Welcome to the next stop on the Better Off Friends Wisconsin Launch Party Blog Tour! When I first heard about this book I was thrilled. A book set in Wisconsin written by my favorite Wisconsin author? Heck yes! And goodness, was I right to be excited! But more about my thoughts later. Here’s a bit about the book and author:
For Macallan and Levi, it was friends at first sight. Everyone says guys and girls can’t be just friends, but these two are. They hang out after school, share tons of inside jokes, their families are super close, and Levi even starts dating one of Macallan’s friends. They are platonic and happy that way.
Eventually they realize they’re best friends — which wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t keep getting in each other’s way. Guys won’t ask Macallan out because they think she’s with Levi, and Levi spends too much time joking around with Macallan, and maybe not enough time with his date. They can’t help but wonder . . . are they more than friends or are they better off without making it even more complicated?
From romantic comedy superstar Elizabeth Eulberg comes a fresh, fun examination of a question for the ages: Can guys and girls ever really be just friends? Or are they always one fight away from not speaking again — and one kiss away from true love?
SIGNED copies can be pre-ordered or purchased after the Better Off Friends Launch Party through Boswell Books by calling (414) 332-1181
From Goodreads:
The short and sweet version:
Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Wisconsin before heading off to college at Syracuse University and making a career in the New York City book biz. Now a full-time writer, she is the author of The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, and Better Off Friends. She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick.
To check out the long version, head over to my webpage: http://www.elizabetheulberg.com/bio.html
Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Website
Check out the other stops on the blog tour:
Feb 16 Liza – http://www.WhoRuBlog.com
For my stop I’m looking at some of the Irish references. Most of the book takes place in Wisconsin but there is a bit set in Ireland… a place I’ve always wanted to visit. This post was a little torturous to write because I just wanted to buy a plane ticket! I’ve broken this post up into a few sections.
Setting:
The Irish part of the story is set in Dingle, Ireland.
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| http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g211861-Dingle_Dingle_Peninsula_County_Kerry-Vacations.html#20080340 |
Here is what the Trip Advisor page on Dingle vacations had to say:
Perched on the hem of the Atlantic in Ireland’s southwest, charming Dingle looks out over Dingle Bay to the Blasket Islands. Chock full of friendly pubs where live traditional music plays, the Irish-speaking area fills to the brim with tourists on weekends and through summer. Another regular visitor to Dingle’s Gulf Stream-warmed waters is Fungi, the dolphin, the town’s unofficial mascot. Popular tourist attractions include the beaches, Mount Brandon and Ballydavid and Ballyferriter villages.
Much of the info mentioned in that blurb makes its way in to Better Off Friends!
Food:
Food shows up often in Better Off Friends. While in Dingle, Macallan often visits Murphey’s Ice Cream. Her favorite flavor is sea salt and honeycomb. Personally, I’m curious about the Irish Brown Bread!
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| https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151281068527633&set=pb.70946942632.-2207520000.1392942747.&type=3&theater |
Macallan also mentions that she can’t wait to get home and make everyone “proper” fish ‘n’ chips. We have Friday Night Fish Fry pretty much everywhere in Wisconsin so this wasn’t totally foreign to her 🙂
Language:
As you might expect, Macallan encounters some language differences in Ireland. One of the main reasons is the influence of Gaelic in Ireland. One example is when Macallan first hears the word craic. It’s pronounced “crack” but basically means fun or a good time. Macallan (and the reader) also encounter terms like brilliant (to mean great or awesome) and fairy lights (term used in UK for white Christmas lights).
Folk Songs:
Macallan’s grandfather is tracing the origins of Irish folk songs. These songs are varied and have a rich history. When Macallan’s visit is over her grandfather raises a toast and begins to sing The Parting Glass. You may be familiar with Ed Sheeran’s version:
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