I’ve just left the London Book Fair and I’m exhausted. Here are some photos that I took today. Hopefully by the morning I’ll be more coherent and can share about what I saw, heard, and learned.
I think she’s going the wrong way.
Four different people pushed me out of the way at the entrance.
I hope this isn’t the actual cover of Solo. It just seems like they could have done more with the two OOs. He only announced the title yesterday so I’m assuming this is a work in progress.
Um, which way?
Tomorrow is the last day. I need to get rest tonight so I can get the most of out the experience.
50 Year Project 
Four people pushed you out of the way – you are going to have to develop the ‘don’t even think about it ‘ look! I mean it. I hope that book arch had some support – it’s exactly the type of thing I would wreak havoc upon! Looks great fun, even if exhausting.
Lynn 😀
I don’t think I can look mean. I’m just the type that gets pushed. I didn’t get too close to the book arch since I didn’t want to be the one to topple it.
I know you were in “Book Heaven”. Enjoy yourself to the fullest.
BE ENCOURAGE! BE BLESSED!
I’m doing my best!
Wow! It’s huge!
Yes. I got good and lost there yesterday. Fortunately I was surrounded by books so I didn’t panic.
Oh my goodness! This looks incredible! I can’t believe I didn’t know about it.
I learned about it last year when I walked by and saw the sign. It’s fun!
Just got in myself, TBM! It was lovely meeting you earlier today. Same time next year, maybe?
Glad you arrived safe and sound. Delightful meeting you and yes, same time next year.
Wow, it looks amazing! I wish I was there!
I have a feeling you’d like it!
Now, that’s what I call a huge book fair. I’ve never been to anything like that before. You are soooo lucky :).
You should plan it next year!
Hahahahahaha!! To make a trip like that, my hubby would be with me, and he would never, ever go to a book fair. I have never seen him read a book in the 28 years I have known him :). Strange guy eh? He doesn’t know what he is missing. However, I am starting to watch for author/book events around here and plan to start attending more :). It’s fun!
I live with a non-reader as well so I understand. Good luck finding events in your area!
Wow, isn’t it hard to understand how someone can go through their whole life without experiencing the joy of reading books? I couldn’t live without books!! As far as events go, when I was in South Carolina I met a lady who worked in Barnes and Noble who I instantly became friends with. We started talking books, and it was as if we had known each other forever. I happened to mention that I love Diana Gabaldon’s books, and she told me about a similar author by the name of Susanna Kearsley. I am reading her newest book right now on my ereader, and I am really enjoying it. She will be speaking at a library a couple of hours away from here in May, so I am going to try my best to get there. I love hearing authors speak because you really get to see their personality which allows you to relate to their books better I think. I am hoping to get a signed copy of her book while I am there. I love owning signed copies :).
I don’t get it either. How can they not love to read? I just don’t get it. But I’ve learned to accept it. Otherwise I would keep beating my head against a stone wall and i need all the remaining brain cells I have left. I’ve recently considered starting Diana Gabaldon, but haven’t yet. I need twenty more hours in each day. And i hope you get a chance to meet Susanna Kearsley–I love listening to authors. I had a blast over the last three days. Now I’m trying to catch up. I may never. Never!
I totally understand about needing more hours in the day, and I do hope you get a chance to read Diana Gabaldon’s books because they are truly fantastic, especially if you love history. I told you I met her didn’t I? She is sooo nice!! Susanna Kearsley’s books are similar in a way, but I would have to say they are a much lighter read. There is some history thrown in, but she doesn’t go into near as much depth as Diana. I’m so glad you had fun at the book fair :).
Being the nerd I think I would prefer the depth. Don’t you love it when authors turn out to be nice. I can’t stand the ones who think they are better than the rest of us. You can sense this when you read their novels and it turns me off completely from reading more.
Oh yes, Diana is super nice, and she has an amazinf sense of humour. She kept us laughing throughout! You will love her books, I just know it :).
Are her books massive? Are they a series?
Oh yes, they are massive, but trust me you won’t want them to end!! There are seven books so far in the series, and the 8th commes out in December of this year. I can’t wait!! It’s one of the best series I have ever read in my life!
Massive and eight of them. Will have to think about it. Would you say this is the best series you’ve read?
I can never pick a #1 favourite, but the Outlander series is definitely in my Top 5.
Dang it I have to ask about the other four.
