Can you believe summer is almost over? Say it ain't so! I hope everybody's been having a great summer and reading a ton of fun books. One of my fav reads this summer was So Much Closer by super fab author (and friend) Susane Colasanti. I read it over Memorial Day weekend on the beach and let me just say it's perfection caught on paper (yes, I still read good ol' fashioned books)!
From the publisher:
Scott Abrams is the love of Brooke's life. He just doesn't know it yet. So when Scott moves to New York City the summer before senior year, Brooke has no choice but to follow him. It's her last chance to prove to him that they're meant to be together.
But the city is full of surprises that Brooke never expected. Ever since a painful family trauma, she's been closed off to her parents, to her friends, and even to herself. Now, inspired by the thrilling energy of the bustling and creative city around her, Brooke begins to discover a side of herself she never knew existed.
And as she finds out, in the city that never sleeps, love can appear around any corner...
One of my favorite things about Susane's books is her ability to draw realistic characters who you can relate to. I'm also a believer in dreaming BIG, soulmates, looking up, and Knowing - all which are at the heart of So Much Closer. Plus, it has one of my favorite lines ever written: "Sometimes in the midst of all your boy drama, you just need a cupcake." Preach it, Susane!
AND the title comes from one of my favorite Death Cab for Cutie songs, "Transatlanticism." (Bragging time: Susane and I saw Death Cab recently in concert and they were ah-mazing!)
Check out this video if you want to hear Susane talk about the inspiration behind the book (if you look real closely, you'll see my reflection in the window - oops, bad camerawoman!):
Susane has graciously agreed to giveaway not only a SIGNED copy of SO MUCH CLOSER, but she'll PERSONALIZE it to the winner. How cool is that? All you have to do is comment below with your favorite lyric from a song, any song - your choice! (I'm having a hard time coming up with my favorite lyric. The line I most want someone to feel about me is from Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" - "Those three words are said too much, they're not enough.")
Boring contest stuff: one winner will be chosen from random (US only please - sorry!) at 9pm EST on Sunday, August 21st (so I can then watch The Glee Project finale!). Please note, even though I have new spam blockers installed, I still approve comments so it may take a few hours for your comment to appear, but it will get approved!
UPDATE: It seems like my spam blocker is working a little TOO well. I can see that there are some people who have commented, but I can't get to their comments. Please do not worry, I can see the names and e-mails of everybody so if your comment isn't below, you'll still be counted for the contest!
I'm beyond excited to finally be able to share the stunning (if I do say so myself, but I didn't design it so I think I'm allowed to say it) cover of TAKE A BOW!
Copy from Point/Scholastic:
From the fantastic author of The Lonely Hearts Club and Prom & Prejudice comes a story of all the drama and comedy of four friends who grow into themselves at a performing arts high school.
Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.
Take a Bow will be coming in April 2012 - I know that seems so far away, but it'll be here before we know it!
Three years ago, I saw the greatest concert of my life: Sir Paul McCartney (read about that here). About two seconds after the concert ended, I thought, I must see him again. Then a couple months ago, I found out that not only was Sir Paul returning to NYC, he was going to be playing Yankee Stadium, on my birthday. I mean, can it get better than that? I think not.
Tickets were secured, as was my partner-in-crime for the evening: fellow Beatles fan, YA author superstar, and fab friend Susane Colasanti. [Read Susane's blog about the concert here.]
It was ON.
Before I knew it, my birthday/Sir Paul Day arrived. I want to take this moment to thank everybody for the birthday wishes on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I was truly overwhelmed and moved by each and every message. Of course I was hoping Sir Paul would perform “Birthday,” but luckily Susane agreed to sing it for me if Sir Paul didn’t come through.
It was a gorgeous evening at Yankee Stadium. I had my Sgt. Peppers LONELY HEARTS CLUB Band t-shirt (of course!), Susane wore her brand-new Paul McCartney tee, and oh yeah, I had a Birthday Girl tiara. That’s how we roll.
Sir Paul started the show with “Hello/Goodbye” and I was freaking out. I mean, Sir Paul flippin’ McCartney (that’s right, I said flippin’!) is singing a Beatles song!!! It’s very, very surreal. It’s almost hard to comprehend. Honestly, there are so many moments to talk about so here are just some of the many, many highlights of the night:
I was really, really, really hoping he was going to sing “Something” in honor of George Harrison again. There was an adorable twelve-year-old girl behind us who was a George fan and when I told her he did when I saw him three years ago, she got so excited. I have a special place in my heart for George. When I’m asked who my favorite Beatle is, it’s really so hard. Usually I say it’s a tie between Paul and George because as much as I LOVE Sir Paul, I think George is extremely underrated. Two of my favorite songs: “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun” were written by George. He is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. And he’s just AWESOME. Paul brought out his ukulele and started talking about George. Honestly words cannot describe how beautiful this moment is, so luckily I found this from his concert in Liverpool back in 2008:
I just cried watching it. One thing to note, at the beginning of the song, the camera cuts to two women. You might recognize one as Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow (she’s in the hat), to the left is Olivia Harrison, George’s widow. Another side note, when an attacker broke into the Harrison’s home in 1999 and stabbed George, Olivia fought off the attacker with a fire poker and lamp until the police arrived. I mean, how bad-A is that? At the end of the song, she blows a kiss to Paul. It destroyed me this morning. I really miss George… Okay, back to the concert. Sir Paul played “Something” and the whole crowd sang aloud to one of my favorite parts of any Beatles song: “You’re asking me will my love grow, I don’t know, I don’t know…” Gah, so good! And I’m pretty sure the twelve-year-old’s year was made with that performance. I know mine was!
