Oh, my aching back!

Seriously.

I think I need an adjustment…mainly because I carted home 23.5# worth of reading from my one-day mission at the American Libraries Association annual meeting that just wrapped up in Chicago yesterday.

And, if you think that sounds greedy, you might be right.

Still, I make no apologies.

Check out this haul! 28 books in total and most of them ARCs–Advance Reader Copies. For a new blogger like me, those babies are manna from Heaven.

And, yes, I did pay for some books. Particularly some discounted hardcovers for my kids. Because I’m that mom. The one who gives books as gifts.

For my Exhibits Only $35 fee I was able to meet some of the most vibrant people in publishing. It was exhilarating. And, transcendent.

People say that books are dead. I’m here to report I saw them firsthand–alive and well.

And if you think I’m kidding, let me say: who among you would wait 94 minutes to meet a Caldecott medal winner? Many people–the line was over a 100 people long. But Jon Klassen is as delightful and compassionate as his stories. He wade a point to address each and every person in the line graciously, asking questions and being absolutely lovely.

And, I had the same treatment when meeting Oliver Jeffers,

Tom Angleberger

and Jarrett J. Krosoczka

But truly, the coup de etat of my fruitful day was snagging an ARC from a lady I truly admire as an author:  Simone Elkeles.

I’ve got my hands on WILD CARDS–so expect a review soon!