Colin Firth in an apron

I can't believe the wait is almost up! Next Saturday, June 13, at 5 pm, is the release party for the actor and the housewife! The King's English, of course, is hosting here in Salt Lake City, Utah. There will be karaoke and pie. And books. What more could anyone desire? I'll speak at 5 and stay until all books are signed. I'm starting to get reports that the books are out there in some places, though the official release is next Tuesday. Here's a piece of dialog from early in the book my mom just read aloud to me (she's rereading the book now):

    “Hmm. So.” He paused. “My wife Celeste and I are taking a skiing holiday out your way, spending the third weekend in February in Park City. We thought we might…” he cleared his throat, “we might meet up with you. And your husband. For dinner.”
    Becky didn’t say anything for some time.
    “I think you’re still there,” he said. “I think you’re shocked.”
    “Sort of. Sort of still here. Sort of shocked.”
    “Dinner is always a shocking proposition.”
    “That’s the truth. Lunch, supper, after school snack--all respectable and appropriate sessions of nutritional intake--”
    “Whilst dinner is practically neanderthal.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.”

Yesterday in the mail someone sent me a copy of a new book of Jane Austen quotes, Remarkably Jane, edited by Jennifer Adams. I was expecting a book of her quotes, which is always fun, but this was quotes about her by other writers and notables. First let me say that the book is gorgeous. Small, compact, in black and green, with leafy prints on each page. The beauty got me to open it up and then I kept reading. It's sort of marvelous to see a couple centuries of thinkers try to reason out why we love Jane Austen and how she does what she does. I kept coming across quotes that I wanted to quote on the blog, finally deciding just to recommend it here so you can see it all. Most surprising and interesting to me was the section at the end filled with quotes from her critics. Yes, even Austen had haters. I found it so encouraging just now! Truly. And imagine my surprise to come across my own self quoted there. Don't I feel all scholarly and important? (I'm in my pajamas, my son snuggled up next to me, leaning on my typing arm, my little girl has just started to call to me from her crib, and today I'm in charge of a church activity for 220 kids, so fortunately I have a few things to keep me from letting it go to my head.)

 It's clearly designed as a gift book, but buy it and read it first before passing it along.

Also, I've had some inquiries about our rapunzel's revenge book trailer contest. We decided to postpone the deadline to coincide with the release of the sequel, calamity jack, in January '10. So there's plenty of time! More on that later, but I promise to make the box o' books prize mouthwatering.

Also, also, Catching Fire is just as captivating and un-put-downable as The Hunger Games.

Comments

[nkrell]

Doesn't anyone EVER come to Georgia for book signings or publicity tours? I would love to be at King's English to meet you in person, but alas, time and geography will not allow.

Oh, have you checked out the love for all things Shannon Hale over at Kristin Cashore's blog? You might want to take a peek.

[Tanja]

I can't wait to read your book. I love your writing.
All the haters our there drive me crazy. Don't listen to them Shannon

[Rebecca]

Oh my werd! Isn't Catching Fire just absolutely fantastic!?!?! I was one of the lucky few booksellers to get the ARC before BEA (I'm the only one in my store into Suzanne Collins, though I beg them all continually to please, please, please read it).
So glad I discovered your blog.

[Janssen]

I am dying to get my hands on Catching Fire.

And now I want a copy of that Jane Austen book too.

Not to mention, of course, The Actor and The Housewife.

[Jena]

I can't wait to read Catching Fire.

I also am excited to buy a Copy of Actor and read it again.

I look forward to seeing you next Saturday, I am running the Half Marathon early in the morning at Bear Lake, but we should be back in town by 5:00!!!

Good Luck with the Activity!

[SpeedReader]

Best of luck with the release! ACTOR is fantastic, hilarious, touching and very thought-provoking!! My friend & I talked about it for an hour after she read it and we could have kept going for several more if our kids hadn't been nagging us to death. Can't wait to read it for a second time!

See you next weekend!!!

[Charolette Noble]

I was a little skeptible about Repunzel's Revenge when I first heard about it, but I borrowed it from my sister and read it after it sat on my shelf for a few weeks. I loved it. You've done it again! Can't wait to read the Actor and the housewife!

[L.T. Elliot]

That Jane Austen book of quotes sounds awesome! Thanks for telling me!

[Chelsea]

I cannot waaaaaaaait for Catching Fire. I swear I'm going to die waiting for it.
Aw, I love Jane Austen.
And Colin Firth <3

[Kyle]

I put Hunger Games on hold several months ago. There's only two copies, so that would be why it's taking so long... so I put Enna Burning on hold so I could reread that one.

I hope I can come to the release party!

[Susanne]

Hilarious, Shannon!!! I can't WAIT to read The Actor and the Housewife! Thanks for sharing your wit and talent with the world--we need you.

[Frogster]

That Jane Austen quotes book sounds scrumptious! I'll have to look it up.

[Ruby Diamond]

You know I'll be there in spirit. I've been meaning to tell you, by the way, that I absolutely died laughing watching Lost in Austen, a recent BBC miniseries. I think you'd love it.

[Avery and the delicious Posie Nubbins]

Well, I still have to get my Rapunzel's Revenge entry onto youtube, which might actually take another 6 months, so thanks for postponing the deadline, although I don't know if I can compete with Marcus' entry.
Thanks for the post, Shannon!
(PS I'm waiting for the results of an essay contest involving Catching Fire and the illustrious Suzanne Collins. I'll post on LRRH if anything amazing comes up.)