Of course, Sir Paul had to pay tribute to John Lennon. He did this twice, first performing the song he wrote after Lennon’s death, the extremely moving “Here Today.” I teared up during that song. He also ended “A Day in the Life” with a sing-along to “Give Peace a Chance.”
Oh and I can’t forget that Sir Paul thanked me! That’s right, Sir Paul McCartney thanked me! Okay, he didn’t say “Thanks to Elizabeth Eulberg!” But after “Blackbird” he thanked all the guitar students out there who have learned to play the song. And that’s ME! So, pretty much, Sir Paul McCartney personally thanked me on my birthday.
For the first time ever, Sir Paul performed “The Night Before” – could not believe it. I also couldn’t believe he did “All My Lovin,’” “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” There were some songs I was hoping he would play that he didn’t get around to, but even if the concert lasted 24 hours, there would be something missing. He has that many classics. Try to name one other artist with as many… It’s impossible.
Wow. There’s so many more moments to share. It’s a little overwhelming. “Elearnor Rigby” was another one of those somebody pinch me moments. Crazy fireworks and pyrotechnics during “Live and Let Die.” Singing along to “Drive My Car’s” Beep-Beep-MM-Beep-Beep-YEAH! “Paperback Writer” since, um, I’m a writer and The Lonely Hearts Club is out in paperback. So obviously that song was written about me (pay no attention to the fact I wasn’t even born when it was written).
Oh, and can I just say that Sir Paul is a ROCK STAR. He’s 69 years old and rocking out like a kid. A few times I used the word “cheeky” to describe him. He joked around with the audience, told funny stories, had us repeat him (at once point he got us all to bark like a dog, and I did it. I’d do anything Sir Paul asked me to. “Hey Elizabeth, shave your head and then walk around naked.” Me: “Would be okay if I at least had sunscreen on?”). But what I loved the most was that at the beginning, he asked the audience to give him a moment so he can soak in playing at Yankee Stadium for the first time. I loved this. And I also noticed that most of the audience enjoyed the show and didn’t spend the entire time recording it on their phones or texting (don't get me started on that). Everybody was in the moment.
As much as we were hoping he’d play “Birthday,” he didn’t. Which in retrospect was probably a good thing. Anytime we thought there was a possibility, Susane and I would start freaking out. I really think I would’ve died had he played it. But at least I would’ve died very, very happy!
After nearly three hours, two encores, and thirty-five songs(!!!!), Sir Paul sang the final line, which was absolute perfection: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
Sir Paul left the stage and as sad as I was to see him go, he gave the entire audience an unforgettable evening.
But wait! My concert experience wasn’t fully over because as people were leaving, Susane did her own encore just for me. As promised, she sang “Birthday” complete with choreographed dance moves. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day (and the guys a few rows up really seemed to enjoy seeing the two of us dance around)!
So from me to Sir Paul and Susane: thank you both for truly the best birthday this girl could ever hope for.
XO, Elizabeth
The set list:
1) Hello, Goodbye
2) Junior's Farm
3) All My Lovin'
4) Jet
5) Drive My Car
6) Sing The Changes (The Fireman Song)
7) The Night Before
8) Let Me Roll It (I have no idea why there's a smiley face here - it won't go away so I'm not going to fight it!!!)
9) Paperback Writer
10) The Long and Winding Road
11) Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five
12) Let 'Em In
13) Maybe I'm Amazed
14) I've Just Seen A Face
15) I Will
16) Blackbird
17) Here Today
18) Dance Tonight
19) Mrs. Vanderbilt
20) Eleanor Rigby
21) Something
22) Band On The Run
23) Obla Di Obla Da
24) Back In The U.S.S.R
25) I've Got A Feeling
26) A Day In The Life/Give Peace A Chance
27) Let It Be
28) Live and Let Die
29) Hey Jude
Encore:
30) Lady Madonna
31) Day Tripper
32) Get Back
Second Encore:
33) Yesterday
34) Helter Skelter
35) Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
Setlist and awesome concert photo from NY Daily News.
On my very first day in publishing in April 1998 (yes, I was twelve), my new boss handed me an advance readers copy of a book that Scholastic was publishing in the fall that everybody really liked. At first I thought, "A boy wizard? Hmm, fantasy really isn't my thing." But I went home that night and started reading it. And that was when I feel in love with a boy named Harry Potter (actually I'm more of a Ron girl).
I worked at Scholastic during the first five books of the Harry Potter series. It was a truly magical time to be in publishing, especially at Scholastic. I never worked on the series myself (that was my boss Kris), but I was able to witness things that I never thought I would experience working in books, especially children's books. I got to meet JK Rowling (aka Jo) a few times back when no one knew who she was (hard to believe there was a time!). I was always struck by how nice and humble she was. And how she'd smile when some nutjob would start going on and on about Azkaban and how she almost missed meal service on her flight because she was SO into the book (full disclosure: I was said nutjob).
I always think back fondly at the beginning of the Harry phenomenon. And I followed the books with even more interest after I left Scholastic. And with the last movie coming out, I've been feeling extra nostalgic. When I finished reading Deathly Hallows, I was too happy and overjoyed with the book to really be sad. I remember closing the book thinking, "Well done!" Seriously, I thought that ending was pure perfection. However, I find myself getting very emotional thinking about the end of the movie franchise. Entertainment Weekly's recent cover of an 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe made me smile and then think, "Goodness, Harry is all grown up." Which is odd, since I haven't aged at all...
My birthday is tomorrow (so much for not aging!). And I originally planned on spending it with my friends at Hogwarts, but then Paul McCartney decided to play Yankee Stadium so how could I not go to that (yes, I could do both in one day, but there's only so much excitement one can handle in 24 hours). So I have my tickets for next week so I can see it on the ginormous Imax screen at Lincoln Center. And as much as I know I'll probably cry at the end, I know that Hogwarts is just a turn of the page away.