So is Pillars of the Earth and its sequel by Ken Follett. That’s a must read if you haven’t already. I know you would love it – tons of history! I couldn’t put them down.
aren’t those massive as well!
Yup, they sure are :). But you don’t really notice because they are so amazing that you just fly throught them.
I wish I could read faster. You seem to fly through books.
I go through stages :). When I’m in a reading mood, I read one after the other very quickly, but then other times it takes me quite a while to get through just one book. It just depends on what’s going on in my life and how much I need to escape LOL!!
Trust me I understand. I started off this year in a real reading groove, 2 -3 books a week. Now I’m at 1 book a month. Life is crazy right now. Did you finish that editing job?
Yes, thank goodness!! It was a LOT of work and took up most of my free time (what little I have), but now I will get paid, so I won’t feel guilty about purchase my Nook tablet/reader anymore. I bought it knowing I would have this editing money coming :).
do you have another project lined up? You only own two tablets right, but can still read on four different devices (I’m including your phone and iPad) so I think you might need a Kobo reader or something.
Do you think I can officially call it a collection yet? LOL! My Dad has a Kobo, and it’s really nice. I was thinking about the Kobo before I fell in love with the Nook while in South Carolina. Maybe I will just have to get one of each :). I don’t smoke or drink, so I have to have some type of a vice don’t I?? 🙂
I was impressed with Kobo at the book fair. I attended several events that they hosted and I think they are a great company. And they announced at the fair that they plan on tripling their marketing budget. One of the things I really liked was that they didn’t just push their company. The guy kept saying publish in all places, not just one. Do you have the Kobo app? So yes, buy a Kobo! Not a bad vice considering.
Folks were actually pushing you out of the way? It seems like there is plenty of space and things to see and do. tsk, tsk on them.
I understand that some folks have meetings to get too, but a polite, “Excuse me” would make me move. but so does their arm nudging me out of the way I guess.
How I wish I could go to a similar event!
I hope you can. I’m loving it.
wow!!! a book fair is never like that here!! totally envy you
What are they like there? This is my only experience with a book fair.
It’s just a bunch of small counters selling books.
I wish they had more opportunities to buy books at this fair, but I see your point.
Apparently, a LOT of people like books!
Yes they do. Sometimes it’s hard to fathom why the industry is in such bad shape.
You have a point there. Unless its the online retailers taking sales away from the brick & mortar stores.
That is an issue. Amazon was a big subject this year at the fair.
I’m so jealous of you at the book fair!! I wouldn’t know which talk or booth to go to first. Would you say that most of the crowd are in the publishing industry or are they mostly readers/book lovers? Here, at BEA, the crowd is mostly publishing industry, but at the Brooklyn Book Festival, it’s mostly readers. (Also nice that it’s indoors!)
I hope you’re having a great time!
Publishers rule at this fair. There are lots of deals going on behind the scenes like movie deals and signing the next big writer. The little guy has little to no chance speaking with any traditional publishers. The fair is trying to cater more to unpublished authors and has improved quite a bit from last year–but this is the smallest part of the fair. I do enjoy listening to the authors speak so that’s the main draw for me. As for the booths, I wander around, take photos, and know they don’t want me to speak to them.
That looks like so much fun. I have to admit, you make me feel guilty for not being a book worm anymore. Everything is just so digital!
Nothing wrong with ebooks. I promote any type of reading as long as people are reading.
Wow! I bet you thoroughly enjoyed book fair.
I did!
Lucky you! I’m moving back to London for good – looks like I’m 4 weeks too late for this Book Fair. Will enjoy it through your eyes. Thanks for sharing xx
You can go next year! Are you from London?
I used to live in London for 4 years and then got sent to Shanghai for work. I am from Singapore. Am back mid-May for good so am foolishly excited 🙂 It would appear that you’re into books … amazing! x
I wish you luck with your move back. That can’t be an easy move. And yes, I love books! London is a great place to live. we moved here almost two years ago.
Random shots rule!
Now you tell me!
So glad you were able to capture your day through photos. Looks very high class high-tech. Looks pretty cool. The one I go to is always outdoors 🙂 I love the one of the book arch. Very cool!
Having an outdoor fair in London would be tough. But it might be funny to watch all the powerful book brokers huddling under cover if it rained with us average book folks. Then they might have to talk to us.
envious…
Very cool! Looks like it was a book heaven.
I’m interested to know how many books you bought!
I didn’t buy any, however this fair caters to bookstore owners so you have to buy in large quantities.