Where and when will you purchase your copy of Mockingjay, the final novel in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy? Those of us living in the New York City metropolitan area, incredibly, will not only be able to buy the book at midnight but will be able to meet the author herself at the party.
Books of Wonder, at the marvelously mirroring address of 18 West 18th Street, NY, NY, will be the “site of the official launch event,” according to their web site, and Ms. Collins will appear at midnight to stamp copies of the book purchased at the store. Even better, she will read a chapter from the book in the hour before the books go on sale (details after the jump). I hope this store has an auditorium that will seat the crowd that will be coming; I know my house of Hunger Games readers will all want to be there!
The Books of Wonder announcement:
Books of Wonder is incredibly, extremely, ecstatically thrilled to announce that we will be the site of the official launch event for, Mockingjay, the final installment of SUZANNE COLLINS’ The Hunger Games trilogy. So on Monday night, August 23, 2010, Books of Wonder will be celebrating the release of Mockingjay with a party the likes of which have rarely been seen. Starting at 8:00pm the Hunger Games themed celebration will kick off with activities and entertainment varying from face painting, magic and tattoos to jugglers, street performers and tarot card readers.
All of these festivities will pale in comparison to what comes next – because as the official launch location of Mockingjay, SUZANNE COLLINS will be at Books of Wonder to officially release the book! Just before midnight, Suzanne will read the opening of Mockingjay and when the clock strikes midnight, books will be given out and SUZANNE COLLINS will personally hand stamp each book with a special stamp designed exclusively for her 2010 Mockingjay tour events (due to a hand injury, Ms. Collins will be unable to actually sign any books). As Ms. Collins has to leave promptly at 1:30am, books will be given out and stamped in the order in which customers check-in at our front counter on Monday night.
Where do you plan on getting your copy of Mockingjay? Midnight event? Amazon overnight delivery? Will you be coming to Books of Wonder? I hope to see you there!
Tarot cards???
Alas, I chose free standard shipping so will not get mine immediately. I’m sure HogPro will be buzzing and I’ll have to delay chipping in. Way to go for those able to attend this launch.
Lucky New Yorkers! Our local B&N is doing a midnight release party, but having a 16 month old makes attending a little tough. 🙂 Our library is doing a party the Saturday before it comes out, complete with a cornucopia pinata and Peeta’s cupcake decorating station. My husband hopes for President Snow cones. Unfortunately we’re 53rd in line for the book so I’ll have to hear about the fun at Books of Wonder a while after the fact.
And, unrelated, but did anyone see Suzanne Collins’ new interview with School Library Journal?
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/885800-312/the_last_battle_with_mockingjay.html.csp
There goes my theory that the districts were numbered by increasing rebelliousness….
Wonderful interview with SC. Thanks for the tip, Kathy.
And by the way…your husband might wish to order his President Snow cone in the “tiger BLOOD” flavor! A proven favorite of our younger customers over the years 🙂
Will there be goat cheese?
I haven’t heard yet of any parties in Spokane.
NYC, here I come!
I wonder if the trains still run @ 2am, or if I should bite the bullet and drive into the “wretched hive of scum and villainy” (as my SW fan hubby not-so-fondly calls NYC).
Anyone else planning to be there?
~STS~
p.s. Collins’ pointed remarks about Katniss’ character paralleling Spartacus were . . . a bit disturbing. Might we see the death of our beloved protagonist in MJ?
Excellent interview. I like how she expanded Katniss as Mockingjay.
But did you notice how she and the interviewer mentioned that nobody else was making these connections with Katniss and the Mockingjay as slaps at the Capitol (that would be those connections we’ve made for months here)? So anybody going to NYC, please carry a big Hogwartsprofessor.com sign!
I’m trying to figure out the Tarot card angle, too. Maybe a certain Divination teacher is looking for work!
Great idea, Elizabeth. And how about some photocopies of HogPro HG threads (or summation of analysis and theories) as a gift to Collins?
I will certainly come to Book of Wonder, but I may have to pass up my chance to have my copy “hand-stamped.” I just have to start reading it!
I, too, am worried about Katniss’ safety after the Spartacus comment.
The festivities for the book release are a bit confusing. Tarrot card readings, jugglers, face painting, and magicians? Are we living in the Capitol? It would be cool to celebrate the book with some training stations, like knot tying, plant identification, snares and traps, and (maybe not knife throwing) darts. I recently participated in an archery class. It was so much fun after reading the books.
Angela, those are great ideas. I was scratching my head at the activities because they have nothing to do with the books; like the Capitol, yes.
Does anyone know a good way of finding out if there is a launch party in your area? I’m in central Virginia and I’d happily drive several hours to get to one? Any in DC, Baltimore or Richmond?
My daughter turns 14 on August 23rd… and just asked today if I’d make her a Hunger Games themed cake for her birthday. Fortunately, a friend of mine had gotten me a Catching Fire lapel pin to give to her… I’m thinking about making an arrow shaped one with the pin in the center.
Or you could do a clock arena cake. Sounds fun.
Hmmm…. I can’t seem to find anything closer than the Midnight launch at Joseph-Beth booksellers in Pittsburg, 5.5 hours away. Am I crazy enough to attempt?
The 13 City Tour Ms. Collins will be making August-September-and-October can be found here, which isn’t much help — but —
How about this Midnight Party in Haverford, Pennsylvania? I’m thinking that’s the Cornucopia where my group of Lehigh Valley Tributes will be gathering next Monday night; NYC is just too expensive and too far away for this old man to travel…
Hmmm… if I come I’ll be bringing at least two 14 year olds in tow. We’ve already ordered the book from Amazon, so we’d be attending for games, costumes, etc. Is there anything going on in Haverford other than selling the book and the raffle to meet Collins (which would be of limited use to me.
Not that I wouldn’t love to spend a night chatting with John, if the Pittsburg event is more activity oriented, the distance is close enough (5.5 versus 5 hours) to be worth going there instead.
Cake is assembled and shortly to be consumed!
http://docthelmaskitchen.blogspot.com/2010/08/hunger-games-cake.html