ALA June 2014 - Event & Giveaway

ALA Event

Las Vegas, Nevada June 27 – 30, 2014

Well after a quick but fun-filled weekend in Vegas, Crystal and I (Arlene) are back and ready to jump into some amazing summer reading fun. We had a wonderful time this weekend not only talking to publishers, but also meeting some of our favorite authors such as Jeaniene Frost, Marie Lu, Kendall Kulper, Jandy Nelson, and Holly Black to name a few.

For reading nerds like us, being at ALA is like landing in book heaven for a few days. What’s even better is that we’re surrounded by fellow avid readers and bloggers that share the same excitement as ours in coming across so many great book finds. This year, my roomie and I were inducted into the #honkcircle when we became #GooseGirls sisters with @IrishBanana, @fireflyflames, @MontanaGolin, @ReviewerRachel and @blrobins2. Meeting this amazing group of bloggers and sharing some tear-inducing laughs before the exhibit opening made this trip even more special. 
We look forward to seeing you at the next event #GooseGirls!!

After the event, we had the pleasure of visiting a few hotels and sharing in a nice dinner with Rachel from The Readers Den. It’s always a pleasure meeting up with Rachel and catching up on our book pick for the weekend. We decided to take advantage of the downtime by having a book club night at the Cheesecake Factory at Caesar’s Palace. What better way to end the day than talking about books till the evening hours?

Hi! It's Crystal, and I am once again sneaking in to tell you a few of my favorite moments!  I have to say this weekend is definitely in my top 10 moments ever!  I really enjoyed hanging out with my fellow blogger and all time favorite reading buddy Arlene and my UF partner in crime Rachel.  It really was a weekend for the books ha!  I, also like Arlene, have to give a shout to the #GooseGirls!  I have never laughed so hard in my life!  Hannah from the Irish Banana is just hilarious and I hope we all get together at the next ALA!  #GooseGirls see you at the gate!!

A few other highlights for me...
1. Arlene "I liked it when I read it, I hated it when I thought about it" LOL!  Only a book reader will understand this statement. LOL!
 2. Rachel will forever be remembered as the cat lady of Vegas ALA!  
3. Waiting in line for the Marie Lu signing and meeting some amazing bloggers and librarians.
4. Meeting the wonderful Ksenia from Macmillan!
5. And yes scoring the highly coveted Elephant bag!  I am proud to say I was finally at the right place at the right time!

I have so many memories these are just a few of my highlights.  I hope everyone who attended loved the convention as much as I did!  On to the next one!  Back to Arlene... 

This year, we were lucky enough to land some amazing books such as The Young Elites by Marie Lu, Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White, Made for You by Melissa Marr, Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater and I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson.

As with our other book events, we always like to bring back a book bundle to our WinterHaven followers. Be sure to enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. You must be a WinterHaven follower on Bloglovin and GFC to win! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday, #55

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases we can't wait to get our hands on.

Here's my selection for this week...

The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu
Expected publication: October 7, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

I'm a huge fan of Marie Lu, and I was facinated by her Legend series from beginning to end..   I just know her upcoming series, The Young Elites will be just as captivating, so I can't wait to get my hands on this novel.

With any luck, I might just land one this weekend when my lovelies Crystal (my roomie here at WinterHaven and Rachel (one of my book besties at The Reader's Den) will be meeting for a fun time in  Las Vegas this weekend for the 2014 Annual ALA Convention. I'm sure I speak for my cronies as well when I say, we are so excited to get the chance to talk to publishers and meet some of our favorite authors. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and share the event with everyone when we return. So stay tuned!!!

Sooo, what book are you waiting on???