Last weekend, I headed to New Orleans with my mom and sister-in-law for the American Library Association’s summer convention. It was a blast!
Not only was it great to have a girls’ weekend with tow of my favorite ladies, but we had the chance to pick up some seriously awesome books!
I came back with about 40 books. I was kind of picky about which ones I took, since I knew I’d had limited time to read. And I didn’t want to deprive someone else of a book that they’d enjoy when I knew the chances of me reading it were slim.
BUT – I was able to get my hands on some great ones. Here’s a stack of my favorites:
Crossed by Ally Condy
Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (signed!)
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (signed!)
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff (signed!)
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Legend by Marie Lu
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa (signed!)
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
The Taker by Alma Katsu
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin (not pictured)
We waited in line for two hours to pick up Crossed by Ally Condy, the sequel to Matched. I am *dying* to start reading this one (I mean, come on!) but since it doesn’t come out until November, I’m prioritizing other books with earlier release dates.
We picked up Lola and the Boy Next Door during our first day at the convention. Again, we waited about two hours in line for this one. And I’m glad we did! Those babies went like hot cakes when the awesome ladies at the Penguin Booth laid them down. Seriously, people were running up and reaching over us in line to grab the books and run off. It was CRAZY. I think they learned a lot from that, because the next day, the Penguin ladies *handed* out the ARCs, instead of just letting you take one.
I couldn’t wait to read this one. We got back to the hotel on Saturday around 3 pm, and I started reading it. I finished that night. Yes, we were total dorks and stayed in the hotel to read and order pizza. But it was SO worth it! Lola is amazing … and I loved it more than Anna, and I think that’s due to a certain nerdy boy who shall remain nameless (cough, cough: Cricket!! cough, cough)
And here’s another I’m really excited for. A modern-day Jack the Ripper tale by the amazing Maureen Johnson? Yes, please! It sounds fantastic and I can’t wait to read it!
ALA was an awesome trip and I am so looking forward to next time! The mid-winter meeting is in Dallas, so you know I can’t miss that one!
My mom and sister-in-law have been awesome enough to donate some of their ARCs for me to give away on the blog. Look for an epic ARC giveaway (with many of the titles mentioned above!) to come soon!
What did you get in your mailbox this week?
I’m literally SO jealous that you have the majority of these books! So many great ones there!
I have read The Taker though and its a fab one, very dark in places!!
Hope you enjoy!!
It was awesome! Glad to finally meet you in person. I can’t wait to start Crossed too!
Jen
You got some seriously great books. I can’t wait to read all three that you featured. Thankfully, Lola and Name of the Star are getting so much closer to thier release date! Can’t wait to see what you think of your picks! Enjoy!
Well, nothing like *that* has been in my mailbox, lately, although, I have gotten some fabulous postcards and letters at summer camp! I’m also quite jealous of your stack! Enjoy them!
I’m so jealous!
The best thing that came in the mail this week were a few books signed by Charlaine Harris. They’re for a fundraiser, though, so I don’t get to keep them!
Oooh!!! You got some amazing books! 😀
I can’t wait to read Crossed, Lola and the Boy Next Door, The Scorpio Races, and the Space Between! 😀
I’m glad to hear you had fun at ALA, and that Lola and the Boy Next Door was so good! I’m seriously psyched for that one!
Thanks for sharing, Arena! 😀
And I hope you’re not feeling too much morning sickness lately. 🙂
What a great haul of books! I’m listening to Matched right now, literally. Cannot wait for the sequel.
Crys
Book ‘Em IMM
I don’t even know what to say, your list is beyond amazing!!! Trying to control my jealousy here 🙂 Looking forward to your reviews. Happy Reading!!
Georgia
http://quirky-fate-press.blogspot.com/2011/07/in-my-mailbox.html
You have a nice list of book that you received in your mailbox this week. You snagged a lot of awesome books, I am jealous.
Happy Reading,
Book Sniffers Anonymous
Wow awesome books! So jealous of Lola and Shut Out.
Happy reading.
Sally.
http://theelifylop.blogspot.com/2011/07/in-my-mailbox-26.html
That’s awesome that you were able to get an ARC of Crossed, I am so excited to read that one since I loved Matched!
I’ve heard great things about the Scorpio Races. Adding it to my TBR.
Enjoy!
Here’s my IMM
I’m honored to have made your short stack! That’s pretty impressive company. I’m digging your blog, too… great photography.
Ohhh! Crossed!! Kelsey and I are so looking forward to that book. We both really liked Matched. Can not wait to hear what you have to say about it.
i would love to read The Name of the Star, it sounds extremely interesting and the title just jumped out at me when i first heard of it. 🙂
I hope you love Legend. I thought it was great. I never heard of Crossed. I will have to look that one up. Enjoy your books!