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Authors Expanding Their Readership!

Some of our favorite big name authors are changing direction and in a good way. They will be expanding their readership by writing novels for teen readers. Now, everyone has the opportunity to discover these great authors.

British author Philippa Gregory, known for The Other Boleyn Girl, just announced that she will be writing four new young-adult historical romance novels. I couldn’t be more thrilled about this as I enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl.

Harlan Coben, who just released his latest YA novel, Shelter, will be focusing on a high school student character, Mickey Bolitar, who first appeared in Coben’s adult novel, Live Wire. This should be an interesting transition, since anyone who listened to Live Wire, may also be interested in finding out more about Mickey in this new novel.

John Grisham, Candace Bushnell and James Patterson have also joined in on readership expansion by writing YA best sellers. Grisham’s two Theodore Boone novels are both about a young lawyer who looks to be about 12 years old. Bushnell, known for writing Sex and the City, has published two books in her young-adult series, The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City which are narrated by a younger Carrie. Patterson has also written Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life which was released this past summer.

It seems that no matter what age or genre an author is writing for these days, it is becoming less divided, as more readers seem to pick up a story because they like the story itself, not because they are the intended audience. A perfect example for this would be Twilight! There are many people in their 30s and onwards who enjoy this vampire fiction series. It is not restricted to just teens anymore.

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The Night Circus Attempts to Recreate the Magic of Harry Potter

For those who are left with a void after the release of the final Harry Potter movie this past summer, there’s a new audio book said to fill that void. The new novel The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, has been getting so much hype, I can’t help but stop to wonder why. The author has never published so much as a short story before. However, with her first big release there’s got to be something people are excited about.

The novel tells the story of two young, love-struck magicians who compete in a magical circus. The circus isn’t your typical circus either; it opens at night and closes at dawn. At first it kind of reminded me of the audio book Water for Elephants, the circus being the backdrop to forbidden love. But after reading more about it, it does have more of a whimsical feel to it. Apparently, Summit Entertainment, the production company behind the “Twilight” films has already snapped up film rights.

And let’s not forget the big publication parties that resemble big-budget film premieres. Some bookstores are bringing in magicians, jugglers, cider, candied apples and other carnival fare to help re-create the atmosphere of the book. Hmm…funny, I don’t remember vampires roaming around the final release of Breaking Dawn nor any apples!

Although there were thousands of people lined up for the final Harry Potter book in 2007, do you think The Night Circus will have the same effect? Would you line up for hours in the middle of the night to get this book?

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What Do Teen Choice Awards & Books Have In Common?

Books win!

How many of you caught the Teen Choice Awards last night? Now I may not be a teen, but I’m still interested on how certain movies and television shows do, particularly when they are based on novels.

So I’m here to give you the run down and save you from watching reruns of Selena Gomez accepting 5 awards. What is that all about? Oh ya, Teen Choice Awards. Did I mention they gave her an award for “choice female hottie”? Well they did!

Anyways, to more important matters, Harry Potter and Twilight. Before I get into the details, I wanted to inform you all that The Teen Choice Awards created a “choice vampire” category. Now, everyone can get recognized and given what they deserve. Oh goodie! What next, best Zombie? Anyways, that being said, Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse won! I have one problem with this, he apparently beat out not only Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Paul Wesley from The Vampire Diaries, but Alexander Skarsgård’s Eric Northman from True Blood! How does that work? Oh wait, target demographics for the Teen Choice Awards verses True Blood. Clearly different audiences.

Now, there was rumored to be a big showdown between Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Parts 1 and 2 and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but everyone seemed to be getting awards. Taylor Lautner won for best sci-fi actor, Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene won the scene-stealers prize. Pattinson won, as mentioned above for best vampire but also for best movie actor for Water For Elephants.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1 claimed best sci-fi movie, but part 2 got the best of them all, Choice Summer Movie. Tom Felton won for best villain, and Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson won choice summer male and female stars and even the best “movie liplock” award!

I think it’s fair to say most fans were happy to see the split of awards. It’s nice to see films like Water for Elephants (a great audio book might I add) represented at the Teen Choice Awards too.

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It’s All About The Werewolves For Andrea Cremer

The popularity of vampires can be seen everywhere you look. The attraction is clearly one audience’s can’t get enough of. But what about werewolves? And no I’m not talking about the illustrious Jacob from Twilight. Rather I’m talking about werewolves in general. I have always found that they play roles in the shadows of the vampires. That being said, they may not have big roles, but they are around, you just have to sniff them out.

But why sniff them out, when I can tell you where to find them! Andrea Cremer’s popular adult werewolf trilogy has the perfect combination of everything werewolf related. Although Wolfsbane (the second novel in the series) was just released last week, one chapter from the third novel entitled Bloodrose, has also already been distributed online. And yes I’ve read it!

So, if you take a liking to werewolves, you should probably start listening to the first audio book in the series, Nightshade. As a romantic adventure that features teen wolves, dangerous battles, and forbidden love, you’ll get everything you want and more in this exciting series.

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Betty White Narrates Her Own Audio Book!

We’ve all seen this woman in action, as an actress, comedian, former game show host and now an author. Although best known as the devious Sue Ann Nivens on the classic sitcom Mary Tyler Moore, I adored her character as the ditzy and naive Rose Nylund the most on The Golden Girls.

But now, we have the opportunity to really get to know the reputable Betty White in her new memoir If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t) which hit shelves this past Tuesday.

We obviously can’t get enough of this woman, appearing in commercials, SNL and having fans swooning over her, like Robert Pattinson, the star from Twilight. His quote “Betty White is one of the sexiest women in America”, even appears on the back cover of her new book.

