It’s been a week now since I attended YALC 2016 and I am still exhausted! I had such a fantastic time. I have got to do the full weekend next time, there’s still so much I didn’t get to explore across the whole weekend!
I wish I spent more time in the LFCC section of the event. There was a massive Suicide Squad exhibition that displayed the costumes which I thought was cool. And I got my photo taken with the squad!
But I did spend most of my day in YALC so let me tell you all about it!
This year was bigger and better than the previous year. There were more publisher stalls. There were 80+ authors appearing across the whole weekend doing signings & taking part in panels on various topics. The whole YALC floor felt like it’s own little world.
I attended the “Ask YALC” panel hosted by Gemma Cairney and featuring Rosalind Jana, Juno Dawson & Holly Bourne. This panel was focused around questions from YALC attendees on topics from friendships to gender to mental health. It was a really interesting discussion and I thought it was a great way to involve the attendees in ongoing conversations about mental health & feminism. I believe there wasn’t any focused panels on those topics this year (unless I’m mistaken) and I think this was a good start in making sure the conversation spreads and grows at future YALC’s.
The next panel I attended was the “Controversial YA” panel with Louise O’Neill, Melvin Burgess, Manuela Salvi & Emerald Fennell. It was an interesting discussion on what kind of topics are considered taboo in the publishing industry today as well as 20 or so years ago when Melvin Burgess’ book ‘Junk’ was first published. I always love hearing Louise O’Neill talk, she’s such a wonderful and passionate writer. And I got to meet her at the signing afterwards and she’s super lovely as well. I also have to mention Manuela Salvi, who is an author from Italy and YALC was her first event in the UK! Go big or go home, right? Her book ‘Girl Detached’ was banned in Italy but is being published in the UK in September 2016. I may go into this one blind, but the Goodreads link is here if you are interested in knowing more about it.
I had been pretty good at restraining my money. Last year, I was buying and carrying books around with me all day, which really strained my muscles. So this year I had my suitcase in hand ready to fill with new books as I am also all about the sales at the end of the last day. Publishers were chucking 3 books for £10, 4 books for £10, even 5 books for £10! I was also lucky enough to receive a couple of ARCs. Both come out October 6th so expect some reviews then!
I also did buy one very important one but we’ll save that for last…
Arcs
Holding Up The Universe – Jennifer Niven
Holding Up The Universe is Jennifer Niven’s second novel after the massive debut All The Bright Places. While I had mixed thoughts on All The Bright Places, I’m intrigued to read Holding Up The Universe as the book did have some controversy surrounding the book when it was announced.
I have heard of Liz Kessler’s popular novel ‘Read Me Like A Book’, which has had great acclaim. I believe the main theme of this book is the crossover between life and death.
And now onto the books I got in the deals!
From Electric Monkey
Black Dove, White Raven – Elizabeth Wein
Me & Mr J – Rachel McIntyre
From Chicken House
Under Rose-Tainted Skies – Louise Gornall
A Little In Love – Susan Fletcher
The Baby – Lisa Drakeford
From Penguin
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli
Everything, Everything – Nicola Yoon
And I Darken – Kiersten White.
From Waterstones
HARRY POTTER & THE CURSED CHILD! For half price! I am currently reading this, so will do a post on my thoughts once finished!
I had a really great time at YALC this year. Roll on 2017!
Thanks for reading & let me know which books I should get to first!
Hayley.
Hayley Sprout 