BEA Recap - Day 4

Day 4 (Thursday) was my last day in New York. Unfortunately, I needed to get home and back to my normal life -- being a wife and a mom! I was sorry to miss The Book Blogger Con, but I was also very anxious to see my husband and kids again.

Kathy and I headed over to the Javits Center first thing in the morning to get in line for the Adult Book and Author Breakfast. I was very excited to hear Jon Stewart as well as Condoleeza Rice. I thought Jon Stewart was very hilarious, and he was pretty much everything I was expecting. But I was pleasantly surprised by Condoleeza Rice. I knew she would be comfortable speaking in front of a large crowd, but I thought she was excellent (and so impressive.) I wasn't sure that I was interested in her upcoming memoir, but after hearing her speak about her parents and grandparents, I think the book sounds like a beautiful tribute to some very special people. If you'd like to read more about this event, please check out Beth Fish Reads' post because it's terrific!

Kathy and I left a little bit early from the breakfast so we could get a head-start on the show floor. I really didn't feel like I had all that much time because we had a meeting scheduled for 11:00, and I was heading out early for to catch my train home. I managed to snag some awesome books even though I didn't really find that I had the time and/or patience to wait in the long autographing lines. The only author I ended up waiting in a long line for was Sara Gruen -- and it was an insanely long line. I considered my signed, ARC copy of APE HOUSE to be one of my best treasures from BEA!

I did have another mini-highlight on Thursday, but I have to give some background so it makes sense. Booking Daughter is a huge fan of the show Cake Boss -- I mean a huge fan! She tivos every episode and watches them over and over again. You might even say that she is obsessed with Buddy! Well, when I told her that Buddy was scheduled to speak at BEA, she desperately wanted his new book. I told her that he wasn't signing books and that it was highly unlikely that I could make his demonstration because I had a meeting at the same time. She was so disappointed.....

Well, I was walking around the trade show floor and I heard Buddy's voice (you have to understand that his voice runs through our house all of the time and it's quite distinct.) I almost died and maybe I even let out a little scream! I ran up to him and gushed about how much my daughter loves him and his show. There is no doubt that Buddy thought I was nuts, and I'm pretty sure I embarrassed myself. But he was so sweet and told me that he loves to hear how much people enjoy his show. He even posed for a picture with me. I just knew Booking Daughter was going to die!!!! Needless to say, she's very excited about his new book (although I'm not sure it's going to be geared for an eleven year old!)

After I waited in line to get Booking Daughter a Glee shirt (she loves that show too!), I jumped on the bus and headed to Penn Station. I was a little sad to be leaving the city, but I was very tired and I missed my family so it was bittersweet. I had a fabulous train ride home (except for the verbal fight that broke out between two women -- one who ended up sitting next to me) and finished GIRL IN TRANSLATION and started APE HOUSE (the reviews will be coming soon!)

As much fun as I had in New York with all of the authors, books, and blogger friends, I came home to the best surprise. Booking Daughter and her dad had a welcome home party for me and Booking Son (he stayed with my parents.) There were balloons, chocolate fondue with marshmallows, pretzels and strawberries, homemade guacamole, cheese and crackers and wine! Booking Daughter even made homemade cupcakes that she decorated herself (I told you she's obsessed with Cake Boss!), and Booking Son had his own dairy-free Krispy Treats! It was so nice to be home...