Thursday, July 05, 2012

THE NEXT BEST THING by Jennifer Weiner


 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MANIC BLOG READERS: 
Before you read about Jennifer Weiner's amazing NEXT THING (heh heh!) make sure to check to see if you've won any of the remaining June books - the winners were recently announced!
Check out the latest winners here!
(Then come back to read about Jen's awesome new book and enter to win it!)




I’ve had mad love for Jen Weiner since her very first book Good In Bed, and her 10th book is out now, The Next Best Thing! I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t had a chance to crack it open yet, but this one too is accompanying me on my beach trip to California in a couple of weeks (I better set some blog posts up to go live when I’m gone huh?!). Jen actually tweeted to me saying that I had written her one of the funniest notes about Good In Bed way back when – I just wish I could remember what the heck I wrote!

I’m excited about The Next Best Thing because I am sure that much of this story is a little bit about what Jen really experienced while she was in Hollywood working on her sitcom, The State of Georgia, which aired on ABC Family for a short while last year. It’s got to have some real insider stuff along with the great humor that we love Jen for.

Actors aren’t the only ones trying to make it in Hollywood.…At twenty-three, Ruth Saunders left her childhood home in Massachusetts and headed west with her seventy-year-old grandma in tow, hoping to make it as a screenwriter. Six years later, she hits the jackpot when she gets The Call: the sitcom she wrote, The Next Best Thing, has gotten the green light, and Ruthie’s going to be the showrunner. But her dreams of Hollywood happiness are threatened by demanding actors, number-crunching executives, an unrequited crush on her boss, and her grandmother’s impending nuptials. 

Set against the fascinating backdrop of Los Angeles show business culture, with an insider’s ear for writer’s room showdowns and an eye for bad backstage behavior and set politics, Jennifer Weiner’s new novel is a rollicking ride on the Hollywood roller coaster, a heartfelt story about what it’s like for a young woman to love, and lose, in the land where dreams come true.

If you’re lucky enough to live in or near one of the towns Jen will be visiting on tour, you’ll also get to enjoy cupcakes as this is going to be a Cupcakes Across America tour (sadly, it’s not including Arizona!). Of course, if I still lived in Chicago, I could see Jen, Jen Lancaster, Stacey Ballis AND Sarah Pekkanen together on July 13 at THIS AMAZING INCREDIBLE EVENT. If I were YOU, I would NOT MISS IT!

Check this list of events to see if you can make any of Jennifer Weiner’s other events, you lucky ducklings you! http://www.jenniferweiner.com/events.htm

Get The Next Best Thing on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

In the meantime, you can read the first chapter of The Next Best Thing here:
www.jenniferweiner.com/thenextbestthing

And you can also go here to listen to the first and second chapters read to you here http://www.jenniferweiner.com/books.htm How cool is THAT!?

So, I know you’re all excited, and it’s a new month and all, but tell me what the Next Best Thing you are excited about? The next best thing I’m looking forward to is settling myself onto that beach in a couple of weeks and reading some great books!!!

Thanks for sticking around for the June Book a Day promo - don't forget to check to see if you've won a book over here  and for continuing to support the blog and checking out the authors and books!

Happy July, and here's to a bunch of new books coming your way and the Grand Prize announcement of June Book Winner very soon! 




85 comments:

Bev V said...

It's a little bittersweet, but I'm looking forward to being an empty nester full time. My "baby" is a sophomore in college, so in 3 years, she will, hopefully, have a job and life of her own.

Melissa said...

I am excited for a the month of July. Concerts and lot of birthday parties (including my two sons' birthdays). Mel Rem

Carly said...

We are going river rafting in two weeks. We'll also be celebrating my two year wedding anniversary and my brother's birthday that weekend. Can't wait!

Carly H

Mary Jo Burke said...

For school to start. It's been a long hot summer.

Melissa said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is camping in a few weeks!

-tmd636

Carie Casey said...

I'm looking forward to 2 of my kiddos being in school full time. I have one more in pre school.

Carie

DaphneSFL said...

Looking forward to the rest of the summer, a few days in Michigan, and a road trio this fall with our good friends

Juliet Farmer said...

i'm looking forward to a house full of healthy pets. we've been having crisis after crisis so far this summer. :(

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

On Sunday, my book club is going on a girl's get away to a ranch with hot springs and a beautiful locale. I can't wait to soak, read, drink wine, & laugh!

Melissa said...

My birthday is in a few weeks. It's scary that I'm in my mid-30's and still look forward to birthdays. :)

I loved TNBT and am excited to see Jen next week!

