Wow, lots to do to get ready for one of the most exciting conventions of the year. The Small Press Expo for 2011 is taking place next Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. (According to their reservation email, their restaurant and lounge will be closed for renovation, which should make socializing interesting.)

In addition to preparing for the many exciting panels, of which I’m hosting one, I’ve also been making a substantial want list, with the aid of helpful blog posts pointing out what will be available.

From Fantagraphics, I’ll be getting the second volume of The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec by Jacques Tardi, because I appreciated the first. I’d like to get the second Mickey Mouse comic strip volume, “Trapped on Treasure Island“, but I have it preordered through my comic shop, and I don’t want to get stuck with two copies, even though it means I have to wait. I’m really enjoying reading the first volume — so many of the historical strip reprint books are only of intellectual interest to me, but “Race to Death Valley” is fun and exciting to read.

My must-get from NBM Publishing is the intriguing manga Stargazing Dog.

I would love to get one of the preview copies of Craig Thompson’s Habibi, but even though it’s to benefit the CBLDF, an excellent cause, I’m not sure I have the budget for $100, since I also want to shop for all these books:

• Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton, with her hilarious historical webcomic strips
• Freedman by Peter Quach, the story of a former slave post-Civil War
• Labor and Love by Sam Costello and Neal Von Flue, adapting bizarre folk ballads
• Questionable Content Book 2 by Jeph Jacques, to follow the first volume
• So Buttons #4 by Jonathan Baylis, a nifty autobio minicomic
• The Time Traveler’s Pocket Guide by K. Sekelsky
• Troop 142 by Mike Dawson
• Underwire by Jennifer Hayden

The list of books debuting at the show was a huge help in this, by the way, and that’s before reviewing the full guest list. Of course, all this is while spending the weekend bemoaning how full my shelves are and how there’s no more room on them. I shall have to become creative.

For many more recommendations, check out PanelPatter’s coverage of some of the many works available at the show, plus some suggestions on how to have a good show. Good advice there!