YALLWEST Wrap-Up

Yes, I am completely aware of the fact that this event happened over a month ago, but I had such a fantastic time, I wanted to write about my experience anyway! Also, Book Con and BEA just happened, two events I have always wanted to go to, but I don’t have the money for travel. So, I am using this wrap-up to reminisce in the opportunity I do have rather than sitting around being jealous of others.

This was my second year attending this event. So, please enjoy my rendition of the events of YALLWEST 2019!

As soon as I arrived, I felt a little overwhelmed. This was my second time at this event, however, the previous year, I only went for a couple hours, I was with someone, and it was at the end of the day. This year, I wanted to go the full eight hours, and the only way to do that was alone. When I arrived, I walked around the entire event, getting a lay of the land. However, my anxiety was quickly rising, so I ended up finding a bench to sit on, where I watched my surroundings for about 30 minutes, as I acclimated to my environment.

Finally, after a short time, I was able to start walking around again. I went into the event with no plans. I was going to simply walk around a see where the wind took me. The first thing I found myself doing was standing in line at the I Read YA booth for an ARC for the prequel to the new Netflix show about Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Honestly, I just felt good having a purpose, instead of walking around aimlessly or sitting on a bench, staring at my feet.

Having my first ARC in my hand, I was feeling more confident and ready to go. Directly from this line, I found myself in another line, where I picked up an ARC for On a Scale of One to Ten by Cylon Scott.

After picking this one up, I decided to take another trip around the event, where I made two stops at bookish subscription box booths. First, I hit up the The Bookish Box, where I spun a wheel and received this adorable YA themed cup.

Then, I walked over to the OwlCrate booth, where I spun a wheel and received a beautiful OwlCrate edition of Pride by Ibi Zoboi. I haven’t heard a lot about this book, but when I read the premise, I was 100% down. It sounds so interesting, and I can’t wait to read it.

Of course, While I was at the OwlCrate booth, I had to pick up some adorable pins and sticker. They are already on my backpack, marking me as a book dragon!

By this point, it was lunch. There were about 6 food trucks at YALLWEST, however, when I walked over there, the lines were crazy long and I was crazy tired. Ditching the long lines, I found a comfy, sunny (yes, I got sunburned) place to sit. I pulled out some of the snacks I had brought with me along with my notebook. Here, I spent a relaxing hour, eating cheez-its and writing. It was a much-needed break, and it recharged me for the rest of the day.

After lunch, I started walking around again, when I stumbled upon a panel. Last year, I didn’t go into any panels because I was there for such a short time period. I hadn’t even planned on going to any panels, even though a lot of them sounded super interesting. As soon as I walked into the room, I was handed two ARCs, and I was thrilled to see that one of them was one of my most anticipated 2019 read, I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest. This adorable sounding contemporary follows a dancer, and you all know I am a sucker for books with dancers. I also received Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra.

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I was thrilled to receive these ARCs, and the panel was incredible. It discussed the bestseller problem, and how authors deal with keeping their creativity while trying to write a best selling novel. After this panel, I decided to continue with panels, going to two more. At the final panel, I received The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring. I am so excited about this book, and I hope it will be a perfect creepy summer read.

Finally, I ended the day waiting in another line, at the I Read YA booth, picking up an advanced copy of The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill. I believe this is the ARC of the USA cover of the story because I am pretty sure that this book has already been released.

Of course, along the way, I picked up two tote bags. You can’t leave a young adult book festival without finding at least one tote bag. I left with OwlCrate and Simon Teen tote bags, both of which, I love. The OwlCrate bag I picked up last year acted as my lunch bag this entire year, so I am thrilled to add these two to my collection.

Overall, YALLWEST was an incredible event. Despite the rocky start, I enjoyed being surrounded by books, book lovers, and authors. I am glad there are events like this, where readers can connect deeper to the thing they love, and people with similar interests.

Talk to me!

Have you ever attended YALLWEST, or any other bookish event?

Have you read any of these books?

Do you love bookish tote bags as much as I do?

Love,

Jackie

Disclaimer: Clicking the title of each book will bring you to book depository. This is an affiliate link, meaning that I will make a small commission from every purchase made, with no impact on you. Thank you.