So what is it about Betty White? Well the 89-year-old shows no signs of slowing down! The seven-time Emmy award-winning actress, shares several stories about her seven-decade career and simply states, “I’m the luckiest old broad on two feet”.

The best part of her new memoir is that the audio book is actually narrated by the It-girl herself, Betty White, delivering a hilarious, slyly profound take on love, life, celebrity and everything in between. Her wit and wisdom takes center stage again, on topics we can all relate too.

So why not indulge a little and check out her audio book. Or better yet, what mom wouldn’t love Betty White’s memoir for mother’s day? It’s the perfect time to buy it for that special mother in your life and share the laughs together!

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Do you know what the top ten most challenged books of 2010 are?

The American Library Association tallied up the number of challenges made at libraries across the country in 2010 and now has released the top ten most challenged books. They define a challenge as an effort “to remove or restrict materials from school curriculum and library bookshelves.”

Here is the full list of 2010’s most frequently challenged books:

1. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Reasons: homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Reasons: offensive language, racism, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence

3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Reasons: insensitivity, offensive language, racism, and sexually explicit

4. Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Reasons: drugs, offensive language, and sexually explicit

5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Reasons: sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and violence

6. Lush by Natasha Friend
Reasons: drugs, offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group

7. What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
Reasons: sexism, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group

8. Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Reasons: drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint

9. Revolutionary Voices edited by Amy Sonnie
Reasons: homosexuality and sexually explicit

10. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Reasons: religious viewpoint and violence

There were a total of 348 challenges in 2010.

Having read some of these books, it sent chills up my back knowing that these books are actual novels people are discouraged to read. How do you feel about the list? I find it hard to understand why these books would be removed from libraries in the first place, especially when a parent can prevent their children from reading them anyways.

A lot of these novels do deal with mature themes throughout, however, I strongly disagree that because of certain issues they are taken off bookshelves. I believe everyone equally has the right to access these books. However, by demanding they be banned from a library prevents someone who is mature enough to understand the content, from reading great novels – which is very unfortunate. Who has the right to decide what everyone else’s children should or shouldn’t be reading anyways? What do you think about the list?

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The wait will soon be over for all you Twilight fans.

The countdown will soon be over for all Twilight fans. The Twilight Saga Official Illustrated Guide by Stephenie Meyer comes out tomorrow. It has been confirmed that it will be available not only in hardcover but as well as an ebook.

The must-have hardcover edition – the only official guide- will feature maps, character profiles & histories, genealogical charts, outtakes, and illustrations from various artists including some sweet drawings from the official Twilight graphic novel and even Bella’s wedding dress just to name a few. The guide will also include conversations from Stephenie Meyer herself, so you can probably read some new quotes from the author. So if you think you already know everything there is to know about Twilight, this book will allow you to further explore the unforgettable world that Stephenie has created in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.

Don’t miss this essential book for any Twilight Saga fan. With nearly 100 gorgeous illustrations and photographs you need to add it to your book collection.

Soon the wait will be over. Just one more sleep.

Below is a sneak peak of Bella’s wedding dress:

Ever wonder who was behind the creation of the popular Twilight Saga? I’m sure you all know her name, but how many of you really know Stephenie Meyer’s? Well, now could be your chance. Due to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide on April 12, 2011, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is hosting a special fan event, where you could interview the author for yourself. One fan from each country including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Germany, to select a few, will win a chance to “talk extensively with Meyer, who will answer Twilight-related questions.”

Details regarding the location and timing of the event are currently confidential but that shouldn’t stop you from entering this once in a lifetime sweepstake!

To enter for your chance to win, visit thetwilightsaga.com

And, if you still haven’t had a chance to check out what all the hype was about regarding Twilight and the vampire rage of 2010, I recommend you do. It’s one captivating saga that I promise you won’t want to stop the play button for. Not for anything, not even grabbing a bite to eat. The story itself has enough bite to keep you going.

What’s that you say? You’ve already read it twice? Then rediscover the Twilight Saga on an audio book! A completely different experience you shouldn’t miss.

Happy Birthday Robert Pattinson!
…I thought Edward Cullen never aged?

Sadly, the actor behind the flawless beauty of Edward Cullen does in fact age. But Simply Audiobooks would like to extend a Happy Birthday to Robert Pattinson – who today, on May 13th 2010 – has turned 24!

The world is sitting in painful anticipation as we await the theatrical release of Eclipse, coming to theaters June 30, 2010 based on the book Eclipse from the Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyer.

To view the Eclipse trailer on YouTube, click here.

Celebrate Robert Pattinson’s birthday with a perfect gift for someone else! Visit our Gift Center, or if you haven’t read the story yourself yet, get listening and rent the audiobook – or others alike from the series – today.

For He’s a Jolly-Good Fellow!

A little something of interest for all our Twilight fans (courtesy of Perezhilton.com).

Oprah is gearing up for the release of Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight saga, which is set to hit theaters June 30 – and she’s looking for some die-hard Twilight fans to be on her show!

From Oprah.com:

Are you or your kids obsessed with the Twilight series? Have you or your kids read all the books, seen both movies and now you are counting down the days until the release of Eclipse? Have you already made plans for the release of the newest movie in June? Who’s your family’s favorite Twilight star…and why?

Tell us how the Twilight series has inspired you or your family! Please only write if you are willing to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Visit Oprah.com for full details and to submit your entry.

Rent the entire Twilight saga on CD from Simply Audiobooks.