BEA Part of It

Guys, I’m really stoked to be taking part in this year’s BEA Part of It feature, headed up by the lovely Estelle at Rather Be Reading. YAY! This will be my 5th year going to Book Expo. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT BUT IT’S TRUE. The first time I went was the same year I graduated with my MLIS–2010. Wow, guys, I’m kind of flabbergasted that I’ve been to BEA for the last 5 years!

Anyway, I’m not a city dweller myself, but I am a Jersey Girl, so I get into the city every now and then. When I go into the city (this is a Jersey thing, maybe, but I never call New York City anything other than “the city”), it’s usually for specific events. THANKFULLY, a lot of those things are also things YOU guys can do if you’re up for it after a long day of doing awesome bookish stuff. So! Here we go–my tips for awesome post-BEA activities!

So I know that maybe this one is going to be tough to pull off, but half the time I’m in the city, I’m at a sporting event. Specifically, Yankees games. They’re super fun ways to experience the vibe of New York, have a great time, sit outside, have a few drinks, and scream your head off. (If you want to boo the home team, that’s up to you.) GOOD TIMES. Best way to get to Yankee Stadium from the general BEA area around midtown is the subway. DUN DUN DUNNNN. I feel like people are terrified of the subway, and I can understand it. If you don’t use it all the time, it’s intimidating. But all you need to do is get thyself to Penn Station, which is on 34th & 8th Avenues–only a few walking blocks from the Javits Center. Take the Queens-bound train to 7th avenue and transfer to the subway line to 161 St-Yankee Stadium. Just look for the people in Yankees jerseys. Follow them. Also, bonus of the subway? SUPER CHEAP, and at the end you get this:

I know you guys will be spending all day around bookish things, but in the interest of keeping with the theme, one of the most AMAZING places I’ve ever visited in the city was a place I’ve only been once! The Strand bookstore. It’s a book-lover’s DREAM in there. Used books of all kinds, awesome swag (like the tote pictured below), and just, like, the SMELL of books. I could spend hours in there.

Extra bonuses? There’s some great places to eat around The Strand. Last year, Alyssa and I got cereal milk at Momofuku Milk Bar after we ate dinner at this really cool Italian place, Vapiano. All three places are within walking distance of the bookstore.

 If you guys don’t get into the city often, or don’t live in this area at all, I can’t stress to you enough the AWESOMENESS of going to see a play on Broadway. If I’m not in the city going to a sporting event, I’m usually going to see a play. Well, usually a musical because they’re super fun. The last one I saw was Aladdin and, DUH, it was spectacular. PLUS! The theater is in Times Square, which is not a place you should overlook if this is your first time visiting NYC. Yeah, it’s crowded, but it’s got great energy, lots of things to catch your eye, and is only about 4 blocks from M&M’S World. Best store.

So there’s a few things for you guys to do while you’re exploring New York City! But trust me: There’s SO MUCH GOING ON! You won’t struggle to find things to do. You’ll probably struggle to choose!