It's so true, isn't it, that many of the best movies are screenplays based on novels? Like the two recent hits The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Silver Linings Playbook. Or (going back a ways) Stand by Me and The Princess Bride. And many, many others.  

It seems like Hollywood is sampling from the YA bookshelves quite a bit lately, and we couldn't be more excited about their choices. Here are a few upcoming book-to-movie titles that we can't wait to see:

The Host by Stephenie Meyer - in theaters March 29th 

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

Featuring one of the most unusual love triangles in literature, THE HOST is a riveting and unforgettable novel about the persistence of love and the essence of what it means to be human. (from Amazon.com)

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl - in theaters Feb. 13th   

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything. (from banesandnoble.com)

And let's not forget Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - in theaters tomorrow!!

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between. (from amazon.com). 

Dear Laini,

I’ve read The Daughter of Smoke and Bone three times. Well, technically I’ve read it once and listened to the audio book twice. But that totally counts, right? The first time I read it, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. Now that I know where the plot twists and turns, I just marvel at how well it was written.

Karou is one of my favorite characters of all time. I love her personality, and all the little details that make up who she is. I love that she collects languages. I love her blue hair. I love how Karou always tells the truth with a wry smile instead of trying to keep track of lies. That might be my favorite piece of characterization ever.

The world is so complete. You seem to relish describing the objects and places that Karou treasures: her tiny apartment, the wings spread above her bed, the wishbone, the ballet costume she gives to Zuzana. Each detail is vivid and drenched in meaning.

I feel like the industry sometimes sacrifices beautiful writing and rich worldbuilding for high concept, fast-paced, sparsely written books that are easy to sell, that passion for language sometimes falls through the cracks. But this book is everything, and that gives me hope. Hope for both what I want to read and what I want to write. Thanks for that.

Love from,

Stephanie

Ps. I’m about 130 pages into Days of Blood and Starlight, and I’m dreading running out of story and having to wait for the rest.

No, this post isn't about that awesome BBC show (is it still going? *err, nevermind.  that's Being Human), but it's about some books I've read recently that have excited my imagination.

I'm not one for following trends, but I'm usually aware of what's new or popular. I find that I don't always trust something so fleeting. However, I really appreciate those books that find a way to ground themselves amidst the excitement of something new. The trend I speak of? Bionics, my friends.



The first book that made me think of cyborgs in a really long time is also one of my favorite 2012 reads...Cinder by Marissa Meyer. The hook for this story is off the charts--Cinder is the dirty princess we know so well, but she's also part machine. In particular, her leg that is attached to the "glass slipper." So clever. But this book is more than the sum of its parts. There is a seriously scary plague going around and lots of political backhandedness. But the thing that amazes me is how a character only part human (mostly human, in fact) makes me understand humanity just a little bit more. It's not always a pretty picture. This is why stories are told, right?

Then there's this little ARC I read called MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza. (Possible SPOILERS here) This book was so heart wrenching in a way that Cinder didn't have to be because Mila is not human at all. But she's lived her life thinking that she is a real girl. That contrast makes you root for her and feel for her in such a strong way as a result. It makes you ask the question: What IS human, anyway? Is it just biology or spirit? Or is it a real, ticking heart, and senses that make you feel? Is it our minds and personality? It's really complex and I love thinking out these sorts of themes. This book is going to be popular when it releases. It's a page-turner and it's a bit different than what's out there. Oh, and it's going to be a TV show from the creator of Grey's Anatomy. All good signs.

Okay this last one is a cheat because it's not about being part machine or a cloned robot, but about a girl who is invisible. In a sense, I think the main character feels not quite human and learning to accept herself is a challenge when she doesn't even know what she looks like. It makes me ask the question, How much about our appearance makes us human? Shallow though it may seem, it's something that we are all concerned about at some point. We just get better at accepting ourselves for other qualities. Transparent by Natalie Whipple was entertaining--even had me reading at the dinner table because I had to know what was going to happen next. I don't do that often, and it might be that I was just in the mood for this kind of story, but I'd like to give credit to the author. :). Her character work was fantastic--they're people who you'd want to hang out with and you'd definitely want on your side. It's another book with characters with superpowers (personally, I'm growing tired with this trend), but this one stands out from the rest.  Hey publishers, We Heart YA would like a sequel!!

