The glorious season of summer is nearly upon us. While most people are thinking about beaches, popsicles, picnics, and sweet, sweet sunshine, other people such as me—and probably you, if you’re reading this—have books on the brain (although I do enjoy a good popsicle!). On Friday, May 3, at the Penguin Canada office, Razorbill hosted a Fall Preview Event for YA fans and book bloggers. I’m not sure if it was because of the gorgeous weather or the fact that it was Friday, but everyone who walked through the door wore an easy smile and had an infectious sense of excitement. Even the tables were cheerful, decorated with sunny yellow gerbera daisies.
Around thirty bloggers chatted and snacked on gourmet grilled cheese (I ate myself into a stupor) before getting a sneak peak at what’s to come from Razorbill this fall. The publishing industry—like the fashion industry—is always working a season ahead, so they were understandably eager to show us what they’d been up to! These are a few of the titles that I’m looking forward to:
Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl, by Emily Pohl-Weary, is being called the “anti-Twilight,” with a kick-ass heroine who plays in an indie rock band before becoming … well, you know. Sounds like a good time!
Said to be irreverent, hilarious, and moving—with a protagonist reminiscent of Holden Caulfield—Somebody Up There Hates You by Hollis Seaman promises a grittier version of sick-lit.
For those fantasy fans out there, Rebel Spring, the sequel to Morgan Rhodes’ bestselling novel Falling Kingdoms, is apparently even better than its predecessor! In any case, it has Razorbill’s own Amy “fan-girling all over it,” which is usually a good sign.
Speaking of sequels, the highlight of the event was the epic cover reveal for A Fool’s Errand—book two in the Gypsy King trilogy! If you’ve read my previous review of The Gypsy King, you will know how much I loved this book. So I was especially giddy when author Maureen Fergus came out to chat about the series and sign everyone’s (surprise) advance copies! The author talked about her inspiration for the books and how the characters suddenly “appeared” to her, fully intact. We were all intrigued when she told us that Azriel, the novel’s swoon-worthy love interest, was patterned after her own husband! Maureen also revealed that—yay!—she’s currently working on book 3.
As the evening drew to a close, everyone said their goodbyes and grabbed their goody bags (these should still be mandatory at every party, IMO). I wolfed down another grilled cheese and thought about how much I’m looking forward to the next event. In the meantime … happy reading!
Katy is one of those pals that a girl can instantly catch up with after being apart for a long time. She is a devoted friend, one you can gossip with about the newest book release, debate the impending zombie apocalypse, or nonchalantly ask about her alien boyfriend next door—if he has any friends or, better yet, a brother. But joking aside, Katy connects a hundred percent to almost anyone because of her devotion to her friends or even to a cause she has nothing to do with. She has a shy and nerdy streak in her as well, which is what makes her a versatile friend for girls and guys.
