ALA Recap

I'm back from ALA Midwinter!

It was awesome. I saw a lot of great friends and had a lot of fun. I had some cupcakes that were TRANSCENDENT.

I spent a lot of time in meetings. I'm super, super, super excited that the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction chose Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin. It was such a wonderful experience to be a part of this committee. It was also exciting to see Bomb get recognition from the Siebert and Newbery committees.

Being at the Youth Media Awards is so exciting and fun. Especially this year, with crazy disco lights for each winner and the YALSA President Jack Martin's energy and enthusiasm.

I also met with some of my committee members for Outstanding Books for the College Bound-- I am really excited to get started working on revising this list. I also got to talk to a lot of people about the list, how librarians and their students use it, and what it means to them. Lots of good food for thought about what we're doing.

Sadly, I didn't get as much time as I wanted in the exhibits to talk to publishers about what's coming out. I had a little bit of time on Saturday morning, but I didn't get to go back until the Monday afternoon free-for-all mass grab. (In the land of ARC gate, the Monday afternoon free-for-all mass grab is totally ok, because it's when the publishers try to get rid of EVERYTHING as they pack up. I don't like being a part of it though, because it's hard to tell which books are free and which ones are for sale, and which booths are letting anyone in, and which ones have lines. I'm always afraid I'm being THAT PERSON and cutting in line or taking something I shouldn't.)

There are some books I am excited about though. Of course, I can't remember them in all the sleep deprivation, and I mailed my notes to work instead of the house, so that post is coming.

In the meantime, I'm super glad that I have a personal copy of In Darkness to read. I also CANNOT wait for The White Bicycle. When I was working on my Awards Roundup post of YA Reading List, I became very intrigued. Later, talking to Printz committee member Sarah, she totally sold me on it. Cannot wait.

Of course, the conundrum-- do I catch up on Downton Abbey? Or read? My life is full of awesome problems.

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.