BookCon- Was It Worth it?

BookCon, a two-day event held at the Javits Center in New York City, is a convention that focuses on bringing the reading community together. Readers, publishers, and authors come together and eat, sleep, and breathe all things books. The first BookCon was in 2014, and the previous BookCon event was back in 2019. There were plans for one in 2020, but it was cancelled because of the pandemic. However, it was announced in late 2025 that the Con was back in action and would once again be held at the Javits Center in April 2026. My coworker, Alyssa, and I agreed we HAD to go!

And somehow (pure luck) we were able to buy tickets on the first day they went on sale. It’s good that we did, because about 30 minutes later, both Saturday and Sunday tickets were sold out.

Once those tickets were secured? Game. On.

We mapped out the day to ensure we’d be able to visit author signings, panels, and booths. We even created bookmarks and keychains with book quotes on them during our spare time at home so we could give them out to people at the event. Each day that we got closer to BookCon, the more excited I got.

Then finally…the day we’ve been waiting for arrived!

Our backpacks were filled with all the essentials: extra tote bags, snacks, water- you name it, we had it. Then off we went to the convention center. On the train, we got a glimpse of what to expect from BookCon. We met other book lovers, shared book recommendations and bonded over our love of fictional worlds.

The train stopped. Alyssa and I stepped off and into chaos - the hustle and bustle of New York City. We walked and walked for what felt like forever. Then, we saw it: the Javits Center with a large BookCon banner hanging in front. We made it!

As did everyone else.

As we got closer, we realized there was a long line of people waiting to get in. The line wrapped around the building. Alyssa and I got in line and began the slow walk inside. Once we reached the Center, we had to wait in another line to get checked in. We powered through, because we had a panel to catch!

We rushed to the only panel we were able to register for: Game Changing TV: Celebrating Heated Rivalry with Rachel Reid, author of the book series, and Jacob Tierney, writer of the show. We arrived and plopped down in our seats, took a deep breath and got ready to enjoy.

Then it was time to explore.

Alyssa and I walked around Indie Alley. It was packed with indie authors, along with different vendors selling handmade, book-themed items and other bookish merchandise. This section was filled with businesses, authors, and publishers, and it was crowded, a little chaotic, but we survived.

The only thing that did not survive was my budget. Within a span of 30 minutes, I had already gone over the budget I promised myself to keep. No regrets.

Alyssa to got her book signed by Rachel Reid (which she thankfully registered for in time). After that, we continued wandering around the convention, buying more merch and books we definitely did not need, but convinced ourselves we couldn’t live without, and meeting new people.

With our bags newly filled, snacks gone, and sore feet, it was time for us to make the long trek back to the train station and home.

Even though I had a blast at BookCon, it was not perfect.

First: There were too many lines - the line to get in, the line to check in, lines for booths, lines for authors, lines were everywhere! In Indie Alley, the booths that vendors, authors, and publishers had were so close together that sometimes you didn’t know if you were in the right line to purchase items or meet an author—or if you had accidentally cut in line without realizing it. I stood in line for over 30 minutes at the Barnes & Noble booth just to purchase three books. The line experience felt messy and disorganized.

Second: There were no food trucks. Apparently, the same company that hosts Comic Con also hosted BookCon, and Comic Con always has food trucks. At BookCon, there was not a food truck in sight! There was food available, but it was overpriced and sold out quickly. Luckily, Alyssa and I had brought those snacks!

Third: There was a lack of communication. When Alyssa was waiting in line to get her book signed by Rachel Reid, the employees kept changing where people should wait for the line to form, which made things confusing.

There are other things I wish had been done differently, such as opening more space in the convention center so we didn’t feel like sardines in a can. The small space and large crowd made it overwhelming to move around. I know I missed things I would have loved to see because I was focused on not losing Alyssa in the crowd.

Apparently, the convention center also had a science exhibit happening at the same time, so space was limited. It would have been better if the scheduling team had arranged for the exhibit to take place at a different time to maximize space.

