I was lucky enough to attend the Penguin Teen Australia Showcase on Tuesday night and it was a wonderful bookish night. We got to see the upcoming 2018 LoveOzYA and international releases and there are some that I absolutely cannot wait for.
LoveOzYA Releases
- Ironheart by Jodi McAlister (out now)
- Palace of Fires by Bill Bennett (out January 29)
- The Centre of my Everything by Allayne L. Webster (out January 29)
- Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (out January 29)
- Neverland by Margot McGovern (out April 2)
- Stone Girl by Eleni Hall (out April 30)
International Releases
- The Truth and Lies of Ella Black by Emily Barr (out now)
- The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert (out February 8)
- The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis (out February 12)
- Misfit by Charli Howard (out February 22)
- Fragments of the Lost by Megan Miranda (out April 5)
- Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli (out April 30)
- All These Beautiful Things by Elizabeth Klehfoth (out July 19)
Between talking about the upcoming releases, there were conversations with Margot McGovern and Shivaun Plozza, who both have books coming out this year. Amelia Lush was a wonderful host and the conversations were insightful and made me really excited to check out Tin Heart and Neverland.
There were also a few YA quiz questions and I won a prize for answering one of the questions correctly. The prize was a Book of Dust by Phillip Pullman tote bag, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, and a PTA Showcase pouch/pencil case. We also got goodie bags that included a Penguin Teen Superproof that had PURPLE SPRAYED PAGES! There were also a few bookmarks and pins.
But most exciting of all… we got an early screening of Love, Simon, which is an adaptation of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli.
I absolutely loved the movie! I thought it was a very accurate adaptation of the novel and it was funny at all the right moments. I enjoyed nearly all of the characters, especially the teachers at Creekwood High. I was a little disappointed with Abby and Nick but overall still loved the characterisation and the way the themes were explored. Everyone in attendance at the event seemed to love it, including those who haven’t read the book (my boyfriend actually teared up at one point in the film). It’s definitely a must-see movie and you should all check it out when it comes out on March 29th.
I had an absolutely wonderful night and I can’t wait for 2019’s PTA Showcase!
Jenna
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It sounds like a brilliant night Jenna and how amazing of Penguin to reward loyal fans with the advanced screening, so wonderful of them. I’m absolutely dying to read Neverland and just finished Tin Heart last week and absolutely adored it. That Shivaun is insanely talented. So glad you had a wonderful night Jenna and thanks for sharing <3
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I had a chance to screen the film too and quite enjoyed what they did with the principal and the drama teacher, as it added more levity to the whole story without taking away from it’s importance. Happy to hear you had a great time, Je/ann-nna
Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts recently posted…[Review] The Cruel Prince – Holly Black
I attended the Sydney showcase and it was such fun! Us bloggers and readers were totally spoiled this year and I’m still in shock that we were able to watch ‘Love, Simon’ SO early! Talk about an advanced advance screening. I loved it also and did a review as soon as I got home because it was just that good. It really did raise the bar for book adaptations. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the night!
Sunny @ A Sunny Spot recently posted…Film Review: ‘Love, Simon’ (Spoiler Free)
AHHHHHHH I’M SO JEALOUS EVERYONE’S WATCHING LOVE, SIMON EARLY <3 i'm so glad that it was fantastic!! I WANT TO SEE IT SO BAD.
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This is sooo fantastic. 😀 I can’t wait to see Love, Simon; IT’S GOING TO BE SO AMAZING. And yayy for the goodie bags – wish I could go to one of these events one day!
Aila J. recently posted…Recap: Penguin Teen Australia Showcase 2018
Ahhh I’m so jealous of this event everyone got to go to, Love Simon is definitely a must see! I’m really excited for Tin Heart (which I just received) and Neverland sounds amazing as well. Thanks for the recap Jenna!
AHH SO JEALOUS! Y’all got to get together AND get an early watch of Love, Simon. <3 Can't wait to feel all the feels once the movie officially releases!
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I was there & it was FANTASTIC. I loved hearing about all the upcoming books and from the authors. I absolutely loved Love, Simon. I haven’t read the book in so, so long, so when I watched it, I wasn’t really comparing it to anything. From what I remember, though, I thought it was a worthy adaptation. <3 (and…yes…I teared up at certain parts, too.)
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