#i have a whole shelf i call my immediate tbr pile

[a-ramblinrose]

JOMP BPC || January 2 || TBR This Month:  Most of January's must read books are already started and destined for tomorrow's prompt. A few photogenic tales still await me though.

[fantasticbookdragon]

Hello!

As you probably already know I attended YALC/LFCC at the end of July. This was my third year going, so I’ve seen how it’s changed over the last three years and not always for the better. Many of you either experienced last year’s nightmare or heard about it (my post can be found here) – this year was an improvement, though so much could have been done better. I’ll talk about this more in a separate post, I want to focus on the positives for now. This was meant to be a post for the whole weekend, it got so long I’ve had to split it.

My sister came along on the Friday to help me out and support me at the UKYABA where I was shortlisted for Beat Established Blogger/Vlogger. Our first port of call was the Hashtag Reads stand as they were giving out 100 proofs a day of Adam Silvera’s first fantasy book, Infinity Son – this was one of the books I wanted more than anything. We hurried over and no one was there, so I managed to get one without worrying about being pushed around and I’m so unbelievably happy and can’t wait to start reading it this month!

We then stopped off at the My Kinda Book booth so I could buy copies of The Kingdom and We Hunt The Flame, I’d been desperate to get my hands on both. I was also given a free proof of What She Found in the Woods, another book I’ve been desperate to read and hadn’t requested yet. I’m so excited to start it asap. I picked up some cool swag too while I was there.

After our stop there we wandered around and stumbled upon Ciara’s Big Sister stand who sold book sleeves, sanitary product holders etc. These were made by them and absolutely gorgeous, with designs ranging from The Jungle Book to Nightmare Before Christmas. I believe there were some Harry Potter ones, I might be wrong though. I bought a Nightmare Before Christmas book sleeve which cost £12 and was worth every penny. They were even kind enough to take an order for my sister, went home and made it Friday evening for me to collect on Saturday. I definitely recommend checking out their etsy store!

We then sat down for a bit in the chill out zone and I unloaded a pile of books to leave on the book swap shelf and chose some new ones to take home with me, I picked up And I Darken, I found proofs of Lily’s Just Fine and Happy Girl Lucky, Both of which I’m excited to read. I also found a Fairy Loot figurine of Caraval’s Legend and couldn’t leave him behind. Fairy Loot have confirmed it wasn’t them who left several there over the weekend, thank you to whoever it was though!

Next up was Holly Bourne’s signing, I’d picked up a copy of What Magic is This? which has snazzy pink sprayed edges in the Waterstones shop there and decided to get it signed. It’s always nice to see Holly and I’ve loved all of her books I’ve read so far. If you took your receipt to the Barrington Stoke stand they gave you a free print, I love it and can’t wait to put it up on my room.

Some of you might know I was meant to be a blogger panelist at one of the YA Shot workshops. My anxiety and brain decided that was a big nope within five minutes and I ran off, had a panic attack and then cried. You’re probably wondering why I’m including this in a post I wanted to keep positive, or even bringing it up at all. This is because after having a chat with Lexi, from YA Shot and the UKYABA, I left with a positive view on it. Yes, it was upsetting and humiliating but I tried. I agreed, didn’t back out in the lead up to it and still got up there and gave it a go. Last year I wouldn’t have even done that, so it’s still an achievement. Maybe it’ll go better next time of the opportunity comes my way again.

After this we went over to the signing area to wait for Derek Landy’s signing, after twenty minutes of a slow moving queue My sister asked if I could be moved up the queue and was moved to the front. This helped massively as it meant I could go off somewhere to chill out for a bit. Derek is one of the nicest authors you’ll meet, he kindly signed two of my Skullduggery Pleasant books and YALC bag. While we were waiting Tom Felton walked past on his way back to LFCC which was exciting, I always miss LFCC guests but spotted a few over the weekend.

I then went to chill out before braving LFCC with my sister, this was the perfect opportunity to go looking for Pennywise merchandise. We walked through the autograph area and spotted Jason Isaacs at his signing table, finally figured out that guy swaggering around the YALC floor earlier that day was a wrestler’s security and not a famous guest. I didn’t get to go down last year as I struggle with the crowds so it was nice to go for a wander. We didn’t stay down there for long, there isn’t enough down there to keep me interested for more than half an hour. I did manage to find a special edition Pennywise POP! Vinyl for my collection at a decent price before we left so I was happy.

It was then time to go back up to YALC for the UKYABA, I was shortlisted in the Best Established alongside some of my favourite bloggers. I don’t know how it happened but I somehow won, no one is more surprised than I am. I still can’t believe it. Thank you so much to everyone who nominated and voted for me, it means the world to me! Afterwards there were cupcakes and goodies on the table including postcards and The Harm Tree tote bags. Another highlight was Jason Mamoa walking through during the awards!

  Book haul:

Infinity Son – When I heard these were going to be available I knew I had to have one, I’ve been so excited about this one for ages and couldn’t believe my luck when I got to the stand and no one was there. I’m beyond excited to start it!

What Magic is This? – I spotted this on a table in the Waterstones shop and practically jumped on it! I adore Holly Bourne’s books and couldn’t leave it behind. Published by Barrington Stoke and is printed to make it easier to read for those with dyslexia.

The Kingdom – Someone described his to me as being Disneyland on crack and I was immediately sold! I have feeling I’m going to love it, I’m hoping to read it by the end of August.

We Hunt the Flame – I’ve heard nothing but brilliant things about this one and couldn’t turn down the chance to get a copy early. This one I’m hoping to read in September so keep an eye out for my review!

What She Found in the Woods – I was given this proof for free when I bought books from My Kinda Book, it was a lovely surprise as I’ve been looking forward to this one since I first heard of it.

Inchtinn: Island of Shadows – uclan publishing kindly gave proofs to UKYABA shortlistees, it sounds right up my street. I love a good ghost story and so excited to read it!

I Hold Your Heart & You’re Crushing It – Bloomsbury sent copies of these for the winners, we were thoroughly spoilt and my post YALC TBR is looking awesome.

Book Swap:

And I Darken – I haven’t heard much about this, it’s one I keep seeing in Waterstones and thought I’d give it a read. If anyone has read it, let me know what you thought of it.

Lily’s Just Fine – There were a couple of proofs of this on the shelves so the publisher might have left them there, though I don’t know for sure. I was intrigued by the blurb so decided to take it home with me.

Happy Girl Lucky – I love Holly Smale’s Geek Girl series and picked this up straight as soon as I spotted it. This is the first in a new series and I am so ready it!

  There we have it, my first day of YALC was busy but fun. I’m have write ups for days two and three up soon!

YALC 2019: Day One Hello! As you probably already know I attended YALC/LFCC at the end of July. This was my third year going, so I've seen how it's changed over the last three years and not always for the better.