I know that the number of followers or facebook friends you have isn’t supposed to be tied up with your self-worth, but I do get a little thrill every time I see a new blog follower. I’m just not on facebook enough to care about that that deeply. Besides, I can tell when you’re my real friend, versus someone I met once. Hint: It’s when you feed me. Or buy books for me, or…wait, that’s dangerous territory! But…it’s kind of true.
This weekend I passed the 300 followers mark on the blog, and I danced a little on the inside. I also may have danced on the outside (no one was hurt, I swear!) because I went to the ALA annual conference. ALA stands for American Library Association. They’re the awesome people who run American libraries, hand out the Newbery and Caldecott awards, and have ridiculously great conferences.
At ALA I met several authors I admire and picked up many books I’ve been anticipating. I also met some really cool librarians while waiting in various signing lines. I’m serious, these ladies GOT IT. I could talk to them about all the books I love but feel guilty about reading, and the reactions of my friends to my book problem (I swear, I won’t buy any more this month!), and about the hazards of being a book-loving traveler. Denver, Alabama and National Geographic (you know who you are), I heart you! Thanks for making me laugh.
Another highlight was Toni Morrison’s keynote speech. That lady? Is elegant, entertaining, intelligent, beautiful and very, VERY cool. The way she phrased things, the cadence of her speech, reminded me very much of my own grandmother, who is a gracious, wonderful person. So Toni’s speech for me was awe-inspiring on the one hand (she’s TONI MORRISON, people!), and comforting on the other. I only hope that when I am old I can look back and realize that I have done something beautiful and reflect on it with half the aplomb of either Toni or my Nana.
BUT! Back to the books. There were many. In fact, there were too many. My eyes were big, and my shoulders weak. There are only so many tote bags one girl can carry, all right? I eventually dropped books off at a FedEx holding area on one end of the Exhibit Hall. Overnight. And then I took the box plus another bag home via taxi the next day. *sigh* At least I live within taxi range!
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger (ARC)
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher (ARC)
Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti (ARC)
Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (signed ARC)
Grace by Elizabeth Scott (signed ARC)
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (signed ARC)
The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (signed hardcover)
Siren by Tricia Rayburn (signed hardcover)
Ash by Malinda Lo (signed hardcover)
The Daykeeper’s Grimoire (Prophecy of Days) by Christy Raedeke (paperback)
Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken (hardcover)
-----
To enter:
Leave a comment on this post telling me the book you’re looking forward to most in 2010. Also let me know if you're international or domestic. Followers only, please!
Please include a method of contact. Giveaway is open internationally. Comments will close on July 16 at 11:59pm EST, and I will notify the randomly selected winners via email.
Good luck!
