ALA Midwinter 2014

Hi there gorgeous people!  I'm back from Philadelphia and so excited to tell you all about my first ALA conference.  

I drove on Friday and left the house around 1:00 because I wanted to make it there while there was light out.  That's always a good idea when you don't know where you're going and when the roads are not the best either (due to the recent snowfall).

I parked and checked in my bags at the hotel and proceed to registration and to wait at the Convention Center for the exhibit hall to open, and also to wait for my partners in crime for the weekend (AKA: the ALA adventure); the fabulous Christina and Melissa from Allodoxophobia.  Thanks for Hannah from The Irish Banana Reviews, Jen from Jenuine Cupcakes and Andye from Reading Teen for your companionship and guidance! That first day I got quite a few books, and the hall was open for just 1 1/2 hours!  

Melissa and Christina

When Melissa and Christina arrived to Philly, we went to Jim's at South Street,

for cheese steak sandwiches (see  the evidence to the right).  I do have to say that it was awesome!  

On Saturday, Katie from Bibliogato joined us and so the four of us embarked in the adventure.  After going to BEA twice, ALA Midwinter was very refreshing.  The Exhibit hall is big, but much less crowded.  Also, the publicists and other staff working on the booths of the publishing houses were really helpful and friendlier.  This might have to do with, as I said, the more easygoing pace and less number of people fighting for their attention.  Another big difference is that there are not as many book signings, and if there are, the signings are smaller and less stressful affairs.  

Saturday night, we went to dinner at the Walnut Street Supper Club, and it was a great experience.  The food was amazing (I had lobster ravioli) and there was live music too.  It is full pictures of old movie and music stars, and it's decorated at the style of the 40s - 50s.  

The check comes in this cool hollowed out book:

On Sunday, we went to the exhibit hall again for about an hour and at that time I headed home.  I was a tiering weekend, but oh, so worth it!  This is a picture of my haul:  

Stayed tuned and come back on Saturday to see all the books I got!

Top 3 of the Week #5

Hi there gorgeous people!  I thought it would be fun to share with you a little bit more of what goes on with my life and thus, I plan to have this My Top Three of the Week with you regularly.

1.  A visit from Macmillan's publicist to YADC bloggers - She (I don't want to give away her name!) came down from New York to meet with some of the bloggers in our area (Virginia/DC/Maryland) and then we met for dinner.  It is always great to see other bloggers and talk about, what else?, BOOKS! She also gave us a wonderful gift (see below).  Thank you!

ARCs of The Winner's Curse and The Kiss of Deception, Cress comb, Siege & Storm nail polish, tote

2. College Essays - This might sound very strange to you, but I never had to write a college essay for an application.  Why?  Because I first started college in Puerto Rico and it's not required there (or at least not when I applied!).  Even after a bachelors and two masters, I never had to go through that process. Now, my oldest is applying for a few colleges and I had to help him with his writing and it is not fun and more than stressful.  I wonder how much weight is put on an essay during the selection process?

3.  Looking forward to ALA Midwinter - I've never been to one of ALA's meetings and I'm really looking forward to the experience.  Since this year's midwinter conference is in Philadelphia, I'm driving on Friday and coming back on Sunday.  I can't wait to meet authors, publishers, publicists, bloggers, librarians and other book lovers.  If you're going, come say hi!

Have you read any of these books?  Did you have to write college essays?  Any advice for my son? Are you going to ALA Midwinter?