1. I cannot believe that I’m starting another blog while reacting to news of a public shooting incident, this time in NYC. I don’t go into politics here, for any number of reasons. But can’t something be done about this? It makes me feel so helpless and sad, and worried for my own daughter and all the things I can’t protect her from. Is it a matter of control? Better diagnosis/early intervention for mental illness? I have no idea, but I’m just a writer: there’s got to be somebody who has put deep thought into this. When I think about it, it just makes me want to cry. Okay, I’ll stop cheering everyone up now.
2. And now I WILL cheer you up, I think, if you need it. This week I discovered two things that have become my go-tos for both procrastination and a good helping of happy. First up: this this tumblr that is nothing but GIFS of shots from Beverly Hills, 90210. I could spend all day looking at just this one. Remember? From when Dylan and Brenda were broken up but he got hurt so came to stay at Casa Walsh and was all pining for her and smoldering from the room next door? I probably don’t have to tell you it was one of my favorites. Or that I had a Luke Perry poster on the bathroom wall. Of the house I shared with my then boyfriend-now husband. When I was in COLLEGE. Oh, man. I can’t believe I just admitted that. Moving on…
3….to the OTHER happy making thing, which has gotten lots of attention this week: The Dog Shaming tumblr. In which people send in pictures of their dogs (and sometimes cats) looking very chastened with an announcement of their crimes. The boxers and Boston terriers are, of course, my favorite. Who knew so many dogs liked to eat underwear and feminine products? See, the internet CAN teach you things. I would have put up a pic of my little wild dog Coco already if I wasn’t having to narrow down her various offenses to the one I think deserves international sharing. There are so many. So, so many….
4. In other news, lots of questions here, via my website and on Twitter about the new book and other upcoming stuff. Here’s what I know: the paperback of WHAT HAPPENED TO GOODBYE will be released on April 9th, 2013. Then my NEW book, THE MOON AND MORE, will be out on June 4. I’m actually going to be heading up to a meeting not too long from now to discuss publicity/tour/other fun stuff with the awesome marketing team at Penguin, so hopefully by the holidays I’ll have some fun details to share. We’re hard at work on a cover as well, which is GORGEOUS and I’ll share it when I get the go ahead. My eleventh book! Whoa. Time flies. I feel like I had that Luke Perry poster up in my bathroom just yesterday, too, though.
5. Another embarrassing confession: I just got totally distracted from this blog writing by the Kate Spade selection on Amazon, which I happened to spot as I looked up my paperback put date. Next thing I know, I’ve lost ten minutes drooling and dreaming over them. This, after I SWORE up and down—having lugged all my purses upstairs while the floors were getting done, then back to my closet—that I would not buy any more. At least until I unloaded a bunch that I had. What is it with me and bags? Purses, totes, cosmetic bags: when it comes to Kate Spade I am WEAK. I know some people are like this with shoes—my husband has running shoes the way Carrie Bradshaw has Manolos, they are everywhere—but I USED to be a one bag every couple of years kind of gal. Maybe it’s a sign of getting older, like the creases in my forehead and how cranky I get when someone snatches my newspaper? I guess it’s like that Luke Perry GIF and the dog shaming pics: you take your happy where you can, especially on days when you’re faced with so much of the opposite. I have a good friend who just does NOT read or watch the news. Like, ever. It’s a gift she’s given herself so she can be happy. But I’m on the internet too much for that, plus I’d have to give up GMA, which gives me a BIG dose of happy every morning. So for now, I will look, and try not to buy. If I am tempted, I will maybe start my own tumblr: Sarah Shaming. In which I take pictures of myself and all MY offenses, with buying too many purses right at the top. I’m sure Coco would approve.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Please try to get the book tour to come to California this time! You could bring your daughter and take her to disneyland!
It would be so wonderful if you came up to Toronto on your book tour!
Definitely agree with this!
I agree with post #1. I don’t have kids but I have nieces and nephews and I would hate for anything to happen to them.
On a better note, you should come to Calgary on a book tour.
