Angieville

Since I thought I'd start with the two most egregious reviewing gaps, you get Wayward Son next. I hope this is agreeable to all and sundry. And let's just agree not to pull any punches, shall we? I'll start by admitting that this book wrecked my life. To be clear, I am not complaining. It's just that it had been a long time, yeah? A long time since  Carry On came out. Just such a very long time since I'd been in the company of these two. And their crew. And I thought I was ready. Don't I always? Must remember to learn from past mistakes. But more than that, I wasn't thinking about the fact that of course Rainbow Rowell would create nothing less than the sequel that would naturally follow the events at the end of Carry On. Which is to say a sequel that would hurt . Because everything about what happened to Simon Snow from the beginning of his life to his graduation from Watford was designed to damage. With the shining exceptions of Penny and Baz. And so th...

I don't know about you, but I needed something excellent to lift my spirits. A huge thanks to St. Martin's and Buzzfeed for giving us the upcoming paperback cover of Rainbow Rowell's Carry On . The cover art is by none other than the incredible Kevin Wada . I mean, I purchased two copies of Leigh Bardugo's Crooked Kingdom  just so I could get the one with his gorgeous illustrations inside the jacket. He captured Kaz and the gang so perfectly, I had to have them. And I think he's captured Simon and Baz so well here. Due out May 9th, it will make the perfect lender copy. I'm thinking it's time for a reread . . . "You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can't carry on at all."

And here it is! The cover for Rainbow Rowell 's upcoming Simon Snow novel Carry On . I've spent a not inconsiderable amount of time wondering just what direction they would take this cover and I find myself both surprised and satisfied. In some ways it reminds of me the hardback Attachments cover. Rowell mentions that she wanted a cover that "made me feel a little nervous." Done and done, St. Martin's. I'm anxious, excited, nervous, pretty much all the emotions. Carry On is due out October 6th. Who else will be there the moment their bookstore opens (or conversely, have you already pre-ordered)?

So you heard, right? You heard Rainbow Rowell is actually writing a Simon Snow book?! Guys, it's like I woke up and Christmas came early. It's like I'm the Grinch and my heart just grew three sizes this day. She announced it via Twitter last night. And it is Simon & Baz's story. And it is due out next October. And it is her first fantasy. And there was this (along with a summary) on her tumblr : Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters. Take my money, Ms. Rowell.