In My Mailbox + ALA

I haven't done an IMM for a few weeks, mostly because I was lazy, then last weekend I was in New Orleans for ALA, so this is a few weeks worth... but it's been a slow few weeks, which is fine, because I ended up with a ton of books after ALA. ALA was AMAZING. Absolutely, completely amazing. I met so many awesome authors, writers, and bloggers, some of whom I haven't properly stalked in the days since I've been home but rest assured, your business cards are in a stack to be gone through!

But for those of you who are here just for the books, we'll get to the IMM portion of this post, then I'll do my probably quick ALA write up with the highlights because honestly, there was so much awesome both at the actual convention and especially after hours that I cannot possibly write it all up.

For Review:

My Beating Teenage Heart by CK Kelly Martin

Sassy and Serendipity by Jennifer Ziegler

A Closer Look by Karen DelleCava

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

I feel like I might have forgotten one or two, and if I realize it soon enough I will put them in next week's IMM. But that's it for that, and now on to my ALA adventures, and some pictures to boot! I ended up getting a ton of books, pretty much all the ones upcoming that I wanted that I didn't already have, and found out about some other awesome books I probably wouldn't have known about if it wasn't for ALA. So before I do anything else, here's my stacks of books, at least YA. I also brought home about 14 adult titles, including Ellen Hopkins's Triangles which I am super excited for, but didn't put them in the photo. There's a few others that my best friend is borrowing first, so they aren't in here either but... details.

The hardbacks in there are ones I bought at author signings, along with a few of the paperbacks. I think out of all the books, I am most excited for Name of the Star, The Space Between, The Beginning of After, Stay With Me, Blood Wounds and How to Save a Life. 

Yes! I met Veronica Roth! I was only freaking out a little... or a lot. But she has lovely and nice in person and she seems!

 And here I am with Jay Asher... found him on the floor, and since I had randomly met him the night before hanging out with people, I awkwardly asked for a picture. He was nice enough to agree.

 With Ruta Sepetys, who is fantastic and so fun to talk to!

 Brenna Yovanoff! She is one of the authors I squealed about when I saw her name on the list.

Sunday night I met up with some of my writing and authorly friends, and it was one of those things where a few of us set the plans and word spread to get this group of amazing. It was a fantastic last night, and left to right are: Michelle Hodkin (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer), Jessica Martinez (Virtuosity), Elana Johnson (Possession), Shannon Messenger, Carolina Valdez Miller, Kirsten Hubbard (Like Mandarin), Kate Hart, me, Jessi Kirby (Moonglass).

I had a dinner with awesome people Thursday as well, including Shannon and Carol from the picture above, but didn't get any pictures during it because I'm silly and forgetful. Friday night was also one of those make plans with a few, and then a bunch of people show up, and while I do have pictures, the best friend took them on her camera and hasn't sent all of them over yet. But nothing says vacation like getting beignets at 2 am then going home to crash before getting up at 730 am to go to the conference and start all over again. 

Saturday night was the author/blogger meet up put together by Kelly at Stacked and YA Highway at a cute little wine bar. I met Sarah Enni there, one of the newest additions to YA Highway, along with some great bloggers and writers. I admit, I actually turned in early Saturday night and was in my hotel by about 10:30... the two nights before had been pretty exhausting.... in all the best ways.

There were plenty of other authors I met, but it would be a ton of pictures and like I said, the best friend hasn't yet sent all of them, but I stayed pretty busy the whole time, didn't sleep much, but enjoyed every minute of it. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Mary Lindsey, Courtney Allison Moulton, Leah Clifford and Lisa Desrochers--all people I talk to regularly and think are great, but we don't get to hang much. Even if it's just getting dinner together, we had a blast. Julie Cross, author of the upcoming Tempest, also hung out with us Friday night, and if you ever have a chance to talk to this woman, definitely take it. She is hilarious and fun.

I went with my best friend and Jessi from The Elliott Review, and we all got along fantastically. We took a city bus tour on Friday which was fantastic- I definitely recommend taking one if you ever go. Our guide knew so many little facts and details, and so much history, but didn't just drone on and on. I also learned about how their above ground cemeteries work which honestly, is just brilliant. 

So all in all, ALA was a success and amazing and awesome and so worth the trip, and I have every intention of trying to go next year even if it's further away in California.