The Sunday Mix (7) + BEA '15

Has it been two weeks already?! No, but seriously, time is just flying by this year. My baby sister Rachel finally flew home after a month-long stay (and I'm still sad about this). But on the bright side, my roomies Rachel & Mutya are in town and it'll be so fun to get to hang out with them! We're doing a bit of sightseeing together, and I'll actually get to watch my first ballet in NYC with Rachel too.

I'm also excited to confirm today that I will be at BEA 2015. The tips + tricks I shared last year are still very much applicable and I will still be tackling my selfies with bloggers project (which basically means you should be prepared for me to ask you to take a selfie when I see you). While I'm most looking forward to seeing my friends, here's where you'll most likely find me this year:

• Susan Dennard's signing line for Truthwitch - Everyone knows I love Susan loads. I've been looking forward to this novel since it was first announced so I need an ARC!
• Alexandra Bracken's signing line for Passenger - Alex is one of the nicest authors I've ever met. Her upcoming novel sounds awesome, and I obviously need it in my life.
• Rae Carson's signing line for Walk on Earth a Stranger - I would just like to meet the woman that gave me Hector and his epic love with Elisa, okay? 
• HMH booth for Vengeance Road - Erin Bowman has written a Western YA that sounds incredible. I just need it in my life, because (a) Erin is awesome and (b) Western!
• Sarah J. Maas' signing line at BookCon - I won't necessarily be in line, but I may venture over to say hi to Sarah and the friends I spot waiting in her line.

WHAT I READ

• Gillian imagines her books as real people.
• Hannah shared reflections on review books.
• Where are my fellow Tamora Pierce fans at?
• Jamie talks about a book that changed her life.
• Corey Ann Haydu wrote about food + memory.
• Epic Reads lists 12 must read YA graphic novels.
• Hazel created beautiful quote art for Just One Day.
• Estelle takes us back to prom + shares a playlist too!
• Corey Ann Haydu talks about NYC + shares some tips.
• Hannah wrote a beautiful personal post about friendship.
• Crini shares 10 reasons you should read The Raven Cycle.
• I really liked Jenny Martin's advice for struggling writers.
• Taylor Swift + FRIENDS? Yes, yes, yes! (Thanks Brittany!)
• Sarah J. Maas encourages aspiring writes to show up and write.
• I just want every single outfit Taylor Swift is wearing in this post.
• Coming to BEA? Check out Estelle's BEA-related posts round-up.
• Emery Lord reminds us of why it's important to write flawed female characters.
• Leila Sales talks about why it's okay when a girl doesn't get a happily ever after.
• Sarah Dessen shares a powerful story about dating an older guy + walking away.
• Sarah has put together some gorgeous looks inspired by the courts in ACOTAR.
• I really loved this post about why women need deeper friendships. (Thanks Estelle!)
• Sarah J. Maas & Susan Dennard are two of my favorites. Here's their friendship origin story.
• This Epic Reads video about when all your favorite authors are signing at the same time perfectly captures the struggle.

WHAT I ACQUIRED

from publishers (Thanks Penguin, Simon & Schuster!)

physical: The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

e-galley: Anne & Henry by Dawn Ius

borrowed, traded and gifted (Thanks Hannah, Ashley, Lena, Harper Collins + library!)

physical: Arranged by Catherine McKenzie / A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents by Liza Palmer / Tandem by Anna Jarzab / Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt / Making Pretty by Corey Ann Haydu / The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
e-book: Loop by Karen Akins / Twist by Karen Akins
non-bookish gifts from Lena: Hufflepuff notebook, postcards & personalized notebook

bought

physical: The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry / Untold by Sarah Rees Brennan / The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh / Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway / Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil / Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce / The Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce / First Test by Tamora Pierce / Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Kindle: Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas / Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas / Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas / A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas / Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas / Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
DVDs (as recommended by Hannah & Rachel): Roman Holiday, Sabrina

I've decided, on a complete whim, to participate in Summer of Series hosted by Danielle of Love at First Page and Lili of Lili's Reflections! The main goal is be able to read one complete series a month from June-August, and since I've been unofficially doing that since the start of the year, I though it'd be fun to make it an official challenge during the summer. There are more details in the sign-up post, including how to participate, the guidelines and some exciting author-related news!

With Lili's help, I actually managed to cobble together a list of series that I'm going to choose from to tackle for this challenge during the summer! Updates on my progress will be on my challenges page.

Taken trilogy by Erin Bowman
The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra Bracken (I need to reread #1, then read the rest!)
Legend trilogy by Marie Lu
The Mediator series by Meg Cabot
Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare
The Marked Men series by Jay Crownover
Rusk University series by Cora Carmack
The Boleyn Trilogy by Laura Andersen