Category: Local book Bloggers meet Up

This morning I got to meet up with Tina from Bookshipper and Amanda from Tales and Treats for a quick breakfast.

Its been awhile since I have seen Amanda so it was nice to catch up with her.

Of course a bunch of books followed me home along with two coupons one for a free nesquick drink and the other for a free flavur drink along with some samples of Vichy lift activ (skin stuff).

Here are the books I brought home with me:

Thanks Tina for the above goodies. I can’t wait to dig into those books. They all sound so good.

One of the best things with meeting up with friends is sitting back and talking about anything and everything and that is what we did. Its amazing how fast the time passes by.

Stay tuned for some more meet up posts.

One of the things we talked about was BEA and I thought since it was mentioned that I would share with you my BEA bank:

Michael picked this out for me and he said it would make the perfect bank for BEA/NYC because it looks like a suitcase. You probably can’t see the plastic handles on it but I think he might be right about that.

So I have officially started to put money away and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with what I have put away. So please feel free to cheer me on, I will need it as I am attempting to put myself on a book buying ban. Wish me luck LOL

Its seems like forever since I have seen Donna from Books Bound so I was really happy when we got to meet for lunch today (Thursday).

I was dying to hear all about her New York trip as well as BEA experience. I was only getting little snipets through emails and posts so I was dying to know what happened and to see how it was. It seems like this year was more eventful then last year.

Donna also had some goodies for me and here is what she gave me. Not pictured was a little black tote bag that she got at BEA. As well as the daily PW magazine. I absolutely loved reading it from cover to cover. Yes even though it was all old news. That was one of my favorite things I picked up last year at BEA.

Its hard to tell in this picture for some reason but Let your inner dork shine through is actually a pale pink tshirt. I haven’t read the Dork Diaries yet but they are on my list of books to eventually read.

I also got three books from her which I am super excited about.

The first one is After Schizophrenia by Margaret Hawkins. This not my normal kind of read but I was curious about it because my brother in law suffers from schizophrenia. This comes out in September 2011.

After Obession by Carrie Jones & Steven E Wedel. This was acutally on my BEA wishlist so I am super excited to read this one. This is another September 2011 release.

The Predicteds by Christine Seifert. This one sounded really good. This one too is a September 2011 release.

So if you were at BEA did you grab any of the above stuff? Anything you are excited to read?

Thanks Donna again for all these goodies. I can’t wait to read the books this fall.

Its that time for another Local Book Blogger Meet Up post.

As I was preparing to write up this post I realized that for some reason it feels as though its been awhile since we met up but in all honesty it was only a month. I think the time change had a lot to do with it. For some reason I have hard time adjusting to the springing forward bit. Thankfully it happens on a weekend.

This time around we were a much smaller group. The only ones there were Tina, Amanda and myself plus a full tea shop. Sadly Avis and Donna were unable to attend.

The first thing we commented on was how busy our little spot is getting and that is probably due to the fact there was a write up in their local paper about it. The place roughly sits about 20-25 people (gives you an idea how small it is). Reservations are a must.

While we sat, ate and drank we talked about books (about whats coming out and lack of books in the mail), work and school (for Tina and Amanda), life and of course BEA. What meet up would be complete without a BEA mention. Sadly I won’t be attending this year but I am definitely going next year (2012). Yes I am already in the work of planning it out.

Sadly no books were really exchanged in this meet up. Tina got a bunch of magazines that I brought for her and Amanda gave me the following book to pass on to my niece:

Not sure when the next meet up will be. Perhaps around the Dorval Friends of the library booksale in April. I know I will be attending. I went last year and managed to come home with alot of great books. I found out that last years sale the collected almost $5,000.

One of my favorite things of the month is meeting up with some local book bloggers at our favorite little tea shop in the city. I know I promised pictures this time around but it was only when I was half way home that I thought about it. I will have to make a note for the next time.

This month Tina from BookShipper, Avis from She Reads and Reads, Linda from Better With Books, Donna from BooksBound and myself were in attendance. Unfortunately, Amanda from Tales and Treats and Laura from Library of Clean Reads weren’t able to attend and they were missed.

One of the great things about meeting up is you never know what will come up in conversation. Basically its a no hold barred conversation and its great because no matter what is said we are still friends.

We did speak about the whole authors behaving badly issue from last week, things that were happening in our lives, our blogs, a little bit about books, an online book site that sells books (Tina and I couldn’t access certain books), BEA (of course) and first loves/boyfriends.

