Utah Book Bloggers Pary--Winter Edition 2010

If there were no other perks (which there are, but if there weren't) to being a book blogger, the Book Blogger parties would make it all worthwhile. I had so much fun at the get-together on Saturday night. There were about 50 people there including bloggers, a few spouses, and authors. We gathered at Golden Corral since our group is now too big to meet at someones house. At first we kept ourselves pretty segregated--bloggers together and authors together--but eventually after everyone had filled their tummies we started to mingle more. I had dinner at a table with Suey from It's All About Books and Allison from So Many Books, So Little Time. I had met Suey at last year's party and it was fun talking to her again. It was my first time meeting Alison even though I had seen her around the blogosphere many times before. I also got to meet Melissa from One Librarian's Book Reviews, Angie from Angieville, Becky from One Literature Nut, Caitlyn from All Things Print, and a few other's I'm not really remembering now (sorry). Of course, I was also reacquainted with Cari from Book Scoops and Natasha from Maw Books. All of these bloggers are so amazing. They are all in a tier above me when it comes to blogging but I really appreciate their kindness and inclusion of me in their group.

My favorite part of the evening was meeting the authors. I was so nervous about it. I really didn't know if I'd get up the nerve to go and talk to any of them. Shannon Hale was sitting at the table just behind me but I was so starstruck that I couldn't get myself to go and talk to her. After dinner she was so gracious to start mingling. I think Natasha may have pointed her in my direction because she knew how much I wanted to meet her--thanks, Natasha! James Dashner was quickly drawn into the conversation as well and I was in heaven. I'm reading his book The Maze Runner right now and it's very good. Have you ever been in a situation where your blood and adrenaline just start pumping so hard that your insides feel like they're going to burst but you're not in a position where you can show all that pent up emotion or you'll look like a total idiot in front of two really cool authors who are both so funny and charming that you feel like you might collapse and die? Well I have and I'll tell you it's both frightening and exhilarating. James has the kind of dry sense of humor that I just love and I hope I didn't laugh too much and look like a fool. I want to be just like Shannon when I grow up. She is so funny and smart and we had such a great conversation about The Actor and the Housewife. Here's a picture with them:

Here's another picture that Suey (or maybe it was her husband) took. Thanks, Suey.

I'm glad to see that my face isn't quite as red as it felt like it was.

Here's another picture that I borrowed (stole) from Suey. Thanks again.

Back Row: Alison from So Many Books, So Little Time, Suey from It's All About Books, Natasha from Maw Books, me, Cherylynne from Critiquing the World, Shannon Hale, Michelle Teacress , Ann Cannon. Middle row: Cherylynne from Critiquing the World and Cari from Book Scoops. Front row: Karen from Typing With My Toes, Melissa from One Librarian's Book Reviews. (Cherylynne and Karen were two I forgot about earlier. You both are darling. So sorry I forgot.)

Special thanks to Natasha from Maw Books, Suey from It's All About Books, and Becky from One Literature Nut for putting this whole thing together. You are amazing.