Book Fair Tours: BookExpo America and BookCon 2016

*Post in partnership with Palasso, but it does not alter the information given in this post*

I’m going to BookExpo America (BEA) and BookCon 2016! I’ve always wanted to go to a book convention and when Team Tynga’s Reviews was invited to take part in the Book Blogger Conference, which is part of BEA, I jumped at the chance.This year BEA is in Chicago, Illinois, from May 11th to 13th, 2016. It happens to be the largest publishing event in North America, but it’s not really for the general public. Those who can attend include authors, librarians, educators, booksellers, retailers, and of course, those in the publishing industry. Luckily for me, bloggers can also attend, since it hosts the BEA Blogger Conference. Along with Gabi Mohrer from BooksaBlog.com, I will be leading one of the 16 roundtables. We will be discussing Memes and Tags, and joining the book blog community in general. I’ve been blogging for more than four years now, so I’m hoping I can relay some of my experience with new and old members of the community, as well as educate myself and renew my passion for book blogging.



BEA is followed by BookCon, which is open to the general public, on May 14th, 2016. This is your chance to geek out and absorb everything book related. I’m ecstatic because so many great authors will be attending this year. Many YA authors will be present, and some that stand out include Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments), Leigh Bardugo (The Grisha Trilogy), Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles), Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy Series), Sarah J. Maas (Throne of Glass), Veronica Roth (The Divergent Series) and Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen Series).

This year, both events will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. I have always wanted to visit the windy city so I will definitely take advantage. If you need an affordable hotel room in Chicago, you can find it at ChicagoHotels.org. They offer a good number of hotels around McCormick Place.

Since I'm a big sports fan, I might take advantage and go see a Chicago Cubs game (the White Sox are away during my stay) or if the Chicago Blackhawks are still in the playoffs, I might splurge and go see a hockey game (although I'm a Habs fan, I am Canadian so hockey is hockey is hockey). Another place I want to check out while I'm in Chicago is POPS for Champagne, a Champagne and sparkling wine bar. I love my bubbly so hopefully I'll have the time for a few glasses. Also, because I'm also a huge science geek, I might check out the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium or Alder Planetarium, which are all near each other and close to McCormick Place. So many things to do, so little time!

If you're planning on going to either of these events, please let me know in the comments! I would love to meet up! Also, I'll be documenting my experience with plenty of photos and memories so make sure to come back and check out my recap post, which will probably be posted sometime mid-May.

See you there!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Book Fairs  5 People left their mark

Book Fair Tours: The 56th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair

*Post in partnership with Palasso, but it does not alter the information given in this post*

If you could, would you take a magical journey to a time and place where you could get the best stories of history directly from the source.  A chance to see the illustrations and vibrant illuminations of a bygone age.  Well, you can make that journey with no magic required. The Park Avenue Armory is closely located to many hotels, at NewYorkHotels.org you will be sure to find the latest deals.  All these things and many, many more will be on display and available this year in New York this April 7^th – 10^th.

There will be an amassing of some of the best examples of the craft of story-telling to view, buy and trade.  The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers will be holding the 56^th Annual Antiquarian Book Fair at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City.

The Antiquarian Book Fair is not the typical gathering of modern authors, publishers, agents and other industry types out to reveal the road map of the future in books and publishing.  This is a doorway to the past.  It is a gathering of book sellers, collectors and experts in the field of antique books, antique manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and other rare ephemera.  The variety in specialties includes art, medicine, literature, photography, autographs, first editions, Americana and so much more.  In short, this is a chance to see some of the earliest surviving examples of technical treatises, historical records and storytelling. With this group of professionals and expert in one place, patrons can be assured to the authenticity of the available works.

Exhibits of these fine works will be available in the Wade Thompson Drill Hall and ready for visitors for perusal at the following schedule:

Fri April 8     noon-8pm

Sat April 9    noon-7pm

Sun April 10 noon-5pm

Discovery Day, Sunday, 1pm-3pm

The Antiquarian Book Fair will be hosted by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA).  Since 1949, the ABAA is a group formed in order to promote interest in rare and antiquarian books and book collecting. The ABAA also wishes to nurture collegial relations among collectors and enthusiasts.

