1. Yes, it’s Friday. And it’s GORGEOUS out, around eighty degrees. These things make me happy. But what makes it all even BETTER is that there is SO much basketball on today. Thanks to March Madness, all three of our local NC teams are in play today. NC State already won, my Tarheels play at 4:10 and then Duke is tonight. I literally am giddy because this is the ONE sport in the world I truly adore. Football is too slow for me. Ditto soccer. (It takes SO LONG to make a goal! Man! I’m clearly too impatient for most sports.) Baseball not my thing. I like figure skating but not enough to obsess over it. If watching The Real Housewives was a sport, I’d probably be at a competitive level, but alas, I can’t even justify my love for that show by making watching it seem like exercise. (But I do only watch it while on the treadmill or elliptical, which is kind of the same thing.) Anyway, for the next couple of weekends, I’m going to be in serious basketball heaven. Saying good mojo over my bracket as we speak. Go Heels!
2. Confession: I have not read The Hunger Games. I KNOW! I feel like I am the only person left on the planet. It’s to the point where I didn’t even want to say it here because I KNEW the global outcry over my lameness would be audible from all directions. But there it is. To be honest, I don’t read a whole lot of YA. Secondly, I don’t read a whole lot of dystopian ANYTHING. Thirdly, I have this very short person who demands much of my reading time so I don’t read nearly as much as I used to. I know, all of these are pretty lame excuses. Which is why I am determined to read the book as soon as I can get my hands on a copy. I’m heading out of town for a work/fun trip next week and figure it would be perfect airplane reading. And maybe then I’ll feel like SOME part of the crazy huge movie hype? Maybe? We’ll see.
3. As I said, I’m heading up to New York for work stuff and to visit one of my closest friends who is pregnant with her first baby. Oh, baby stuff. I pretty much burst into tears whenever I even SEE onesies, much less imagine someone I love having a baby to put one in. My kid is not even five but she seems SO BIG right now. I mean, honestly! I guess this is classic dilemma of parents: you spend all your time, energy and heart to make this person grow, grow, but then when they do it kind of breaks your heart at the same time. Sob! Anyway, I am totally loving getting to buy baby stuff and help my friend get everything ready. Although our experiences are very different: I had my daughter here in NC in the country, and she’s doing it in a big, bustling city in an apartment. So of course, dear readers, I come to you to say: if you are a New York mom or dad and have any NYC-specific wisdom to share (about the best parks, tips for travel around the city with an infant or anything else you wish someone had told you) please take a moment to leave a quick comment below. My friend reads this and would so, so appreciate it. And I promise if any of YOU have friends that need tips on, say, the best place to calm a screaming baby at Chapel Hill Whole Foods, I will be totally here for you. Just ask.
4. As always when I go to New York, I have to make the whole decision about how much I am going to geek out about Good Morning America. Regular readers know I am, well, sort of obsessed with Robin, Josh, George and Sam. (What? I hang out with them every morning, we are clearly on a first-name basis.) In the past, the folks at GMA have been super kind to me, inviting me in the studio or making sure I get a good spot to watch outside. But I definitely don’t want to wear out my welcome. Also, next week is Hunger Games Week on the show, so I know there will be huge crowds no matter what. I would LIKE to think I could just watch from my hotel room and call that close, but I have a feeling at least one morning I WILL have to trek over there and stand outside. This time, though, I will not bring a sign. Since I already did that, back in December:
I MAY have to have a Tarheel tattoo on this time, though. Hello, it’s tourney time! Josh Elliott: you have been warned.
5. Finally, an update: I mentioned on my last post that I’m now on Tumblr (authorsarahdessen) and OH my goodness it’s like the worst time suck EVER. And of course I mean that in the best possible way. I think the reason I’ve been so slack on THIS blog is that it takes a fair amount of time and writing energy (neither of which I’ve had in solid supply lately, for various reasons) to put together a good post. But over on Tumblr, I can just put up one thing, or a quick quote, and move on. Also, at any moment, I can look at pictures of Taylor Kitsch or purses with the click of a button. I mean, COME ON. I love this blog so much, but who can compete with Riggins and Kate Spade? Anyway, I think from here forward I’ll be both places, although maybe a bit more over there. Man: all this social networking is time consuming. But again, in the best possible way. Ooh, and now it’s time for basketball!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
No worries, I haven’t read Hunger Games yet either. Have fun in NY!
I’ve got my Michigan State Spartans beating your Tarheels in the national championship game this year. Revenge for earlier in the year! Have at you!
The Hunger Games is not too far fetched or dystopian to believe it. The every day lives of the characters are still similar to our everyday lives, working hard to live day to day. & the idea of a government using our children to kill each other to control a rebellion isn’t to far out there either. It is a great novel & I think you will enjoy it very much. There is still a realistic feel to teens learning that they love each other similar to your own books.
Have fun in NYC! Ill actually have to wake up early & watch GMA again, it has been a while since I’ve seen the show.
& good luck to your friend!
I love baseball and hockey!!!! And I am a teen in NY, but I cannot help you with your infant problem. I’m suburbs/country (really want to be in the country) and definitely not in the city. can’t stand it, but anyways! Loved the post! Long time no read!
Yay, so glad you’re back!
Wow, you are so so lucky that it is so warm where you live right now! Definitely living vicariously in N. Carolina through this blog right now.
Also, because of you I have been inspired to put the Tarheels as the winning team in my bracket. Counting on them!
I know that the Hunger Games are HUGE books, but honestly, I enjoyed every single one of your books much, much, much, much, MUCH better than I did for any of the three Hunger Game books.
