Armchair BEA: What I would be doing at BEA

I starting blogging about what I was reading because I wanted someplace where I could put my thoughts on what I was reading.  Blogging is also giving me the opportunity to try books/genres that I might never have looked at if I wasn't blogging and reading other book blogs.  And how does that tie in with BEA one might ask?

If I was at BEA, while I'd be looking to see if any of my favorite authors were there so that I could try to get something signed, I'd also be checking out new authors and what the publishers might have that is not something that I would normally pick up to read.  I would be taking this time to try something new.  Isn't that one of the points of BEA?  Seeing what is new and deciding if you like it or not? 

I'm sure that by the end of the week, I'd have a long list of items that I would be adding to my TBR pile.  Some of the items, I might actually get while at BEA, others would be on the to-read list for the library or bookstore. 

I hope that I would also have spent some of the time getting to know others, i.e., bloggers, publishers and hopefully, some authors while I was there.  BEA is a wonderful opportunity to make new contacts and to strengthen existing ones, if you have the opportunity to do so.

Looking at the schedule for BEA, I'd be having a great time between the discussions, the author signings and checking out the exhibits.  While I'm slightly envious of all who are able to be there, I am glad that I am getting a chance to participate in the Armchair BEA.