BookExpo America 2012

Yesterday was the last day at BEA 2012 ... and I have to say: it was a blast!
With the help of my Aide *job description: all the heavy lifting*, who is also my big little brother, Devin, and a new friend, Dominique over at The Book Vault I was able to snag nearly all of the books on my most wanted list and them some. Not to mention, I had good company =)

This was only my second year at BEA and it just ended, but I have to say: I can't wait until next year. BookExpo America is such a great experience with all the new free books, meeting writing ideals and mingling with all sorts of new people. Especially fellow YA book bloggers.


Day 1 Highlights:

Take a look at Penguin's Young Reader drops scheduled Tuesday. (And for those of you who don't know what "drops" are, they are when publishers giveaway ARCs, a.k.a. galleys, at their booths by either setting them out for attendees to take or handing them out). I was able to get BLACK CITY by Elizabeth Richards and VENOM by Fiona Paul, even a couple extra copies *wink, wink*, but not Marie Lu's Prodigy . . . then again, I didn't even try (didn't want to bother with the line =P)

My second stop at BEA 2012: Andrea Cremer's signing of RIFT in the Autographing section. *My first stop was Gabrielle Zevin's signing but I didn't get a picture; she's the author of BECAUSE IT'S MY BLOOD & ALL THESE THINGS I'VE DONE.

My third stop at BEA 2012: Autographing section signing of A TOUCH MORBID, sequel to A TOUCH MORTAL by Leah Clifford.

My seventh stop at BEA 2012: Getting my autographed copy of BLESSED written by Tonya Hurley. Before this stop, my brother and I got DON'T TURN AROUND by Michelle Gagnon, Gretchen Mcneil's TEN, GLASS HEART written by Amy Garvey, and Lisa Mangum's AFTER HELLO.

End of Day 1 count. Although BEA was done for the day at around 4:30 pm or 5, I didn't get home home until after 10pm and I was completely beat. But it was worth it because I attended the Teen Author Carnival for the first time. The "carnival" has been hosted by Devyn Burton, Mitali Dave & Korianne Wey for the last four years. It is an event held at Jefferson Market Library that is opened to the public to enjoy a night of fun with favorites among authors of YA. There were nine panels, some prizes *swag and books* as well as a book signing. 

Can't wait to crack the covers of EVE AND ADAM written by Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate, BLACK CITY by Elizabeth Richards, RIFT by Andrea Cremer.

Day 2 Highlights:

Just as the day before, my second day at BEA was quiet eventful. And I wouldn't have had it any other way. To start the morning off I attended the Random House Power Reader Breakfast. Only a couple of weeks before, and much to my delight, I received an email from Random House inviting me to the private event. Attendees were able to meet and greet with publishers, publicists, authors, other bloggers and more. Some upcoming Fall books were introduced to us and a few authors gave speeches on said books.

After leaving TAC (Teen Author Carnival) I headed straight over to Javits Center. Since the breakfast was over at 9:30am and BEA opened up at 9, my brother waited on line for our first stop planned for the day . . . Becca Fitzpatrick's signing. FINALE ARCs being signed by her was my most anticipated event of BookExpo 2012. So you can imagine my dismay when I arrived only to find out that Simon & Shuster had her signing paperback copies of HUSH, HUSH instead. Considering that Penguin already disappointed me with a similar stunt on Tuesday when they had Ally Condie signing paperback copies of MATCHED instead of the advertised REACHED ARCs.

Afterwards, my brother and I had several book signing stops on my plan of attack list. Our next stops included signings of Sarah J Maas' THRONE OF GLASS, GIRL IN THE CLOCKWORK COLLAR by Kady Cross, and Julie Kagawa's THE IRON KING. INVISIBLE SUN written by David Macinnis Gill, Maureen Johnson's THE NAME OF THE STAR, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS by Diana Perefreund, and Gennifer Albin's CREWEL. There were also several drops going on at publisher booths. Some of which included galleys of IN A GLASS GRIMMLY written by Adam Gidwitz, GODS AND WARRIORS by Michelle Paver, Jessica Khoury's ORIGIN, THE INNOCENTS by Lili Peloquin, Jessica Shirvington's ENTICE, Janet Gurtler's WHO I KISSED  as well as WHAT'S LEFT OF ME written by Kat Zhang.

My seventh stop on the agenda at BEA 2012: Aimee Carter at Autographing area signing GODDESS INTERRUPTED, sequel to THE GODDESS TEST. As I waited to meet Carter, my brother waited on the line to get me a copy of CROAK by Gina Damico. We also snagged signed copies of Rachel Cohn's BETA and THE IMMORTAL RULES written by Julie Kagawa before the end of the day.

