Hi all! Just a heads up that any readers in the Chicagoland area (Rosemont) who are under 20 will want to check out the RT Booklovers Convention website. They have a special 'teen' day where, for $25.00, you can have access to over 50 YA authors, including Stacey Kade, Stephanie Perkins, and Ann Aguirre. Teen Day is April 14th, 2012.
I can't go, because I'm 8 years over the age limit. I age like a vampire, so I could probably sneak in and fake 20, but it falls on a bad weekend, anyway. You lucky 20 and unders can attend without worrying about the age police hunting you down and taking back your swag! The price is fantastic for what you get in the ticket package. This event seems like a great thing to do with your Saturday!
Also, any fans of 'Fablehaven' in the house? Brandon Mull is vising Skokie Public Library March 27, 2012. Registration is required. Call 847-324-3149 for more information on signing up for this author talk. I've gone to a ton of author talks at SPL and they've all been awesome. This is something you'll want to check out if you have read any of Brandon Mull's books!
Finally, a cover and release date for 'City of Swords', the sixth book in Mary Hoffmans' Stravaganza series. The last book in the series hit store shelves back in 2010, so you can imagine why I'm so excited about this!
According to Goodreads, "Desperately unhappy, Laura has resorted to secretly self-harming. But Laura is a Stravagante, somebody who can travel in time and space. When she finds her talisman, a small silver dagger, she stravagates with it to sixteenth-century Fortezza, a town similar to Lucca in Italy, where she meets her Stravagante, who is a swordsmith. But Laura also meets the charming and attractive Ludo, and falls for him. Their love for each other is tested when Ludo lays claim to the crown of Fortezza, and Laura finds herself fighting on the side of the Stravaganti opposing him."
'City of Swords' has a release date of August 21, 2012. (And I, for one, can't wait!!!!)
I just finished reading 'Immortal War', the sixth and final installment of the Vampirates series by Justin Somper. While searching the authors website, I stumbled upon this little nugget of information. It's old news, but I felt I should share it with you anyways!
It seems like a stage adaptation of 'Demons of the Ocean' has been touring theaters in the UK since October! From the trailer, it looks like lots of fun. This is the kind of theater I'd do if I were an actor. My hope is that this one day gets to the States-- I'd love to see it! My other hope? That this makes its way into the land of musical theater. The story and characters in this series totally lend themselves to the musical format-- and I would pay good money to hear Lorcan sing!
What books do you think should be adapted for the stage? Share your thoughts!
More sad news from the BCC... Actress Lis Sladen, known to many as Sarah Jane Smith from her work in Doctor Who, has passed away today from a battle with cancer. Lis was 63.
My own memories of Lis Sladen are from the new 'Who' era. The episode where she was 'reintroduced' to the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) is one of my favorite Doctor Who episodes of all time and her spin-off show, 'The Sarah Jane Adventures' is a gem among children's television.
This news comes as quite a shock, as I had no idea she was even battling cancer. My condolences to her family and friends.
And what happens now to the character of Sarah Jane Smith? Will she live on in the 'Who' universe? Will they acknowledge her death in an episode? I guess time will tell...
Sad news, folks! Tokyopop announced that as of May 31st, 2011, Tokyopop will be closing their North American offices. Tokyopop publishes some of the most popular manga on the market, including Fruits Basket, Hana Kimi, and Chobits.
As far as what will happen to the mangas they licensed, no one knows for sure. I hope that Tokyopop sells their library to another manga publisher. In the meantime, I will be looking more intently at what series I need to complete, because if these titles aren't picked up, they'll go out of print pretty quickly!
The offices in Europe are not affected by these closings, so only those in North America have to worry for right now...
Yesterday my aunt came up to me super excited about a documentary she'd just watched called 'Twilight in Forks'... (Yes, she's a bit obsessed...) I thought I'd post the trailer for this Direct to DVD release here, for others like me who seemed to miss the release!
(*NOTE: This layout messes with YT videos a bit. Click the video to go straight to the Youtube version if the right side of the video is cut off!)
I'm thinking I may check this out. Being a recovered Twihard myself, the concept around this sounds pretty interesting. If only netflix would just stream it!
Also on the Twilight front, I found this video "How Twilight Should Have Ended" and thought it was funny enough to share here. One of the things I really like about this video is the animation. It's so Daria. Kudo's the the creators!
