I have news!

BIG news!

Today Trish and I are pleased to announce the acquisition of The Book Blogger Convention by Reed Exhibitions (aka BEA).  Now, you all may have noticed that we have been pretty silent about BBC lately.  In fact all things BBC have been pretty radio silent since last year and now we can say that was by design.  We knew that we were going to be letting it go and due to some of the legalities involved we haven’t really been able to talk about anything.  But now that everything is buttoned up we can make the big announcement that BEA will be taking over BBC officially as of today.

So why are we doing this?

Time!  Quality of life!

Trish and I have organized the Book Blogger Convention together (with the help of so many fantastic bloggers) for the past two years out of love for blogging, the community and the publishing industry.  It has been our genuine pleasure to work with all of the contributors, panelists and speakers, and participants.  But as this event grows by leaps and bounds it has very quickly become apparent that neither of us has the ability to grow with it.  We both have full time (more than full time really) jobs, Trish has an ever expanding family and I am having some serious medical problems.  Neither of us, despite our desire to do so, has the ability to put the kind of time and effort an endeavor of this nature requires.  So, instead of shutting it down or putting in a weak effort and crafting a horrible event we were lucky BEA wanted to take it on.

Steven Rosato, Executive Director of BEA, has been an amazingly generous partner to BBC.  His support of the role bloggers play in the publishing industry is clearly evidenced by the fact that BEA felt us significant enough to co-locate in the same year we launched BBC.  Do you hear that y’all?  We add VALUE to their event.  So much value that they didn’t want to see it go away.  Heck, WE didn’t want to see it go away.  We want bloggers to have a place to schmooze and learn and connect with each other and the industry.  That was the purpose and goal of initiating BBC.  It was a hard choice but in the end, knowing that it was going to be difficult for us to make BBC happen this year, we approached BEA with the idea of transitioning the event to them completely.

Now, those of you who know me well know that I am a CONTROL FREAK.  So you must also know how hard it was for me to let this go.  To know that I’m not going to play a big role in something that Trish graciously invited me to take part in.  Something I helped grow into more.  It’s been a labor of love, one that I’ve enjoyed immensely, and one that I’m honored has given me the opportunity to work with and meet so many wonderful bloggers.  It has sincerely been my pleasure.

But have no fear, BBC is in GOOD hands.  It will still be BBC and is still an event I encourage ALL bloggers to avail themselves of.  I know I’ll be getting my registration on tout de suite!  Please be sure to come hang with us on Monday, June 4th when Trish and I become participants for the first time!

Hello my bloggy friends!

I know, I know….it’s been awhile.  But, this thing called work has been kicking my patoot so I haven’t been able to do much in the way of chattering about Twitter or visiting blogs.  I miss you all!

I did want to stop by and say….TV Talk is going on indefinite hiatus.  I’m working 16+ hour days and weekends right now so that doesn’t leave much in the way of time for enjoying television.  Let’s not even get started on the backlog of my DVR.  To put it even further in perspective I didn’t even read a single page of a book this week.  THAT was disconcerting and tragic to say the least.  Not only that but it doesn’t look like it’s going to get much better any time soon.

On a happy note, aren’t Andi and Laura great?  Such wonderful additions to the blog!  Be sure to show them some comment love.  Or, more comment love if you already are.

What’s the latest?  Any good gossip floating around that I’ve missed?  If you see me lingering around Twitter for five minutes be sure to say hello.

Since I have my first reviews under my belt I thought it was time to introduce myself and let you all know a little bit more about me and what I like to read.  First let me start by thanking Michelle for this amazing opportunity.  I know I would never be able to do a whole blog by myself, I commend those of you that do, and for her to offer up a spot for me to share myself and my thoughts with you is truly touching.  I have been friends with Michelle for a few years now and I completely look forward to doing this with her.  Now that that is out of the way, on to the good stuff.  On to the books.

I’m going to say it, I’m addicted to reading!  I know, I know, no surprise there.  If any of you look at my Goodreads to-read list it is clear, very very clear.  But I’m still throwing it out there because the truth is I’m not ashamed of it.  I love the fact that I can spend a whole weekend in my house reading 3 or 4 books and doing nothing else.  Do I get made fun of and berated for it?  Sure.  But the honest truth, I don’t care.  I like picking up a book and losing myself in the world of the characters, getting lost in the author’s words or just plain falling in love with the romance of it all.  I am a far cry from the girl in high school, college even, that was BBF’s with Cliff’s Notes.  If my teachers could see me now.

