When I go to writing events, the most fun for me is talking to people who love books like I do. At ALA I was able to talk to so many amazing readers.

BEST CONFERENCE MOMENT: While in Marlene Perez's line, I noticed two teens in front of me. The two girls whispered and looked at me then admitted they were SEER fans and loved Dominic, and I handed out bookmarks then offered them my last copy of BURIED. The girls were excited and it felt great to have a signing in a line for someone else's signing. Some librarians recognized my name, too.  Nice.

OTHER BEST MOMENT:  I have a book close to contract that I can't publicly announce yet, but the publisher was at ALA and I stopped by their booth and they recognized who I was and seemed pleased to meet me. I stopped by for a signing of one of their authors later, hoping to be there signing my own book in about 2 years.

BOOKS I PICKED UP TO READ and will review the best of them:
(These books were picked up over 4 days, so it may seem like a lot but I was actually very picky & passed on hundreds and only ARCS were free, any already published books cost between $2 to $10).

Summer of the Mariposes by Guadalupe Garcia McCall (Tu)
Every Day by Levithan
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Adventures of Jo Schmo by Greg Trine
Diverse Energies (Tu)
Up, Up and Away by Ginger Wadsworth (paid $5)
Sapphire Blue
Darkwater by Catherine Fischer
Geeks, Girls and Secret Identities by Mike Jung
Scarlet by Melissa Meyer (waited in hour line!)
Summer and Bird by Katherine Catmull
Delusion by Laura L. Sullivan
Theodosia Eyes of Horus (paid $5)
Son by Lois Lowry
Teenboat -- graphic novel
Princess Academy #2
Vodnik by Bryce Moore (Tu)
What we Saw At Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard
The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble
Candy Shop #2 by Brandon Mull
The Raven Boys by Stiefvater
The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry (bought $5, I think)
Jasper Jones by Silvey
Silver Phoenix by Cindy PonStarry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
The Future We Left Behind by Mike A. Lancaster
Wonder in hardback by R. J. Palacio
The Diviners by Libba Bray
Dead Girl Moon by Charlie Price
The Comet's Curse by Dom Testa
The Boxcar Children Beginning
Vordak by Egmont
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - already read this and LOVED IT! Will read again...
Crown Embers #2 by Carson
and my favorite prize: The FIRE CHRONICLE, #2 of Emerald Table
THE HALLOWED ONES BY BICKLE
THE TWINNING PROJECT BY LIPSYTE
ENTICE BY SHIRVINGTON
EVE & ADAM BY GRANT/APPLEGATE
SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS BY LAURA SCHLITZ
CREWEL BY ALIBIN
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT BY CLAYTON
THE ADVENTURES OF A SOUTH POLE PIG BY KURTZ
IRON HEARTED VIOLET BY BURNHILL
THIS TREE COUNTS BY ALISON FORMENTO
ZEKE MEEKS VS THE GRUESOME EIGLR BY D.L. GREEN
THE LAST DRAGONSLAYER BY FFORDE
THE THORY OF EVERYTHING BY JJ JOHNSON
ASHEN WINTER BY MIKE MULLIN
HUNTER MORAN SSAVES THE UNIVERSE BY PATRICIA REILLY GRIFF
THE LAND OF STORIES BY CHRIS COLFER
DEAD IS A KILLER TUNE BY MARLENE PEREZ
SUMMER OF THE MARIPOSAS (TU!) BY MCCALL
MAGISTEERIUM BY JEFF HIRSCH

So I have lots of reading ahead!!!

Linda