*We’re sorry, but we couldn’t hold this in any longer … What’s up with Peeta’s hair?? Is it just us, or does it look forced and unnatural? Are we experiencing another “bad wig” moment a la Jacob? (yes, we do realize Josh Hutcherson is not wearing a wig, that makes it even more disturbing.)

Heidi Ayarbe’s newest book, WANTED, is coming out in May.  And we wanted to have a little fun.  We are revealing the cover of Wanted tomorrow, along with the awesome Kari at A Good Addiction and of course, on Heidi’s blog.  Along with that we will have LOTS of giveaways - including a SIGNED arc of Wanted .  Ohhh, I am so excited I can’t stop thinking about it.

Wanted is a take on Bonnie and Clyde – read Heidi’s cool research on them.  So in light of that we thought it would be fun to pair YA couples that could take the country by storm!  If so, comment away on any of our blogs.

Mine? Of course, Katniss from The Hunger Games.  That girl can do anything.  She’s my hero!  And  Ethan from Beautiful Creatures.  He’s swoon worthy and those two would rock it!

So, come back tomorrow for the cover reveal of Wanted by the wonderful Heidi Ayarbe and lots of giveaways!  I mean lots.  lots and lots.

10/24 update -  James Frey is using a writing factory of MFA writers to write the I AM NUMBER series, read this.

*as always you can find us on itunes*

If you’re in Tennessee you’re in for a treat, FROM ASH TO NASH is heading your way! This tour is the brain child of YA authors Myra McEntire, Victoria Schwab and Beth Revis.  We are totes jealous of all you Tennesseans.

Click here for the complete tour schedule.

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Are you a Harry Potter fan? If so, have you heard about The Potter Games? I have it on good authority that it is pretty cool. Just sayin.

Make sure and check out the ThePotterGames.com on 7.11.2011 – you wouldn’t want to miss out!!

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We are totally excited for the release of Alex Van Helsing: Voice of the Undead by Jason Henderson. This is the second installment in a super cool series. Check out the trailer below, we think you would agree.

Okay, so you know that feeling you get when you’re done reading a book and you’re 1. in agony because it’s over 2. elated because it was so great and 3. feel the need to tell everyone about the book?  Well, we like to call those feelings hitting the “reading trifecta”

…and y’all, we just hit it!

book: Divergent by Veronica Roth
publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
genre: dystopia, baby!
author info: twitter blog
on sale date: May 3, 2011

Divergent is one of the best books I’ve read since The Hunger Games. (Yes, I just compared it to the awesome THG trilogy, because yes, it’s that great.) It’s one of those books that pulls you into the story and you can’t stop thinking about it until you’re done.

Roth has given us a story that we can believe with character insight that is truthful, real and thought provoking.

Of course, us girls are all over this book. So, expect a podcast and a full review in the near future.

Oh, and the best part it’s a trilogy AND the movie rights have been sold to Summit! **

Can you say Wa-Hoo!?! Why is this such a big deal? We’ll tell you. PATCH! Really. Who doesn’t want to see more of Patch???

Becca is delighted to have her book brought to graphic novel form. “Hush, Hush was my first book, and it’s so thrilling that it has been embraced by so many readers. I’m delighted to be working with Sea Lion to tell Patch and Nora’s story through graphic novel format!” For more information, read the announcement on Becca’s blog.

The graphic novel is set to release winter 2011.

Fans of Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush series have a new nugget to chew on, book three, formerly known as Tempest, has a new name!

SILENCE!!!!

What a fitting title for the book (you can read her explanation here). And, this may be a complete rumor, but we heard that this may not be the last book in the series, hmmm….

Who is dying to see how gorgeous the cover will be for Silence? We for sure are!

So, get your pre-orders done because come October, we will be busy reading Silence and we will want to talk about it. For more information on this series check out the official Hush, Hush fansite, FallenArchangel.

Congratulations Sarah!

You are the winner of signed books Freeze Frame and Compromised by Heidi Ayarbe.

So, anytime there is talk of Hunger Games, book or movie related consider us on it…

KRISTIN CHENOWETH!!!

How freaking awesome would it be to have her play Effie Trinket?? I can’t think of anyone more suited for the part, with her trill voice and small stature. All she needs is the pink hair.

