Hello all! April is halfway over and that means we’re only 3 weeks away from Yallwest! After seeing all the tweets and instagram posts about it last year, I have to admit I felt very sad that I hadn’t made the effort to go. This year I’m attending along with several of my reading buddies and our SO’s. We are also, of course, going a week early so that we can go to Disneyland and Universal. Going to a Young Adult book festival has been on my list of things to do for years. I’m so excited to finally experience what everyone is talking about! (Don’t know what Yallwest is? Find out here and here.)
So, since this is the one time I get to meet several of my favorite authors (who don’t usually come to Utah) I went a little crazy buying books. I wanted to make sure that if this was the only time I get to meet them, I’d at least get caught up on books I wanted to own and get signed. I’m going to list all the ones I got, going into detail on just a few of them.
Books I Purchased
An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir (The new covers)
Shatter me, Unravel Me, Ignite Me, aned Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
Warcross by Marie Lu
P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever, Laura Jean by Jenny Han
Leia: Princess of Alderaan by Claudia Gray
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Now I Rise by Kiersten White
So there’s a handful that I want to spotlight because I’m so excited…
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Here’s the link to it on Goodreads.
I haven’t read an amazing fantasy in a while, so I’m definitely excited about this one! I’ve had friends who’ve read it and they really like it. Plus, Tomi Adeyemi is going to be one of the keynote speakers so I definitely want to read it before we go!
Tyler Johnson was Here by Jay Coles
Here’s the link to it on Goodreads.
This is Jay Coles debut novel (I believe…) and I was glad that I had the chance to purchase it. Stories like this need to be told and shared. I read Dear Martin by Nic Stone and felt very rushed. I’m hoping that since this one is longer and has excellent reviews, that it will delve deeper into the story and all it entails.
Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
Here’s the link to it on Goodreads.
I have been so excited about the diversity that has been growing in the Young Adult genre. When I heard about Love, Hate & Other Filters, I was imminently intrigued and excited. Supporting authors is so important and I’m so ecited to meet Samira! I really hope that it lives up to the hype.
The Education of Margot Sanches by Lilliam Rivera
Here’s the link to it on Goodreads.
Pretty in Pink comes to the South Bronx? Count me in!
I’m a sucker for books like this and I’m excited to read it. It’s the first one on my list for Yallwest.
I’m so excited to be attending Yallwest. Meeting Authors and like minded readers is just so much fun. I can’t wait to connect with people, get arcs, get books signed, and enjoy being in the sun. Lets face it, I’m sure it’ll snow in Utah while we’re gone…
If you’re going to Yallwest and want to meet up, shoot me an email!! domesticfangirl@gmail.com