Good morning!  It is Friday!  That is exciting to me in so many ways!   I was supposed to be heading out this afternoon for the MS 150 but sadly my commitments caused me to have to cancel out.  I do have one work commitment today – and tomorrow I have a funeral to attend and a birthday celebration.  I am bummed about the ride, but as I sit here with a sinus infection coughing and sniffling it is probably for the best.  I do love that ride though and have to figure out a way to make it work along with New York and not becoming over committed/ booked.

Today I will talk about the 2nd official day of the expo in New York:

BEA Day 4:

Last Friday, Cindy (roomy) and I woke up early to get ready to go to breakfast at Adriana Trigiani’s home.  Yes, you read that right.  We were going to her home in Greenwich Village for breakfast at 7:30 am.  We walked down the block to another hotel to meet up with Candice and Jill, and the 4 of us took the subway.  Note:  I never take the Subway in New York, I do not know my way around well enough but when others know their way around I am happy to follow their lead. 😀

We arrived a little early so we sat in a beautiful park in the area.

When it was time to go to Adriana’s we joined about 12 other blogger/reviewers at her home.  Adriana was gracious as always.  She had out lovely china for us to use saying, “What’s the point of having china you do not use, only to die and people saying, well she had a lovely set of china.”

Adrianna is someone I could listen to for hours.  For people who have not read her books I say if you listened to her speak, so passionately and witty, you would find yourself wanting to read everything this woman has written.  She is an amazing story-teller.  What a gift!

About 9:30 am Cindy and I grabbed a taxi back to the Javits.  After walking around for about a half hour I wondered over to the autograph area to see who was signing.  As I was reading the names I seen one said, “Adriana Trigiani signing 10 – 11 am”.  I thought, that can not be right, when I left at 9:30 she still had a good 15 people in her home and she was completely relaxed and chatting away – but sure enough, unless Adriana has a twin, there she was with a long line leading up to her to have books signed.

Amazing. 

😛

Friday as you can imagine I was quite wiped out.  Before I had gone back to the Javits that morning I had stopped at a little store and picked up an iced coffee and this bag of some sort of grainy chips.  After I got the Javits I stared at this bag of chips and thought, seriously, I am not carrying these around.  So I put them in my shipping box to keep. 😀  Later, actually not that much later as I was wiped out – I was in the shipping area, people watching and eating those chips.  My Facebook and twitter status was something like this:

Is it wrong that I am so tired that I am hanging out in shipping, people watching and eating grain chips?

I did leave the Javitz for a while to go relax at our hotel room and catch a break.  At  4 pm that afternoon I had a ticket to the narrators tea, but I also had an rsvp in to go with a group of bloggers to have cocktails with Dorothy Benton Frank.  I tried (and failed) to do both.  Since Dorothy’s event went from 3:15 – 6 pm, I thought I could do the first half of the authors tea, leave there by 4:30, catch a taxi and catch up with the rest by 5:00, hang out until 5:45 or so and then catch up with Cindy at the Random House Canada get together. 

Yeah… that didn’t work.  At 4:30 when I left to catch the taxi I started by the Javits and could not catch a cab.  I moved around to other blocks eventually winding up by my hotel.  I tried until I was hot and tired at 5:30 and then I called the wonderful ladies who had sat this gathering up apologizing for my lack or appearance and then caught up with Cindy to go to her invite.  Sadly, I could not do it all. 😦

Cindy and I were at the Random House get together for a little over an hour.  They had lovely horduerves and she and I were able just to relax and talk and that was nice as we were both tired out.  We ended out evening by going over to Chipolte which Cindy had never had before and I told her it was a must!

That was out Friday.  Back in the hotel we were asleep in no time. 😀

Today, this morning I am going garage sailing.  YAY!!!  Then I have a meeting, and this afternoon a friend of mine and her daughter our coming over to help me open up my BEA boxes.  (You may remember Camryn, she wrote YA reviews for me last summer 😀 )Then I will spend my later afternoon organizing the books.  All of which, as us book lovers know – is so much fun. 😀 

For the previous BEA recap posts…

BEA Day 1:  What is up with my pants????

