Since I was but a wee little Abbi, I knew library work was for me. My mom told people this week that I knew how to fix the toilet in the Indiantown Public Library before I was ten, just to show how much time we spent there. The first thing I do in a new city is get a library card, and feel passionately about everyone having equal access to information at public libraries. Events like the ALA Annual Convention and the National Book Festival in September (put on by the Library of Congress) reinforce the important work libraries do in our country, and I feel so lucky to have been able to attend this year!
Toni Morrison was the keynote speaker, and she was incredible. I've only read one book by her, but got teary when she got up on stage because she is such a literary giant. Did you know she started out working as a page in her hometown library? No flash photography allowed, so apologies for the blurry view, but we were as close as we possibly could have been in the third row.
Listen, libraries are important and all, but so is the World Cup. There were groups like this all over the convention center during soccer games; this one was US vs. Ghana. We put up a good effort; better luck next time, USA!
Tony Diterlizzi went to high school in Martin County, and Mommi knows him from several book talks. He's so nice, and has a great new juvenile fiction book coming out in September, so keep an eye out if you're a fantasy fan!
An exhibitor gave away free glasses of champagne. Say no more, we were there!
Salman Rushdie was the first speaker we saw on Saturday, and I was impressed with how much he seemed to enjoy himself! Throughout the lecture, he chuckled and gave little asides about his life that made him seem so personable and friendly. We got there early and had front row seats!
There is a
very cute children's book coming out by the end of the year about a bear who finds a little boy in the woods and adopts him, although he makes a terrible pet (impossible to house train). Publishers have their upcoming books on display in the exhibits section of the conference, and it's so much fun to see what's coming up in the book world!
Toni Morrison was the keynote speaker, and she was incredible. I've only read one book by her, but got teary when she got up on stage because she is such a literary giant. Did you know she started out working as a page in her hometown library? No flash photography allowed, so apologies for the blurry view, but we were as close as we possibly could have been in the third row. 
Listen, libraries are important and all, but so is the World Cup. There were groups like this all over the convention center during soccer games; this one was US vs. Ghana. We put up a good effort; better luck next time, USA!
Tony Diterlizzi went to high school in Martin County, and Mommi knows him from several book talks. He's so nice, and has a great new juvenile fiction book coming out in September, so keep an eye out if you're a fantasy fan!
An exhibitor gave away free glasses of champagne. Say no more, we were there!
Salman Rushdie was the first speaker we saw on Saturday, and I was impressed with how much he seemed to enjoy himself! Throughout the lecture, he chuckled and gave little asides about his life that made him seem so personable and friendly. We got there early and had front row seats!
There is a very cute children's book coming out by the end of the year about a bear who finds a little boy in the woods and adopts him, although he makes a terrible pet (impossible to house train). Publishers have their upcoming books on display in the exhibits section of the conference, and it's so much fun to see what's coming up in the book world!
It just looks like you two had SO MUCH FUN this year!! I'm seriously jealous of all the cool people you got to see, and the cute books :) Maybe I'll have to finagle my way there next year! (love, Haley)
ReplyDeleteWe had fun, but it would have been even better if you were there to join in the festivities! You were definitely missed, Haleyface. xo
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