Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals

 This week's topic is bookish goals for the year.

Reading:

Goodreads Challenge: 225 books (Children's, YA, and Adult)

500 picture books and board books

Blogging:

350 blog posts

Middle Grade Mondays - highlight more middle grade reads

reach 2 million blog hits 

Writing Goals:

Edit my WIP - the hiking serial killer book

If polished enough, look for an agent.

Author Goals:

Attend more author events (I didn't do too well at this last year)

Conference:

I'd like to attend more conferences.

I did submit a proposal to our state conference, waiting to hear back about it. 

BEA Recap in Photos

Last week was Book Expo America - or in other words, bookmania.

On Wednesday after arriving in New York, I attended two events.

Novl Tea at Little Brown.

And the SLJ Librarians' Dinner, which I don't have any pictures from, but it was lots of fun with CT Librarian friends and amazing authors. Also they signed books, meaning I didn't have to wait in line for them the next day.

Thursday and Friday were both packed full of authors, books, and bookish people. The pictures are not in any real order.

Ryan T. Higgins signing Bruce's Big Move. I love this picture book series. Santa Bruce comes out later this fall.

Jen Calonita signing Misfits, the spin-off series of Fairy Tale Reform School

Tony DiTerlizzi signing posters of The Broken Ornament, which comes out later this fall.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka signing Hey, Kiddo - his graphic novel memoir which is sad, but really really good. Also David Levithan, his editor, is there too.

The Queen with her corgis - just hanging out in the Scholastic Booth - promoting Spy Kids.

Shannon and Dean Hale signing Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare

Jordan Matter signing his Born to Dance book, I love these pictures. He confessed that the real book is even better because they had to change some things around.

Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopoulous signing I am Neil Armstrong.

Eoin Colfer signing Artemis Fowl (soon to be a movie)

Martina McBride signing a picture for her upcoming cookbook.

Jan Brett signing her newest book Snowy Nap. They handed out bags to match the cover of the book. So cute!

Mark Crilley drawing me a picture in his new drawing book

Brigid Kemmerer signing her upcoming book a Curse So Dark and Lonely

Spy School series stand.

Hanging out with Brad Meltzer again.

Also I met my #otspsecretsister that I'm gifting this time around!
Check us out on her Instagram page.

So there you have it, three days of fun in pictures.

Stay tuned for more about the books.

If We were Having Tea

 Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner featured this on her blog last week. I loved the idea of sharing a little bit more about myself. I don't write too many personal pieces on the blog and maybe it's time I change that. You can see the previous posts too. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I changed it to tea. Hot chocolate works too!

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that this is first summer in 11 years that I'm not running a YA Summer Reading Program at the library. This is both relaxing and sad for me. Relaxing because clearly I don't have to worry about prizes and hosting 3 programs a week, but sad because I won't see my favorite teens this summer. I won't be talking about books with them, I won't be recommending books to them, and I won't be hearing their thoughts on the books they read. It also means that my summer is wide open for plans. What are you doing this summer?

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that this summer, I'm planning a few family vacations. This also hasn't happened in 11 years. I can't wait to sit by the water and READ. What are you planning to read this summer?

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that Romance Writers of America is hosting their annual conference in NYC this year. I've always wanted to go, but never could because of Summer Reading. Since it's super close this year and no plans, I'm going to be there!!

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that I'm writing something very different and very fun, although it's harder than what I've written before. It's also inspired by Taylor Swift. Do you have a favorite Taylor Swift song?

BEA 2013: Recap 4

I loved talked with people in line and meeting different librarians and bloggers and book people. I love meeting people who adore books as much as I do!

I started my day off with the Children's Author Breakfast (which isn't really a breakfast). I sat in the chairs behind the tables. On my chair was a Percy Jackson T-shirt and Divergent. This was my first breakfast and it was an amazing way to start the day!

Octavia Spencer was the hostess - she was funny and engaging. Her new book Randi Rhodes Ninja Detective has ninjas, mystery, and treasure-hunting. 

First speaker was Mary Pope Osborne of the Magic Tree House fame. She talked about her readers and shared several letters with us. Second Rick Riordan spoke of his sons' influence on his writing and how his students' helped him. Veronica Roth had a different tone - she was more serious and focused her talk on the value of reading for fun, but with an open mind for learning.

Back on the BEA floor, I passed by the Lemony Snicket/Daniel Handler line and snapped a picture. 

The line was already starting for Richelle Mead, so I waited for her signing. I'm excited about her adult book!

I got an ARC signed from Wendy Mass, whom readers at my library LOVE

I finally got to meet Shannon Greenland!

I got the newest Kingdom Keepers book signed, along with a picture with Ridley Pearson

I met Helen Fielding, am excited about Mad About the Boy! 

I got a signed ARC for Brandon Mull's new book - Spirit Animals

I saw R2D2 at Tom Angleberger's book line. 

Here are some great romances I got signed for the library collection

Some great looking books:

Summer Reading Prizes

Summer Reading Prizes

Summer Reading Prizes:

Summer Reading Prizes 

Middle Grade Summer Reading Prizes:

Middle Grade Summer Reading Prizes

BEA 2013 Recap: Part 2

After the Harlequin Teen Blogger Breakfast, I hit the floor. While I had a plan, I didn't go too crazy.

I loved talked with people in line and meeting different librarians and bloggers and book people. I love meeting people who adore books as much as I do!

I started by hitting up the publishers' booth, checking out the galleys and the book cover posters on the wall. I loved these Lego statues in the DK booth. They were amazing and every time I walked by, people were always taking pictures.

I saw these really fun balloon animals, which were really fun. 

I saw Eloisa James and chatted with her. She was SO nice! 

I met Brad Meltzer, who was really funny.

I saw Arthur Levine and Kazu Kibuishi posing in front of the new cover for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

I hung out with Greg from the Wimpy Kids books

I met Lauren Kate, who signed Teardrop - which will make a great summer reading prize for a teen at my library.

I got to meet Stephanie Evanovich who signed Big Girl Panties, which I can't wait to read

Super excited for both the Evanovich books! I came upon the Heist unexpectedly as well as Awaken. I hadn't heard of Mister Max, but loved Cynthia Voigt's Tillerman series. Excited to read something new from her and it sounds great. Also happy for the new sister book from Roeckers.  

Big books that I got at the SLJ Day of Dialog the day before (Post appearing on Friday at the Hub) that I'm really exciting to read! Getting Crown of Midnight was the one book I wanted and I can't wait to dive into it and savor it!

These books look like great summer reading prizes for teens and I know they will LOVE them. 

I picked up some signed romance books for the library collection. Romance books are HUGE at our library. I can't wait to read a few of them.

Now I need to update my purchasing list for the library as there are SO many great teen and tween books coming out soon!!!! Happy I could learn about them.