BEA 2019 Book Recap

Hello there! I’m back from BEA (Book Expo of America) and Book Con and nursing myself back to health from the post conference crud I always seem to get afterwards. But I wanted to be semi-timely with my wrap-up because I rarely ever am.

So BEA yeah??? I haven’t gone since 2015 but before that I was going every year since 2011. So it was A BIG chunk of time in which I went to London + Madrid instead when BEA moved to Chicago in 2016 (please never do that again), was super pregnant in 2017 and then had a baby I wasn’t ready to leave for that long in 2018.

But I was ready to go back this year — because I missed it and also because I needed something for ME! 

And honestly? It was pretty much the same as the last couple times I went — lots of booths to explore, galley drops, signings, networking, lines, awful concrete floor. With a few small personal differences which I’ll get to in a minute.

I’ve noted in past BEA write-ups that it’s A LOT different than when I started going. For example, I swear back in 2011/2012 I would just walk past booths and get books practically shoved in my hands + lots more people willing to chat with you at booths about titles. Not as many scheduled drops — just at random.

As an aside, I don’t mind getting less books AT ALL — that’s not the issue. I’ve been doing this a long time and I have way more contacts that I did back then so I don’t need to grab everything I’m interested in because I can ask and they are typically willing to send them.

I just miss when more people manning the booths were willing to chat with me for a bit because this really IS how I curate my lists and see what they are excited about in-house and, when they would book talk a title to me that really caught my attention, that they would just reach in their little magical booth and pull it out for me sometimes. Now it seemed like unless it was a scheduled galley drop it wasn’t happening and I’d have to write it down for later. And honestly…it’s not THAT big of a deal. Just noting the difference for me.

This year for me was the first year in a LONG time I felt like I had new networking to do. I felt pretty confident in my relationships with publishers of YA that I work with so it was nice to reconnect with them especially after all these years. But this year for me was all about introducing myself and connecting with adult imprints and children’s books imprints/publishers since I’m doing a lot more of both of those things than I used to. I feel like I walked away with some good connections but wished it was how it was back in the day because I made SO many great relationships chatting at the booth that led to working with those publishers long term.

ANYWAYS…I think this Book Expo went well overwall! On a personal level it was a tad overwhelming coming back (I FORGET!!) and it was a bit lonely because it seems like less bloggers (or maybe just that I know) go these days but I really enjoyed reconnecting with those I did know and meeting new people.

So, I’ll get to the books now because MAYBE SORTA THAT’S WHAT YOU CAME FOR??

 

[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.

 

 

Books I Got At Book Expo

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds: Jason Reynolds is one of the best writers out there writing for kids (middle grade and YA)– FIGHT ME ON THAT…I’ll wait. This is upcoming middle grade in which he weaves together ten different snapshots of middle schoolers on their walk home 10 blocks. It sounds great and I can’t wait to read it! Out October 2019.

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill: My pal Margot at Oni Press (you may know her formerly from Epic Reads) hooked me up with this graphic novel and I’m obsessed with the cover!! It looks whimsical and charming just from flipping around. I can’t wait to get lost in this world of tea dragons!! Out Now

The Two Lila Bennetts by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke: I really enjoyed earlier books from Liz and Lisa so I had to wait in line to meet them and get a copy of this upcoming Sliding Doors-esque thriller. I LOVE A GOOD SLIDING DOORS STORY. Lila Bennett seems to be in a pickle in both versions of her life…SOMEONE IS OUT TO GET HER AND I CANNOT WAIT TO FIND OUT WHO! Out July 23

The Gravity Of Us by Phil Stamper: This one has been on my radar but after meeting Phil on the floor I swung by Bloomsbury and HAD to have it. Two young guys falling in love + a backdrop of the space race to MARS. This is going to be SO GOOD. Out Feb 2020

The Map From Here To There by Emery Lord: One of my most anticipated for next year!! Emery Lord is one of my ALL TIME FAVES when it comes to contemporary YA and I have been DYING since news of this sequel to the delightful The Start Of Me & You was announced. Check out my review of The Start Of Me & You to see what it’s about and then go read it so when this one comes out you’ll be ready! Out January 2020

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen: I actually just finished this one and liked it!! It was a really charming graphic novel about loss (and guilt) and emotions and what we do about the feelings we feel — even when they are hard! I loved the illustrations so much! Out Now

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell: I just read my first Lisa Jewell for book club this year and I HAD to get my hands on this because I want to devour her thrillers. This sounds like a fantastic domestic thriller! Out October 2019.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring: I always love meeting debut authors whose books aren’t out yet at Book Expo because they are always just SO EXCITED TO BE THERE because it’s their first big event for their book. Sara Faring was a DELIGHT and I’m glad I got to meet her. She just kept saying how excited she was and you could tell she genuinely was so thankful for everyone who stood in her line. I also got to listen to her talk a little bit about this book and her journey at an event Fierce Reads held for bloggers and it made me more excited about this gothic paranormal thriller set in Argentina!! Out September 2019

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky: STEPHEN FREAKING CHBOSKY. Yes that one. PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER STEPHEN CHBOSKY. The highlight was definitely meeting him. He was SO great and I’m so excited we FINALLY have a new book from him!!!! And this book could NOT be more different than Perks. It’s an adult horror novel and I am intrigued!! It’s about a little boy who vanishes and comes back 6 days later with an imaginary friend who has tasked him with a mission that only he can complete. SOUNDS CREEPY. Out October 2019

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager: I loved Final Girls so I definitely stood in line for Riley Sager’s newest thriller about a woman who accepts a job as an apartment sitter at a fancy building in Manhattan and finds out the job and the building is not at all what it seems especially after a friend she meets there disappears. Out July 2019

The Fountains Of Silence by Ruta Sepetys: This was my top priority for BEA because I LOVE Ruta’s historical novels. It’s rare that I read YA historical (adult is where it’s at for me with historical) but her books ARE THE ACTUAL BEST. This one is set in 1950’s Madrid! Stoked because I’ve been to Madrid and I love being able to really picture a setting well! Out October 2019

Long Bright River by Liz Moore: This one I hadn’t heard of but when I was chatting with a publicist working the booth she said it was her favorite upcoming one that they had there so I was game! It was only afterwards I realized this thriller is set in Philly so double win!! It’s about two estranged sisters — one an addict living on the streets and one a cop — and the disappearance and murders that start the hunt to find her sister and the killer that roams in her district. Out January 2020

Searching For Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok: This one was on my most anticipated book list for 2019 and I’m so excited I got to meet the author and snag this one (it came out this past week). FAMILY DRAMA & SECRETS. MOMS AND DAUGHTERS AND SISTERS. MISSING PERSON. It sounds like a perfect book to devour this summer! Out Now

So that’s what I brought home with me! I’m really pleased about the trip and the books! What books are you most excited about from this pile??