My knees hurt... Book Expo, 2011!

I wasn't going to go.  I mean, I'm retired, right?  I will be working this summer for the library but I am not working now.  And my most faithful Book Expo buddy is off in the Wild West meeting buffalo and grizzly bears.  So, why not take a year off?  Then, the new YS librarian asked me to go as "the unpaid YS rep".  Did I ask if I would be reimbursed for my expenses?  NO!  I did NOT!  I had a mission and a reason to attend the most favorite trade event of any American book lover's life - BOOK EXPO AMERICA!!!!!!!

I planned!  I made lists - not only of books that I knew were going to be there for perusal and snap-up-age - but also of books I HOPED might be there.  I had a chronological list of who would be signing books where.  I had food in case of low blood sugar and I charted the bathrooms and water fountains.  Thanks to Z, and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Library Association - I love you! - there was FREE transportation to and from the Convention Center.

I lost the lists by noon.  The Librarians' Lounge (sponsored by Library Journal) made my food and water planning unnecessary.   I still had the best time anyway.

Highlights?

Meeting Tom Angleberger and getting a handmade Darth Paper finger puppet.  Darth Paper comes out this fall.  I did snag a signed copy of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda.  I am accepting bids - high, HIGH bids!
Getting Ellie Krieger's cookbook at the Librarians' Lounge.  She signed for ordinary mortals at the publisher's booth later in the day, too.
Kathie Lee Gifford!!!  Got to meet her face to face.  Of course all I said was "Thank you so much!"  But I met her!
Michael Scott signed a copy of The Warlock, just for me.  He's quite handsome.
I got a copy, signed, of Ilse Bick's Ashes!  The Autograph Table line was across the Center.  I picked it up at the publisher's booth.

Librarians Rock socks!

Swag- lots and lots of swag!

More books! (Notice that the socks got into the last three photos.)
I did not see everything or meet everyone on my lists.  I did see wonderful Ingram rep, Jeff Meskill and his lovely wife, Cara, and got to hang out with Cara for awhile.  Book people are great.

Next year, I hope to go for two days....Hmmm, how will I pay for that?