Friday, May 24, 2013

Book Blogger Hop #19 (5/24 -5/30): Attending BEA....or a GREAT Alternative!!





Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Bill @


What to Do

1.) Post on your blog answering this question:

Have you ever been to BEA,
and if so, do you recommend
attending?
Any good advice for first-time
attendees?

2.)  Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.

3.)  Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts. 

4.)  Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!


My Answer

Oh, I would so love to be able to attend BEA!!   I envy everyone who does go.... I'm sure I'd be ecstatic if I could attend!!  Ah, such bibliophilic bliss....

Although time and money restrictions keep me from attending this book lover's paradise, I am very much able to attend a local book event, which attracts hungry-for-books people from all over the country, and even all over the world. 

I'm referring to Miami Book Fair International, of course!!   Since I live in Miami, Florida (USA), I am definitely able to attend this book event!!  And oh, what a terrific one it is!!   I've gone three years (not in a row) so far, although this event is quite dangerous to my bank account.  One year I spent over $200.00!!  But I was sooooo happy!! 






This event features book presentations, with book signings included, as well as booths in which many independent and small booksellers offer their wonderful wares!  There's more, too!  There are pavilions representing different countries, with food and music, actors that walk around, stopping here and there among the crowd to perform an excerpt from a Shakespeare play, for example, or perhaps Van Helsing's confrontation with a vampire.  (I saw both on two subsequent years!).  There's also a Children's Pavilion, with characters from children's books that also walk around among the crowd. 

This year, Miami Book Fair International celebrates its 30th anniversary, so there are sure to be some surprises!   Oh, I'll definitely be there!!  Because of my two jobs, I am unable to attend during the work week, which is when many of the book presentations are usually held.  However, there's the street fair on Saturday and Sunday, during which more presentations are held!   And of course, one can walk around from booth to booth, and get some really sweet bargains!!

Some very famous authors have  visited the Fair in years past, like the poet Maya Angelou, and novelists Isaac Bashevis Singer, Norman Mailer, Jerzy Kosinsky, and Chaim Potok.  

The Fair is sponsored by The Center for Literature and Theatre at Miami-Dade College, and is held at the college's Wolfson Campus, located in downtown Miami. 

So, for those who are unable to go to New York to attend BEA, I can recommend a great alternative --  our fabulous book fair, right here in sunny Miami, Florida!  (No, I'm not getting a cent for advertising.  This is for the pure love of books!!) Instead of going north, why not head on south?  It might even turn out to be cheaper!

If the prospect of strolling the Wolfson campus ogling at piles and piles of books, and stopping for Colombian arepas, or perhaps French crepes, while you sip your espresso and check the time for the next book presentation where you want to get a book signed, appeals to you, then come on down!

One last thing:  be on the lookout for my report on the Fair this November!  I'll be at the street fair, but the whole thing runs from Nov. 17th to Nov. 24th. 


Informative Links




17 comments:

  1. The Miami book fair sounds awesome. I only recognise Chaim Potok as an author and loved some of his books. However sounds like there are books for every taste. Lucky Miami book lovers. Too far for me to go, but can still drool with envy!
    Hopping through on the Blog Hop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kathryn!

      Oh, it sure is!! I wish I had been able to meet Potok, since he's one of my favorite authors...but he's been gone for quite a few years now...

      There are indeed books for every taste, as well as every budget. They have collectible books, which, of course, are much too expensive for some of us!

      I was unable to go last November, but THIS November I'm sure planning on doing so!

      Who knows....maybe you'll be able to go at some time in the future!

      Thanks for the visit and the comment!! :)

      Delete
  2. If I ever write a best-seller and make lots of money, I would go to a book convention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should go anyway! Book fairs are LOTS of fun!! Every time I've gone to this one, I've completely lost track of time...I was too enthralled by all the books I saw, the presentations I went to, and just the whole fair atmosphere!

      Of course, if you write a bestseller, I sure would like to have a signed copy!! :)

      Thanks for the visit and the comment!! :)

      Delete
  3. I have never been to a book fair but I really need to attend one! They often cover them on Book TV and they look like so much fun!

    Have fun at the fair.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you DEFINITELY do!! They ARE a lot of fun!! I can't wait for November to roll around!!!!

      Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  4. That sounds awesome! I hope you have a great time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!!! Yeah, this fair is DEFINITELY awesome! Every time I've gone, I've enjoyed it tremendously!!

      Thanks for visiting and commenting!! :)

      Delete
  5. The Miami Book Fair sounds GREAT. Glad you could attend.

    Happy Hopping!!

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Blog Hop Answer


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It IS great!! I think the last time I went was two years ago. I'm heading over again this November!!

      Happy Hopping to you, too! Thanks for the visit and the comment!! :)

      Delete
  6. SOLD! I haven't heard of this fair before but man, you just did some fantastic advertising. I'll actually be living in Florida during that time, if I get accepted into this internship I'm in the process of working out, *fingers crossed* so this would be perfect! Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm adding it to my calendar as we speak, just in case! New follower :)

    My blog hop answer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi!!! I'm so glad my post sold you on the Miami Book Fair!! If you're indeed able to go, you'll LOVE it!! Who knows...we might meet there! Sure hope you get that internship!

      Thanks for visiting, commenting, and becoming a new follower!! :)

      Delete
  7. Nice! The Miami Book Fair sounds like the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. I'll have to add Miami to my "Must Visit" places. Y tambien me podrias a llevar a comer some yummy Cuban food ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Vonnie!

      Oh, I'd LOVE to go to the L.A. Festival, too!! But maybe it would be easier for you to come here than it would be for me to go to L.A. No time or money available...

      But if you ever do want to come to Miami, I'll DEFINITELY take you to a Cuban restaurant!! Tienes que probar las croquetas del Reataurante Sergio's!!! Y la "ropa vieja" tambien!! Oye, y un buen sandwich cubano, y los moros..... Avisame si vas a venir!!

      Thanks for commenting!! :)

      Delete
  8. Oh wow, i've never heard of the Miami book fair and i'm actually from there :0 However i've been living in CT for quite some time now so if it's a newer event maybe thats why :P

    I really hope anyone that attends writes a blog about BEA , It's a recent discovery for me.I'd love to hear someone's experience =D

    new follower hopping by :) Hope your weekend is going well, hope i can see you back at either one of my blogs :)

    Guinevere

    http://twinjabookreviews.blogspot.com

    http://yamulticultural.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, Guinevere!

    Oh, so you and your sister Libertad are actually from Miami? Cool! The book fair has been going on for a long time now -- thirty years, in fact. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it. Sure hope you can come down from Connecticut sometime in the future to see what it's like!

    BEA is a pretty recent discovery for me, as well. That event is probably even bigger than the Miami Book Fair, although ours is PRETTY big!!

    Thank you SO much for following, as well as for your comment!! And of course I'll be more than happy to return the favor!! :)

    ReplyDelete

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