This past weekend Jed and I traveled to Las Vegas for the largest library conference in the United States. 13,000 librarians at the convention center to look and learn about new technologies, upcoming book releases, and new library programs. I used to attend when I was a librarian and it is one overwhelming mass of activity. This year I went for my blog, to see what are some of the upcoming releases for fall. Here is my visual mini- mash-up of ALA and Las Vegas.
Only in Las Vegas is a store this over the top. This is an H&M and yet as we walked by it looked and sounded like a nightclub!
Dinner at Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill- grilled shrimp in tamales made of hand ground masa. Delicious is too small a word.
At the Wynn hotel these beautiful balls are made of flowers! Only in Las Vegas would you decorate with something so fragile that has to be replaced every day- but so lovely to see.
High point of the show for me- meeting the wonderful Jean Kwok, who was warm and friendly with everyone in line. Her novel, Mambo in Chinatown, is one of my favorites this year.
These are the four books I got at the show that I’m most looking forward to this fall:
Belzhar– Meg Wolcott’s first foray into young adult fiction. Her last novel, The Interestings, was marvelous.
The Book of Strange New Things– Michael Faber has such range, with novels that vary from Under the Skin to The Crimson Petal and the White.
Rainey Royal– Dylan Landis’s first novel. I started reading while waiting in line to get the book signed and was hooked by page two so hopefully it continues to be a great read.
Last Winter We Parted– I’ve not read Nakamura before but this translation of his newest novel is supposed to be intense.
Sounds like a fun time! Totally jealous of your delicious food and Michel Faber! I can’t wait for you to read Belzhar, too.
This sounds like such a fun event. Thanks for sharing!! Love the photos!
Wow! Looks crazy! Is this the main ALA for the year? And the winter is the half way mark version?
Looks like you had a blast in Vegas! Enjoyed your write up amd photos…made me hungry :). Great seeing you guys last week!
Love!!!! Those photos are great and I am jealous you got to meet Jean Kwok!!! I can’t wait to read Mambo soon. Aaaaand so glad you had fun at ALA!
She is SO nice. Unbelievably nice- talking to everyone in line, warm, friendly, just the best. Insisting on pictures with everyone.
Sounds like a great time! I don’t know if I could handle Vegas, haha. I picked up Rainey Royal at BEA and can’t wait to read it! I plowed through Belzhar as soon as I got home, and it’s definitely written for 14-year-olds, but it was very good!
Leah- I won’t go back for quite awhile and definitely NOT in the summer. The heat is the kind where you feel you can’t even breathe. I think it will be BEA for me next year.
What a picture you’ve painted!
It’s an extravagant city!
Las Vegas is such a surreal place. Odd indeed. I’m interested in the four books you picked up. I can’t wait to hear more about them.
Sounds like you had a blast! I’m glad it went so well for you… And now I want to eat at Bobby Flay’s restaurant!
What a crazy store! And what an exciting book haul. Belzhar sounds especially awesome 🙂
I followed along with you on Twitter and am so glad that you were able to go! The pictures are fantastic. In a few years, the mid-year is in Denver, but hopefully I’ll make it to one before then.