I’m still coming down from my experience at BookExpo America last week in Chicago. As a newbie to the big publishing event, I was pleasantly overwhelmed by all the books, booths, authors, and book and industry chatter. I attended the first two days of the three day affair and managed to come away with 16 books, 12 of which haven’t been released yet. My luggage certainly was a lot heavier on the way home, but I squeezed it all in and made it through the airline line-ups a bit haggard but in one piece.
The highlight of BEA (besides chatting with fellow bloggers, which was truly great) was meeting the authors Chris Cleave, George Saunders, Amor Towles, Jay McInerney, and Jane Hamilton and having them sign their new books for me. I chatted with Cleave about whether his new novel “Everyone Brave Is Forgiven” is another weeper (since a couple of his books truly are), which he said it is but hopes too that the book makes one feel happy at the end. We also talked about cycling since I believed Cleave to be an avid cyclist after his last novel “Gold,” which indeed he says he is.
I also met authors Noah Hawley, Joe Ide, and Matthew FitzSimmons, and listened to the author breakfast talks of Colson Whitehead, Louise Penny, and Sebastian Junger. Is your head spinning yet? Hawley, whose novel “Before the Fall” looks like a page-turning thriller, is the writer and executive producer of the show “Fargo,” which I chatted with him about since it’s filmed here in Alberta, where I live. He’ll be back in Alberta for more of the show later this year.
I also enjoyed the Blogger Conference portion of BEA, which was on Day 1. There, I listened to the blogging journey of Erin Loechner (who has a blog called Design for Mankind); heard a panel discussion on connections between bloggers and publishers, and another on creative content; and sat in on three blogger table talks, which were pretty helpful particularly on website design, coding, plugins, and social media minutiae, which aren’t exactly my forte.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend Day 3 of BEA and therefore did not meet authors Justin Cronin and Richard Russo or have their new novels signed. (Big sigh.) But at least those two books are out this month — should I want to promptly get my hands on them. Also a cordial representative at the Harper’s booth informed me that they had run out of giveaway copies of Ann Patchett’s upcoming book “Commonwealth” while I was in line for George Saunders. Yikes, it was hard being at two places at once! But she said she’d mail it to me — it was nice that people were quite friendly and accommodating. I also missed picking up books by Fredrik Backman and Maria Semple, who were both there signing copies. I wonder if Semple’s new book, (“Today Will Be Different,” ) due out in October, will be similarly endearing as her debut novel “Where’d You Go, Bernadette”? Hmm. So indeed I missed some books, but in reality if I had received all of the ones I wanted, I likely wouldn’t have been able to stuff them in my suitcase and get on the plane home.
All in all, it was quite fun at BEA, feeling all the buzz about upcoming releases. Here I am at left with singer Kenny Loggins (ha), who was there to promote his kid’s book “Footloose.” Even YA author Veronica Roth apparently made an appearance on Day 3 though her new novel (“Carve the Mark”) doesn’t come out till January 2017. I guess that makes sense since she lives there in Chicago. I thought the whole BEA event with all the signings and giveaways was well organized: they had shuttles to and from the chosen hotels; had on-time schedules of the events; and the lines weren’t intolerable. I’d love to attend BEA again though maybe I might not get there every year. It’s supposed to be back in New York next year, where it usually is, so we will see. I thought having it in Chicago was a great alternative and made it more accessible to those out West. Hint, hint.
For those interested, here are the books I picked up at BEA with their release dates:
The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons / Dec. 1, 2015
The Excellent Lombards by Jane Hamilton / April 19, 2016
Approval Junkie by Faith Salie / April 19, 2016
Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave / May 3, 2016
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger / May 24, 2016
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley / May 31, 2016
Bright, Precious Days by Jay McInerney / Aug. 2 2016
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny / Aug. 30, 3016
Perfume River by Robert Olen Butler / Sept. 6, 2016
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles / Sept. 6, 2016
Mercury by Margot Livesey / Sept. 6, 2016
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead / Sept. 13, 2016
IQ by Joe Ide (debut novel) / Oct. 18, 2016
The Terranauts by T.C. Boyle / Oct. 25, 2016
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon / Nov. 1, 2016
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders / Jan. 3, 2017
And for more on BEA experiences check out the inspired posts by Shannon over at River City Reading, Catherine at The Gilmore Guide to Books, and Marisa at The Daily Dosage. Furthermore I enjoyed hanging out and chatting with Annette, who hails from the U.K. and likes to blog about YA books among other genres over at Book Blather.
