing but everything was sooooo exciting. Thus. . the car.
Seeing that many books actually made me giddy, BUT, for a slower reader like me—totally overwhelmed! lol Enjoy!
I followed along on FB and it looked like y’all had a great time. I’m so glad you went!
Me too Kathy. Facebook was about all I did make time for 😉
Nice talking to you there. I shipped home a pile of books that looks a lot like that. Everyone seems to be posting pictures of the ten books they got. I’m glad I’m not the only one who stocked up.
LOL – and I glad to hear that you too Heather left with a staggering amount 🙂 I know I was not the only one by far – I seen other peoples hauls 😀
SO great to see you as well!
So glad yo went and had a lot of fun! Love the photos, and the book stacked car was a great idea!
So pleased to know you enjoyed your time and that you went. Yikes that boot sure is full, reading ahead!! Oh yes Karen White on audio – good choice!
I was at BEA and I’m 99% sure you passed by me! I saw you and thought, That’s Sheila! I recognized you from the picture on your blog. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t recognize me, though, so I didn’t follow you and say hi.
Next year, I need to have everyone post real photos of themselves before BEA!
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com
Oh the pic of the car loaded with books made me LOL. Looking forward to your posts, Sheila. So great you could connect with other bloggers!
WoW! Now that’s a lot of books! :O 🙂
i’m so happy you were able to attend and reconnect. looks like you picked up a couple of books to enjoy 😉
I love the car overflowing picture. lol I was telling Candace on Twitter that until this BEA, I am not sure if I have ever seen a picture of her… But, I must have in the past. It is just a rare thing! lol I am glad you had a great time!
Oh my – that picture of your car might be the best BEA pic I’ve seen yet! I’m glad going in person felt good for you and am looking forward to your recap of all those books inhabiting your trunk!
Glad you went and looking forward to the detailed posts which I am sure will be so interesting. That picture of your car is lovely!!
Miss you already!!!!
So glad you were able to go! One of these days I’ll get back to it. I haven’t been since 2010!
Somehow “take it easy” and you don’t mix. I’m glad you went and enjoyed yourself. BTW, I love what you’ve done to your car.