KC talks about HG at the end of the clip…for the complete Access Hollywood article, click here and for the video click here.

After our chat, we wondered WHAT we could possibly read next that could compare to the emotionally draining, epic finale that is Mockingjay.  Well … here’s what I am going to read next, and I cannot wait!  Cassandra Clare’s Clockwork Angel!  *ta da!*  It will be released on Tuesday, August 31, and in preparation I am doing a no-reading-books cleansing purge to give me some distance from MJ and get back into the Mortal Instruments world.

So tell us – what are you going to read next?
See you in the STACKS – Nancy

I am Number Four

While we wait to get our hands on this book, I started thinking, “Who is Pittacus Lore?” Like Lemony Snicket, I knew that had to be a pen name. So, I Googled. As you may know, Pittacus Lore is the nom de plume of Jobies Hughes and James Frey (okay, so James Frey is neither confirming or denying, but insider sources say it’s him). Yes, that James Frey. You know, the one that duped thousands (maybe millions) of readers and Oprah with his autobiographical book, A Million Little Pieces with key parts that were partially (totally) fabricated.

While I am not here to discuss A Million Little Pieces or James Frey for that matter, the bigger question is do we as readers want to read books by authors who have scorned their audience, lied to them or have reputations that are questionable? Do the private lives of authors matter?

The answer is no they shouldn’t matter. However, I know without a doubt that there are certain things that would stop me from reading an author’s books.  For example, if an author was a pedophile, abusive to children, etc.  But a fib about how long an author was in jail?  Or an author who is a raging alcoholic?  Does it really matter when you are reading their stories?  Does it really matter if you are moved by their words, and feel emotion reading their tale?  Or is what really matters what you take away from their story, what you have learned and taken to heart? 

For me the story is of value if I like it, whether or not the author is honest or likeable has little to no bearing for me. I may not like or approve of an author personally, but it’s their life. I read for the creativity within, the stories they tell. I would miss out if I let my opinions hinder me.

I’ll throw the question back out, does it matter to you?

See you in the STACKS,
Stacy – who would really like to thank my wonderful editor Nancy!!

See the countdown clock, I keep staring at it. Gah! Can’t it be August 24th already??

Until then, here is some Suzanne Collins/Mockingjay book news…

Book Trailer: Here is the offical book trailer for Mockingjay…I like the music, at least.

Kick off Party: Want to go to the official kick off party? It will be at Books of Wonder in NYC and Suzanne Collins will be there hand-stamping copies…

Mockingjay Book Tour: Here is the latest tour information I could gather…Examiner.

HG Movie News: Here is the latest movie news (of which I could find anyway), says that Billy Ray is polishing Suzanne Collins screenplay and a search for a director is underway…LA Times.

Suzanne Collins Video: This is a video I found over at Scholastic that I thought was interesting…

…and last (and really least) when I heard (should that be read?) on Twitter that Hot Topic had Hunger Games shirts, I knew I had to get one.

See you in the STACKS!
Stacy – who is proudly wearing her District 12 shirt, even though the guy in the store asked how she knew they had those shirts…what? I’m not your normal (as in age) customer who is just stopping in for my weekly browse and see the shirt and buy it?? LOL, the guy was nice.

Windview Estates Clubhouse
4103 Windermere
Colleyville, Texas 76034

There will be signs on Cheeksparger pointing the way. We can’t wait until next week!!
MAP

come ready to talk/discuss The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen…but mostly be ready for some fun!!

STACKGirls Stacy, Shannan, and Nancy

ps - for those coming to the “online” book club click here for more info.

There are so many novels that are being optioned for movies right now.  Even more impressively, before the book is even released to the public.  I don’t know if it has always been this way or I just hadn’t noticed it.   I know, I know…   There are a great amount of books, which have been optioned for film, and nothing was ever made of it.  I certainly hope that doesn’t happen to the authors of these books.  As authors go, they are pretty amazing and downright nice.  Yeah, that’s right.  I love when good things happen to kind people.  It makes my world go round.  That’s one reason I hope that Becca Fitzpatrick gets optioned for a movie deal for her Hush, Hush Series and Kimberly Derting would have a hit with The Body Finder, that’s for sure.  Thanks to movies like Twilight and Harry Potter, YA is gonna rock the flock!!  Well, YA and vampires.  Call me psyched!!