What books am I missing?  Let me know what's been exciting your imagination lately.  xx

After Sarah took the plunge and vlogged -- a first for We Heart YA! -- I promised I would do it too, that way she wouldn't be all alone on our YouTube channel. But then October melted away, and November rolled on by, and December completely vanished into thin air... and yeah, my vlog never happened. So now it's a new year, and I figure, Just dive in.


Be sure to watch so you hear our special announcement! And don't worry, it's short.

(It's also full of bad singing, embarrassing eyebrow action, and ridiculous outtakes...)

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As mentioned in the video, we've attempted to contact the ho-ho-holiday giveaway winners, but we've only heard back from one of them. (Thanks, Sandra!!) If we can't get in touch with the other two, we will draw new winners for those prize sets, so keep an eye on your inbox.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

Or, what we'd like to put in some YA characters' stockings... 

Taylor Markham (JELLICOE ROAD) would probably laugh in my face if I tried to give her a stocking. Nevertheless, I'd stuff it with a journal and a camera, because I think she sees the world in a very special way, and it would be beneficial to her (and to us!) if she documented that. For all her huff and gruff, she has the spirit of an artist, and I bet she would write and capture some really cool stuff. (Plus it could help her work through various issues...) 


You know how "nice young ladies" used to have to go to finishing school in order to learn proper etiquette, particularly if they were going to interact with high society? Yeah, that's what I'd give Froi (FROI OF THE EXILES). A voucher for a 6-week course or something. Er, make that 12 weeks. Because dude is seriously rough around the edges.

As for Jared (THE HOST), I'd just put a lump of coal in his stocking and call it a day. He was pretty mean to Wanda, and I've never completely forgiven him!
-Kristan

To Margo Roth Spiegelman (PAPER TOWNS) I would give a cell phone... or maybe a twitter account. Something to prevent her from sending people on wild goose chases.

To A (EVERYDAY), I would give a bottle of polyjuice potion and a key to the TARDIS. I'm not sure exactly how, but I feel strongly that these two things would make his/her life easier. 

Lastly, to Severus Snape (HARRY POTTER), I would give a large bottle of extra clarifying shampoo. 
-Stephanie

Karou (DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT). What do you get the girl who has everything? For starters, I'd get her a gift certificate for a Thai full body massage. Even devils need pampering. Also, a new sketchbook with a garter so she can attach to her leg when she's on the run. But really, I'd like to give her three wishes that won't cost her any pain. Gavriel-sized wishes. And I'll even refrain from voicing my opinion on how to use them. 

Elisa (CROWN OF EMBERS). Girl. I'd give her two VIP tickets to Alicia Keyes in concert, complete with dedication during "Girl on Fire." Hells yeah, that song is about her. Just ask Hector. I'd also put some Ramen noodles (no msg, of course) in her stocking so she doesn't have to eat desert rats anymore. Dude. Jerboa soup? Not right. And possibly some extra bling for the godstone because... if you've got it, flaunt it.  
-Sarah

I would LOVE to give Katsa (GRACELING) a gift certificate to REI or Cabela's so she and Bitterblue would have warm ski jackets and boots, a four-season tent, and any kind of camping/climbing gear they could possibly need for their mountainous trek over Grella's pass to Sunder. Just thinking of it makes me shiver. Brrr!


To sweet, eclectic Lola (LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR), I would give this decorative tape measure for when she's creating her costumes. Practical and pretty. 
-Ingrid


How about you? What do you wish you could give some of your favorite (or not-so-favorite) book characters for Christmas?