I have to say that I often wondered how things would have turned out had I stayed with my first love/boyfriend. I met him when he was visiting his grandparents (they use to live two doors up from me) and it was the year I started high school (grade 10). We basically had a long distance relationship at the end of summer but some how drifted apart months later. Then many, many years later we reconnected again and I went to visit him. Things were going great and we even spoke about marriage but something happened and it never did happen. Then I moved to Montreal. Thanks to facebook we are friends again.

Had things worked with him, I would probably be married with two kids (at least) and living in Michigan somewhere. As they say things happen for a reason and our paths in life are already planned out. He knows he will always be a special person to me. You can never forget your first love/boyfriend. Plus if it worked out I wouldn’t know these fantastic bloggers who have become my real life friends. I am sure I would have been blogging because I started my blog because of my love for reading and books.

I mentioned earlier that we spoke about BEA and I can say that I won’t be going this year and I believe Avis and Linda aren’t going either. Although I can officially say that I will be attending in 2012. On Valentine’s Day I brought this up during dinner and it will mean some sacrifices on my part but if I really want to go I am the only one who can make it happen. I am already starting to plan for it and thankfully I have a friend who is a travel agent who is offering to help me find some deals.

We chatted over some great drinks (teas, hot chocolates and hot apple drinks) and great food (dim sum, carrot cake, nuts) and shared some books. Tina was very generous and give us each a bookmark. Thanks Tina.

As for books I only came home with one and it was from Tina.

I have to read this book this week because I have to mail it to the next person on the ARC Tour we are on.

That was our February meet up. Not sure how March will play out because the last two weeks of March I will be unable to attend because Michael has curling on the Sunday. Hopefully something will work out because I have yet to miss a meet up.

I am always amazed at how fast time seems to pass so quickly but yet there are times when I feel as though its been forever. Case in point is the monthly meet ups. I know its only been a month since the last meet up and less since I last met up with Tina but it seems like its been longer.

This meet up we were down a few people because of commitments and I have to say they were missed but Tina, Linda, Amanda and myself were in attendance.

One of the things we spoke about was how busy our little tea spot is getting. When we first began meeting (three years this coming fall) there was hardly anyone there staying to drink just walking in and buying but lately there seems to be a full house each time. Thankfully we reserve our table in advance and yet to encounter a problem. (knock on wood) This is all good for the owner of the shop and its nice to see her doing so well but its sad at the same time because its getting busy and loud.

Its really nice and I love our meet ups because it gives me a chance to talk to others who share my passion of books and blogging because I have to say other friends and family in my life just don’t understand my passion for these things.

Whats great is that we aren’t only talking about books and blogs but we talk about life in general. Our conversations can get heated and intense but its nice because we all have different views and opinions and nothing is taken to heart.

Of course no meet up would be complete without talking about books. It appears as though paranormal is still a big thing for young adult books this year and it feels as though not much is coming out but from what I saw so far from so bloggers who attended ALA there is some pretty good books coming out this year.

Speaking of book conventions, BEA was brought up. I have to say right now that I am not going to be able to attend this year. Financially its not in the cards but I registered just in case because I have been entering all kinds of contest in hopes of winning a trip (and just for the sake of it I am putting it out there and if its meant to happen it will). If I am unable to attend this year I will be there in 2012.

As for our group not quite sure yet who plans on attending but I am sure whoever goes will have fun and bring back all kinds of great books for the group to read.

With that being said these are the books that managed to come home with me this month. Have you read any of them? Any on your TBR pile? Any on your wishlist?

From Amanda I was able to get Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel which several bloggers suggested I read and hoping to read it this year. I also got Little Bee by Chris Cleave and I am excited to read this because its been on my wishlist since it came out. Thank you Amanda for passing the books onto me.

From Linda I got a nice little surprise for Michael. He was so excited to get some books. He got Spy Kids #7 Superstar Spies and #8 Freeze Frame, Bionicle Adventures #4 legends of metru nui, bionicle mask of light and Shark Tales Joke Book. Thanks Linda, Michael loved the surprise.

From Tina I was able to get two books that I am really excited to read and they were Trapped by Michael Northrop and Cloaked by Alex Flinn. I am dying to dig into these two books.

