I read in a Yahoo headline there was going to be a party and a midnight release for Breaking Dawn, the last book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. In my head I made a connection between midnight movie premieres and midnight book release parties (I think they were started with the Harry Potter series but I could be wrong) and how different media industries can use the same ideas.  I couldn’t think of anything else beyond the connection so I didn’t write about it.
My husband and I stopped by Barnes and Noble this evening around 9:30pm. I had completely forgotten about the release of the book. There was a table staffed by two women near the front door with a line of pre-teens, teens and moms that went around the corner. The women were confirming pre-order status, giving out stickers, and providing everyone with trivia questions. The release party was held in the children’s section.
This was no run of the mill party. I’ve never seen more than five children in the children’s section and it was packed. Wall to wall people. Teens taking pictures with cell phones. I overheard one of the moms say, “I read Twilight and liked it. But I’m not going to wear one of the t-shirts.”
When I saw the staff at the table I first thought they were doing a joint book signing. They were dressed for a nice dinner or an evening at the theater and really chatting up the girls. It seemed unusual to have an author signing so late and so close to the entrance. Many of the girls were also in their fancy dresses. One even made her brother dress up in a suit with a boutonniere. He could not have been more than nine or ten years old. The party also had a costume contest.
I think numbers were given out to determine the order for the book pick-up line. The trivia contest was to have all entries by 9:45pm but they extended it to 10pm. Because I was eavesdropping I didn’t get to hear the details regarding the contest. The winner either got a free book or first place in line; quite possibly both. Participants were asked what they thought would happen in this book and some of the predictions were shared over the speaker system. So… you read one of the best predictions here first. Bella and Edward get married and buy a puppy.
It’s nice to see so many pre-teens/teens reading books, isn’t it? And to celebrate it, too, is even better. I’ll bet there was a happy buzz in Barnes & Noble that night!
Definitely a happy buzz. I was the kid in school that ordered tons of books from the scholastic reader list. It wasn’t until I was about 13 that I met other kids that were readers too.
While I envy Ms. Meyer her success, I was not a fan of Twilight when I read it…I can see how the teens and pre-teens could love it, but I’m surprised at how many grown ups seem to. Odd.
I should write a review and put it on my blog…*ponders*
I haven’t read any of the books yet. I thought I’d read the first one before the movie came out. I have a weakness for seeing teen targeted movies when I’m sick or have the day to myself. 🙂