How Was Book Bonanza 2023!? The good, the bad, and my haul

[@misskikikat]

The special edition fiasco is why J Bree, with her Broken Bonds - which was meant to be a RARE Melbourne 2023 exclusive - is now a standard signing exclusive, as there was a lot of people buying 2 copies at the event in order to sell. Obviously being in Australia, we don't get many big signings or authors at most event; but I couldn't fathom going crazy over books like what you have described......I love to read and meet other people who love to read, and thank the authors for creating these worlds we love.

[@LaceyBooklovers]

I’m so glad she decided to do that! And that’s exactly the kind of mindset most people have at signings. I’ve always had fun at all my previous signings but for some reason this particular one was just too much

[@Warda-H]

I like that you had your priorities straight lol food and getting ya books signed.

[@LaceyBooklovers]

I had a plan and I stuck to it 🫡

[@DaniArden]

Thank you so much for your honest feedback on how it went! The behind the scenes look is great because I've never been to Book Bonanza before, but am thinking about it next year. I've never seen with those Ruby Dixon special editions, you are always finding the best ones! Love your haul! 😍

[@bookswithsamantha]

You are my favorite travel buddy 👏 I’m so glad you got so many pretty editions! And everything you said about the signing was spot on 👏

[@LaceyBooklovers]

Love youuu

[@DeSireeAlicea19]

you were just at book bonanza for the food huh 😩 lol but that queso was life changing so I forgive you. I also never thought I would experience a stampede of grown women trying to get books 💀, but here we are lol

[@LaceyBooklovers]

… and friends I guess 🤣🤣🫶🏼 BB was nothing like I expected lol

[@avasromancebooks]

Loved seeing you!!

[@LaceyBooklovers]

You are the sweetest Averie! Thank you so so much for the wonderful card 🖤

[@mariapatrick4263]

It was nice meeting you

[@LaceyBooklovers]

You too!! 🥰

[@vizania]

Thank you so much for making this very candid video about your experience at Book Bonanza. Even when tickets went on sale last year (and was sold out in minutes!), I could tell things were really disorganized. I’ll stick with small/local signings. Authors should just make their “special limited editions” available on their website and just sell them directly to readers. Not worth all that stress and money! 😅

[@LaceyBooklovers]

Small signings are the way to go! And I totally agree with just having special editions on websites 😂 It would make things way easier, and prevent scalping.

[@thisisabookchannel]

i'm crying over the fact that you took a picture of the queso 😂

[@LaceyBooklovers]

LMFAO for the memories 🫕

[@cherylNA]

Your food stories…😂 Living in Texas, I know the power of good queso. Lol

[@LaceyBooklovers]

🤣🤣 like De’Siree said in a comment, it was life-changing!

[@pardonthisbookaddict]

Your food stories are perfection.

[@LaceyBooklovers]

THANK YOU 🫶🏼 I love to hear this

[@christireadsalot]

So glad we were in it together at least! 🤣😅 the wristbands 🫠🫠

[@LaceyBooklovers]

🤝 we’re in this together Christi 🤣

[@jessicagolden1631]

Ngl this makes me never want to go to book bonanza 😂 glad you had a delicious food!

[@LaceyBooklovers]

🤣 who knows, they might get it together next year!

[@marinaespana6187]

My daughter and I went to BB, and I never saw pushing or shoving. Every line I was in people were nice,polite, and met some great booklovers. The only complaint was the wristband fiasco, but we were able to see all our authors. All the authors were so sweet, and the foil wrapped pre-orders were beautiful. I met a few new to me authors and reget that I didn't buy more books.

[@LaceyBooklovers]

Getting to meet and talk to authors definitely made up for the madness that was the wristbands. I’m still sad I missed out on a few authors I wanted to see. But I’m glad you had a good time!

[@annmariesloan8406]

Wristbands at BB was like the Hunger Games

[@LaceyBooklovers]

I would’ve been the first ones out if it was real 😂

[@janesocalgal2278]

I saw you at Book Bonanza. You looked very patient lining up. I couldn't deal with the rudeness. I got in at 5am & then went to register (my roomie got in the night before). No one would let me by to get to the Registration Desk, so I just had to walk through the crowd. I saw excuse me. Most of the rude people were approx 20-30 y/o This was my 2nd time but I won't go back again . I'll just stick to signings at the Ripped Bodice and Steamy Lit in Aug. I saw about 12 authors/narrators (NONE on Friday since I couldn't get any wristbands . You were smart to not preorder food. The meals were not very good and very small portions. I've never been to a Texas restaurant before. I think that the extra 300 people made a big difference

[@LaceyBooklovers]

I heard about the food 😬 I’m so sorry you didn’t see anyone on Friday! I just don’t know why they thought they could add so many more tickets and not prepare for them better

[@liezllovesbooks]

I love good food too

[@taylorburks6835]

Hey Lacey, how was the winery and what's your favorite wine and when is our next author interveiw

[@LaceyBooklovers]

The winery was fantastic! I highly recommend it, it’s called Sloan & Williams Winery. And the next interview is with Nalini Singh in July 27 🧡

[@ariannawestley]

I liked the intentions they had for the wristbands but it was absolutely AWFUL compared to last year. The problem started with them not controlling the line before opening the doors. I think they also handed out too many wristbands for some authors and not nearly enough for others.

[@LaurasWhatKnots]

Hey Lacey! I have maybe a strange or confusing question! I guess I don’t fully understand the wrist band situation with the numbers if you still have to wait in a line? And also, if my boyfriend wants to stand in line with me but doesn’t care to meet the author, is he allowed to stand in line next to me? Sorry for my ignorance! Thank you! ❤

[@LaceyBooklovers]

The wristbands are essentially just to make sure the line doesn’t get too long! They don’t want like 100+ people lining up at one time. When they call out wristband numbers, it’s by group, so for example 50-75. You’ll have to still wait in line if 1-49 haven’t finished yet! And yes it should be totally fine if your bf wants to stand in line with you. Hopefully this answers your questions!

[@LaurasWhatKnots]

@@LaceyBooklovers Thank you so much! 🩷

[@brookestrother7504]

Are there any authors that you love sm that you would suffer through the chaos for at BB2024?

[@LaceyBooklovers]

Oh my gosh yes! Penelope Douglas, Nalini Singh, Mariana Zapata, Kresley Cole. If even one of them decided to go next year…. Guess I’ll be back in TX 🤣

[@LittlePiscesReading]

❤❤