Guest Post: Megan McCafferty

Megan McCafferty had a hit with her book about high school student Jessica Darling called "Sloppy Firsts" in 2001. Megan's books totally have that John Hughes' "16 Candles" vibe... and I love it. How great is it when a book conjures up a hilarious, snarky and thoughtful movie in your head? Anyway, the third book in her sort of series is "Charmed Thirds" and it releases April 11th. Jessica is off to college, NYC and a world of uncertainty in this one. Megan was kind enough to drop us a line and let us know what she was playing while she wrote this book.

Here is her unofficial soundtrack to the writing of Charmed Thirds:

01 Please, Please, Please.../The Smiths
02 Synchronicity/The Police
03 In Between Days/The Cure
04 See a Little Light/Bob Mould
05 Pass Me By/Pete Yorn
06 Wonderwall/Oasis
07 Oh Well/Fiona Apple
08 Nothing is Good Enough/Aimee Mann
09 Dumb/Nirvana
10 Everyday is Like Sunday/Morrissey
11 Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town/Pearl Jam
12 (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding /Elvis Costello
13 Closer to You/Liz Phair
14 Somewhere Only We Know/Keane
15 It's Only Natural/Crowded House
16 The One I Love/David Gray
17 You and I Both/Jason Mraz
18 Here, There and Everywhere/The Beatles
19 Somewhere Down the Road/Barry Manilow
20 Leaves that are Green Turn to Brown/Simon & Garfunkel

As I looked over these songs, I realized that many are steeped in melancholy. Charmed Thirds isn't a depressing book (it's funny! I swear!) but I guess I needed to tap into feelings of confusion longing and (yes) heartache... - Megan

I have to say, Bob Mould's "See a Little Light" is one of my favorites. Thanks Megan. And also of note, Megan McCafferty does a "retroblog" - it's her genuine writings from her high school diaries posted anew for all to read. A genius twist on the blog.

Pre-order the book (it releases April 11th) now on Amazon.
Or buy one of her other terrific books.
Check out Megan McCafferty's own retroblog.