About Amy Hello, I'm Amy, an aspiring motorsports writer and former blogger. If you dig deeper enough, you find some very old blog posts, as this started as a book blog, but that's really where I got my start in writing: book reviews, hot book topics and as well as the odd personal essay. After leaving university, I left the book blog behind, but continued writing and going in the world of social media, writing film reviews and promoting queer cinema, but after a tragic event in my personal life, I quickly discovered Motorsports. What started as a love for Formula 1, while finally watching the Formula 1 film, Rush, and discovering Formula 1 TikTok, this love soon expanded to everything Formula E, IndyCar, Formula 2, Formula 3, as well as F1 Academy. I soon found the itch to write come back, with the fast-moving news of motorsport, to the drama, the competition, and the journey of drivers trying to find a race seat. I found that it was the people and storie...
With YALC being less than two weeks away, I thought that I would list the books that I want to read before then. I know that two weeks is not that long so I thought 5 books would be achievable. So as well as listing the book, I thought that I would list some tips to help the newbies to the event. So let's get started...
1. Another Day by David Levithan
This is the book that I am currently reading and it a book that I got at YALC last year. I am reading this as I do want to met David Levithan and I was going to take Every Day and Another Day to get signed. It would, therefore, be nice to read this first.
2. You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
Again, another David Levithan book and Nina LaCour is also there so it would also be nice to have a book for her to sign too. I am also excited to read this one too.
3. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Since this book won the Costa Book Award, everyone has been raving about it so I think it is about time that I gave it a read. She is also going to be at YALC so it would be nice to maybe discuss the book with her.
4. Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill
I have wanted to read this book since last year but I just have not gotten around to it. Everyone also raves about how good this book is so it is about time that I just read it. Like all the other books on this list, the author is going to be attending so hopefully I can get this book signed.
5. Seed/Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield
Lisa Heathfield is another popular YA author who is going to be at the event and both her books are well loved so it would be great to read her books before the events. Also, Paper Butterflies is the #readukya book of the month so I need to read this before the end of July.
Tips for YALC
1. Bring a lot of tote bags and if you can a small suitcase
Due to the format, you are going to bring lots of books with you which are heavy and you are probably going to buy a few books too. As we all know, books are heavy and carrying tonnes of books on your back all day is going to hurt. Bringing a suitcase is a great idea as the weight of the books is not on your back so will help especially with the event being 3 days long. If you don't have a suitcase, try one of your mum's shopping trolley things if she has one. You may look weird but it will help you in the long run. Tote bags would also be good as there may be a few ARCS around and lots of swags so the more bags the merrier.
2. Stay Hydrated
So this may be slightly obvious. It's summer, but make sure you have lots of water at least like 2/3 bottles. The room does get hot and although there will be water and stuff there it will be expensive so bringing your own may be a good idea. Also, do not rely on the Tesco, stuff runs out people.
3. Bring food with you rather than on the day
So as I was saying before, bringing your own food or drink is a good idea as the place will have expensive food. Last year I thought buying food at Tesco would be a good idea but although I was really early, the food was in short supply so it may be good for snacks but not your main food.
4. Have a portable charger (or have a good battery)
We all know what it is like when your phone dies so making sure your phone is charged before the event or taking a portable charger with you is a great idea as it means that you will always have your phone charged.
5. Make a schedule
Last year it was a good idea to have a schedule so you know what you are going to do on the day and to make it just a little bit less stress-free and so you know what events you are going to go to and what books to take.
6. It's all about the money
Lots of the stalls at YALC and LFCC are cash only so make sure you have enough money for food, books and anything else you need on the day.
7. LFCC is more than YALC
YALC is a fun event but it is only one of three floors in the Olympia, so make sure you check out the rest of the floors as this is something I did not do last year and regret and you may find some hidden gems.
8. Have fun
YALC is a place only book nerds can dream of so make sure you take it all in and do as much as you can over the weekend. Don't forget to meet people too!
Hope you enjoy this post and I hope the tips helped. Are you going to YALC? Leave them in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
1. Another Day by David Levithan
This is the book that I am currently reading and it a book that I got at YALC last year. I am reading this as I do want to met David Levithan and I was going to take Every Day and Another Day to get signed. It would, therefore, be nice to read this first.
2. You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour & David Levithan
Again, another David Levithan book and Nina LaCour is also there so it would also be nice to have a book for her to sign too. I am also excited to read this one too.
3. The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Since this book won the Costa Book Award, everyone has been raving about it so I think it is about time that I gave it a read. She is also going to be at YALC so it would be nice to maybe discuss the book with her.
4. Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill
I have wanted to read this book since last year but I just have not gotten around to it. Everyone also raves about how good this book is so it is about time that I just read it. Like all the other books on this list, the author is going to be attending so hopefully I can get this book signed.
5. Seed/Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield
Lisa Heathfield is another popular YA author who is going to be at the event and both her books are well loved so it would be great to read her books before the events. Also, Paper Butterflies is the #readukya book of the month so I need to read this before the end of July.
Tips for YALC
1. Bring a lot of tote bags and if you can a small suitcase
Due to the format, you are going to bring lots of books with you which are heavy and you are probably going to buy a few books too. As we all know, books are heavy and carrying tonnes of books on your back all day is going to hurt. Bringing a suitcase is a great idea as the weight of the books is not on your back so will help especially with the event being 3 days long. If you don't have a suitcase, try one of your mum's shopping trolley things if she has one. You may look weird but it will help you in the long run. Tote bags would also be good as there may be a few ARCS around and lots of swags so the more bags the merrier.
2. Stay Hydrated
So this may be slightly obvious. It's summer, but make sure you have lots of water at least like 2/3 bottles. The room does get hot and although there will be water and stuff there it will be expensive so bringing your own may be a good idea. Also, do not rely on the Tesco, stuff runs out people.
3. Bring food with you rather than on the day
So as I was saying before, bringing your own food or drink is a good idea as the place will have expensive food. Last year I thought buying food at Tesco would be a good idea but although I was really early, the food was in short supply so it may be good for snacks but not your main food.
4. Have a portable charger (or have a good battery)
We all know what it is like when your phone dies so making sure your phone is charged before the event or taking a portable charger with you is a great idea as it means that you will always have your phone charged.
5. Make a schedule
Last year it was a good idea to have a schedule so you know what you are going to do on the day and to make it just a little bit less stress-free and so you know what events you are going to go to and what books to take.
6. It's all about the money
Lots of the stalls at YALC and LFCC are cash only so make sure you have enough money for food, books and anything else you need on the day.
7. LFCC is more than YALC
YALC is a fun event but it is only one of three floors in the Olympia, so make sure you check out the rest of the floors as this is something I did not do last year and regret and you may find some hidden gems.
8. Have fun
YALC is a place only book nerds can dream of so make sure you take it all in and do as much as you can over the weekend. Don't forget to meet people too!
Hope you enjoy this post and I hope the tips helped. Are you going to YALC? Leave them in the comments below.
See you soon,
Amy
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