You can imagine the happiness created when I texted/emailed Joanna to say, "We're going." She's been such a great human being to my Connecticut world and our KY connection, the adopted kid connection (she was adopted), the needle sharp drive to work in particular settings where she is most needed, and her love of stories and overcoming have united us for several years.
That is why we deserved a Monday on Broadway at the Penguin Random House headquarters. I'm not sure if E. Lockhart has met uber-fans, but I know for a fact that Joanna must come close. The whole train ride in I received an earful of trivia, news, and rumors about the third book in the series, plus the new adapted version that premieres on Prime this Wednesday (trailer at the end).
On the ride home, Joanna kept the autographed books close to her hear and is promising me that after her half day tomorrow she's reading the book then binge-watching the entire series.
Truth is, I have all the books, but I haven't read them. I will say, however, that after E. Lockhart's talk in the Apple, and after seeing the trailer, I'm intrigued. Her brilliance, wit, and unusual way of seeing the world is right up my alley, so I now need to dig into older piles to bring the work up to newer piles for my summer reading.
Kudos to the Penguin Random House team: the writers, the editors, the directors of education and outreach, and all the behind the scenes individuals that make the book experiences possible.
Joanna's pure joy was worth every second of yesterday (and woot woot for the Fairfield University parking spaces available to faculty at the Fairfield train station. That was really convenient and easy).
The series might be one that my mom and I can get into over the next week.
