So as I write this Book Expo BEA12 little mini wrap I’m sitting with a heating pad wrapped around my neck. I tell you nothing can prepare you for a day of walking up and down the length and width of the Javits center with your purse slung across your body and then being offered advanced reading copies of books, glorious, books! For a confirmed bookie like me it’s just too hard to pass them up hence the heating pad today.

Check out my haul!

I also had a couple of celebrity spottings while there for my quickie day. The very first book I got when I hit the floor was arguably (?) the most controversial cookbook ever from Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice, Fabulicious! Her peeps were handing out her book and she was signing and taking pics as she had with the previous book the year before. The funny thing is I was just on twitter the night before having a RHONJ talk and she came up. So when I got up to her I told her I had been twitter chatting about her and told some people that I thought she was not like you see on TV in person and I found to be warm and lovely. Well, she turns to me (IMO very sincerely) and says, “Really you said that about me and you met me last year? Thank you. Thank you so much for that. “ Then she puts out her hand to shake mine. It was sweet. Now, I know it’s all still a hot mess over in Bravo Jersey but, Tre was once again ok with me. Sidebar: I really need to learn to pose better. Ugh.

My next great sighting was with the fantastic bestselling romance author, Brenda Jackson who was signing at the Harlequin booth. When she asked who should she sign her book to I told her, my mother, since my mother will probably steal it anyway so why should I fight at anymore? She laughed and another woman laughed behind me at my funny story. I then heard this woman say to her, “Can I take a picture with you to put it on my Facebook page?” I sort of knew the voice so turned around. It was Judge Lynn Toler from Divorce Court! I think she was at BEA signing her book on marriage. But how much do I love that she’s a romance fan too? Hmm wonder if she’ll read my book when it comes out in September? Well, me not being shy, asked to get a pic of the two of them and if I could post it here. Aren’t they cute?

All in all I had the best time! I also scored an ARC of 50 Shames of Earl Gray the 50 Shades parody by Fanny Merkin aka Andrew Shaffer. I was so lucky to get this book because Andrew’s line, as in all things 50, was off the chain crazy.  Makes me think I’ve got to get on that 60 Shades of Jack calendar as previewed on my Pinterest. LOL.

And I got to hang with Katiebabs and Stacy (Love Love Stacy for being all organized and a pre-plannerly, yay for friends like these). Then made a new bud in, Marnie so score there.

All in all a great day, minus the shoulder pain, of course.  Time to get reading.

Best,

Kwana

Tomorrow is my birthday. Hold the applause please. Like for realz, I’m getting in the age range where I’d kinda like to not blow horns or wave banners, but still me being well… me, I can’t just let the day go by. So I thought I’d have a little celebration by sharing the birthday love and having a giveaway instead.

When I was at Book Expo I was able to get a signed ARC from one of my favorite bloggers and now come to find out she’s  a fellow June birthday girl and Gemini, The Smart Bitch herself Sarah Wendell!

Sarah signed an advanced reader copy of her new book:

EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE I LEARNED FROM ROMANCE NOVELS.

The book is not due out until October 2011 but you can win a signed copy here now!

Here is a bit about the book straight from Sarah’s site:

“Combining the wisdom and wit of romance readers and authors, this book puts to rest the idea that romances create unrealistic expectations of love, relationships, and sex. Romances can teach us about finding the ideal partner, weathering conflict, discovering our preferences, and, most of all, about loving and appreciating ourselves.”

Just leave a comment and I will announce the winner Monday!

You can visit Sarah at her site and find out about pre-ordering here.

Best,

Kwana

So here I am a little late but sharing my ridiculously greedy Book Expo haul.

Yeah, I went a little crazy.

Happy Friday!

Best,

Kwana

For the past two days I’ve been down at the Javits Center walking then hobbling my way through BEA – Book Expo America. The yearly event where who’s who or wants to be who in publishing comes out to show their wares.

What a wild time. The book lives! My back and feet? Not so much. Seriously have I met a book I didn’t like or couldn’t pick up? By day 2 I decided to bring and check my rolling case to carry them all back to my car.

As you can see from the mob scene at the Harlequin booth romance is surely in the air. As I was on line I heard one savvy woman say to a male colleague, “Yes, Blank I read romance.” I gave her a thumbs up as she went to get a book signed by a favorite author.

I saw and hung with so many fun people, The wonderful Sue Grimshaw, Leanna Renee, Katiebabs, Janicu, Young Liberian (Katie my expo pal)! Thanks for the great line chat.

I was so happy to meet one of my favorite authors and twitter friend Victoria Dahl there.  She was sweet to recognize me from my tweets and run around her signing table to give me a hug.

I also got the new book from Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches Trashy Books-  Everything I learned About Love I Learned From Romance Novels. I was a lucky one as her books were gone in a flash.

Sarah Signing Katie’s book

I also stood in a crazy long line for Jimmy Fallon’s Thank You Notes Book.  Seriously it was like waiting for a roller coaster at Six Flags. But on the up side they handed out the book to those waiting in line so we all had good laughs there and meeting Jimmy was lots of fun.

Another great meet was Mindy Kaling from the office who has a book coming out soon. She was smart sweet and funny. Chatting and taking pictures. Don’t ask me why I stood next to her, what a beauty, but she was so engaging that I fell right in. And my eyes are closed too. Ugh and Sigh.

And thanks to the fab Ellen –Confessions of an It Girl for hooking me up with Melanie- The Coupon Goddess and Rene Syler -Good Enough Mother. And yes, it’s that Rena formally of CBS The Early Show.  That Ellen she always knows who will get along with who. We had so much fun walking the floor together and sharing a great lunch.

L to R- Rene, Melanie, Ellen

Thanks to you all my old and now new friends made. I wish I could list you all.  Until next time see you on the blog or twitter!

 Best,

Kwana