Melissa A from CLC

absolutahnie said...

using my ice cream maker! i made milky way (OMG! fabulous!!) yesterday and this weekend i'm going to try my hand at maple bacon.

Megan said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is finding a new job and beginning a new career! EEK!
eloisepeaches

Tina B said...

I'm looking forward to vacation!!
Brannanflooring@aol.com

Erin Kathleen said...

My birthday on the 13th....I will be 39 so I have started a bucket list of awesome things to do before 40 :-} I know 40 is not the end..but more an excuse to do fabulous things!! ha

susieqlaw said...

My 40th Birthday is this month!

susieqlaw

Kim W. said...

My next best thing.....a week at the end of August in Sylvan Lake with my hubby, kids, and our good friends! We've rented a cottage for the entire week and we've got the beach outside our door and an indoor pool in the basement :)

Tami said...

Our trip to The Big Easy next weekend. So much yummy food!

Ally said...

Maybe getting pregnant again!

Dani In Chicago said...

I'm looking forward to hanging out by my friend's pool this weekend!

Coleen said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is going to day shift at work....and as always reading some awesome books!!

Krystal said...

Labor Day weekend... I'm going to throw my husband a surprise 30th birthday party! We will also have the opportunity to spent some much needed time with friends and family!
kndyer

Marla said...

I am excited to go on vacation in a couple of weeks. We still haven't officially decided WHAT we'll do, but the time off will be great and I hope to read, read, read!!!

Marla W. said...

That's me up there, btw - I'm not anonymous :o)...grrr - I hit enter too fast!

Books & Reviews said...

OH. I got the book today and I can't wait to read it!

j.1441 said...

The next best thing is the weekend. No work (lol) I with I lived near Chicago so I could go to the Lake Forest event too! All my fav writers are going to be there.

Ready To Be A Momma said...

I'm looking forward to finalizing my divorce and moving on with my life. Moving on to the next best chapter!
Qweska8402

Jessica said...

I'm excited about my cousin from CA coming to visit me in a few weeks. =]

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

faithspage said...

Leave for Destin, FL in 2 days

Lindsay Elizabeth said...

a vacation in Napa at the end of August!

Sharon said...

Hmmm, this is easy. My little boy turns 4 in a few days!

sharn3960 (@) comcast (.) net

Kristi said...

My baby!!! We're due in about a month and I can't wait. Not only am I getting tired of being pregnant BUT I can't wait to meet our little one. We're waiting to find out whether it's a boy or girl... so we'll see!

aggiekristi04

TaraUB said...

Looking forward to being in one of my best friends weddings in September.

ludy2288 said...

I'm looking forward to the big gladd of wine I am going to enjoy after work today :)

Other than that, it would be the big move across the country in a few months.

Emily said...

I'm excited to close on the new (and first!) house I just bought!


Emily116

Betsy said...

I'm looking forward to seeing my cousin this weekend, and this book!

Katie said...

The next best thing I am excited about is going to Virginia at the end of the month

Anonymous said...

Next best thing I am looking forward to is vacation in Sept. It's what keeps me going at work right now!
RebeccaE

your invisible pixie said...

I'm looking forward to working on a musical in two weeks!

Margie said...

Next best thing is having a family picnic at the cabin.
Margie T

Becki**** said...

Next Best Thing is hoping my daughter gets into her radiology program AND settles down, lol

betsy_blixt said...

Christmas in MN with the whole family!

Anonymous said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is a camping trip with the family in afew weeks.

Colbey J

Joelle said...

For our cruise in October to celebrate our anniversary...and really any day with my hubs.

- jobella

Shellybelly43066 said...

The next best thing is traveling to las Vegas for a family wedding

Kelleyc said...

Vacation with the family in August!!!

Luvschocolate said...

I'm excited about our trip to Hawaii next month. I haven't been in 15 years, and am not working but my dad is taking my daughter and I on a much needed all,expense paid vacation.

Terri said...

I'm sure there'll be lots of great things along the way, but I am most excited to become an aunt this fall. Twice! My brother and his wife are having twins!! That will definitely be the next best thing!

Terri M. aka Aunt Terri

Chrissy said...

I'm looking forward to meeting a new group of kindergartners in August! Every year is a new adventure!
ReadWriteSing

Read Baby Read said...

Next Best Thing: My new job as a reading specialist. :)

jdstec said...

I am looking forward to our trip to Texas in November to see family.

Lindsay said...

As awful as it sounds, winter! This heat is not my thing.

ncsuloges said...

