Book Fest 2007

I just drank sherry at the New York Public Library with a couple of famous children's book authors. Is this town great, or what?

Today was Book Fest at NYPL, a librarian conference that is held yearly. They always have some crazy cool keynote speaker and a panel of other authors. This year, the keynote speaker was M.T. Anderson (can I just tell you now how big of a fan I am?!?) and the panel of other authors were all graphic novel writers / illustrators. There was Jennifer and Matt Holms (Babymouse - also a fave), Misako Rocks (Biker Girl), and Siena and Mark Siegel (To Dance).

So, highlights... M.T. Anderson, he is criminally brilliant. In his address, he used words that I never knew existed. I think the man is on a higher plane or something. But he was also just so funny! I recently finished reading Feed by him, which I would totally recommend. It is like the Fahrenheit 451 for our time. I LOVED it. I got him to autograph his new book (haven't read it yet), Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, which won 2006's National Book Award. Talking with him was a real experience.

More highlights of today include chatting with Jennifer Holms about Babymouse, which is such a cute graphic novel (I gave my niece the first four for Christmas this year because I liked it so much) and also, seeing a good friend of mine that I went to school with last year. We were both getting our MLIS degrees, but after graduation, we lost touch. Melinda is the coolest girl - it was so great to see her! It was nice to be able to hang out with friendly and familiar faces, too. (I get really skiddish at events - esp. when I'm all by myself - I don't do "loner" too well.) But best of all, who else can say they had a glass of sherry at the NYPL?!? That alone was worth my Saturday!