BEA Day 2:  Blogger Con and I love Harper!!!!!

BEA:  Day 3:  Least Favorite Book Of The Expo

Good morning!  It is Thursday and looks like it is going to rain – but is not raining.  Looking at the forecast, it calls for rain, tomorrow no rain, and then this weekend… RAIN.

😯

So, we will talk about better things…

BEA Day 3

Last Thursday was the first day of BEA.  Wednesday was the conference, but the actual expo did not open until Thursday morning and I did things a bit differently this year.  For instance, in past years I have walked to the Javits about 7 am grabbing a coffee along the way at a Mr. Donut.  Then I would people watch (occasionally behind the info booth – but that is another story coming up in a couple of days).  This time, I had bought the author breakfast tickets.  This would be my first time checking these out.  Rumor had it that you would have the authors books waiting for you on your chair when you went in and then each of the authors would talk about their upcoming book.

This Thursday morning breakfast was as you can see above, Chelsea Handler, Ishmael Beah, Doris Goodwin, and Wally Lamb.  I have read Ishmael and Wally before. 

When we entered, I was hanging out with Jill (Rhapsody in Books) and Candice (Beth Fish Reads), there was Wally’s new book on our chairs, an insert for Ishmaels upcoming book, and a postcard about Chelsea’s.  I was a little disappointed we did not get Ishmael’s full book and Doris’s would have been great too – I probably would not read Chelsea’s, but it was fine – for $27 it still was fun to hear them all talk about their books, Chelsea was funny, Ishmael deep, and Wally really has a quick wit that I enjoyed – playfully poking at Chelsea.

After the breakfast the Expo was in full swing.  By this time I had caught up with Alison (Alison’s Book Marks ) and we walked the floor touching base with publishing houses that we work with, and picking up a few books along the way.  We did this for hours. And eventually made our way over to where the Autograph signing are was.  This is is where there are about 25 lines of authors signing their books.  You can find a line for an author whose book you would like and have it signed. 

I seen one author with no one in their line.  This is not unusual, sometimes when they are at the end of their signing hour everyone has gone through.  I looked at the cover of the book that was being held up and nodded at Alison, “I am going to go and check out this book.”  Alison said she would come as well. 

When we made it to the author, I asked her if it was her first book, “No,” she said, it was her third.  As we made small talk she opened the book cover and asked who she should write it too.  Now – normally I juts have them sign it unless I know the author, but for some reason I held up my badge and said, “make it out to Sheila.”  That is when I noticed, in a small paragraph on the inside page it said,

Short stories and essays of erotica.

😯

Now, if you know me… this is not my genre or choice at all.  But – here I am, about to get my name signed on her book and there was nothing I could do but smile and think, “oh no, Alison is behind me.”  Then Alison has her turn and I wait for her.  Gracious as always, Alison asks the author what her book is about and the author proceeds to tell her.  Alison does not miss a beat, has her book signed (not autographed) and we make our way out of the line.  We are not making eye contact at this point.  Once out of the line, and out of ear shot, I turn to Alison…. “I am so sorry…. I owe you for that one.”  We both laughed….well…. it makes for a funny memory.

As the day went on I did wind up with a box worthy of books and took my books to the US post office where it was must more reasonable to ship books home.  What would have cost $56.00+ at the expo USP, cost me $17.95 at the post office.  I do this every year and my post office boxes always beat and UPS boxes I ship to my door.  Same is true this year, the post office boxes are here.  I hope UPS arrives today.

We had a full evening schedule this day.  Alison and I headed back to our hotels around 3 pm.  I cleaned up, changed and was out the door by 4:20 pm for our 5:00 pm gathering at Simon and Schuster.  I was so excited as my great friend Sarah Pekkanen was going to be there as well as other authors.  It was a lot of fun, the usual blogger friends I hang out with were there and we chatted away for about an hour.

