Top Five Ways To Pretend You're At Book Expo America

Okay, first of all BEA should stand for Books, Editors and Agents. Everyone at BEA is either one of those things, or wants to be one of those things. Yes, some people want to be their favorite book *stares back* you know who you are.

Dude, where's the bathroom?
photo credit, publishingtrendsetter.com

And if you're like me, this week on twitter has been a total jealousy-fest. Seriously, it's free books, shmoozing, and Alex Pettyfer—sorry I was checking to see if you're still reading. Even without Alex BEA is pretty amazing...or at least I imagine.

I'm not one to dwell on the negative uglies that invade my otherwise content day to day philosophy, so I've developed some coping strategies to help me get through the rest of the week. And it's been so successful I'd like to share them with you. Here are the top five ways to pretend you're at BEA.

1. Use your drivers license to make your own lanyard with shoelaces and scotch tape. This must be worn ALL week, even in the shower.

2. Take a big tote bag to the library, fill it up with hardcovers, then invite all the librarians out for martinis.

3. Go to the biggest bookstore, make a fort with all the pretty new releases, and then take pictures with your iPhone.

Awesome!
photo credit, vi.sualize.us

4. With one of your favorite books under your arm, wait in line at the DMV, then ask the teller to sign Veronica Roth's name on the inside cover.

5. Stand all day in really cute but really uncomfortable shoes, discussing the pros and cons of e-books while complaining how dehydrated you are. (too many martinis)

And because I'm so bad at math, here's a bonus...

Repeat phrases like, "OMG, I met you on twitter!"  "I totally love your cover." "Can I borrow a pen?" "Her sweater set rocks!"

Do you have any other ideas for surviving BEA week as an outsider?

Are You A Cover Girl, Too?

I'm a total cover girl. Not the kind that poses in front of a blowing fan while a voice behind a huge camera lens shouts things like, "Yeah, give me more attitude...NO! Only the eyes! Stop dancing!"

Well, at least that's what I imagine my photo shoot would sound like.

No, I'm talking about book covers. I'll admit, once I bought a book because of the pretty stuff on the front. It turned out to be disappointing. Although it ended up on the NYT's best seller list, so what do I know? I eventually gave it to someone, but I decided to keep the dust jacket ;)

I come by my book buying philosophy honestly, though. When I was in grade two my mom bought me a book because she thought the girl on the cover looked like me.

I still fondly remember that story, so I guess she knew what she was doing.

By Bernice Thurman Hunter
photo credit amazon.com

Me, age seven. Good times in plaid.

  


These days, I tend to go for the covers that are simple but striking. I've noticed that in most cases the cover has nothing to do with the story. It's usually an image that will catch your eye and make you pick up the book off the shelf, which I guess is the whole point.

My favorite cover this year, hands down, is CINDER by Marissa Meyer.

photo credit, usatodabooks.com

I love the black, white and red (worked for Twilight), especially the hardware under the sheer stocking...very unexpected. Also, the calligraphy style font of the title is perfect. This is the kind of  cover that you will recognize immediately and not confuse with any other book.

What are some of your favorite covers? Post your picks in the comments and read what others think.

Next Monday I'll be blogging the season finale of Once Upon A Time.

Cheers!