My experience at BEA had so far been a giant success. I had met great people, discovered new titles I was excited about, and had less business cards. Now, it was time to go (slightly) back to my roots with Book Con day. Christine and I were coming in with a non-blogger friend who was very excited. I had expected Book Con to be similar to what Power Readers were, or the experience. My was I wrong. Let’s talk about the line first. Since our friend had book con only access (I had no idea it was going to be separated!) we had to wait on this huge, and I mean huge, line that sent us outside by the parking lot deep in the middle of sketchy. It was not a good start.
Once the doors were opened, the crowds! Now BEA wasn’t crowd-free, but it was NOTHING like this. This was suffocating. It was utterly ridiculous. Now, time for Strike 2. Where was Penguin. The main Harpercollins? Sourcebooks? Yeah, on the BEA side. It was ridiculous and disappointing. How can some of the main publishers say no thanks? Harpercollins had a small booth, but all of their galley drops I wanted to go to was at the BEA side where I had to choose between books I really wanted and staying with my friend. I chose the books as she joined me later, btw. I got Falling into Place, Tape, and a couple others. But Tape was what I really wanted. I got to be first on line and met my new friend Jordan again.
I was not happy about Book Con at all. Not happy about how it was being run. How the crowds were. Everything was just too much. There were hardly any books to get. It seemed like a wasted day, to be honest. I got some good books signed (Yay!) but was it truly worth it, I’m thinking no. I don’t think I will go on Saturday again.
Now for the fun part. The final haul.
Now, there’s 70 books there. 70! That’s not even all the books I got. I forgot to add my YA giveaway in there, plus the other 15-20 books I have already given away. I have got, in total, probably over 100+ books from this year’s conference. Holy. Even I’m impressed with myself. Shall I go smaller next year? I don’t know. It’s nice that I don’t necessarily need to spend money on more books while I’m starting my own crafting business right now. Lots to read. Lots of good stuff to read.
Here’s a closer look at each pile. See a title you have? Like? Want to read?
Look, it’s Tape! I’m excited for that one. And others like The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street and An Italian Wife. Oh the books!
More books!!!!
There you have it! My last day and the big haul. Hope you enjoyed reading about my BEA adventures. I had so much fun for my first time. I can’t wait to do it again next year. It was so nice meeting some of you. I hope to meet many more of you, too. Happy reading and thanks for stopping by!
Next posts coming up for this coming week:
Book Review- The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder
Film Review: The Invisible Woman (book to movie adaptation)
Meme: TBR Thursday
Book Review: The Collector of Dying Breaths: A Novel of Suspense (Reincarnationists #6) by M.J. Rose
indiereadergirl0329 
Jun 14, 2014 @ 19:43:14
I have heard nothing good about the Book con… I walked over there a couple of times and just left again – I actually felt sorry for the publishing companies that did say yes to being a part of that – it was totally out of control on the conventions part – this was in no way the publishers fault.
It really is too bad that they did not 1) limit the tickets sold and 2) make the price to get in a little more pricy so not everyone and their child (oh yes… remember seeing the children?) come. It gave the feeling that the Javitz was overselling tickets to bring in money but it just made a bad experience for all involved. 😦 I was at the expo(mainly BEA side) until noon then I left.
Jun 14, 2014 @ 19:45:59
Yeah it was awful. I too tried to stay on the BEA side. I was going to go to the John Green panel but it was a mad house. No one was listening to security. It was a mob scene.
Jun 14, 2014 @ 19:44:58
Great post! I don’t think you’re actually the only one feeling slightly disappointed by BookCon. I heard from quite a lot people that the event was badly organized, like really crap! Anyways, have I told you yet that i’m TOTALLY jealous of your book haul? Because I am. I mean OMG, SEVENTY BOOKS!!!! You must feel so lucky! 😀
Jun 14, 2014 @ 19:47:11
Haha thanks!! It was a good haul this year. Yeah book con was awful. So disappointed in it. Being a power reader last year was much better.
Jun 14, 2014 @ 20:11:50
I agree with your perspective of Book Con. I had several authors I wanted. When I saw the mob, I narrowed it down to two authors – got those and got out!
On another subject – you are starting crafting? What are you going to do? My daughter is a crafter. I am always interested in what others are doing.
Jun 14, 2014 @ 20:23:14
I am going to be selling notebooks hand decorated, handmade assorted bookmarks, and handmade stickers first at craft fairs then hopefully on etsy shortly after depending on feedback. What does your daughter make?
Jun 15, 2014 @ 14:06:58
My daughter makes scarves, baby things, and an assortment of other things. She has an etsy shop and does some craft shows.
Jun 15, 2014 @ 14:30:52
Very nice.
Jun 14, 2014 @ 21:39:17
Now I’m more than happy that I blew off Saturday. My husband and kids arrived Friday night and we spent Saturday walking around Central Park and Rockefeller Center. My gut told me there would be HUGE crowds at Javits — esp. when I saw it advertised in Boston!!
Glad you got a good haul of books! 🙂
Jun 14, 2014 @ 22:51:47
You were very smart. It was horrible.
The lines!
Jun 15, 2014 @ 01:37:59
After hearing all the horror stories of the book con I have no plans on hitting that next year when I go.. When I heard that little kids were there I seriously thought WTH brings children to an event like that? I would never do that. I think alot of work needs to be done over the next year to improve it and not make it a fire hazard to everyone there. I think they sold way too many tickets perhaps increase the price and set limits on the age people can attend. I guess I will get more sight seeing done next year 🙂
Jun 15, 2014 @ 01:43:42
Yes, I agree. There were TONS of children. So not an event for them. I definitely think they sold too many tickets at too cheap a price. Heck the bloggers conference was $149 and they pay $30? No, no. It just isn’t worth it if they do it the same way. There was a woman who used to come as a power reader who said she won’t come again because they separated it; her daughter wanted to see a majority of the publishers who chose not to participate. I have a feeling she won’t be the only non-repeat customer like that. If I was just a power reader and and came back for Book Con I wouldn’t do it again. I’m glad now I have this blog.
Jun 16, 2014 @ 05:06:23
Oh wow…. where will you find the time to read all of these?!
I’ve read a few posts from people who were truly disappointed in Book Con. At least the amazingness of BEA more than made up for the BookCon.
Jun 16, 2014 @ 14:12:45
How will I find the time is the perfect question. Read a thons mayhaps. Thanks for stopping by.
Jun 16, 2014 @ 13:22:14
I agree with you 100% – BookCon was a mess. I missed out on like 3 high-priority signings because of a MOB that had collected in the signing area that morning PLUS for whatever reason they weren’t allowing anybody to form lines out of the way for said signings like the 2 previous days. Which created chaos and madness. I think the people who skipped that day all together were on to something but I still did manage to get a few coveted books that day so I guess it was worth it. You got an AMAZING haul here! I hope you enjoy all of these and thanks for sharing ^^
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews
Jun 16, 2014 @ 14:14:32
It was a madhouse. Sorry you missed out. That’s awful. I think they sold too many tickets for too less of money. It was not like that last year. Thanks for stopping by.