HEAT and BOOKS! That is what I remember about my first ALA Annual Conference. A blur of heat and books! Boy, was it hot! Average of 100 degrees everyday I was there.

Day 0 - June 24, 2016:

My flight out of JFK got delayed an hour -- from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. Then shuttle to the rental place took forever and it was a 30 minute drive from there to the hotel. It was after 11pm by the time I touched down on the bed in my hotel room.

Day 1 - June 25, 2016:

Orange County Convention Center

Up at 5:30am, I was on the road to Orange County Convention Center by 6:30am. I arrived there about 7:00am but I wasn't allowed to park in the West parking lot - I had to park in the South lot . . . which meant I had to catch a shuttle to the West building. A shuttle which took forever to come. But finally it did I bustled to registration. I was sitting by the Exhibit Hall doors by 7:45am.

Stacks of Girl in Pieces at Penguin Random House

Scholastic booth

Day 2 - June 26, 2016:

I woke up at 6:15am prepared to get ready for Day 2 of ALAAC16 but . . . I was terribly sick. From lack of sleep from the last few days and possible bad chicken, I am guessing. So, I took a nap until I felt better. I was at OCCC by 11am (I think). Luckily, I needed miss out too much.

Portion of the long line for A Torch Against the

Night leading to Penguin Random House booth

Simon & Schuster booth

Kami Garcia signing The Lovely Reckless

Day 1 & Day 2 Book Haul:

Day 3 - June 27, 2016:

I skipped Day 3 at ALA. I did not want to. But I simply had no more room to fit anymore books on my flight back. And I needed to figure out how I was going to maneuver the books I already had. I drove to Walmart to purchase a luggage scale to measure my luggage. . . it was over 65 pounds. And the $20 weight limit for a checked bag at Jetblue is maximum of 51 pounds. 52+ pounds, you have to $100. That was not an option. So, I purchased a 21" luggage and checked that one in too -- the plan is to return it at a Walmart near me *fingers crossed* Side-note: Carrying and lugging around 125+ pounds by yourself in 100 degree weather is a miserable ordeal. I was super sweaty and gross by the time I was sitting in Gate 3 waiting area.