You guys, the second annual Book Bonanza was awesome! I had a blast, and met almost every single author I wanted to meet. I met my two biggest unicorn authors, unicorns is a theme you’ll see for this event. The resort they had it at this year was very impressive. Expensive to stay, but totally worth it. They’re planning to have Book Bonanza there the next few years I think, so that is cool. It was the Gaylord Texan resort.
Be prepared to scroll for all the awesome author goodness below!
Checking in we had really cool key cards waiting for us:
Here are some pictures from inside the first night we got there and had dinner:
My stepmom went with me. This was as we were waiting for our food.
Here’s a view to my side that night. It would have been cool to stay in one of these rooms and sit and people watch, but I guess they might have been a bit more expensive. I might think about one of these rooms next time I go.
Here I am that first night waiting for my dinner. Wearing my Book Bonanza 2018 shirt.
You guys, those chips were so good! And the cheese dip! I took the extra we had back to our hotel room. But unfortunately we didn’t have a microwave in the room, and I didn’t feel like carrying it downstairs to the little store to heat it up. So I had to leave it behind and didn’t get to enjoy that yumminess again. I’m drooling a bit now as I think about the taste of them together.
Just like last year we got an awesome bag full of swag, a new t-shirt, and even new books!
This year not only did we get a tote bag, we got a little drawstring backpack. As you can see, unicorns on them! I got a few little author ribbons the first day as well.
These are the books we got in our swag bag this year. I’m really excited about the Lauren Rowe book, I’ve had my eye on int for a while. Not sure about that Meredith Wild one, I might pass it on in a giveaway.
The first morning started with a opening event where we got to hear Colleen Hoover, Anna Todd, Caroline Kepnes and E.L. James talk about their books and their books being turned into movies or tv shows.
That was followed by three fun panel sessions – with six choices at each hour session, although some crazy people at the convention were lined up waiting to get in to see the authors for autographs instead. Which was a little annoying since they said you couldn’t line up until 2 hours before, and that was like 5 hours before, and is probably why I didn’t get to see Anna Todd and Hero Fiennes.
The first panel I went to was about audiobooks and not only had some of my favorite authors, but also a couple narrators from one of their books that I love! On the left is one of the narrators from Penny Reid’s Winston Brother series. Then Helena Hunting, JA Huss, Amy Daws, Cora Carmack, another of the narrators from the Winston Brothers series and Corinne Michaels at the end. Penny Reid actually was the moderator for the panel. Johnathan McClain was supposed to be there as well, but he ended up being unable to make the whole convention because of a death in his family.
The second panel I attended was called Giving Us the Giggles, and all the authors there not only write hilarious stories, but they are just as hilarious in person to listen to when they are just hanging out! The moderators were the two authors at the far left in this picture, the two authors who make up the writing duo of Max Monroe. And while I’ve never read them before, after this panel I went to their table in the autograph session and not only met them, but bought three of their books to give them a try. I mean, it was $15 a book, or buy two get one three, so yeah, how could I not buy three? The authors in order of the picture above are RS Grey, Amy Daws, BB Easton, Sara Ney, and Meghan Quinn. Oh my gosh, the funniest stories from them, and this was a great panel. All those people sitting in line for the autograph session missed out on some good times.
The third panel I chose to go to was the second Audiobook panel, and I had to go because I wanted to see/meet Andi Arndt, a favorite narrator of mine. Otherwise, this session might have been one I would have skipped out on. Nothing against the other authors there, but it was not as great as the first two for me. From left to right in the picture are Aiden Snow – a narrator, Robinne Lee – author and she narrated her own book, Jessica Hawkins, Eric Asher – science fiction author, Andi Arndt – narrator, and Lexi Blake. Julia Whelan was there as well.
After the panels there was a sack lunch that was part of our convention fees, which was nice. My stepmom and I took our lunch up to our room and ate in peace and a chance to just be comfortable. I also hadn’t brought the books I wanted signed down with me to the panels, in order to save myself from carrying them any more than I had to. While I did make my own autograph book, it’s just almost impossible to not take some books to get signed. Here is a picture of my autograph book if you didn’t see it in my July wrap-up post earlier this month:
Now, on to my awesome first autograph day’s autograph and author meeting session. Although we had to wait so long just to get in. The line wrapped clear around the hotel and almost over to the elevators to get to my wing of the hotel that first day. Enough about that craziness, let’s get to the goodies!