I list a couple of books below that must be downright awesome as they are already optioned for film AND one is already being filmed.  Let’s just say I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. TO. READ. THESE. BOOKS!!!  I agree with Lauren Oliver as she wrote on her blog that she would like us to read her book before watching the film.  Can I get an amen?

My friends and I went to the midnight showing of “New Moon” earlier this year. (Yes, we were dorks.  Yes, we sat in the second row from the front.   Yes, our necks ached and our ears hurt from the girls screaming.  – Okay, it was my friends’ ears that hurt from my constant screaming for Edward!)  What truly made us laugh and gawk on our way out of the theater is the group of young girls who sat behind us who, after Edward proposes and the credits roll, screamed that they couldn’t wait until the next movie to find out what happens.  REALLY????  You couldn’t pick up an awesome book, and get this, READ IT??  I don’t get it.  I seem to think that there are so many more YA readers now than when I was in junior high and high school.  We DO have an eclectic selection and publishing companies marketing to teens to read.  YAY for reading!!

Here’s just a few of the books lately that have been optioned for movies before the books were even released. 

YA books optioned for film:

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

She is drawing us into her new world by posting the first chapter here.  I can’t say thank you enough.  This is one book I am dying to read AND watch the movie.  I really can’t wait!  Oliver is someone special.

 
I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore  

 Let’s just say that this is a big deal.  A really big deal!  Harper Teen Publishing sure can pick ‘em.  The writing talent they are able to get is superb and apparently the marketing department needs a raise.  They are releasing some of our favorite books lately.  With all the hype, we hope that this one will be one of our top ten books at the end of the year.  One of the producers is none other than the legend, Steven Spielberg.  I like the information that Jesse at Movieset  put together.  Can you say, can’t wait to read this book?  Yeah, let’s say it together… 

Adult books optioned for film:

Blood Oath and Black Site by Christopher Farnsworth

We met Chris and filmed an interview with him at the beautiful Legacy books in Plano, Texas.  We liked Blood Oath so much that we did a review in three.  Therefore, there is no question why it got optioned for a movie.  Cade kicks butt!  I can’t wait to see this one either!  This will be a long and exciting series.

The Passage by Justin Cronin

Well, here is another book with bite.  Readers are beyond excited about it.  The press is favorable and everyone wants a piece of this brilliant book. 

Love, STACKGirl Shannan who is in awe of writers and loves movies!

Who is Bree Tanner and how does she fit into the Twilight Saga?

From the offical  press release… is the riveting story of Bree Tanner, a newborn vampire first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the world she inhabits. The novella chronicles the newborn vampire army’s journey as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

It gets even better, it is FREE!

From noon on June 7th until July 5th, it will be available online at www.breetanner.com, for free. It will also be released in a hardcover format for $13.99 on June 5, 2010 with $1 of each US first printing book purchased going towards the American Red Cross International Response Fund. How cool is that?

Want more information? Click here and you will be directed to Stephenie Meyer’s site for more information. 

We finally have a summary of Crescendo from beccafitzpatrick.com!!!  YAY!!!

From Becca Fitzpatrick’s site…
The sequel to the New York Times best-selling phenomenon, Hush, Hush! In stores everywhere November 16, 2010.

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can’t figure out if it’s for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father’s death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn’t answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

Love, STACKGirl Shannan – who is now even more excited about this book!

Since this is one of the most highly anticipated books of the year Scholastic has decided not to distribute any advance copies, to prevent spoilers. I know sad and great news all at the same time. We really wanted an ARC.

Just so everyone knows, this trilogy is one of STACKGirls favorites. I would go so far as to say our most favorites. We *heart* Katsa.

Also, did you know that the film rights to The Hunger Games has been optioned and Suzanne Colline is currently writing the screenplay? I mean could book life get any better??

Hmmm, who should play Katsa? My vote is for Emma Roberts!

Excited in the STACKS with you, Stacy and Shannan

I think I might cry.

You can find the first chapter here:

 http://www.charlaineharris.com/DITFChpt1.pdf

Happy reading…

Excited STACKGirl, Stacy