With that said I thought I would give you a glimpse at what I like to read by telling you the top 5 books I can’t wait for in 2012 and why I can’t wait to read them:

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
(February 28, 2012)

To say I fell in love with Lena and Alex’s story in Delirium would be a huge understatement.  That book was pure magic in my eyes.  It was my first foray into a dystopian novel and it will always hold a special part in my heart.  Since finishing Delirium for the first time in May and again in December I have been waiting to find out what happens to my dear dear couple.  How will Lena cope? What has happened on the other side of the fence? Will happiness and love ever be accepted and not feared? So many questions and I look forward to getting the answers.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
(May 14, 2012)

I had heard amazing things about Divergent.  Everyone that read it couldn’t gush enough.  They told me about the chemistry between Four and Tris.  About the world they were living in and the love story.  They told me I would not want to put it down once I started.  And they were all 100% correct.  I picked up Divergent and didn’t close it until I was finished.  And when I was finished I wanted more.  I wanted to know what things would be like for Four and Tris now that everything had changed and the saw the world for what it is.  This is a highly anticipated follow-up for sure.

Letting Go by Tabitha Suzuma
(August 2012)

When I first heard about Forbidden I was unsure.  It seemed a little too out there for me to read. I debated with myself if I should go there or not and eventually I caved and I have never been so happy that I did.  Suzuma wrote such a poignant story of love and loss and pain that I couldn’t put it down.  She has such a beautiful way of writing that you just forget what you are reading and just enjoy.  To me it doesn’t matter what the book is about this time.  I just need to read more of Suzuma’s incredible talent.

The Kill Order by James Dashner
(August 14, 2012)

The Maze Runner series was simply amazing.  The world that Dashner created had me on the end of my seat in all three books.  It was believable in an unbelievable sort of way and made me want to know how it all started.  The announcement that we would all be able to find out made me ecstatic.  Instead of building off what was a great ending he is going to build backwards to an even better beginning.  The Kill Order is no doubt going to be one of those end of your seats, heart pounding reads like Dashner loves to do.

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
(January 3, 2012)

Although this book is currently out I have yet to read it but plan to soon.  I first feel in love with Ockler during Fixing Delilah and that love only grew with Twenty Boy Summer.  She has a way about her that makes you love the characters and the story line being told.  She can break your heart and put it together in a simple sentence and I commend that.  To me, that is what makes a great author and a book people will be talking about for years.  I have no doubt Bittersweet will be more of the same.

It was hard to pick out just five.  Easily This Is So Not Happening by Kiernan Scott or Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg or even Revived by Cat Patrick could have made the list, all three authors hitting a note with me last year.  But when I really thought about it these are the ones.  These are the five that I can’t wait for more then anything.  The stories I read by these five authors meant something to me leaving me needing more.

What are your five?

As we gear up for a new year I know I’ve mentioned to you that I’m working on a few blog related changes.  I know, I talk about changes all the time and many I follow through on while others fall by the wayside.  Well I’m here to tell you that this change is already on the books (so to speak).  I’m thrilled to announce that I’m adding two new contributors to Galleysmith.

My good friends Andi and Laura are going to be joining the ranks here as reviewers as of tomorrow.  I’m excited by the prospect of adding contributors as it gives the opportunity to provide reviews and content with multiple perspectives as well as the ability to cover a wider variety of books (backlist, new and pending releases) that I can’t get to on my own.

Don’t worry, you’ll still get the same quality reviews you always do, just more!  You’ll also continue see regular features like Teachable Moments, Backlist Blitz, TV Talk, author guest posts, interviews and, of course, giveaways!  Things won’t change too much with the exception of adding more people to provide more and consistently scheduled content.

Andi and Laura can each be found around the web in the usual bookish haunts too.  Andi is on Twitter and Goodreads while Laura hangs on Goodreads.  Do me a favor, goad Laura into joining Twitter will ya?!?

Please join me in welcoming them to Galleysmith by showing some comment love below.  Introduce yourselves and say hello!

Wishing you and your friends and family a happy holiday!