While I was waiting in line for the first author, I saw narrator Andi Arndt walk by and I got her to take a picture with me.
Even though I’ve only read one book by Mary Ting, Jaclyn and the Beanstalk, I still needed to meet her!
I had my picture taken again with Daisy Prescott, loved her Tinfoil Hearts book. I had to tell her that I was a Believer!
While I met R.C. Boldt last year at Book Bonanza, I hadn’t yet read her book. But I bought Clam Jam from her and read it and loved it, so had to get my picture with her this year.
As always I had to go see K. Bromberg. Of course I also put in a pre-order with her that I had to pick up too.
It’s been a few years since I read any books by Carly Phillips, but this was my first chance to meet her!
So far I’ve only read one book by Avery Flynn, Parental Guidance, but it was pretty good. So I had to meet her.
I met J.D. Hollyfield at Kinky in Kansas City a few years ago, and really enjoyed her books, but didn’t get my picture with her until this year.
I’ve read Karla Sorensen’s story in my Cocktales anthology, but hadn’t read any of her other books yet. However I think she has one in the SmartyPants romance series, called Baking Me Crazy, that I hope to read.
As always I have to get my picture with Amy Daws, especially since I had my t-shirt on that is about her books!
So I got my picture with Michelle Mankin again, author of Rock F*ck Club, and one of her cover models was there. I didn’t get his name though, oops! He doesn’t look quite so rock star hot here though, he’s still a cutie!
And finally, my unicorn author for the whole event, Penny Reid! I was so afraid I wouldn’t get to meet her, she is one of those awesome authors that spend time talking to each fan/reader, and her line was just taking so long. But she said she would stay until she got everyone who had gotten a wristband, and she sped up towards the end of the first session. And when I tried to be nice and quick and just get a picture by leaning over the table for someone to take a picture of us together, she insisted I deserved a picture just like she’d done with everyone else. So I couldn’t say no! She was so sweet and nice, and even though originally she was just going to be there Friday night signing, she ended up coming back Saturday morning to try to get to all the readers who wanted to meet her. Even more fun was the cardboard cutouts she had of her Winston brother characters that had changeable clothes. And her two audiobook narrators were there, so I got their autographs as well. here are the cardboard cutouts:
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I loved The Wrong Game by Kandi Steiner, so I had to meet her!
Oh my goodness it looks like you had so much fun. I've been thinking I needed to go to another book convention but my hubby says we'll see. You go soooo many goodies!!!!! I'm glad you had such a great time! Will this be at the same place next year?
Sharrice @Reese's Reviews
It was a blast. You should totally go to one! It is going to be at the same location for like the next 2-3 years I think. I just can't go because it will be at the start of school again next year. But in 2021 it will be back in the summer, so I hope to go then!
Oh this event sounds amazing! I prefer smaller events, though! Glad you met a lot of your unicorn authors!
It was crazy, and I'd have preferred a little smaller, a few less people, but then they might not have had as many big authors, so I guess it all adds up in the end. thanks for stopping by!
Looks like an awesome event and I'm glad you had a blast and got to meet two unicorn authors. Penny Reid sounds super sweet. That resort seems lovely too. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
It was an amazing resort. Reminded me a lot of a Disneyworld resort. Thanks for visiting!
Looks like you had fun!
It was a blast. I wish I could go every year! Thanks for stopping by!
The event looks absolutely amazing! I am glad you had so much and that food all looks so delicious. I love that you got to meet all the authors and get your books signed. Sounds like such a success.
It was a great time. I wish I could afford to go every year. Thanks for visiting!
It looks like you had such an amazing time! I'm so hapy that you were able to attend! And that you got to meet two of your unicorn authors, that's so wonderful! I met Mary Ting last year too and she was so sweet. While I read and liked Jacylyn, my favorite of hers is ISAN. It had everything I love about dystopian, plus a kick ass female and a tortured male, sigh. 🙂
Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog
I really need to give ISAN a try. I know I did blog tours for it, but didn't have time to read it when that was going on. Book Bonanza has been a blast both years. I just wish I could go every year, but now I'll have to wait till 2021. Thanks for stopping by!
[…] I’ve been to all of the Book Bonanzas so far. If you want to see what those were like, you can go here: 2018, 2019. […]