The next best thing I am excited for is a makeup party one of my friends is having and getting my hair done. Wow I sound shallow!

accidentalgypsy said...

I'm excited for my future niece, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law to come visit us in Seattle in July, September, and October, respectively, to take engagement pictures in September and to get married next year!! :) I suppose I'll eventually be excited about beginning to go to my trainer 3x a week to get prepared for the pics and wedding too! :)

buttah said...

I am also looking forward to not 1, but 2 beach vacations coming up!! And school starting next month!

Denise said...

I'm excited about vacation in a few weeks! Beaches, swim up bars, and spas!

-Denise F.

Leslie said...

Although it is both a happy and sad occasion, my next big thing is next month. My youngest starts middle school and the oldest is going away to an all boys boarding school. I am super excited for him as it was his decision and he is excited, but terribly sad for me and his little brother who will be in the house alone. LeslieGC

Leah B said...

Vacation - next month and I can't wait. We haven't been away in a few years and I am super excited!

equinn726 said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is graduating nursing school next month - YAY!!

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

The next best thing I am looking forward to is the week later in July when I am the 'sag wagon' for my daughter's team when they bike across Iowa. Which means I drive the car from one location to the next each day and the rest of the time is my time. I am so looking forward to all that time I am going to have to READ!!!!

Bridget said...

Comic Con in San Diego next week.

iambtinrb

Reese78 said...

Enjoying the rest of summer by sleeping in and catching up on my reading before work and school start again in August!

keltban said...

The next best thing I am looking forward to is seeing a good friend from CA. I haven't seen her in 5 years so I am excited to catch up. Also I am going to see Garbage next month and I can't wait!

Lizett34 said...

I am looking foward to September! The month is filled with running events and weekend get-a-ways. Fun times ahead =)!

robynn78 said...

Im excited to start my house... Its been a long 2 years but finally I can say at the end of this month no more paper pushing with the bank. and on track to getting it done.

VerdoniTN said...

The next big thing I'm looking forward to is my daughter starting her senior year of high school and making lots of memories.

Nanette said...

Next best thing...my niece's wedding. Love, fun, food and CAKE! I love weddings. :)

Nan

*Amy R* said...

Going to Hawaii in a week!

Christina said...

We just sold our house and I'm super excited to go house hunting!! And I have mad love for Jennifer Weiner too :)

ChristinaL

Erin G said...

I'm looking forward to being back into our house - we had a small fire in our attic, and are living in a hotel while repairs and cleaning are completed. Not as much fun as it sounds like!

Kristin said...

I'm looking forward to surprising our kids with a trip to Ravinia to see Laurie Berkner. I know they are going to be surprised and I can't wait to see their reactions.

Sslinsky said...

I'm looking forward to the baby gaining some more independence. He's getting to big to carry around.

Sarah

Literary Chanteuse said...

The next best thing I'm waiting for is two nephews or nieces to be born this fall.

Margaret(Literary Chanteuse)

Bridget O'Neill said...

The next best thing I'm waiting for is to meet my new nephew next weekend. He'll be 2 1/2 weeks old! :)

Tiffany Drew said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is my husband FINALLY being home early! After almost three years of working two full time jobs (8am-11pm M-F and sometimes 7am-5pm on Saturdays), he got an excellent promotion and is able to leave his night job. I don't even know what we will do with all the extra time, but I know it is going to be AWESOME :)

TinaPow said...

The next best thing I am looking forward to is the arrival of my NEXT baby this October!

Emma S. said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is a beach trip with my friends in August. I can't wait to lay on the beach with a good book!

Unknown said...

My next best thing is my first "Family" vacation with my boyfriends family. :) First week in August. Meeting his Great Uncle & pretty nervously excited about it.

Sherry said...

The next best thing I am looking forward to is a trip with my BFF--just girls:)

Crystal said...

I am anxiously (but cautiously) awaiting the loan approval and closing for our FIRST house at the end of the month!! Our FIFTH anniversary on the 17th. and my 24th birthday on the 30th!!

(oh, and we're hoping to close on the 30th. yes. i picked the day) LOL

crystal717

Kimmi said...

The next best thing I'm looking forward to is my boss' upcoming vacation.

A.C. said...

I'm looking forward to seeing my hubby again and our vacation to Hawaii!

CAnative said...

The next best thing for me will be having my mom visit in just a couple of days.

Nicole

Jeffie T said...

HAWAII in 70 DAYS!!!

Alice said...

Taking my mom to see Mama Mia!

Stephanie said...

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