Books for Days

Expo floor at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for BookExpo 2019

Holy cow! This was my first time heading to BookExpo, which gives librarians access to the latest titles, favorite and new authors and librarian-focused conferences to help us track the trends. This conference offers librarians the ability to see and learn what’s new and what’s next in publishing to help build our libraries. BookExpo was simply amazing. Besides the FREE "stack" of books that I left the conference with (all of which I brought back to our students and staff), there were engaging sessions, author signings, and giveaways.

Adult Book & Author Breakfast

The Adult Book & Author Breakfast took place on day 2 on the main stage and was moderated by Rachel Maddow (Drift).  Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point) - MY FAVORITE!!, Karin Slaughter (Pretty Girls), Marjorie Liu (Monstress), and Ta-Nehisi Coates (The Water Dancer) spoke about their new books and breaking into the industry. It was a highlight for sure! 

Huge fan of Jason Reynolds right here!

Getting to meet the authors that have changed the way you teach is incredible. This man right here turns non-readers into readers. I have been a witness. Finding the right book for the right student is one of my favorite jobs as a librarian. In order to do that, I have to read books in genres I might not be accustomed to, but it pays dividends when a student comes back and you know they are hooked.  

Children's Book & Author Breakfast  

Day 3 brought the Children's Book & Author Breakfast hosted by Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush (Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life). The other authors included: Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone), Lupita Nyong'o (Sulwe), Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl series), and Da Chen (Girl Under a Red Moon). These breakfasts were very powerful, dealing with real world problems. I laughed, I cried - the way any good book makes you do.

BookExpo - I will be back next year!