Happy Sunday!! I am dragging today. As some of you know, I went to the Festival of Books yesterday which was held at UCLA. It was a gorgeous day and the panels were great but the highlight of the event was meeting some of my blogger buds.
This is a two-day event, but I opted to attend only the one day (Saturday). There were tons of vendor booths to visit but I spent most of my time attending the panel sessions. Here’s what I attended:
Fiction: Reimagined Lives
This one had Zoe Ferraris (Finding Nouf), David Wroblewski (Edgar Sawtelle) and Joan Silber (The Size of the World). David was extremely funny and made some interesting comments. One of which was, “Reading is an artificial act.” I will let you ponder that one.
Fiction: Window on the World
This one had Muriel Barbery (The Elegance of a Hedgehog), Vanina Marsot (Foreign Tongue), Jonathan Rabb (Shadow and Light), and Lisa See (Shanghai Girls, Peony in Love, etc.). This one sort of threw us a bit because they ended up talking a lot about film and its influence on their writing. I sort of liked this aspect of the discussion because one of my majors just happened to be film so I was able to follow all the film references but the general audience could not. Vanina Marsot was charming and I was just recently introduced to her work when The Literate Housewife posted an interview with her. You can check the interview out here.
Fiction: Intimate Strangers
This one had Janet Fitch (Paint it Black, White Oleander), Jean Hanff Korelitz (Admission), Andrew Sean Greer (The Story of a Marriage), and Gina Nahai (Caspian Rain). This was a lively discussion on character development and what it means to the story. I think this was my favorite panel because the panelists talked to each other and it was more a dialogue than a “panel”. Additionally, the panelists were very candid and I found Andrew Sean Greer to be so funny and charismatic that I went right out to buy his book! Seriously, I hit the Vroman’s tent and picked it up.
Here’s a pic of some of the group, from left to right: Natasha (Maw Books), Amy (My Friend Amy), Tracy (Gentle Reader – Shelf Life), Ti (That’s me! Book Chatter), Jill (Fizzy Thoughts), Trish (Hey Lady Whatcha Readin’?), Lisa (Books on the Brain).
After our day of fun, we all met at Jerry’s Famous Deli for some much needed food. We were all pretty hungry from walking around. For dinner, some of the folks that missed the morning picture were able to make this one. From the far left, going around the table: Trish, Ti, Lisa, Amy, Florinda (The 3 R’s Blog), Wendy and her husband (Musings of a Bookish Kitty). I had a great time. Meeting everyone was a total blast!
As we were leaving, we couldn’t resist another photo op. It was a lot of fun and the day was a huge success! I can’t wait to see everyone’s updates.
As for today, I didn’t do much. I was so wiped out from all the walking yesterday that I am playing lazy today and just hanging around the house.
Book Chatter 
I’m so glad you had so much fun! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! I loved seeing the pictures of everyone.
Hi Ti! It was so great meeting you and everyone. I haven’t gotten around to doing my post yet because I went up there again today- I’m such a glutton for punishment- and now I’m sunburned and have a blister on my toe! Not to mention totally pooped! But it was worth it. I didn’t get to the Intimate Strangers panel but I DID buy the book today-The Story of a Marriage- esp. since you and Jill both picked it up. I started it already and really like it! Talk to ya soon!
AHHHH! Looks like a fun bunch of girlies there.Glad you all got to get together…I knew it would happen though, the pictures make me wish I had been there even more š Still I am glad you all had fun.
Did you get tons of books or do they not do that there?
What fun to see all the pictures! Thanks for posting them!
What a full day for you! I liked the blurbs about the panels you attended … the photos are fantastic! I bet you all had a great time!!
Interestingly enough, I only bought three books: The Story of a Marriage, The Outsiders (40th anniversary edition for my son) and a Goldilocks book for my daughter. The booths were just too crowded to navigate!
Again, it was great meeting you, and thanks for sharing the pictures! I didn’t get many good ones myself, and none of the group, so I’m glad to see them on other people’s posts :-).
I am jealous. I would love to meet up with other bloggers and I would love to go to the LA Book Festival.
You’re so lucky to have the festival in your area Ti! Thanks for sharing the pictures and details I enjoyed reading about it! It sounds like you had a great time.
Thanks for sharing the photos! They are great! I’m so happy y’all got to meet each other, but I’m a little jealous. Thanks for sharing the day with us, Ti.
What a wonderful time you had and how fun to meet all those other bloggers! I am jealous. š
*smiles*
Kim
Thanks so much for posting pictures – it looks like it was a great time!
So glad I got to meet you!! Great pics, too. And I wish I had stayed for dinner–next year, for sure. The panel you liked best sounds like it was great–sorry I missed it. Let me know if you like The Story of a Marriage!
I loved hearing about this. What a great time! AWESOME pictures. Bloggers rock. I am so happy to hear of the meet ups and the experience. GREAT POST!!!!!
How fun, Ti! I am so happy that you got to meet all of those wonderful bloggers. Thanks for the shout out about Vanina Marsot. š Definitely my favorite book of the year thus far. Boy, I don’t think that if the Roanoke Times throug a book festival that it would be nearly as cool. Sigh… š
By the time I get my post up with photos it will be old news. I’m impressed you’ve posted already! It was awesome to meet everybody! It was the highlight of the trip!
Ti, it looks like you all had a fantastic time! How awesome to get to meet up with some of the girls like that. I love the photos!
I’m so jealous that you got to meet everyone! What fun!
Sounds like a great time, it’s getting me even more excited to meet so many bloggers at BEA!
Oh, thanks so much for sharing pictures and telling us of your adventures. It looks like sooooooooo much fun. Wow.
This looks like an amazing time! Thanks for sharing photos of all the lovely ladies! (And gentlemen!)
I think I’ve finally recovered, although I still haven’t written a single post. I had a wonderful time, and meeting you all was the highlight of the weekend!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I was planning on joining you all (I live in Orange County), but a recent illness left me rather tired out. Hopefully next year!
Great write-up, and I love the pictures! Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
The thought of meeting another blogger is kind of intimidating to me, but I’m feeling so jealous right now! š I’m glad you had a great time and the panels you attended sound really interesting.
I am sure my husband wishes I had your restraint in the book buying department, but then, this time he really can’t fault me because he bought quite a few himself. š
I had such a great time with you all at the festival. I am glad we got the chance to meet, Ti.
This is just too cool. I wish I lived some place more central.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time! It must’ve been great to hang out with all those blog buddies.
–Anna
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