Currently my laptop is off being repaired. *sobs* Everything is breaking around me which has kept me from all the posts I had planned. (I’ll spare you my sob story though.) Right now my lunch break is providing me with the computer and time for this post so…
This week is BEA and therefore this weekend, BookCon. (yay!) I considered doing the full week of BEA, but decided to wait for the NYC return and just head to BookCon this year. I’ve been meaning to visit Chicago friends for a while so this provides a quick trip that also involves books. There’s a lot I’m looking forward to!
My Must See Panels
I love book panels, okay? As much as I also love walking around the floor and getting ARCs, panels are always my priority. I feel like I’m in the minority here since a lot of people I know who go to BEA/BookCon strategize autograph lines and galley drops before panels. But the way I see it, the books always come out eventually. Panels are more of a once in a lifetime kind of thing. And autographs? When it comes to BookCon, I’ve only stood in autograph lines for free books. Meeting authors can be great, but I’m also not a meet and greet kind of person. So here are my priority panels:
What is Light Without Darkness? Balancing Good and Evil in YA Literature w/ Veronica Roth, Lauren Oliver, Sabaa Tahir, Melissa de la Cruz
Who isn’t game for a good v. evil discussion? It’s part of most books even if it’s not a superhero or dystopian situation.
Friendship is Magic w/ Sarah J. Maas, Susan Dennard, and Alexandra Bracken
I am having a problem. That problem is the Moone Boy panel (a show I LOVE) is the same time as this panel. But these three are the CUTEST friends. So I think it has to be my Must See. I might change my mind last minute and go see Chris O’Dowd, because I have seen Sarah and Susan together before but gahhh. Decisions, decisions…
Leigh Bardugo and Marissa Meyer: Truth or Dare w/ Leigh Bardugo, Marissa Meyer, Isabella Biedenharn
This sounds like pure fun and Bardugo’s Six of Crows was one of my favorite books from last year.
The Power of Storytelling w/ Sherman Alexie, Kate Dicamillo, Meg Cabot, Anthony Breznican
Like many, Meg Cabot was a grade school/high school fave. I also love Sherman Alexie. So it’s those two drawing me to this panel. They both tell very different stories so I’m interested in hearing how their views on writing vary.
The Simon & Schuster Sisters: Morgan, Siobhan…and Jenny! w/ Morgan Matson, ,Siobhan Vivian, Jenny Han
Another wonderful friendship panel. Always here for strong female friendships.
These aren’t the only panels I plan to go to. There are so many that look amazing, but these are the top ones on my radar. It’s a lot though and sometimes I feel like taking a break just to roam around so I will see where the day takes me.
ARCs Wishlist
Although I try not to get too caught up on must have ARCs because that gets so stressful and is inevitably disappointing, I do have a few I’d love to get my hands on.
Regardless of whether I get any of these, I always come home with something great to read.
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Only three of these are being given away so I’m not holding my breath on this one. It also comes out this August so it’s not that much longer to wait. But holy cliffhanger on book one.
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
I have no idea if they are even giving more than a few of these away, but the first one blew me away a little so GRABBY HANDS.
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Everything Everything was an ARC I got at last year’s BookCon. I had heard a little bit about it and then ended up loving it. This one is already being hyped up by the authors I follow on Twitter.
Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige
Paige is doing a signing for these so maybe if I have time, I’ll join that line. We already know she can do retellings/reimaginings well judging by Dorothy Must Die and this one sounds just as fun.
I have 2.5 more days of work to get through then off to Chicago for books and friendship! I’m going to do some panel note-taking and possibly some live tweeting for those who can’t make it to BookCon this year, so watch out for that.