HOWEVER, despite all of that, I had an amazing time. I enjoyed shopping from different vendors, supporting small businesses and local artists, and finding some really neat items. One vendor was selling apple pins with a rainbow inside—Alyssa bought one to give to Rachel Reid when she met her (if you know, you know).

Even though shopping is one of my favorite things to do, it wasn’t the best part. The best part was the people. Whether we were waiting in line or just walking around, we kept bumping into book lovers (sometimes literally bumping), and would just talk non-stop about books, characters, authors…everything.

Alyssa and I were also able to hand out our homemade items, and in return, some people gave us their own handmade bookmarks, bracelets, and keychains. Among the chaos, having that exchange of goodies with others that share the same interest was an experience I will never forget.

BookCon 2026 wasn’t perfect. But coming back after a seven-year break can be hard, I don’t think anyone expected that many people to show up. But I’d go back in a heartbeat!

So, here’s to hoping that BookCon 2027 is bigger, smoother and still magical!

These are the pins and books I picked up at BookCon—and yes, I definitely treated myself. I also grabbed a cozy book-themed pajama set, a Harry Potter shirt that says “Scared, Potter?” (couldn’t resist), a PopSocket featuring a raccoon that says, “Let Me Read,” and… a slightly ridiculous amount of stickers.

Alyssa did not come to play at BookCon-she definitely had a good haul.

Did any of the books featured in the blog pique your interest? Luckily, you can always check them out or place them on hold at your local Mercer County Library System branch!

Please note: The Mercer County Library System does not currently own the following titles:
• The Hearth Witch’s Guide to Magic & Murder by Kiri Callaghan
• The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

The Summer Book Club by Susan Mallery

ISBN: 9781335448668

“In the small town of Los Lobos, California, three women join a local indie bookstore's summer book club-devoted entirely to romance novels-and become life-long friends as they navigate the messiness of motherhood, second chances and becoming the person you've always wanted to be.”

The Game Changer series; The Long Game by Rachel Reid

ISBN: 9781335534644

“To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything. Ten years. That's how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they've been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family...from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything? Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship...Ilya wants it all. It's time for them to decide what's most important--hockey or love. It's time to make a call.

Includes mentions and descriptions of suicide and depression.”

The Dead Husbands Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

ISBN: 9781728276915

"When infamous chef, restauranter, and television personality Maria Capello's husband died, the media circus was intense...and quick to cast the blame. Whispers claimed Maria murdered her husband to build her culinary empire on his bones, and that there was an all-too-grisly reason his body was never recovered. Yet for the past few decades, the Capello family maintained their stoney silence--until now. Thea Woods has no idea why she was chosen to work with Maria on her sure-to-be-infamous memoir, but she doesn't question her luck. Spirited away to the Capello's rustic upstate farm, she's soon embroiled in the mystery--and cut off from the rest of the world. It should be the job of a lifetime, but something's not quite right with the close-knit clan, and Damien Capello isn't the only one to go mysteriously missing over the years. As the true story of Maria's past unfolds and the stench of rot hidden behind the kind coastal grandmother veneer rises, Thea finds herself trapped...and desperately afraid. Because there are reasons why Damien's body was never found...and why, in over thirty years, Maria Capello has never revealed the secret ingredient in her most famous recipe."

The Storied Life of A.J Fikry (book on cd) by Gabrielle Zein. Narrated by Scott Brick

ISBN: 9781622313532

“The irascible A. J. Fikry, owner of Island Books, has already lost his wife. Now his most prized possession, a rare book, has been stolen from right under his nose. One night upon closing, he discovers a toddler in his children's section with a note from her mother saying she can no longer raise her. It doesn't take long for the locals to notice the transformation of both bookstore and owner, especially to the lovely yet eccentric sales rep, Amelia Loman.”

-Rebecca, Hollowbrook