Then… Alison and I grabbed a taxi and went to Workman Publishing’s open house.  We had never been there before but had heard it was crazy busy and amazing.  Yes it was.  We went up the elevator and it was so crowded we could hardly get off the elevator.  Completely insane!

I made my way to a safe “non trampling” corner and talked for about 20 minutes with a book store owner from Wisconsin.  He was baffled that us bloggers do what we do without being paid.  I told him the expo was my yearly reward (oh yeah, plus lots of great reading!)  😀

Next stop – Penguin Publishing.  My roomy Cindy was already there having secured one of the only tables available.  Nice!  This was a blast as always!  I was able to catch up with many bloggers, meet a few authors and had an amazing conversation with author Sue Grafton and her husband who gave me her email to talk to her about writing.  (There are moments each year at the expo I have to say…. this is not my life.) 😀

After the AWESOME (did I mention it was awesome?) Penguin Bash, Alison and I had one more commitment.  We had been invited to the City Of Bones party, in celebration of Cassandra Clare’s book being made into a movie.  It was AWESOME!!!  We went in not knowing what to expect but the venue was one of the best I have been in, in my 4 years of BEA attending.

Let me just say it was pretty amazing.  We had a great time, and we were able to hang out a bit with Cassandra Clare!

They also had a signature drink, a blood orange jalapeno margarita.  I know, right?  But yes, I had to try it and it was….ok.

There were rumors that John Green was going to make an appearance and that was enough for Alison and I to hang out in that case, although we never seen him.  We left around 10:15 or so, tired but happy.

So that was last Thursday.  Today I work, hope my UPS boxes arrive today (I have a connection at the local UPS so they will call if they see them), I also have a friend’s birthday dinner tonight so life…. is never dull. 😀

For the previous BEA recap posts…

BEA Day 1:  What is up with my pants????

BEA Day 2:  Blogger Con and I love Harper!!!!!

Good morning!  Ready to talk about day 2 in New York at the expo?  I am!

Day 2:  BEA

On Wednesday of last week my room-mate Cindy and I woke up and had a little breakfast at our hotel, the Hampton Inn.  I was heading to the Blogger Conference at the Javits and she was going to come along to get her badge and then go shopping for the day.  The badge is your ticket to all things BEA.  I have all of mine from the past 4 years. 

At the blogger con I went down to the area where they would be holding the conference and got in the line.  I was talking with a fellow blogger in line when I introduced myself and she started laughing.  It was Elizabeth from Silver’s Reviews.  She frequents Book Journey and had recently sent me an email saying she hoped we ran into each other at BEA, but as big as it, probably not.  Here we were in line next to each other and we sat together at the Blogger Con.

The Con was ok for me.  We sat with a great group at our table including two authors and Danielle from There’s A Book.  Our main speaker was Will Schwalbe author of End Of Your Life Book Club and he did a wonderful job.  He talked about the role of bloggers and how much he believes they mean to the book industry.  He also spoke to the importance of the question. “What Are You Reading” which gave me a couple of ideas for tweaking the Monday What Are You Reading meme as we go into fall.  Stay tuned… I think it will be exciting.  

After Will (Will… like I know him 😀 )  We had opportunities to break into either adult book blogger or YA book blogger sessions.  I review both, but decided to stay with the adult book blogger session.  For me, it was a lot of repeat of what we have talked through before: online presence, handling negative comments/feedback, accepting reviews…  two of the three bloggers on the stage had spoken at a past Blogger conference, which many in attendance may not have known.  I think if you were new to the Blogger Con this would be valuable.  I however wish I would have went to the YA sessions just to hear different speakers.  It was good, just nothing new for me.