[Libbi]

I can't wait to read Catching Fire! I just finished the Hunger Games last night. I got it out from my school library two days ago, and I had to finish it by today, since the library needs all books back by the sixth. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to finish in time. Yeah, right. :)
The Actor and the Housewife release sounds great! Man, I wish I lived in Utah. :)

[Chelsea]

So, I just wanted to leave a quick note. I was lucky enough to pick up an ARC of The Actor and the House wife from the Project Book Babe auction. I was waiting for a trip to Hawaii to read Laini Taylor's 'Lips Touch' and your book on the beach. It took everything in me to hold off reading it... but worth the wait!!! Who would have thought I could get so lost in a book I would forget that I was in Hawaii! Thanks, Shannon! You rock! :)

[Emma H.]

I'm sooo jealous. Pie and Catching Fire. How lucky can you get? Suzanne Collins is now one of my favorite authors.

By the way, does anyone know if the rumor that The Hunger Games will be made into a movie is true?

[Christen]

Ah, I'm so excited! I can't wait for Tuesday! :D I wish I could go to the release party though...

[Kym Stewart]

I guess up here in Canada, we're a little ahead of the game!! Just finished AatH, which was on the shelves last week at my local independant bookstore. What a ride!

I came upon your blog before your books (via Stephenie Meyer's blog recommendation), and what a joy it has been to be introduced to you and your writing. Both my hubby and I have enjoyed the BoB over the last few months, but AatH.... this one was ALL MINE. Saying I couldn't put it down is an understatement - for those that understand, I'm in my first trimester of my second pregnancy with a very active toddler at home... the exhaustion is overwhelming. But I felt so light and buoyant after laughing with (and at) Shannon's characters, I forgot about the nausea (ok, well almost!) and found myself reading well into the wee hours. The seesaw of emotions throughout AatH was incredible, but I can honestly say that even in the roughest bits, I laughed like crazy...

All the best next week - this book should be HUGE for you!

[Avery and the delicious Posie Nubbins]

Sorry to get off subject (great entry, by the way), but I posted my Rapunzel's Revenge contest entry on youtube. just search

jerevedeslivres

and you can find it. Sorry about the title, it's supposed to correct in a day or two.

[Leanna]

I'm really excited to see you again at the signing on Saturday! My mom and I can't wait.

I can't wait for Forest Born. I just about cry everyday when I check the mailbox and it isn't there.

[Katie-wa]

OHMYGOSHGIMMEGIMMEGIMME

ME WANT CATCHING FIREEEEEEEEEEEEE....

RAWR.

That is SO not fair. *hefts a sigh* I can't wait till I'm a big, famous author and I'm showered with ARCs and free books! LOL Now to writing...

[Laura Z M]

Colin Firth is serving the pie?

I am so there.

[Liz Lemon]

And the activity went great! I'm so excited to read your new books! It's kind of weird to have read all your books after being introduced and before moving into your neighborhood; I've been too chicken to tell how how much I adore them. Thanks for sharing your happy, uplifting, funny stories with the world. When I read your books I don't turn back around to my own life and feel gloomy; I feel great! I feel like I can do it. It's always nice to take a little break and step into someone else's shoes for a few minutes (or hours...) Thanks.

[Jenni Elyse]

Shannon, will you sign other books at the Kings English event as well? I had you sign The Goose Girl at the Provo library a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't a copy of Enna Burning or River Secrets yet. I have them now and would love you to sign them. I understand if you don't have time or if it's not part of the agenda. I just thought I'd ask! I loved The Good Girl, by the way, and I'm enjoying Enna Burning immensely. I so look forward to The Actor and The Housewife.

[Holly Harvey]

I might just have to drive up to SLC on Saturday!

I'm SOoooo jealous you got an early copy of Catching Fire!

[Tamir]

Shannon, will you be signing other of your books that night as well? I'm excited to go!

[Danylle]

Colin in an Apron??? I'm there. I'll add that picture to my Austenland pose.
See you on Saturday. I'm anticipating another great rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart. What's the dress code for this signing? Should I bring jello salad to share? or maybe a casserole?

[Stephanie]

As you know, rain is coming down here in biblical proportions (hope you aren't flooding down there). I braved the roads/rivers, and my life to take my son to B&N to get a coin collecting portfolio. Yes, they actually sell them there.

As we were leaving I saw a whole display of A&H books that I conveniently walked right by on the way in.

Direct quote:"No way!", people starting to stare because I am talking to myself, "This isn't supposed to be out yet!" More people staring.

I snatched one up and took it to the check out counter, feeling like I had gotten bootleg copy of the New Moon movie. Almost. He he!

The house cleaning will have to wait. It is a perfect day to curl up with a good book.

[Alisha Geary]

Dear Shannon--yes first name because it is impossible to think of you as Ms. Hale, Mrs. Hale, Sister Hale, or my favorite author who makes me gush (titles that are all true.) Just read Actor--couldn't read it in public because I guffawed out loud so many times, cried my eyes out and just feel that there is something right in this world. Bless Barnes and Noble for early release and illness that gave me the excuse to drop everything and read. It was delightful. Just loved it. Gush Gush Gush. There, that should make you feel great. I love that Becky loves Mike soooo much. That was the best part. Well among the other best parts that were pretty much on every page. Huzzah to you my friend though we only met once at a book signing Provo, but you just become our friend so we love you. Keep up the good work.

Alisha

[LaurenDaisy]

I too don't mean to offend you, but Princess Academy, the first book I read by shannon when I was in the beginning of fifth grade, was so slow it gave me a headache reading it. When I read more of it, I began to keep reading it. At one point I read about 40 pages in one full hour. That was the most intense, detailed part of the story. I knew if I stopped short, I waould be left thinking, do the bandits die? Do the girls die? That's how I found out about this site and got hooked to the books of bayern.

[Online Bootleg Movie Downloads]

Good blog.Thanks for posting.