Let’s talk about anything bookish!
I spent most of this weekend at the LA Times Festival of Books! Although I wasn’t too happy about the non-existence of the Romance Panel, I was able to meet a few new to me authors and a favorite author!
Because I normally don’t research things beforehand, I was extremely surprised that the Universal City station actually has paid parking now! It was free for the longest time! Anyway, I was a little bit disoriented since it’s been a couple of years since I took the Metro, but I was able to make it in one piece!
In true Ezrah fashion, I did not take a lot of photos! Yeah, I’m lame like that! In fact, I suck at taking photos of book/author events. SERIOUSLY.
I went with Crystal @ Crystal Blogs Books and I she went above and beyond and introduced me to new contemporary authors! Also, WE SHOULD try to take selfies every time we meet up!
Saturday
Saturday was awesome because I met Mia Hopkins! She is a new-to-me author but I have seen her name around and I was so happy to meet her! I am currently listening to Thirsty, her latest book and it feels so real! I also chatted with her and she is super nice! Also, she’s Filipino!
I also met debut author Julia Whelan! I received an advanced copy of her newest book My Oxford Year and I brought it with me to get it signed! She was super nice, too! And did you know that she’s a narrator? She narrated a few YA novels, too!
The rest of the day was not productive for me, at least! I did not attend any panels and basically nixed the idea of getting in the Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi line. I know, I know. HE WAS ALREADY THERE! But seriously, I’ve only read two books by him and I thought they were okay.
Sunday
Happy Earth Day! In celebration, the Metro trains and buses were free for the whole day! My mom came with me and she spent half the day at Exposition Park, which is across the street from USC.
This day was my YA day and I was able to get two books signed! First up, it’s Marie Lu! I’ve seen her a few times already but this meeting felt special because I was able to tell her thank you for Diana, the Filipino character in Batman: Nightwalker (review on Thursday).
Next, I met Sabaa Tahir! I haven’t read her book yet so I didn’t spend a lot of time with her. I know, it was a little bit awkward.
LA Times Festival of Books Haul
This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t share my haul for the weekend, right? I did not go CRAZY this time, and came away with 7 books! Some of theme were free, and some were purchased!
Secured by the Seal by Carol Ericson | Bulletproof Seal by Carol Ericson | Talk British to Me by Robin Bielman | Cowboy Player by Mia Hopkins | One More Shot by Victoria Denault | Slammed by Victoria Denault | Not Quite Crazy by Catherine Bybee
Other Authors I Met
Victoria Denault was super fun! I haven’t read any of her books yet but I’m super excited to start! I’ve been reading a lot of contemporaries, too!
I met Catherine Bybee again and she was another fun author to hang out with. She gave me a free copy of her book Not Quite Crazy and she is also highly recommended by Crystal!
I haven’t read Robin Bielman‘s books yet but I bought a copy of Talk British to Me because it sounded interesting! This book feels like it’s a new adult romance so – excited!
Carol Ericson writes romantic suspense and she gave me a copy of two of her books! It’s been a while since I read a Harlequin Intrigue book, too!
Do you go to a lot of book events/festivals?
Which ones have you been to?
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Ahhhh so cool! I wish that I could have attended! I would have love to meet Marie Lu and Sabaa Tahir! <3
Flavia @ Flavia the Bibliophile recently posted…Lost Crow Conspiracy by Rosalyn Eves (ARC Review)
It was fun, Flavia! You would have enjoyed it! 🙂
This looks like a lot of fun. I hadn’t heard of Mia Hopkins but I added her book to my TBR. I want to read more Filipino authors.
Me too! I just found out that she is Filipino! Her parents were with her at LATFOB and they go with her all the time! So cute! She was so fun to talk to! Have you tried Maida Malby?
oh a bookish festival! How fun! I dream of one day going to BEA!
Daniela Ark recently posted…Are you an X-Bookworm? 24 Signs that say YOU ARE!
I also want to go to bigger book events, but it’s just too much. I actually don’t like crowds, too much. Plus, it sucks when others hold spots for like 20 friends in line.
Glad you had fun! I’m horrible about remembering to take pics at events too, but it looks like you got quite a few good ones!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted…Bite-Sized Reviews of The Way You Make Me Feel, The Girl and the Grove, Long May She Reign, and The Inventors at No. 8
I did! Happy that I was able to go, though 🙂