We were then on lunch break and I went with Elizabeth to grab something to eat before I left the con.  I had a headache all morning and think I was dehydrated from the long travel day.  I left and went back to our room to lay down for a bit.  I then connected with Alison  (Alisons Book Marks) to see if she was going to the 5 pm Harper Collins invite.  She was and I told her I would meet her there. 

I can never judge taxi time.  I was in a taxi by 4:30 and thought I was a rock star.  I text Alison to tell her that I was in the taxi and on my way.  She text back that she was already there. Buggers.  😛  As it was, with traffic and well, New York, I arrived at 5:10 pm, just in time to get in line for delicious cheese, grapes, and crackers.  I walked into the conference area where everyone was already seated and chatting away.  Alison had a spot next to her and it was great to see her.  She is my go to blogger buddy at BEA and we try to synchronize our schedules. When we then went around to quickly introduce ourselves, it was fun when they got to me to see the bloggers I love to see each year pop their heads up and wave:  Kathy (Bermuda Onion), Julie (Booking Mama), Candice (Beth Fish Reads), Nicole (Linus’s Blanket), Jennifer (Jenns Bookshelves) and Gail.  They had not noticed me come in late so were surprised when I said my name and blog. 

This was a wonderful event.  Many of the editors spoke about the books that were each piled in front of our spots we sat at.  Books, glorious books that were now ours.  As they talked about each one I found myself wanting to tear into them right then.  As it was, we had a surprise appearance from author Joshilyn Jackson, and while the other books were put in boxes to graciously ship to us (thank you Harper Collins!), Joshilyn’s new book made its way into my book bag I was carrying, and later into my carry on for the plane ride home.

After this amazing event we went to the Harper Collins party which is always a blast.  Alison and I have a tradition of having our picture taken at this event as this is where we met 4 years ago.  We had such a blast at this event as well.  Cocktails and horduerves, bloggers and authors galore.  I finally seen Jill (Rhapsody in Books), she is so fun.  As Alison and I were chatting catching up on what our kids were up to and life, in walks Adriana Trigiani and lets just say that woman’s personality fills a room with joy. 

I think I talked to Adriana for about 15 minutes, then Wally Lamb (I know right?), and Joshilyn Jackson as well who I told that I had listened to all her books on audio as I love her narration and she told me I was her best friend.  Then when she seen Adriana those two were super excited to chat but she looked back at me and said, “just because I am all excited about Adriana, you and I are still best buds.”  LOL

I mingled and made my way to Cindy who had found a place to sit and as we were collecting ourselves to call it an evening I seen Stephanie Evanovich.  Stephanie (I believe) is the niece of Janet Evanovich, and the author of (I know) Big Girl Panties…. which I need to read as I hear it is fantastic. 

Alison, Cindy, and I had another Blogger Bash to attend after Harper Collins but decided that after we made it through town by taxi and got there we would probably leave in a half hour and need another taxi – so tired, Cindy and I walked back to our hotel.

Once in the hotel I was changing in the bathroom when I yelled out “OH NO!”  Cindy thought something terrible had happened and yelled back. “Are you ok?”  I came out of the bathroom all crestfallen…. “We forgot the annual picture at Harper!” I cried.  I text Alison to let her know that we had indeed forgot to have our picture taken and I was hoping we could still be friends.  😀 

She replied… “We will see.”  😛

So that is day two.  I must get ready for work now.  No boxes arrived at my house yesterday so I am hoping for today.  It is STILL RAINING here in Minnesota.  My grass… is really really green.

Good morning.  Happy Tuesday.  I am writing this early this morning.  5:30 to be exact.  I stayed up late watching Little House On The Prairie episodes (thanks to Confessions of a Prairie Bitch) and admit I wasn’t sure I could get into the show again as I had as a child but find myself being pulled into the early days of the Little House.

