YALC 2018

Wow can you believe it's been over a week since YALC?? I certainly cannot, although I have only just recovered from the exhaustion...

As much for my own memories as for anyone reading this, I'm just going to run through a few of my favourite moments from my time at YALC 2018 because it was a brilliant weekend and I
want to make sure I remember the best bits.

Books! Spending time surrounded by books, people who love books, people who write books and just generally there being books everywhere. This is literally the point of YALC but I think it is also the reason that there's such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and I'm super grateful to every single person who is involved in making sure everything runs smoothly (shoutout to that guy whizzing around with a carpet sweeper).

Floored Pub Quiz! I was excited to be able to attend the Floored launch and pub quiz on the Friday night and it was so much fun! I got to hang out with bookish friends, and meet new people. Not to mention the fact that our team, Non the Wiser, won?! I don't think any of us could believe it (especially me as I was just eating the snacks and not being much use) but there you go!

Authors! It's always incredible  in the world of YA books, that you're able to go up to your favourite authors, get them to sign your copies of their books and tell them how lovely it is to meet them. I am not the most sociable when it comes to signings, and quite often I get anxious and don't say much, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet them nonetheless! Specifically this year I was most excited because I got books signed by Tomi Adeyemi (who also complimented my outfit what an absolute queen) and Juno Dawson.

Jason Momoa? I felt like I couldn't wrap up YALC without mentioning the Star of the Year, Jason Momoa who wandered through YALC approximately 95 times, much to the excitement of almost every single person there. Although by the end of the weekend it was getting a little bit ridiculous 😂

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come together with so many other bookish people and celebrate the thing that we love. YALC was absolutely brilliant, and I am so so pleased that after being so worried that I wouldn't be well enough to enjoy it, I did! Don't get me wrong, it was pretty mentally exhausting to push myself, but I am very glad that I was able to go. I know that there were various issues raised regarding accessibility, but I am confident that, given the positive changes that were made from last year, it will continue to develop and become even better!

Until next year, it's time to tackle all the books I picked up whilst I'm still motivated from the weekend! Bring on YALC 2019...