1. Yes, it’s back! I know I’ve been slack about The Five for awhile now, mostly because I was traveling so much I rarely knew where I was, much less what day I was updating, if I could at all. But now I am home and I KNOW it is Friday, so here I am. We are in serious dog-days here right now. It’s hot, big storms in the afternoon (my kid loves the puddles) town is still dead, and it’s blissfully quiet. Especially since a couple of days back, my husband and his friend Colin rounded up four of our five roosters and relocated them. I don’t mean “relocated” like on the Sopranos. They literally chased them down, put them in a crate, and took them up the road to a farm where they’d have room to run around and would not bother as many folks with their crowing and sparring. (It was getting nasty out there in the coop run: too much testosterone!) My daughter was crushed when she noticed their absence, but somewhat appeased when we drove up to visit them and saw them all running around in a MUCH bigger field, puffing out their chests at the new competition. Now we just have to let the remainders recover and hope they start laying soon. Fingers crossed!
2. Big day for me yesterday: one of my babysitters casually mentioned that she had recently discovered 90210 via reruns on SoapNet. Because she was A MERE BABY WHEN IT WAS ON. Oh, man am I old. Anyway, I tried to control myself but think I kind of scared her with a sudden burst of excitement and quoting. I was all like, “I hate you both, never speak to me again!” and “I chose me!” and “Donna Martin graduates!” Also I MIGHT have confessed to having a Luke Perry poster in my bathroom. When I was in my twenties. My babysitters all already think I am kind of crazy, but if that was not the case, this would have capped it. It will be hard for me not to pounce on her to demand more details about what seasons she’s seen next time she is over. But I’ll do my best. Sigh…
3. In book news (remember book news?) I can finally confirm the time and date for the appearance I’ll be doing while I’m in Cape Cod. It’s Friday, July 22nd at 4pm at Eight Cousins Bookshop in Falmouth, MA. You can see full details here. After that, my next event will be in Asheville, NC at Malaprops Bookstore on Wednesday, August 3rd at 7pm. Both of these events are happening because I’ll be in the area for other, non-book related things (family vacation and 40th b-day celebration of good friend, respectively) so I MAY be a bit more casual. Which is to say flip-flops instead of book tour shoes. Although I will TRY to clean up nice (as we say around here) for you all.
4. Now that I’m settling back in, I’m finding all kinds of fun stuff I accumulated while on tour. Like all the wonderful notes people gave me, and the retractable Sharpies (which I am still marveling at, regularly, they are awesome!) as well as necklaces and knitted hats (matching, for me and Sasha) chocolate and bookmarks. I have the best readers, I swear. Also came across this poster that I kept from BEA. It was at my signing line, where I went directly after the Breakfast speech, basically one of the biggest professional events of my life. I’d met Julianne Moore! Did not pass out during my speech! And was on a high! But then:
Yes, that IS my name spelled wrong just above my book cover. DRESSEN. Story of my life! People always want to put an R in my name, I have no idea why. So I am continually Desser, or Dressen, or Dresser. Even when the actual spelling is often RIGHT below. Oh, well. It was still a great day. Sometimes I think the universe just gives me a quick pop on the head, just to make sure I don’t get to full of myself. Take that, Dressen!
5. Finally, I had to laugh today when I saw that my friend Claudia (who I used to babysit for when she was a kid, and now often babysits for my daughter) was working the sidewalk sale at the VERY same mall where I worked the summer after I graduated high school. I was employed by Stride Rite and got fired during that sidewalk sale, an experience that was pretty miserable at the time, but later provided good material for my first novel, That Summer. In the book, Haven throws a shoe at a rude customer. In real life, my crochety boss blew up at me for asking why I was working thirty-plus hours a week when I was supposed to be strictly part time. He yelled, I walked out and cried in my car. First time I’d EVER been fired or quit (it’s still not clear to me which happened: I think it was a mix of the two). Ah, growing up. That’s the great thing about my job. I get to take rotten things that happened and re-live them, adding the stuff I WISH I had done. Like throwing things at people, apparently. Oh, Dressen! You’re so crazy!
Have a good weekend, everyone!
YAY Retractable Sharpies!
I was also a big 90210 fan back in the day. I thought Luke Perry and his sideburns were the bee’s knees. I loved Dylan and Brenda when they were a happy couple. The breast cancer scare episode! The prom episode where Brenda and Kelly wore the same black and white dress! The Peach Pit! Oh, memories!