Here's a bonus shot, from when I was on line for THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas, of the never aging Jane Seymour.

After quitting time Day 2 count at home. I'm excited to read Gennifer Albin's CREWEL and Kate McGarry's PUSHING THE LIMITS

Day 3 Highlights:

The third and final day of BEA wasn't has hectic as the first two and my brother and I left early -- around 1/1:30 pm. Nonetheless, I still got to meet a few more great authors and get some awesome books.

First stop on the agenda for BEA 2012: InBooth signing of SHINE written by Jeri Smith-Ready.

My second stop at BEA 2012: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian signing copies of BURN FOR BURN.







Final day count. Not bad for a few hours short. Perhaps I see an abundance of giveaways in the future . . .

Always,

Haysel

Review : The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Release Date: April 19, 2011

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 293

The Story:

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.


Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.


--via Barnes & Noble

Rating: THREE Gold Stars!!!

My Review: One Word: CHARMING

The book opens Eighteen-year-old Kate Winters spends her birthday driving her mother from their lives back in New York City to Eden, Michigan. Why? Because her mother wants to go back to her childhood home before she dies. Suffering from cancer, Diana doesn't have long to live and Kate won't deny her mother's request even if she aches for NYC. While in Michigan, she attends Eden High where she meets Loner James who she quickly makes friends with, and Queen Mean Ava who plays a deadly prank on her that backfires. As Ava laid bloody and broken, mysterious Henry appears with a proposition for Kate. He'll bring Ava back from the day if Kate agrees to join him in the Underworld. Her selfless act opens up an entirely new world for Kate beyond her wildest imagination. She soon discovers that she isn't who she believe herself to be . . . and there is a such thing as Greek gods. But before she can claim the throne as Queen of the Underworld she must prove herself capable. Seven sins, seven tests.

And it all comes down to this, either Kate Winters becomes immortal or . . . dies trying.

For the most part, I liked Kate; she's strong-willed yet considerate, mature yet innocent, strong yet compassionate and a great daughter. Her relationship actually reminds me of my relationship with my own mother. And it is always nice when you can relate to the character you're reading about in some way. But, there were times that I wanted to tell her: "Really, get a grip." For example, this girl was practically scared of saying the word "sex." Seriously, she's eighteen and freaking gave up being a teenager and uprooted her life to care for her dying mother, traded her freedom to save the life of a girl who was mean to her, she agreed to marry the King of Hell to help him rule, and put her life in danger to save Henry's . . . but she could not say the word "sex." It seemed so childish and out of character for Kate that it just irked me to no end.

All in all, there aren't many Hades-Persephone style YA novels so when I spotted Aimee Carter's The Goddess Test I had to have it. Much to my delight it was a quick, enjoyable read. And I could not wait to see what would happen in Goddess Interrupted.

***Check out Aimee Carter's website for more information about her and The Goddess Test: HERE

*Read my review on Goddess Interrupted and The Goddess Inheritance.

Happy Reading!

June: Summer, Roses and BEA 2012!

June has finally blessed us with its presence!

And you know what that means -- and if you don't -- the BookExpo America is right around the cornering. So I absolutely jumping up and down internally. Why? For those of you who haven't the faintest idea what BEA is:

*TONS of FREE books (mostly Advanced Reader Copies)!

*TONS of swag!

*TONS of author signings!

*TONS of fellow book bloggers who understand your obsession with books!

*BEA Blogger Conference!

Seriously, what more do you need???

June 4: CIROBE Remainders & Gift Shop Pavilions Preview Day, Conference & Special Events

June 5-7: BEA Exhibits, Conference, Special Events, BlogWorld & New Media Expo NY

So of course, I already drew up my plan of attack for my three days - June 5-7 - at BEA. As luck would have it, said plan also includes me dragging along my kicking and screaming brother since none of my blogger buddies were able to make it this year to tag-team. Anywho, here are my Top 5 Highly Anticipated Books of BEA 2012:

#1 Becca Fitzpatrick - signing FINALE (can't wait to meet the woman behind the HUSH, HUSH series)
#2 Ally Condie - signing REACHED (I was lucky to meet her at last year's BEA, can I make it 2 for 2?)
#3 Andrea Cremer - signing RIFT (Finally meeting her)
#4 Maggie Stiefvater - signing THE RAVEN BOYS
#5 Melissa Marr - signing CARNIVAL OF SOULS

I am BEA, are you?

Always,
Haysel