So, I'm back from my second year at BookExpo America at the Javits Center in NYC! Guys, it was such an amazing time (yet again). Now that I've been there twice, I can honestly say that it's equal parts awesome, thrilling, exciting, exhausting, nerve-wracking, painful (my feet will never be the same) and just plain fun. I highly advice everyone that ever has a chance to go to take it and run! It's an experience.

BEA might not be for everyone though. While I think this year was a lot more organized, it's still a cluster sometimes and, let's be honest here, it is completely and utterly draining. Most people arrive around 8 AM to get in line (some even earlier), and there are actually a few publisher events that take place in the morning, which take away from sleep, too. I think that the lovely Jenny from Supernatural Snark and I probably got a grand total of about 24 hours of sleep in 5 days. So, yes, it's tiring. Will I do it again though? Hells yes!

Here are a few things I learned this year: 

1. Flip flops, while completely comfortable on the showroom floor, do not make for great walking back to the hotel.

2. I can steal cabs like a good ol' New Yorker. I cannot, however, hail one to save my life.

3. Sometimes a free night with cheesecake is better than a night out in the city.

4. Book bloggers, as a whole, are just awesomesauce.

5. I am not, and will never be, a New Yorker.

6. BEA is an adventure each and every time you go.

 Jenny, Yours Truly, Dan Cohen (Author) and Danny

My BEA in Pictures:

 

Because I know a ton of you desperately wanted to go but couldn't, I'm going to be offering up a few of the copies I snagged just for you! So, without further ado...who wants to win an ARC of What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang?! 

Here are the rules: You MUST be a follower to enter. This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight EST on June 22, 2012. As always, the winner will be selected by Random.org and will be notified via email.

Still want to enter? Click HERE!

***Disclaimer: Please note that these are singular copies that I received at the conference and also received for review. In no way, shape, or form did I slight other bloggers by taking duplicates to giveaway.***

Kids, it's that time of year again. You know, that time of year where Christmas happens in July for all the lovely bloggers and bookish people in the world? Well, if you live under a rock (no offense to all of you that live under rocks of course), that time of year comes along when BookExpo America rolls around at the Javits Center in New York City. Now, the reason I'm telling you this is because I left for Ohio yesterday morning to meet up with Jenny from Supernatural Snark. Proof? See below.

The point of this post is simply to say that posts are going to be sporadic at best this week. Jenny and I are headed to NYC early tomorrow morning for the Book Blogger Convention, then we'll be there through Thursday. We're super excited to see all of you - bloggers, authors and publishers/publicists - we can't flipping wait!

I'll be doing my very best to update you all throughout the week with the goings-on. Here's to another great year - and a million wonderful bookish people all crammed into one building!

So, as you all probably know, I spent the better half of this past week at BookExpo America, or better known as BEA at the Javits Center in New York City. I went in with few expectations, but I came out with a lot of books, amazing experiences and the chance to meet with some of my favourite authors and bloggers, as well as some of the fabulous contacts I've made since starting this lovely little site. It would be easy to say that the trip was worth it for the books, alone, but truly my time at BEA was made better by meeting other like-minded bloggers, readers and reviewers like myself, not the least of whom were the fabulous ladies behind Supernatural Snark, Bewitched Bookworms, Hobbitsies, Fiction Folio and more.

Now, a lot of what happened at BEA was exactly as I'd expected. For example, there were lines. LOTS of lines. There were also hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people milling about the center throughout the day. There was also definitely a tangible air of excitement from the time the doors opened and well past closing time. There were, however, also things I didn't expect. The bruises from book bags, overzealous fans and many more events that I was even expecting. I will definitely make a more set schedule next time because I most certainly intend to go again, and I definitely want more time to spend with more people, too. To those who couldn't go, don't worry! There's always next year, and remember that each year, things change up a wee bit...plus, I've made sure to get a few treats for those of you who couldn't make it this year, too.

So, in the spirit of kicking off just the first of many to come BEA giveaways, I'm offering a very coveted ARC of the third book in Maggie Stiefvater's popular Shiver trilogy. What book, you ask? Well, see below (yes, it's really up for grabs!)

Here are the rules:

This giveaway ends at exactly midnight on June 11, 2011, and it's open internationally. You do NOT have to be a follower to enter, but it is definitely always appreciated. The winner will be chosen by the all-too-awesome Random.org, and the winner will be emailed directly. Still interested in the ARC of Forever? 

Click HERE to enter!