As for reading last week, I finished “The Excellent Lombards” by Jane Hamilton, who I was thrilled to meet at BEA. I remember loving her novels “The Book of Ruth” and “A Map of the World” back in the 1990s. I so wanted to love her new novel too, which is a coming of age novel narrated by a young girl who lives with her family on a large apple orchard and farm in Wisconsin. She wants everything in her life to stay the same, particularly her brother to remain close and the farm to remain in her family, but as she gets older things start to change, which causes her growing pains and unhappiness.
What’s not to like, right? Apple orchard, check. Jane Hamilton, check. Coming of age novel, check. A glorious plug from Ann Patchett on the cover, check. Gracious, I assumed I’d swallow this slim book whole. But unfortunately for me this one didn’t live up to her two novels that I had loved. I liked its premise and setting, but the execution midway through gets slow and not enough happens to make the story overly compelling. At points, I found the story and storytelling to be a bit tedious. Was this just me and my week?! Towards the very end, “The Excellent Lombards” picks up a bit and I did want to find out: (a) what happens to the farm and the family and (b) if the girl and her brother go their separate ways. But alas, it wasn’t enough to make me relish “The Excellent Lombards” or find it overly compelling. Oh too bad!
What about you — have you read Jane Hamilton’s books before or ever gone to BEA — and if so, what did you think?
Great wrap-up post! It looks like you ended up with some wonderful reads. Also, Maria Semple ended up only signing a poster because the ARCs weren’t printed yet, so at least you didn’t miss out on that one. 🙂
Thanks Jenna for letting me know about Maria Semple. Glad I didn’t miss her book after all. I look forward to stopping by your site. Thx for visiting mine.
I can’t believe I missed seeing you (we were in the same lines!), but it looks like you had an awesome time.
Yeah Shannon – I saw you a ways away with your posse but each time I thought to interrupt to say hello – you seemed preoccupied. Next time I must insist on interrupting you & introducing myself. I’m glad you got the same titles too!
Wow. What an event. I think I would be so overwhelmed. How could you take it all in? Thanks for sharing your highlights.
Thanks Anne. Yeah I’m still reeling a bit, especially because now I have all these great books and it’s too much to read. 🙂
Sounds like you had a great time! I cannot wait for new books by Ann Patchett and Amor Towles.
Thanks JoAnn. Yes, it was a pretty fun time in a book-ish land. & Yes I am very curious about the new ones from Towles & Patchett. Hmm. Will they live up to my expectations or fall short?!
It seems you had a great time at BEA. So many books to choose from! Maybe if it returns to NYC I’ll be able to attend sometime.
Thanks Carmen, yeah now I have too much to read and choose from. But I’ll plug on. Yep BEA will be back in NYC next year. Hmm.
Great book haul. I can’t wait to read your reviews.
Thanks Tanya. Who knows when I’ll get to all the books & reviews. But I’m excited to plug on through the big haul!
Lucky you to go to the BEA! I’ve never been. I didn’t know Semple had a new book out, going on my TBR list. I’m also interested in Yoon’s second book, especially since one character is from a Jamaican immigrant family. The Excellent Lombards would have tempted me too, but your review will make me pass. Looking forward to more of your reviews!
Thanks Sarah. Yes, I am very curious about Yoon’s new book. I can’t believe I have a copy of it way in advance, wow. I don’t think this one will have a Twist like her debut novel did. 🙂
Glad to hear you had a great time. I went for one day last year and it was wonderful (and a bit overwhelming). Thank you also for reminding me that Jane Hamilton is the author of A Map of the World (which I haven’t yet read). I couldn’t remember why her name sounded so familiar. I hope you’ll like the other books you picked up better than The Excellent Lombards.
Yeah TJ, I too hope my new stash of books has some ones I’ll like better than Hamilton’s new book. We will see. A Map of the World was pretty powerful from what I recall of it long ago. Check it out sometime.
Yes, my head is spinning. But not as much as yours must have been!
Wow, great book haul, and sounds like a fun time. Every year I wonder if I will ever make it there… I feel like I should at least experience it once, right?
Too bad your first BEA book was not as good as you were hoping, but there are still so many possibilities! Happy Reading!