The Antiquarian Book Fair will also be sanctioned by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). Descendant from a variety of organizations in Europe from as early as 1906 ILAB has existed in its current form since about 1947/1948. ILAB unites 22 national associations under one roof.  

The Antiquarian Book Fair takes place in The Park Avenue Armory in New York City, New York.  A more perfect setting could not be chosen to showcase so many treasured examples of the past.  The Wade Thompson Drill Hall remains one of the largest unobstructed spaces of its kind in New York and will make a most proper home for over 200 American and international exhibitors. 

The Park Avenue Armory is closely located to many hotels but, be sure and make your reservations now to get your choice of the best rooms available.  Just two blocks from beautiful Central Park it is very easy to find and getting there is as simple as quick a bus, subway or taxi ride.

 



 

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Antique Books, Book Fairs, New York City  Leave your mark

Book Fair Tours: The London Book Fair

*Post in partnership with Palasso, but it does not alter the information given in this post*

In the next couple of weeks, you would see a series of posts, written by all of us, on book fairs taking place this spring in the US and also across the world. BEA is of course the most popular, but we decided the steer away from this one, and discover other venues. We sure hope you will appreciate it!

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While working on this series of book fairs, I discovered many bookish events I wasn’t aware of, and the biggest has to be the London Book Fair. This year is already the 45^th edition of this gathering, and I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before. It will take place at the Olympia Exhibition Centre April 12 to 15^th, 2016. Livres Canada Books describe it has ‘the spring season can’t-miss opportunity to meet publishers, rights managers, distributors, wholesalers, booksellers, and literary agents from around the world.’ The fair hosts over 25k visitors every year, and nearly 50% of them are international! That’s quite a book event! It is also taking place in the middle of the Book & Screen Week, taking place in London. A great way to unite books and screen lovers alike.

A lot of action is planned aside from the exhibit proper. Ceremonies will be hosted such as International Excellence Awards & the Trailblazers awards. There will also be a plethora of conference such as ‘Introduction to rights’ and ‘What Works? Education Conference’. I don’t know yet how big of a place book blogger will have in this fair, but I know a convention named ‘Are Book Bloggers the Future of Literary Criticism?’ took place last year, so I wouldn’t be surprise if there was a bit of room for our community amongst the big names of the industry. Furthermore, Netgalley will have their own stand at the fair, 3B50, if you ever wish to visit them!

Of course, if you are to travel half way across the world (depending where you are from, of course!) you might as well do some tourist stuff as well!



As you can see, the Olympia Exhibition center is surrounded by tons of cultural interests! The natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum, the Tower of London, London Eye, even the Buckingham Palace! I bet you won’t have a minute to spare on your trip!

Of course you’ll need to fill those stomachs as well, so I took a look at the restauration you’ll be able to find around the center and there is something for everyone! Italian, Indian, Lebanese, French, Japanese, countless sandwiches bars and pubs are within walking distance. I even spotted a couple of ‘American’ restaurants from those who likes their classics even on the road hehe

After a long day of cruising we’ll all need some rest and there were plenty of hotels to choose from. In fact, there are over 30 hotels which are rated 4 or 5 star within walking distance. I found many interesting hotels for a variety of budgets and right now they are about 40% booked for the fair days, so there is still time for you to choose your accommodations. I wouldn’t wait too long though, since it is such a big event!

I totally wish I could visit myself, it sounds like so much fun, and maybe I will get to one day! Being the mom of two toddlers does limit my options, but it sure is a dream I can work towards ^^

If you do plan to go, please let me know in the comments! Or, if you’ve already been in the past, I’d love to hear about it!

On a side note, here are the opening hours: Tue: 9am-6.30pm
Wed: 9am-6.30pm
Thu: 9am-5pm

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Posted by Tynga at 23:55

 Book Fairs, London, UK  5 People left their mark