Please come to Toronto AGAIN!!! I will bring you another card! Do you have the card I gave you sitting in your office?
I can’t wait for the new book! I don’t know what I’m going to do once I read all of your books but I am more then halfway through and I want to have read them all by the time your new book comes out. Another thing: You should come to Louisville, Kentucky on your book tour. I would die.
Love the Dog Shaming website! Such a nice dose of happy! Thanks for sharing
Please, please, pretty please try to come to Canada!
I’m SO excited for your new book and absolutely cannot wait to see the cover! And guess what? The Moon And More comes out on my BIRTHDAY! Best present ever.
I can’t wait to buy it!
I just wrote The Moon and More’s release date down on my calendar book! There is a big smiley face and a ‘yay’ on the little block lol. Could you please please come to Boston while on tour. Boston is an amazing city, and I just know how much you love the Cape. Well, Cape Cod isn’t close to Boston (it’s like two hours away), but you know what I mean, Massachusetts is a great tour date spot for a summer book release
I would definitely come to see you if you come to Michigan! I am so excited for the new book. I’ve been an avid reader of your books and your blog for about 8 years now but have never had the chance to meet you. Also, the dog shaming tumblr is hilarious and entertaining
As for #1, it was a shock to hear that happened; it made me scared and sad. I hope that the people involved and their families can stay strong and get through this.
Yes, come to Michigan! I’ve read all of your books and cant wait for The Moon and More to come out! I have also never had a chance to meet you, and I would go to other states, but the economy is preventing it.
Sarah, one, I just have to say you are so awesome. I don’t have a problem with bags, its with books and shoes (even though Im sure it would go on to bags if I let myself, which I don’t), but I am so the same. Feeling stress from school; buy a pair of shoes. Feeling like I’m failing at writing and that I’ll never go anywhere; buy a new book that I only just heard of and I’m not sure I’ll like. lol, Maybe I should start my own Kassandra Shaming.
And please oh please come to Washington, at least Oregon, but coming to Olympia or Seattle, WA would be just AMAZING!
Second, I am soooo excited for your new book. Just so you know, I literally cannot go to sleep without listening to one of your audiobooks, they get me through the nights when I can’t sleep, they are sooo my saving grace. So thanks for writing all ten of your amazing books, they mean the world to me
Hey Sarah, can’t wait for your book! I’ve read all ten of yours already, and they have most definitely helped me through some tough times! Congratulation on this mile stone, you’ve earned it. And I as well had a very bad addiction to purses, let me tell ya! And it was so not easy giving it up lol. So best of luck! I’d be happy to give u pointers!
Also I think it would be wonderful if you could visit little old Canada during your tour, we love you here! 
All the best to you and your family!
June 4th is now my favorite date for 2013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please come to Michigan!!! It would probably make my year if I ever got the chance to meet you!(:
June 4? this is torture!
I hope Manila is one of the destination for your tour, I’d love to meet you!
and tumblr is so cool, start it and everyone will follow!
XOXO
Pleeeeeeease come to Australia! It doesn’t matter where. I will fly to there from Perth if I have to. I love, love, love you!
Please come to SW FL (Sarasota, Ft. Myers) etc. area
A proposed solution to your handbag “problem”: you could auction off some of them on eBay with some signed copies of books! Or just do a giveaway haha. “Used Kate Spade handbag, lovingly owned by author Sarah Dessen, and stuffed with an autographed copy of [insert book title here].” I think that sounds like a fabulous idea, personally…
I’m so glad you gave us a date. I was trying to buy a new purse the other day and all the ones
. My cat doesn’t really get into any trouble but we had a mouse in our house for a while and my cat would just let it eat its food and use its litter box we had to buy traps hes such a lazy cat. I loved Luke Perry in Buffy. Shootings do make you feel pretty helpless I guess we all need to pay better attention to whats happening around us to be more preventative. My heart goes out to those who are suffering.
I saw online that I liked had lead in them apparently that’s something you have to really look out for right now, and I was way sad
I just love your books they are the best books i have read in my life I have read alot of books but I to say that your books are the best I have read so far.