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I was going into September expecting a big book buying number. Attending NOLAStoryCon, I knew I was going to be purchasing books to get authors to sign for me. I think I was trying to keep my book budget prepared for this month all year. I was actually pretty impressed with how I did. Not all books were bought at the con, I did buy some in advance to take with me. My Audible account is still on pause, so I’m saving a bit there too. I need to use up some credits before it kicks back on though. An Audible inventory is in store for me I think. Here are September’s numbers:
| Category | Previous Balance | Spent This Month | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes & Noble | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| NOLA Story Con | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Buns & Roses (w/Bear) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | Boas & Tiaras | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Readers & Ritas | $180.37 | $0.00 | $180.37 |
| Audible | $124.23 | $0.00 | $124.23 |
| Books | $547.40 | $129.70 | $417.70 |
| Totals | Starting Budget | Amount Spent | Remaining Budget |
| $844.33 | $129.70 | $714.63 |
Needless to say, between the purchased books, review books and con freebie books, my haul is going to be extremely large this month. In fact there are four books that I have doubles of that I’m going to have to find a home for. Actually one of this books I actually have in triplicate so that one really needs a new home. I hope I didn’t get the con copies signed. That signing was such a blur, I don’t even know what I have. The shelves are calling to be rearranged so that I can fit some of these new books in. It is starting to get disorganized with books shoved everywhere. It kind of freaks me out. I hate seeing it like that. This is September’s haul:
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Pretty crazy, right? Looking at it like that, I’m kind of overwhelmed. NOLAStorycon was fun. I went down a few days early with Annie from Booked and Loaded and we stayed down in the French Quarter. We enjoyed some good food and music. There also was a cemetery tour that ended at a nice little bar offering 2 for 1 hurricanes. After the heat and long walk, that hurricane started off a good day of cheer! Everything had a great relaxed feel to it. When we moved to the convention hotel, I felt like we were in the middle of craziness. It was a bit disappointing that we were farther from the great restaurants and bars, and everything was more expensive around the hotel. It was so great to see the authors wondering through the rooms and halls. But here is where I get SO annoyed with myself. I saw both authors and other bloggers that I know, but I was too freaking shy to say hello! I think I would have had so much more fun if I had of been able to talk to all those people. I probably would have had more pictures too! I think that I’m going to spend some time being more social, taking more pictures that include me (so people know who I am) and generally growing some self confidence. I believe that really put a damper on things for me. I’m such a chicken to talk to people in person. It really is sad.
Another thing that is sad is that that was the last NOLAStorycon. Our host authors explained that it took a lot of time and work to put the con together. That is definitely understandable and I’m really glad I got the chance to take part in this years. Between the con and the tourist time with Annie, I really had a great time. Oh, one thing I regret, sort of. I should have packed less books and made room for shorts. I was SO hot, but I didn’t bring any shorts, so the walking tours were crazy hot.
I am still debating on buying a ticket to Readers & ‘Ritas. It is in the budget, but I think I’m going to see who else is going. It could be the opportunity to practice building up that self confidence. I guess we’ll see. It’s close enough to home that I can just go for the signing. I will have to see if I need to buy a ticket for that. They also always have a book exchange, so that might be a great place for me once I get these shelves organized.
So those were my adventures for September! What were you all up to? Did you get any good books or find a favorite read? Also, I’m sorry this is so long. It was a pretty eventful month!
