TSS: Still Recovering from a Wonderfully Bookish Week!

When my friend of over a decade texted me a few weeks ago, asking if I wanted to go to the premiere of The Hunger Games with her & her daughter and husband, I quickly responded YES! I absolutely loved the books (well, some of them) and loved that her daughter was so enamored with the series so I thought it would be a great experience. It was!  I’ve promised not to post any spoilers, but I have to say it is one of the best book to movie productions I have ever seen. I won’t say the best because the Lord of the Rings movies were pretty phenomenal.

I’m still recovering from the experience of the midnight movie premiere. Not solely because I got a minimal amount of sleep (two hours!) before heading to work the following day, but also because it has reinvigorated my love, almost obsession with the book series. While tempted, I haven’t grabbed my copy of the book, desperate to reread it again. Mainly because I want to keep this feeling of absolute adoration of the movie in my mind. I feel if I read the book, I will find inconsistencies (more than the obvious ones) as well as huge plot points that were left out. Therefore, I will wait a while, perhaps wait until my twelve-year-old is old enough to read the book, and only then pick up the book and start the trilogy over again.

Another pretty phenomenal thing about Thursday was a second visit by author Brad Parks to my local indie, One More Page. I intended to post lots of photos (and movie clips of his singing) like I did when he visited last time,  but guess what? I completely forgot! I sat in the front row and was completely taken by his retelling of his history as a writer, his reading from his newest book, The Girl Next Door,  and yes, his singing.

The great thing about Brad is you never know when he’s going to bust out into song. He’ll be sharing a story and the next thing you know it, he’s belting out a show tune. How I wished I was looking into the eyes of those that hadn’t heard him sing before, for I remember that very feeling myself. It’s truly breathtaking, sending chills down your spine.

Brad is, at his very core, a writer.  It’s all he’s ever done and it’s obvious that it his passion.  His talent as a writer is shown in his retelling of his own life. Listening to him speak is like listening to him tell a story; the inflection he uses, the tone of his voice, instantly immerses you into the story.

Attending a Brad Parks event is always quite an experience! If you have the chance to attend one, please do. I guarantee it will be an experience like none other!

I do happen to have a signed copy of Brad’s most recent book, The Girl Next Door, to give away. To enter, please fill out the form below. I will announce the winner next Sunday, April 1st.  Open worldwide!