I wouldn't be doing my book blogging duty if I didn't comment about the news I just found out. Author Francine Pascal is writing a new book about twins Elizabeth and Jessica. This new book has been dubbed 'Sweet Valley Confidential- 10 Years Later' and is set to be released March 2011.
I read many a Sweet Valley reincarnations as a kid and even remember watching the TV show (and then rewatching it when it came to the library a few years back) that ran for four seasons.
This new title intrigues me. This is what I think Ann M. Martin should have done instead of her prequel. The idea of seeing the characters we grew up with now also all so all grown up... Well, I like it.
"The twins are 27 and still drop-dead gorgeous. Elizabeth...moved to New York after a bitter break-up and has been on the east coast for eight months. She's lonely and living in a tiny, dingy apartment.
Back in Sweet Valley, Jessica is in the midst of a divorce and apparently has done something unforgivable to her twin, who refuses to speak to her."
If you head over to the main site for this new book release, add your e-mail to their mailing list and you should be sent the first chapter of this release. I haven't received mine yet, but when I do, I'll let you know what I think of it!
Also, in case you weren't aware (like me), a movie adaptation is in pre-production. I'm sure the CW will be picking up a pilot next. :p
I'd like to wish a Happy July to everyone! I hope it brings some good reads into your hands! (I sure hope it does mine!)
On another note, keep the followers coming! I have a ton of books that I don't plan on re-reading and can't give them away until I have a large enough readership!!! I'll do my part by posting more reviews and trying to catch more of my typo's quicker, but need at least 60 followers before I can giveaway anything.
Feel free to comment, too! Comments make me happy (unless they're spam :p)!!! Trust me, you'll be doing your good deed of the day if you leave a fun comment on this little blog!
Big 'Thank You!' to all those who stopped by so far, especially the authors who have commented or tweeted my posts. You all rock!
I recently found two author blogs you might want to take a look at!
First comes the blog by Tom Angleberger, author of 'The Strange Case of Origami Yoda'. Overall, it's a pretty neat site. You'll find blog entries, along with instructions on how to make your own Origami Yoda and (in the blog) Origami Admiral Ackbar! Angleberger also lists his tour dates and other general information on the site. Check it out!!!
Second is a blog written by Kirsten Miller, author of 'The Eternal Ones'. She has some pretty interesting things going on over there! Check the entries to learn how to submit your photo for her 'Who Were You' posts, where she explains who you were in one of your past lives. Miller also talks a lot about the supernatural things that have happened to her in the past.
According to Yahoo!, 'The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella' has sold over 1 million copies. That is quite good considering it's only been out for a little over a month!
If you haven't purchased your copy yet, remember that until July 5th, the book is being hosted on a dedicated site to read in its entirety for free. Yes, free! Head over and check it out.
I haven't read 'The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella' yet, mostly due to the fact that I had completely forgotten about the character featured. I had to look around the web to figure out who she was. I actually doubt I'll ever read it, even though I am a recovering Twi-hard, because even after learning who the character was, I still wasn't too interested.
Me thinks I'll just hold off until the fantastically lucky Stephenie Meyer comes out with some new universe-- or a sequel to 'The Host'.
Announced at ALA Midwinter, here are some of the winners of various book awards! Congrats to all the winner! (Hopefully my name will be among yours one day!)
The John Newbery Medal: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead The John Newbery Honor Books: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
Randolph Caldecott Medal 2010:The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney Caldecott Honor Books:All the World: illustrated by Marla Frazee/written by Elizabeth Garton Scanlon, Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors: illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski/written by Joyce Sidman
Michael L. Printz Award 2010: Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Coretta Scott King Author Award 2010: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award 2010: My People, illustrated by Charles R. Smith Jr./written by Langston Hughes
William C. Morris Award:Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan
Margaret A. Edwards Award: Jim Murphy (An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, Blizzard! The Storm That Changed America)
I'm super excited by what I found out in this article about Ann M. Martins Babysitters Club series. Yes! They are slowly being updated and reprinted! As a person who grew up with the first printing of the Babysitters Club and having two books signed by the author, I can't wait to see these on store shelves again. Better news, to kick off the series, Ann M. Martin is writing a prequel novel "The Summer Before", about the lives of the Babysitters Club members before book one in the original series "Kristy's Great Idea".
Are you excited about this? Do you have any grand memories of the BSC books? Comment and share your experiences with the BSC series!
