PowellsBooks.Blog

Very early this past Tuesday morning, throngs of young readers filled more than two and a half city blocks in downtown Portland to be the first to get their copies of Suzanne Collins's Mockingjay, the third and final book in her acclaimed, bestselling Hunger Games trilogy.

As the New York Times noted:

It is not "Harry Potter" or "Twilight," but there are echoes of those phenomena in the reception of "Mockingjay," the final volume of Suzanne Collins's "Hunger Games" books, a trilogy of dystopian young-adult novels.

[...] At Powell's Books in Portland, Ore., managers have ordered 3,600 copies of "Mockingjay," a supply they hope will last about three weeks. Gerry Donaghy, the new-book purchasing supervisor at Powell's, said he expected the book would be right behind the Stieg Larsson "Millennium" series in sales for the year.

Check out our photos from the midnight release party below — and click here to see even more!

In addition, local children's author Lisa Schroeder has her own pics from the party, where she dressed up as Katniss!

At various points in the evening, the line stretched all the way around Powell's flagship Burnside store — an entire city block!

The Powell's staff were ready and in costume.

Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes — each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my hands. Words were like sweet, liquid gifts, and I drank them like lemonade. I could almost taste them.

So speaks eleven-year-old Melody, whose very name sounds like a song. Melody's fiercely independent spirit, forever frustrated by her totally dependent body, uses words like weapons to fight her daily battles.

In my newest novel, Out of My Mind, I have created a character who speaks for all of us, even though she cannot say a word. Melody has cerebral palsy, but she dares anyone to feel sorry for her. She understands her limitations, yet strives each day to reach beyond those limits. She can't walk, can't talk, can't even go to the bathroom by herself. Yet she has a brilliant mind, a photographic memory, and dreams and desires of any child her age.

Throughout the novel, I tried to show the power of language, and the deep, rhythmic heartbeat of words in our lives. Everybody uses words to express themselves. Except me. And I bet most people don't realize the real power of words. But I do. Thoughts need words. Words need a voice. I love the smell of my mother's hair and the feel of the scratchy stubble on my father's face. But I've never been able to tell them.

You don't have to be a cat enthusiast to enjoy Sugar Would Not Eat It, a delightful book about a boy, his new kitten, and a slice of chocolate cake. A humorous and charming read. Recommended for children four and up, and for cat lovers everywhere.

Here is another tribute to a beloved childhood toy inspired by Dirty Wow Wow and Other Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare Companions of Childhood.

÷ ÷ ÷

Spot

This is actually the second Spot.

The first Spot was handmade in my older sister's Home Ec class in 1978. He actually had spots and a vest with his name on it. Unfortunately, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The same sister handmade another Spot for me out of various fabrics in our mom's sewing basket. Of course, I had to name him Spot, also.

After over 25 years of comfort and cuddles, I've handed Spot down to my three-year-old son. He finds his missing eye and unraveled stitches somewhat unnerving, and plays with him in a bit of a rough toddler-boy manner, but at night he holds him close and says, "Oh, Spot. You are so funny and cute."

— K. T.

[Editor's Note: Our kids' team guest columnist is Frances, who emceed Powell's Bella's Ball event. Click here to see pictures from Bella's Ball!]

On Friday, August 1st, I had the pleasure of being the emcee to Bella's Ball, an event hosted by Powell's to celebrate the release of Stephenie Meyer's fourth book in her Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn. It was a fun night for me and the rest of the staff, as well as the participants. We had games such as 'Pin the Tail on the Werewolf,' quiz questions, and a costume contest with some really creative outfits! My favorite part of the evening was seeing how much people were enjoying themselves dancing and meeting fellow book lovers. It was an honor to be a part of such a successful evening.

I will say, on a personal note, that though Bella's Ball was wonderful, the book Breaking Dawn has been a disappointment. In fact, this was the first time in my life I've ever stopped a book 150 pages before the end ...

Back from a brief hiatus, I bring you more tributes inspired by Dirty Wow Wow and Other Love Stories: A Tribute to the Threadbare Companions of Childhood. Let's start with the ferret called "Freddy."

÷ ÷ ÷

Freddy

Saki, my little companion cat, has several toys, few of which he favors, or even plays with. A gray mouse (pictured here), as well as a white mouse, are two that he likes to play with. But the one he loves the most is a striped ferret I'll call Freddy. When he gets a hold of it he seems to turn into a kitten again, a 17-pound kitten at that.

His two kitty friends, Moni & Loki, don't seem to have any such feelings towards their numerous toys. Saki, though, will dig Freddy the ferret from the bottom of the toy box to get to it. He purrs, sometimes with all four of his paws kneading, eyes squinting, when he has it in his mouth, and he will often generously offer me his ferret to show me just how much he loves me.
— K. R. W.

Continue »