As I had planned, today will be the first of several days of Book Expo recap.  I love these recaps as I can go back and look at them each year and suspect these recaps will some be valuable proof when I am elderly and my grand kids or great grand kids think I could never have done anything crazy or amazing… it will then be time to dust off the old blog and show them…. I knew how to kick it once in a while.  😀

New York – Day 1

I arrived in New York exactly one week ago today.  It was Tuesday.  I woke up in my Minneapolis hotel at 3:00 am and caught the 4:00 am shuttle to catch my 5:40 am flight.  Yes, I like early flights.  If I am going somewhere, I hate to put it off, so I go as early as possible. I get to the airport and through security and get a COFFEE.  Once boarded and the plane is in the air, the beverage service comes around and as I put my tray table down to get some water, I dump my coffee cup I am so carefully (or not) balancing in my hand and proceed to pour coffee on to my right pant leg.  The coffee has cooled, that is not an issue – however it has left a lovely brownish stain on my jean capris.  *sigh*  I dab at it with my napkin and my water that I wanted to drink but am now using for cleaning myself up.

After we land in Atlanta I proceed to go into the lady’s room and do a little better job at cleaning up my pants.  I have time so I go and relax in a sunny window by my departure gate and continue reading the book I had brought along while snacking on dark chocolate covered pretzels from my carry on.  After a while I consider using the lady’s room before we board (I hate having to use plane bathrooms) and as I get up I notice that one of the chocolate pretzels has landed on my pants, in the same area as I had earlier cleaned up coffee and has melted into a gooey chocolatey mess.

Seriously?

I arrive in New York (after my two + hour layover in Atlanta) at approximately 1:45 pm.  It is raining.  I am bummed… Minnesota has rained every day for three weeks.  I really really could do without the rain.  I text my roommate for the week Cindy to tell her I have landed and on my way to find a taxi.  Once outside with all luggage intact I see a bus that is $13 one way and will drop me off at Port Authority, approximately 3 blocks from my hotel.  What a deal!  A taxi usually costs me about $45 to go to the hotel.  I purchase the ticket and board the bus and after we sit for about 25 minutes or so we go.  We have a couple stops on the way and eventually (not sure what time it was but my guess would be 2:45 ish…. I arrive at Port Authority where I am plopped in the rain with carry on and luggage and told to go “3 blocks that a way” and I will be at my hotel.

Now, it takes me a little while to get oriented and landing in Port Authority I exited out a door and started walking looking for my hotel on 39th.  After about 2o minutes of walking in the rain and being on what I think is the right block but I am sooooo unsure, frustrated and WET I text Cindy this message:

I am wet and I think lost.  I am standing under an awning staring across the street at an Irish Pub thinking it might be a nice place to stay for the week.  I shall live there and eat and drink there.  It looks warm and dry… all thinks I am not.

At this point I discover I am about 1/2 a block from my hotel.  Cindy asks if I want to go to Serendipity and I ask what it is and does it have to do with food as my mid morning chocolate covered pretzel snack has long been gone and I am sooooo HUNGRY.  Yes, she assures me it has food and the famous frozen hot chocolate.  I am in.   We met up with Kate and Pam. They were fun to chat with while we hung out in a line to get in to Serendipity. 

Once seated we proceeded to order and the 4 of us each ordered the frozen hot chocolate.  And it arrived….

Yup.  None of us finished it.  It was good but LARGE and between the ice cream and the warmth of the cocoa and bits of chocolate and orange it was very filling.  My advice, if you go, share one. 😀

Later that evening Cindy and I walked from our hotel to Yum Yum, my favorite New York restaurant (as of this writing).  It is Thai food and so good.  For $16.95 you get choice of an appetizer, soup or salad, a main course, and green tea ice cream for dessert.  It is tasty.

After that we returned to out hotel for the night.  I was tired and Wednesday would be the Blogger conference and the Harper Collins Party. And that… will be what I share tomorrow. 😀

Yesterday afternoon the first box of books I sent home arrived.  I suspect the rest will follow either today or tomorrow.  I have not opened the box yet, I like to wait until they are all in house before I dive in.  It is another rainy day here in Minnesota.  I plan to work and then hit the gym later this afternoon.