A big week for YA bookish news (and my emotions)!

There has been so much book-related excitement this week! In lieu of spamming everyone's Facebook and Twitter feeds with my squeals/shrieks/tears/crazy range of emotions, I thought I'd compile a list here. All of my book nerdiness in one convenient package!

As it should be, the Queen comes first: J.K. Rowling has released a new short story featuring the now-adult cast of Harry Potter on Pottermore. She's been posting a column regularly about the Quidditch World Cup (which happens to sync up with the World Cup fever the entire planet is currently experiencing), writing as Ginny, who is now a special Quidditch correspondent. But the story that's causing all the buzz is a gossip column written by Rita Skeeter, the journalist whose dramatic coverage of the Triwizard Tournament in GOBLET OF FIRE made Harry's life even more difficult.

Of course, the story isn't anywhere near long enough (anything less than a 700 page book is too short for me), but sliding back into that world was WONDERFUL. I was eight years old again for those few minutes. <3 I loved seeing what my favorite cast of characters is up to in their adult lives (and my denial of Rowling's lack of plans for another HP book grows and grows and grows).

The first fifty pages of the new Stephanie Perkins book, ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER, were posted online Tuesday. I admit, I'm late to the party, but I adored ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS when I read it recently. I still have to get my hands on LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, but I read the ISLA excerpt anyway and fell in love! Isla is so relatable...she's funny and awkward and stalks people on Google. I can't wait for the book to be released on August 14th!

Rick Yancey, author of THE 5TH WAVE, was interviewed in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday and brought along the first few chapters of his sequel, THE INFINITE SEA. He talks about the series' major themes, his thought process while writing the sequel, and his involvement in the movie adaptation of THE 5TH WAVE. (Casting news was recently announced.) I don't have any thoughts/opinions on the movie yet (way too early to tell), but the excerpt of THE INFINITE SEA is fantastic. It's intense and dark and from the POV of a character whose head we haven't been in yet. September needs to get here now!

And finally, the news that had me shrieking at my desk at work, President Snow has released his second address to the citizens of Panem. This time he has Johanna (newly blond) by his side along with Peeta. If you haven't watched yet, I won't spoil anything, but WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? The teaser gave me chills, both because of its content and what I know is to come in future teasers. I'll just say that Lionsgate is handling this movie's marketing campaign perfectly, and they've adapted these books into movies that Hunger Games fans can be proud of. Also, in the article I linked above, it is pointed out that there may be as many as two more of these Capitol addresses coming. I have ideas about what I think they'll look like, and I cannot wait to see them!



Oh, my little book heart! It overflows with joy!

First official Hunger Games movie poster

The first promotional poster for Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, THE HUNGER GAMES, was just released. It shows the mockingjay pin that Katniss wears into the arena engulfed in flames. The animated version is super cool with its fiery sound effects.  

In case you’re unfamiliar with the story (which, trust me, it won’t be long before you know EVERYTHING about this series), here’s the synopsis from IMDB.com:

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 13 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Excited? Worried about the movie adaptation? What do you think about the cast choices? Are you planning to be first in line to see it?