So a crazy thing happened last week: I decided I wanted to go to BEA, otherwise known as Book Expo America.

I keep waiting for that email to arrive — you know, the one telling me that my application to BEA has been denied. I was reluctant to purchase business cards, fearing my app would be denied just as I had ordered them. Yes, yes I am paranoid! I’ve never done this before. It doesn’t feel quite real.

Alright so I’m putting my irrational fears behind me. I’ve been checking out people’s blogs for information and tips. So far I’ve really loved Bites’ BEA Tips, which pretty much convinced me I could (and should!) do this. Today I discovered Miss Remmer’s Review whose BEA vlogs have also been helpful. One of her recommendations was to tell people you’re going via a blog post; don’t just assume people know you’re going. That seems fair. Plus it gives me the chance to explain a few things.

My name is Nicole. This is my personal book blog, where I post reviews and other literary commentary. I also run The Literary Dilettantes, where I and 9 other awesome people post humorous/semi-humorous literary columns, features, lists, polls, etc. Now, although I am posting my introduction here, I am actually registered for BEA under The Literary Dilettantes. I’m like BATMAN: Literary Dilettante by day, Book Lush by night…or something.

I wavered back and forth over the decision, ultimately deciding that that blog is a bit more well known than this one and I already know some people going to BEA through the twitter handle associated with The Literary Dilettantes (@littydillies), making it easier for me to communicate with them. In fact, I have no twitter handle specifically associated with this blog. So in short, my badge is going to be all like

Now where was I? Ah, yes, introducing myself! I live in NYC. I used to be a Barnes and Noble worker bee, but my store closed a few months ago, so I’m not anymore! I’m currently in between jobs, which is a euphemism for WILL WORK FOR FOOD BOOKS. Speaking of, I mostly read fiction, essays / creative nonfiction, women’s / feminist studies, memoirs (I tend to gravitate toward ones about psychological disorders. It’s the psych major in me I suppose), and mysteries. Sometimes I read YA. I used to read romance, but I don’t anymore. My favorite authors include Edith Wharton, Vladimir Nabokov, J.D. Salinger, Donna Tartt, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Haruki Murakami, and Talitha Stevenson. As far as I can tell, these authors really have nothing in common, except that Amis and McEwan are/were friends and Nabokov is one of Amis’ greatest influences. But really, this is a pretty random mix of authors that I call favorites. Check out this 30 Day Book Meme for a funtastic way to learn more about my reading habits… Anything else you want to know about me, feel free to ask in the comments (whether or not you’re going to BEA)!

Last but not least, for all the people out there who are allegedly dying to see what I look like:

I seriously contemplated posting the picture of myself wearing a thong on my head, but I refrained dear reader. I refrained.