Thanks Naomi. Yeah who knows if I’ll ever get back to BEA again. Because it was in Chicago which is more convenient for me — I thought I’d give it a try, which I’m glad I did. I heard the BEAs in NYC are more crowded than the ones in Chicago. So that was good for me! Seemed crowded enough. I will plug away at my stack!
Hmm… I’m not a fan of crowds. For books, though, I might be able to brave them for a while. 🙂
Hello Susan! Wow, what a fabulous event, sounds like a fun time. Love your book selection and can’t wait for your reviews. Thanks for sharing your highlights. 😉
Thanks RT. It was quite an event. I never have received so many free, new books.
Looks like you had a really great time! I loved BEA in Chicago this year — everyone seemed really friendly and accommodating about what was going on. And very well organized. I brought home a ton of books I’m excited about. I miss The Terranauts — that one looks like fun.
Yes Kim – I’m looking forward to The Terranauts as TC Boyle is usually such a terrific writer. I like his books. I too thought BEA was organized & friendly this year, hooray!
I got to attend BEA when it was in LA some years ago while I still worked at Once Upon A Time Bookstore. Your recounting brings back so many memories. It was everything you said and the best was meeting authors. I met and got galleys signed by Neil Gaiman, Neal Stephenson, and many others. And it took two trips to get all my bags of books to my car. So cool that you got to go.
I have the Jane Hamilton book as an ARC but have not read it yet. I also loved her earlier books and was wondering if she was ever going to publish another one. I will read the new one eventually and blog about it of course.
Hi Judy, yeah I wish they held BEA in LA again. I would go! That’s an easy location for me. I agree BEA has so many books! I actually had to stop picking them up since I had limited luggage space. As for Jane Hamilton, I will be interested to hear what you think of her latest. Hmm.
I so would like attend this event sometime in the future.
It seems that you had a very rewarding experience.
I find that attending author talks to be so interesting and insightful.
It is also really neat to meet authors, especially of you are currently reading or recently finished their books.
Thanks Brian, it is sort of a unique experience for book nerds. I agree the author talks were quite insightful and meeting the ones I met was a kick!
What fun! I would have loved meeting those authors….
The one time I went to BEA, it was in 2008, in LA…there were no blogging events. I wasn’t really blogging much then, anyway. But it would be fun to meet other bloggers, as well as the authors.
I have Jane Hamilton’s book…and can’t wait to get Jay McInerney’s new one. Before the Fall has piqued my interest as well.
Thanks for sharing, and here is my NON-BEA post: MY WEEKLY UPDATES
Thanks Laurel. Yeah I wish BEA was held in LA more often. That’s an easier place for me to get to. The Hawley novel and McInerney’s interest me a lot as well. Perhaps you might get to them before I do.
I’m always so surprised to find a disappointment with a favorite author. Sorry this one didn’t pan out.
http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/05/so-how-many-books-did-i-bring-home-from.html
Thanks Deb. Yes, it is a bit of a surprise when a favorite author puts out something you dont like that much — I agree. I’m a bit perplexed still.
Great BEA Wrap up! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! And now I am thoroughly convinced I am NOT missing it next year! My first (and only) time I went, I missed out on meeting Justin Cronin too because my husband (now ex) who went with me, didn’t want to wait in the long line to meet him … maybe that’s why he’s my ex? 😉 But I just loved meeting all the authors and of course the books!
Can’t wait to see what you think about Before the Fall, which I’ve been reading an eGalley of, and all the other great books! Have a great week!
My Sunday Salon
Funny story Suzanne. Too bad you missed Justin Cronin at BEA like I did. But there’s always next year! I look forward to hearing if you liked Before the Fall. Cheers.
Well, damn. Another blogger I missed meeting!
You have a great stack of books. Don’t feel too bad about missing Maria Semple. Like a lot of the YA authors who were there, her book was not available in any form. Disappointing but understandable all the same.
Yeah sorry for not meeting you Michelle. I’m glad I didn’t miss Semple’s book. That is a bit disappointing it wasn’t available there. Hmm. Thx for letting me know!
Sounds like you had a great trip! I went a few years ago when it was in NYC. It was fun but the travel was too expensive to go every year. I would love for it to come back to Chicago – only an 8 hour drive from where I live in Kansas City.
Yeah I agree Rachel. Going every year to BEA would be too expensive, especially in NYC. I was glad it was in Chicago. It was a great trip.