BEA Roundup #1

There have been a lot of recaps about BEA and now I shall add mine to the mix.

I took the train up on Tuesday and proceeded to hang out with an author friend of mine who happened to be on one of the buzz panels. We hung out with another writer friend, ate lunch at this cute cafe called Penelope's and then went back to the hotel and crashed. I know, I know, but I was tired!

Wednesday was when the real fun began. I got up early to attend the Children's and YA author breakfast. Sarah Ferguson was supposed to MC and I wasn't sure if she'd show up after her big scandal, but there she was. I have to give her credit. Not only for showing up, but for being graceful and funny. She didn't avoid the elephant in the room, she tackled head on and even related it to her new series of picture books coming out :)

Next was Cory Doctorow. He gave a moving speech about his books and how they were making an impact around the world and it was great to see. Being a computer engineer, I love Cory's work. The way he intertwines high tech and story and his latest book, For the Win, is no different. My husband, who is an electrical engineer, is reading it now and loves it. In fact, he read about how plastic bottles are ruining India and now he wants to get water carbonator since the only bottled water we get is carbonated water :)

Next up was Mitali Perkins. She was fantastic. She told us the story of her childhood, but the biggest thing I took away was looking at books from a window/mirror perspective. She talked about being surprised that some non-Indian readers still found some of her books mirrors into their own lives, in addition to being windows into another time and place. This really moved me.

Finally, it was Richard Peck. I love Richard Peck. I first heard him speak at an SCBWI national conference and he was fantastic and inspirational and this was no different. He was funny, saying the British invented childhood but we, Americans, invented that troubled time of adolescence. He had a point to make about youth today and technology and he definitely made it, which gave us all a preview of what his book was about. I just love Richard Peck. His voice is incredible and he's a great speaker.

After the breakfast, we made our rounds of the booths and collected as many ARC's as possible. This was really fun, but I nearly broke my back carrying them all around in my huge bags. So, I sucked it up and paid the $3 to check it :)

I went to a panel on YA/adult crossover and then a YA paranormal panel and then the YA buzz panel. Needless to say, I walked away very excited about a lot of books.

Phew, tomorrow I'll write about Thursday!