BEA Bound: Get to Know Me

I'm heading to BEA Thursday and Friday

Here are some things you might not know about me:

1. I'm addicted to candy (dark chocolate and gummy treats)

2. Also I adore cupcakes, cannoli, cookies - you get the idea

3. Since I'm taking some time to write - I have the summer free (first time in 11 years I have no summer reading program  - which is both sad and relaxing)

4. I like going for hikes - day ones only, no camping here

5. I love visiting libraries around the country to see what they do, even when on vacation

6. I just started Instagram

7. I started a bucket list this year because of pop culture influences (TV shows and books)

8. I want to take a series of classes around the world: Pastry in Paris, Glass Blowing in Venice, Chocolate making in Switzerland

9. I'm addicted to Bath and Body works - their body wash and their creams. No matter how many I have, I always want more.

10. I'm also addicted to craft stores - now that I have some time off this summer, I hope to starting crafting much more!

And I'm pretty shy - but much more outgoing online.

If you see me, say Hi! I'll be on the lookout for you too.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books in My Beach Bag

This week's topic is Books in my Beach Bag or the top books I want to read this summer coming out in June or July or August. Maybe I'll read them by a pool or maybe inside in the cool air conditioning. It's a mix of YA and adult titles...
And with so many great books coming out, I need to find more time! 

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Teen Books: 

 Adult Books:

Memorial Day

Photo Credit: Lipton Sale (Creative Commons)

Thank you to those who served and sacrificed your lives for our country.
Your deaths matters and we salute you - and not just today, but every day.

I Read YA: Book Recommendations

Today is Share your YA Book recommendations

So here are some that I recently read and LOVED:

I Read YA: The Book that Changed My Life

What is the book that got you into YA?

I talk a bit here about my love for Princess Mia and the Princess Diaries series on the YALSA Hub Blog but what I didn't say was that reading these books changed my life. I was in graduate school at the time to become a Librarian. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or what road I would travel on.

Then I devoured this book and it hit me. This series was so fun, so addictive, so funny that I wanted to become a YA Librarian so I could share this book and other amazing books with teen readers.

I've consumed and talked about so many books since, but the Princess Diaries series will always hold a very special place in my heart for the way they changed me.

I"m super excited about the new book, Royal Wedding, so I'm re-reading the entire series again.
 It's just a great the first time around.

I Read YA: Upcoming YA Books

A few YA upcoming books that I'm really excited about: