I feel like there’s a lot of random stuff I’ve been meaning to talk about so let’s jump right in.

First, the winner of the Dear Almost poetry collection goes to Stefanie! Thank you again to Matthew Thorburn for the guest post and giveaway copy and to Serena for bringing this collection to our attention! I’m looking forward to it.

Lately I’ve been thinking about bargain books. When I was at the book festival this weekend I saw a tent of Pennyworth Books but believe it or not, I didn’t find anything that I just had to have. However when I got home I started browsing Book Close Outs (which I guess now is called Book Outlet) and Daedalus Books and imagining a big book haul. It’s been a long time since I’ve ordered from either of those but I think it might be time. What do you think? And, do you have a great source for bargain books?

I got all excited and disappointed in one day when I heard about An Art Journal Affair. This is a two day event all about art journaling. OMG – sign me up! Unfortunately by the time I went to reserve a spot in the evening, the same day I got the email, there was already a waitlist for the event. A dear friend and I are on the waitlist so please keep your fingers crossed for us. This would be a bit like Journafest which we attended seven years ago.

Finally, in case you are tired of election stuff, how about 10 Fictional Candidates for President? I’m digging the Wonder Woman comic cover but there are some other great posters and pins. Have fun checking that out.

Next up I have to talk about my current reads because I’m all over the place!

We had a bit of rain for the Texas Book Festival but luckily it wasn’t too bad and I had a great time. My first session was going to check out a panel of writers talking about contemporary Latin American literature. The schedule had a misprint so when I got to the tent there was another author still presenting. I figured, well, I’ll check this out even it if was a children’s book author.

I’m glad I stayed. Yuyi Morales was a delight when she was reading from her book Rudas: Ninos Horrendous Hermanitas. The Hermanitas are lucha queens. The kids in the audience really seemed to enjoy the story and I couldn’t help but laugh a few times. Really cute.

Next was the Latin American authors panel. Presenting were Mauro Javier Cardenas, Antonio Ruiz-Camacho, Eduardo Rabasa and Andres Neuman. I have not read any of their books but after hearing their discussion on story creation and Latin American identity in the new world I will definitely be looking for their books. Actually when I got home from the festival I started looking for their books and am just now deciding which one to get first.

The next presentation I went to was with Kelly Luce and Jung Yun. Two authors who talked about the dark side of human nature. How they dealt with creating violent scenes and of course, what is next in store for them. I have not read these authors either although I do have Jung Yun’s book on my shelf (Shelter).

Unfortunately the next discussion I wanted to go to was closed as it was filled to capacity. Ugh. This happened to me last year too. Which is why I wish the Book Festival was held somewhere else but that’s a rant for another day. I spent some time browsing the vendor tents and I picked up two books from Malvern Books. This is an indie bookstore here in town which I just haven’t had the chance to visit. After visiting them at the Book Festival though I definitely plan to check out the store soon.

The books i got were Rock Crystal by Adalbert Stifter, which could be a great choice for the German Literature challenge, and Best of Contemporary Mexican Fiction. Oh and last but not least, I found out that San Antonio also has a literary festival in the Spring. Hmm, I see a little road trip in my future!

I hope you guys had a great weekend. Did you buy any books this weekend? What did you get?