The Problem with Book Expo America

And another Book Expo (BEA) has come and gone…. This year Paula Krapf and I promised to be galley snobs, meaning that we wouldn’t grab galleys (advanced copies) of exciting new titles. We’d snub them like last year’s fashion walking up the halls of BEA carrying only our handbags and badges. Did we pull it off?

Not a chance.

I don’t know what it is about books, all those fresh new titles begging to be read. The exciting covers, the stacks of them sitting in a booth just waiting to be grabbed and thumbed through. And if you listen real closely, some of them will even call your name. It’s what Book Expo is all about. The excitement over new titles, the feverish pitch that builds each year as book sellers, publishers, publicists and readers gather for another amazing event.

So another Book Expo has come and gone and you know what? It was great and yes, Paula and I gave in and grabbed enough galleys to sustain us through all of our Summer reading (even into Fall I think…). Team AME was there in force. It’s always fun to spend time together, we have an amazing group.

Next year BEA is in New York, if you’re gonna be there let us know. We’d love to see you!

Oh and the problem with BEA? Too many books. Not enough bags to carry them.

See all BEA pictures at the AME Flickr account