I always wanted to add an extra ‘n’ to your name, so you would be Sarah Denssen. Yea, I know, doesn’t even look right. Barnes & Noble couldn’t find you under that name either, so I knew I must have been wrong!
Ok, first I have to confess that when I saw your video about “What Happened To Goodbye” and you said you’ve written ten books, I thought “Holy cow! That many books and you’re twenty something?” and then you say you’re about forty. Ha, shows how great of a fan I am XD Wikipedia time! Anyways, I’m going to by “What Happened to Goodbye” a.s.a.p. and I’m bummed I didn’t here it was out earlier. As long as I’m writing a ton… I would like to say I have almost of all of your books and the one that started it all was “Just Listen”. It’s now one of my favorite books of all time! The world in your books are so similar and yet so different from reality, they’re nice to slip into when things are hectic in your own life. “Along for the Ride” is the one that really hits home to me. Although not to the same degree, I feel like I’ve had the same sheltered life as Auden. My mother also acts like Auden’s mother in some of the same ways. I love how your books are so relatable and yet so fairytale-like! Great job and keep it up! We’re all cheering for you! ^.^
-Liz
I love the original 90210, especially Luke Perry. I still have a huge crush on him. I totally would have had a Luke Perry poster in my room when I was younger if I hadn’t plastered it with Backstreet Boys posters.
How dreadful they spelled your name wrong!
I’m so happy The Five is back! Yeah! Keep tellin’ me the news!
So nice to see that The Five is back! I can’t wait for your appearances, I’m going to try and make it out, but it’s such a long drive I don’t know if I can make you. You should come by the West Coast on your next tour.
Anyway, wishing you a great weekend. So funny, as I was reading number 5 on the list, I have That Summer sitting out in front of me because I’m rereading it. Love that book!
I kept laughing at this entry! It definitly put a smile on my face!
I’m the girl who made you those hats
so happy you like them! Yay!
Just so you know I just finished reading What Happened to Goodbye. I believe it took me several days. I work two jobs, but whenever I could find a spare moment no one could pry it from my hands. I also just bought This Lullaby from the bookstore yesterday. I read it years ago, but wanted to have it physically in my possession.
Also- I loved What Happened to Goodbye! Such an amazing book! You did a wonderful job as always!
Hi Sarah! The day you posted this I was in Chapel Hill. How cool is that? I was touring UNC campus. It’s beautiful and I’m dying to go there. I loved the town too. Two bookstores, what else could I ask for?(: I feel like I went to Disney World and now I want to live at Disney World. I’m hoping to minor in Creative Writing. I know it’s really prestigious.
While driving through the Chapel Hill and the surrounding towns, I felt like I kept seeing maybe-inspirations for you. There was a street named Lakeview. I saw a bike shop that made me think of Along for the Ride, and I felt like I could see Macy running down the sidewalk to Wes. I was blown away. It’s such a nice town. I honestly kept hoping I would see you(;
Whoa, 90210 reruns on Soapnet AND being told that there is such a thing as a retractable Sharpie in the world! That’s almost too much for me to process in one morning.
I, too, am often a victim of the misspelled name. When I got my first proofs for the cover of my book, my name was listed as “Mary” instead of “Sarah” (common mistake, and I’ve always answered to both). It’s always good to be humbled–funny how it always seems to happen just when you’re as confident as Donna Martin on her graduation day.
(Did you know that one of Jane Yolen’s books was actually printed with her named spelled “Jan”? Crazy!)
I first discovered your novels about 4 months ago from a mention on a blog (misszoot.com) and I brought home The Truth About Forever from the library for my teenage daughter. Since that time we have both read all of your books (except for your latest one, but that will change soon!). Reading them together has sparked many wonderful discussions and has given us another way to bond, so thank you very much for that.
Unfortunately she is going to be away at camp when you come to MA for your book signing or else we would be there in a heartbeat. I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to come back to the NH/MA area!
Sorry that people get your name mixed up:( I know you as Dessen!:)
Hi Sarah! I’, 14 years old and soon going to experience the world of high school in a few months. I just finished The Truth About Forever the other day and it was the best book I have ever read! It was also the first book I have ever read from you and I am getting more. I ordered That Summer and Keeping the Moon. Can’t wait to read them! ~Alicia
Sorry, I meant I’m not I’,