Hey, did you guys know that today is very special? Because a certain Mooney girl was born twenty-some years ago, forever bringing her special brand of magic into the world. So on the count of three, please shout it with me. 1... 2... 3...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE!
To celebrate, I thought I would gather up some cool fictional characters for a cool fictional surprise party. Here's who I invited:

Sturmhond
from SIEGE AND STORM by Leigh Bardugo

This pirate captain -- sorry, he prefers privateer -- does tend to steal every scene he's in, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't steal the party from the birthday girl. Instead, I expect that he would bring her the awesome-est gift ever. Some strange new invention of his own making. And after he unveiled it, he would charm the whole crowd, telling jokes and dancing.

Cath
from FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

Sure, she isn't your typical party girl, but Cath knows how to have a good time. At least her own kind of "good time," which is one of the kinds that Stephanie likes too. They could sit on a sofa where the music isn't as loud, sipping fruity drinks and chatting about their favorite fandoms. Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Simon Snow. Maybe they'll even collaborate on a story together.

Shelby and Sawyer
from HOW TO LOVE by Katie Cotugno

Shelby is the kind of friend that everyone needs. She'll always tell you the truth, straight up, no holds barred -- but she also won't hold anything against you. Not even when you're being shitty about it. She's funny and smart and loyal -- and as both a doctor and a long-time waitress, she's probably pretty handy to have around at a party.

(Sawyer's a nice enough guy, now that he's cleaned himself up, but mostly he's here to mix drinks. And to bring adorable little Hannah along, because what party isn't better with cute babies?)

Last but not least, I would invite YOU GUYS! Because you all seem like loads of fun. And book people are our people. :)

Since we operate on a "the more, the merrier" policy here at We Heart YA, you're all allowed to bring guests, too. I think Sturmhond would bring Alina, Cath can barely stand to be separated from Levi, and Shelby would want to come alone so she could check out all the single ladies. Who would you bring to Steph's party?

So, you're here, right?  At least you think you are.  It's Friday, and We Heart YA usually has a new post at the end of the week and you're thinking we're going to start your day off right like a bowl of Count Chocula...

...we can only wish...

But chances are you started off somewhere way, way out there in the Interverse.  It's funny how large and multitudinous the YA community is, and yet how small.  No?  Sooner or later, you bump into someone you know or have at least heard of.   Readers get around.  :)

This week I received an email from our lovely Steph about this...

We HEART This

...and I realized I hadn't read Laini's blog in ages.  So many ages that I wasn't entirely sure of her blog address and googled it (drgh, it's lainitaylor.com).  Up popped her blog address on google, but also lots and lots of images of pink hair.  So much so that I couldn't resist clicking on the images and perusing through each one.  Saints, I have so much time to waste!  There's Laini with fans, Laini reading her books, being interviewed, on holiday with her family, with so many versions of her little lady Clementine as she's grown.

Such a wonderful story in pictures.  A COLLAGE of Laini's Literary Life.

So of course I wondered what my Google Collage said about me.  I jumped down the rabbit hole and googled my name and all sorts of wondrous wonder came up.  Images that weren't just pics of me (which I'm not to partial to, I might add), but pictures of friends, pictures I've posted, tweeted, images that are ME but not literally.  Also, it seems I wear white to every author event I ever attended.  Zoinks.



Bet you're curious now what your Google Collage would be.  I'll wait while you google yourself.

Cool, right?  Also good to note:  it's not all there is to you.  It's like the crusty epidermis that is you.  Some cracks show through, and you can see deeper.  But even google doesn't go to those places.

For now, I'm happy to just be a conglomerate of book covers, tweets, and pictures with people that hug me and love me.  Not a bad life, eh?

What's your story?  Don't make me google you!  What's the craziest Internetting you've gotten up to lately?

I don't know about the rest of the country, but it's been raining in our parts for what feels like weeks. So I thought I'd spread some visual literary cheer to brighten everyone's day. Stay safe and enjoy! 

Since everyone loves Veronica Mars, we decided to peek into the depths of Netflix and see if they had anything else in the same vein. You know, other great shows or movies that would appeal to a YA audience. We found some real gems!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Twilight is all well and good, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the original teenage vampire story. She doesn't just hang with vampires, though -- she SLAYS them. (Well, most of them.)

Seriously, this show has everything. Action, romance, humor, magic... And Giles! We mustn't forget the brilliant, bumbling librarian whose job is to train Buffy in the art of fighting monsters, keeping our world safe and preventing the Hellmouth from opening.

This, of course, is all set against the backdrop of the "normal" high school experience. So if you're looking for paranormal romance with a literally kick-ass heroine, Buffy's your gal.

(You might recognize David Boreanaz from Bones, or Alyson Hannigan from How I Met Your Mother.)

Dawson's Creek

If you're into the contemporary scene, check out Dawson's Creek. It's the classic boy-doesn't-realize-the-girl-next-door-is-in-love-with-him-because-he's-hot-for-the-new-girl story. With a side of Pacey Whittaker, aka the most lovable loser ever!

As they they traverse the treacherous waters of high school, these four friends banter back and forth with the wit and vocabulary of a John Green novel. There are also a ton of great adult characters -- especially Dawson's grossly in-love parents and Jen Lindley's severe-but-sweet grandmother.

Confession: The college years are not as good, so we give you permission to stop at the end of Season 4.

(You might recognize Joshua Jackson from Fringe, James Van Der Beek from a myriad of guest roles, or Katie Holmes from being married to Tom Cruise.)

Friday Night Lights

This show might be the best ever. (And trust us, it makes no difference if you like football or not.) There are no "good guys" or "bad guys" -- just real people trying to live their lives, reach their goals, and find their loves.

The show centers around Coach and Mrs. Coach, whose strong marriage is a great model of what we'd like to see more of, both in fiction and real life. The teenage characters are who propel the conflict, though. Like the smart, rebellious daughter. Her shy, scrawny boyfriend who gets propelled into the spotlight when the star quarterback suffers a debilitating accident. The alcoholic bad boy and the picture-perfect cheerleader he can't have. The mouthy, arrogant running back who's just trying to make a name for himself so that he can go pro and take care of his family. (Can you that tell we love these characters?)

We dare you to watch a few episodes of this show and not start rooting for the Dillon Panthers. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

(You might recognize Gaius Charles from Grey's Anatomy, Taylor Kitsch from John Carter or Battleship, Kyle Chandler from Argo or Super 8, or Connie Britton from being awesome.)

Clueless

If you don't have the time or emotional energy to invest in a television show, but you still want some good YA laughs, Clueless is the movie for you. Though it might seem like shallow fluff at first -- full of goofy fashion and scheming romance -- it's actually a very clever and hilarious retelling of Emma by Jane Austen. And by the end, you'll probably find yourself using hip 90s slang like "rolling with the homies" or "what-ever," complete with hand motions.

(You might recognize Donald Faison from Scrubs, or Paul Rudd from Perks of Being a Wallflower or lots of Judd Apatow movies.)

Felicity