This wraps up another meet up and how quick the time flew by at the meet up. I knew it went by quickly because I had to leave earlier then I normally do and I was only able to drink a pot of hot apple spice and a pot of hot chocolate plus my lunch. I would have loved to have sat longer and drank more and perhaps had a dessert. Oh well there is always next month right?

I think in the next meet up post I will share some pictures of the tea shop and of the delicious food. What do you guys think?

This morning was a unexpected meet up with Tina from Book Shipper. Tina had contacted me earlier in the week to see if it was me who was the next person on a ARC Tour we both were on. Much to our surprise as we didn’t think each other was on this tour. It was me so we figured we would meet up instead of Tina mailing me the book.

Much to my surprise I managed to come home with a few extra things ie books. Here is what found its way into my bag: (Thank You Tina)

Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (ARC January 2011) This is the book for the ARC tour we are both on.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After winter break, the girls at the very prestigious Longbourn Academy become obsessed with the prom. Lizzie Bennet, who attends Longbourn on a scholarship, isn’t interested in designer dresses and expensive shoes, but her best friend, Jane, might be — especially now that Charles Bingley is back from a semester in London.

Lizzie is happy about her friend’s burgeoning romance but less than impressed by Charles’s friend, Will Darcy, who’s snobby and pretentious. Darcy doesn’t seem to like Lizzie either, but she assumes it’s because her family doesn’t have money. Clearly, Will Darcy is a pompous jerk — so why does Lizzie find herself drawn to him anyway?

Will Lizzie’s pride and Will’s prejudice keep them apart? Or are they a prom couple in the making? Whatever the result, Elizabeth Eulberg, author of The Lonely Hearts Club, has concocted a very funny, completely stylish delight for any season — prom or otherwise.

The Romeo and Juliet Code by Phoebe Stone (ARC January 2011)
ABOUT THE BOOK
Phoebe Stone, author of the sleeper hit DEEP DOWN POPULAR, is back with a middle-grade code-breaking mystery full of romance and excitement. Think CHASING VERMEER meets THE SECRET GARDEN!

Felicity’s glamorous parents have a secret. When they leave her with distant relatives in Maine, Felicity hopes they won’t leave her long. Her new Uncle Gideon hides things. Her Aunt Miami is star-crossed. And Derek, a kid her age, refuses to leave his room.

But Felicity needs Derek’s help. Gideon is getting coded letters from Felicity’s parents, and she’s sure they’re in trouble. Can Felicity crack the code, heal the family and save her parents, all while surviving her first crush? It’s a tall order, but – like THE SECRET GARDEN’S Mary Lennox before her – Felicity’s up for the challenge.

The Darlings by Melissa Kantor (ARC January 2011)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jane, Victoria, and Natalya. Together, they are the Darlings. Best friends forever. They have matching necklaces, their own table at Ga Ga Noodle, and even a shared motto: May you always do what you’re afraid of doing.

When the friends begin freshman year at three different high schools in distant corners of New York City, they promise to live by their motto and stay as close as ever. The Darlings know they can get through anything as long as they have each other. But doing scary new things is a lot easier with your friends beside you. And now that the girls aren’t spending all their time together, everything they took for granted about their friendship starts to feel less certain. They can’t help but wonder, will they really be the Darlings forever?

The Lo-Down by Lo Bosworth (ARC January 2011)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Reality TV personality Lauren “Lo” Bosworth has witnessed her fair share of bad dating and has experienced some herself. As a star on two reality shows, she is no stranger to drama and what comes along with it. Now she is offering her advice gleaned from her and her famous friends’ relationship experiences on dating and love. Featuring personal photos and anecdotes about her experiences on “Laguna Beach” and “The Hills”, The Lo-Down is a further glimpse into the lives of the people that have enthralled so many.

Sequins, Secrets and Silver Linings by Sophia Bennett (ARC January 2011)
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nonie’s a freak for fashion. Bleeding-heart Edie wants to green the planet. And starter-starlet Jenny just landed a small part in a BIG Hollywood blockbuster. But when these trendy London besties meet Crow, a Ugandan refugee girl who just happens to be an amazing designer, their worldview gets an extreme makeover. As they learn about the serious situation in Africa, the three decide to pool their talents to call attention to the crisis. One of Crow’s designs on the red carpet at the Oscars-quelle chic way to raise awareness! Now…how to “make it work”?!

Thanks again Tina for passing along these great books. They all sound so good that I can’t wait to read them but first I must read Prom & Prejudice so that I can get that book in the mail to the next person on the tour.