YA Day at Books A Million in Southaven, MS

You're gonna do what???





Yeah, after I came up with the idea for YA Day I seemed to get that question more often than not. LOL! First I’ll say sorry for blowing up your twitter and Facebook news feeds on Saturday guys. The good news though is that YA Day was a total success! Books A Million provided the opportunity for lots of lonely books to find good homes, I met lots of amazing book lovers and made some new friends. Best of all, I got the opportunity to tell readers about some really wonderful writers whose work has touched my imagination.
    Stars of the day were:
Suzanne Collins for the Hunger Games Trilogy, 
Fav YA Vampire series - The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
Best Zombie - Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry,
Fav paranormal romance - Tiger Curse, Quest and Voyage by Colleen Houck, Mermaids - Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs,
Hunky Hero's and Lovely Heroines - The Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare,
Fav Ghost - Shade by Jeri Smith Ready,
Fav Fairy - Wings by Aprilynn Pike,
Best Werewolves - Raised By Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes,
Southern Paranormal Romance - Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl,
Just because they're awesome - When Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley and Unwind by Neal Shusterman 
Angels - Hush Hush by Becka Fitzpatrick. 
Most Anticipated of 2012 - EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton  

Here's a rundown of the day:
I arrived at Books A Million in Southaven, MS a few minutes before 9 a.m., set up my balloons and treat baskets and met the morning shift employees. Manager Tim Jackson and the staff really made me feel welcome and eased some of the nerves I'd been fighting over night.

A little after 9a.m customers started to dribble in and I took up a position in the Teen Fiction aisle. Lots of nice folks came by and got a big kick out of the treat bags.

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By 11 a.m. The traffic had really started to kick up and we gave away our first door prize to a another lovely lady. She won a copy of Neal Shusterman's UNWIND.

One sweet lady and I enjoyed a big laugh when she asked where the diet books were after I gave her a treat bag. She was lots of fun to talk to and didn't scare me half as much as the guy looking for an encyclopedia of serial killers.



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Kendal, an aspiring writer and book loving friend Beverly.

After a bit of lunch, the afternoon crowd started to show up. Some of their questions really challenged my brain. But what fun! Talking about all the books I've fallen in love with over the years plus lots of new discoveries.

It was really fascinating to watch the other customers start to interact after the conversation got started. There were several times I just sat back and listened to them talk to each other. It made me wish the store's teen section was arranged more like the children's section so the teens could discuss the books they love at length.
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These lovely ladies are giving a copy of BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS a new home, even better they won the copy of Jonathan Maberry's ROT & RUIN 

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Book marks from YA author's Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl and John Corey Whaley. THANKS GUYS!!

 Ten folks packed into the Teen Fiction aisle became crowded quickly. I was amazed at how the kids really made it work though. They kindly made room for movement but continued to chat each other up about their favorite books. I still have chills about that part, so exciting!

By seven, my treat baskets were empty, my feet were convinced I'd lost my marbles for standing on them for 12 hours straight and my voice had taken on a slight rasp. But what an amazing day! 

The last door prize went to a lovely young lady from Hernando, MS who I spoke to at length about the books she enjoys. We agreed on several great books. She has exceptional taste.

Close to 9 p.m. YA Day came to a quiet but satisfying end. Lots of great book lovers made an impact on me and many great books found homes. On an extra special note, I want to thank Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl and John Corey Whaley for sending bookmarks. It really made a difference to the kids to see your support of YA Day and the stories they love by sending things.

Looking forward to the next YA Day real soon! I could be coming to YOUR local bookstore so keep a sharp eye out for upcoming dates.

Till Then,

Katie