Thanks again for the post, and I can’t wait to hear more!
I haven’t read The Hunger Games either!
Have a fun time in NYC!
I just recently read the first book on The Hunger Games. To be honest it took me a few chapters to really get into it but once I did it was like: BAM! I was hooked! I found myself getting totally immersed, and currently I am on the second novel Catching Fire. I can’t wait to see how the rest unfolds. I have a 4 year old and 1 year old so I pretty much have to read when they are in bed, when I’m not too exhausted that is! Haha. They do grow up just so fast its unreal. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on The Hunger Games.
Like you, I’m not into dystopian fiction and I resisted The Hunger Games for a very long time. I finally read it and it’s one of those books that transcends its genre. I didn’t like the rest of the trilogy nearly as much but that first book was excellent.
Really glad to see more posts on the blog lately! I know you had to take a break for a bit, and I completely understand/understood, but its nice to see random posts more often these days
Hope you enjoy your trip to NY
The Alice in Wonderland statues in Central Park are always fun!
The Alice in Wonderland statues in Central Park are always fun! You can find a description here. (Sorry, I don’t know what happened with the link in my other comment.)
I’m glad that you had some time to post on your blog a few times; I’ve missed your posts the past few weeks! I read the Hunger Games and liked it. I haven’t read the sequels though. I’m more of a realistic fiction kind of girl. I did have a chance to read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green though and completely agree with you about how amazing it is! I read it in a day. Speaking of awesome books, do you have any suggestions for someone in her 20s? I know you like memoirs, but I’m thinking more fiction. Usually when you give a recommendation for a book on your blog I end up liking it, so I was wondering if you could give a few recommendations. Anyway, enjoy your time in New York!
Don’t sweat not reading the hunger games….I didn’t read them until like two weeks ago haha and well….it only took me two weeks to read ALL THREE books!I must warn you however,that it becomes an obsession…I’ve already dropped a good $150 on my outfit for the premere (I’m one of those drama geeks that dresses up
) god help me if they ever make a movie out of your books! but anyway,glad to hear from you again…can’t help with your baby dilemma but good luck on your trip anyways! I hope to go to college in New York next year
Hey Sarah! If your friend doesn’t already know about it, there’s a great (and pretty famous) blog written by a New York mom called A Cup of Jo. Her son is about a year old now, but she’s written all through his life so there’s great stuff about being in NY with babies up to toddlers. She can find it at http://joannagoddard.blogspot.com/. Have fun on your trip! And I hope you give The Hunger Games a try! My mom was hesitant too but ended up loving it.
Hey Sarah… I was just putting out a suggestion IO think that you should make another book that will go with Along For the Ride… I HAVE BEEN DYING TO KNOW WHAT ELSE MAY HAPPEN WITH ELI AND AUDEN!!!!!
SAME HERE! i agree!
Sarah,
I have read all 3 Hunger Games. I don’t think they are as good as the hype. I just read
John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and it is much better written, IMO.
We are going to Emerald Isle this weekend and I am going to have my first shrimp burger,
in your honor.
Have fun in NYC.
hey sarah i love all of your books and have soo many questions for you.. But didnt know how to contact you other then this let me know if you can talk I’d really appreciate it. (:
Sprinkler parks. If you have kids in NYC it’s all about the sprinkler parks in the summer — also a really sturdy stroller because they get so much wear and tear they fall apart really fast.
Hi Sarah
I am the mother of a two-year-old boy and here is the piece of advice that I wish someone had given me regarding strollers: smaller is often better in New York.
I frequently have to take my son up and down the stairs at subway stations. This is much easier to do with the $29 Babies R Us umbrella stroller than my City Mini, which I hardly use any more. You can’t get larger strollers through subway turnstiles easily but with the smaller ones, you can swipe your metro card, lift up the stroller and walk through. Also, a lot of aisles in stores are very narrow and it’s much harder to get around with a stroller that has a wide wheel base. And if you need to try on clothes, you can squeeze into a dressing room with a small stroller.
Good luck to your friend!
Best wishes, Sam
I read the hunger games, the first I thought was so moving. I’m currently reading the second and it took me a while to get in to it.
The characters are okay but hopefully in the last book they develop more
I just have to say I am a HUGE Tarheels fan! And I <3 your books! The Truth About Forever and Just Listen are my faves.
I haven’t read The Hunger Games either, so don’t worry, you’re not alone.
I haven’t read the Hunger Games! Well, I read the first 20 pages. NOT my type of book. Why people are obsessed with them, I don’t know. I like your books better. Do you know Megan & Liz? They did a “Favorite Books” thing and Megan like your books! Just search “Meganandliz favorite books” on YouTube. They are awesome! Wish I had read your books before the National Book fest so I could’ve come meet you. I also wish I had known Lisa Yee was gonna be there. Oh well. I got to have lunch with Lauren Myracle! (I’ve met her 3 times and was a guest blogger
) I have to finish The Girl Who Could Fly for black eyed Susan. But I can’t put your books down. (I had to return Lock and Key 
, but I’m in the middle of Along for the Ride and just started Just Listen, which my BFF has been bugging me to read and I just found it at the library) ok, this comment is too long. Bye!
I met Taylor Kitsch about four years ago. I still have the sweat pants I was wearing that day. Should I frame Them? He smells really good!
I just started reading Sarah Dessen books. All my friends were reading them in high school. And now that I’m out of school, I love to read.. When I’m not working.
The first one i came across was, Along for the ride. I absolutely loved it! I’m going to have to read more of them. But I have to say there needs to be a continuance of along for the ride. I want to know more about Eli and Auden, and all the adventures they take together! 