I’m sorry. I can’t write my blog tonight because, you see, I’m reading Mockingjay. Yes, I know I’m a day behind the rest of the world, but I had to re-read Hunger Games and Catching Fire before I could start it.
And while I didn’t stand in line to buy it at midnight, I did pre-order it on my Kindle and watched as it appeared around 2am on release day.
Technology really is cool.
But it all got me thinking. I can remember waiting in lines for movies as a kid (actually, only The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi). I’m talking Lines, with a capital L, not just a regular ticket line. And I confess to standing in line for the last Harry Potter book (but I decided at the last minute, thus earning me a Slytherin badge! Hmph!). And I did decide to stand in line for the iPad, but the line was so short (20 minutes) that I only did it so that I could say–on places like this blog–for bragging rights, assuming standing in line to spend a lot of money is something to actually brag about. (Note: I love my iPad. Just in case I haven’t mentioned that here before).
But I can’t remember any Lines for books back when I was a kid. No midnight sales. And I don’t remember anticipation for a book or sequel the way we saw with the Harry Potter books, the Twilight books, Mockingjay, or others I’ve seen recently.
Was I just a clueless kid with a mom who wasn’t about to schlep me to a store at midnight? Am I just a braindead twit of no memory of my childhood? Or is this a new phenomenon–and if so, why? What’s sparked it? Did J.K. Rowling light a fire, or are there other social factors at work here? And, you know, if there are, what are those factors?
I’d ponder this mystery further, but Mockingjay calls. And the middle of the night is a great time to read it. (And so far, by the way, I’m loving it!)
In honor of YOU, dear readers, because we love you and we haven’t given anything away in the longest time, we’re giving away a Kindle Fire (or the gift card equivalent, in the event you have or don’t want a Kindle Fire) to one lucky commenter from now until February 13, when we will choose a winner at random from commenters, to be announced on Valentine’s Day. 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
oh lordy, mention of Star Wars has me remembering getting to see it in a large theater in LA. Huge even. Don’t remember the lines though, just the awesome movie experience.
Harry Potter has been the only book extravaganza I can recall.
Also–I’ve never heard of this Mockingjay, and clearly I’m missing something great. Julie–what’s it about? Is it a series? Give us some scoop!
It’s the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy, a YA dystopian series that is absolutely fabulous. Check it out!
I remember standing on a few movie lines, but as Kathleen wrote, that’s because at the time there was only one movie theatre showing the flick. Had to wait on line to see Animal House–the first R rated movie I ever saw (is that a PLEDGE PIN you’re wearing??). I’ve never stood on line at midnight to get a book, although I have waited on many lines at many booksignings to get signed copies from my fave authors.
ps–since I’m from NY, we wait “ON line” rather IN line, LOL!
The on/in thing cracks me up. Both seem wrong some how. I think Europe has it right when they get in the queue! Unless of course there’s a line painted on the ground….
That’s what it was. The community thing. I met all sorts of fun people in the Star Wars lines; good times…
I don’t remember many book events before Harry Potter. I remember waiting for the latest Janet Evanovich or the latest Robert Ludlum, but it wasn’t an “event”. We were in the bookstore at midnight on Monday night (sigh), but there were only about four people there waiting and milling.
And I do remember the lines for Star Wars. Those were the days when only one theater got the movie, so there really was a huge line. I can see why they switched to more availability, but I do sort miss the line event. It was fun. I should note that I also stood in line for the Wii when it came out. That was also kind of fun.
I think the fun of lines are that we don’t do many ‘community’ activities anymore, and a book line or a technology line or a movie line brings together people who all have that one-thing in common.
The next line I will be standing in is the school supplies line. Hate. That.