Tuesday, October 16, 2012

THE FUTURE OF US: Paperback Release Contest!

The paperback edition of The Future of Us is out today!


A quick Google search of "The Future of Us" shows that practically everyone is talking about it:
  • The uncertainty surrounding the future of US tax breaks for wind energy projects has...
  • ...Johnson was strong, fast, and talented, exactly what the future of U.S. soccer was supposed to look like.
  • Can America lead? The presidential debate and the future of US foreign policy
  • Is This Tuna-Bot the Future of US Harbor Security?
(I don't remember a Tuna-Bot in our story, but as long as they're talking about the book, I won't complain.)

To celebrate today's release, Carolyn Mackler and I are giving away two autographed copies of The Future of Us, one hardcover and one paperback. Carolyn and I will sign them both, and you can have them personalized to anyone you want.

How do you enter? In the comments section of this post, tell us the name of a book you'd like to see made into a movie, and also tell us the name and artist of a song you think would be great on the soundtrack. You don't have to, but we'd also like to hear why you think it's a great match. Is it the tone? The lyrics?

For example...

Carolyn and I recently read a draft of the screenplay for The Future of Us, and it was hilarious! Yes, it's a bit early to put too much thought into the soundtrack, but it's also fun, so...whatever! As you may or may not know, our book focuses on two teens in 1996. It also deals with who they become as adults. Our publisher showed us the song 1996 by The Wombats, which sounds like a good match to me!



We'll randomly select one person to win both books and announce the winner Thursday morning. So submit your entry by midnight (PST) on Wednesday. There's no need to leave your contact info with your entry, just check back on Thursday and we'll tell you how to get that info to us.

Good luck, have fun, and rock on!



*It may take some time your comment to appear. But don't worry, it will appear! I've been getting a lot of spam in the comments recently (not of the yummy SPiced hAM variety), so I have to use the comment moderator.

41 comments:

Carti cu Colti said...

I know I will sound cheesy,but I will love to see a movie about Thirteen Reasons why book.That book is so intense and it has a positive message and I think this song is perfect for the soundtrack http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8rtJRlLdI8

Hope said...

I would love to see the 'Hush, Hush' series by Becca Fitzpatrick made into a movie, with the song 'Angel with a Shotgun' by The Cab played on the soundtrack. I think the lyrics of this song perfectly describe the way Patch will do anything, even go against grace, to keep the one he loves safe.

Ashlee Ford said...

I recently read a book by John Green Called "A Fault in our Stars" and the two main characters are kids with cancer, but they hate that everyone makes cancer kids seem so depressing and needy. Although Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters are both sick, They become very close and fall in love, making every day an adventure. The book is so full of symbolism and beautiful detail that I had tears pouring down my face by the end of the book. I'd LOVE to see it become a movie. One song I think that would go great with the movie on the Soundtrack is the song "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift. One section of the lyrics go something like this

"I remember tears streaming down your face
When I said, "I'll never let you go"
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound"

You would have to hear the song and the melody to get a feel for the music and how it fits well with a story of two kids who are sick with something as horrible as cancer.

John said...

I mean, I know I've already expressed this to you Jay, but I can't wait for Thirteen Reasons Why to become a movie. If done correctly, it'll have the power to reach so many people, just like the book did. When a book transfers to a movie, it has a responsibility to bring the same importance to a larger crowd. And I truly believe TRW would have a major impact. I still think that "For Blue Skies" by Strays Don't Sleep would be the perfect song for the movie, specifically when Tony and Clay are listening to Clay's tape together. It's all about someone forgiving his lover for committing suicide, and to me, that's when Clay starts to forgive Hannah for all the pain she's caused him. I think it would be a gorgeous scene, and I hope to see it play out some day soon.

Jan Bethel S. Alson said...

I just recently read David Levithan's EVERY Day. And as soon as I finished it, I keep thinking, "I've got to see this one on the big scree." And the moment I heard BE YOUR EVERYTHING by Boys Like Girls, I keep remembering Every Day. The songs makes me think of A who is willing to do everything for Rhiannon. No matter what. Both are kind of sweet and sad at the same time. :))

Tom said...

Would love to see The Elemental series (Storm, Spark, Spirit, etc.) by Brigid Kemmerer on screen. Great characters, awesome action scenes, and all kinds of great questions about family, friends, and loyalty. A great song, especially for Spark, would be "Demons" by Imagine Dragons. It reflects a lot of the turmoil in the mind of the main character Gabriel, who never knows whom he can trust, and often especially can't even trust himself.

Jacque Seidl said...

I would like to see Chris Crutcher's "Deadline" made into a movie. This book has such strong themes/ideas that I feel would translate into film. Although it may be a bit cliche, I think the theme song should be "Good Riddance" by Green Day.

Alexandra said...

I would love to see Looking for Alaska by John Green made into a movie (actually any John Green book). BUT! If it were made into a movie, I think She's So Mean by Matchbox Twenty should be on the soundtrack because 1: it's such a good song & 2: I think it (the lyrics) describes Alaska. I feel like you can dissect every lyric in this song & relate it back to Alaska. Also, I can totally see the girl in the music video being Alaska. Now every time I watch it I'm just gonna call that girl Alaska. Ha!

@SleepsOnTables
alexandra.n.ehlers@gmail.com

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

I'm going with Thirteen Reasons Why, too. With music either U2 One, or Ducan Sheik Barely Breathing. (I also would like to see Future of Us and think Green Day Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) would be a good song.)

AlwaysSmileyRylee said...

I would like to see "Thirteen Reasons Why" of course to be made into a movie. The book was fantastic and I would like to see if the way others saw it was the same way I saw it. I think the song that would be on the soundtrack is "Eyes Open" by Taylor Swift. Also I think that "The Immortal" series by Alyson Noel would be a fantastic movie. A song that would be on the soundtrack is probably "Shattered" by OAR or "In Your Arms" by Kina Grannis. I would love to win. Please consider me as the winner. Thank you.

Sophia Chang said...

I'm all about epic fantasy and it would be great to see more high-budget films based off books like Poison Study or Throne of Glass or Seraphina.

Florence + The Machine absolutely has to do the soundtrack (Snow White & Huntsman style). "Shake it Off" is a great one, but of course I'd want an original for the film.

Anonymous said...

I would love to see Thirteen Reasons Why into a movie. It is one of my favorite books. I want to hear the song Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol especially in the scene where Hannah and Clay had their kiss. The song expressed that in that moment they were in their perfect world. They could be together at but at just that moment. Also the song The Way I Loved You by Selena Gomez, the song expresses their love for one another. And that they are letting go of one another especially with Hannah when she said the reasons why Clay was one of her reasons.

AmandaHewer said...

World War Z by Max Brooks, with a soundtrack by Imagine Dragons. The story was totally amazing and the music would fit rather well.

Becca said...

I would absolutely love to see M.T. Anderson's FEED turned into a movie. Soundtrack should include "The Future Freaks Me Out" by Motion City Soundtrack, for obvious reasons.

Unknown said...

My students and I would like to see Stolen by Lucy Christopher made into a movie. Unbroken by Demi Lovato would be a good song for the sound track.

Unknown said...

I would love to The Night Circus by Erin Mortensen be made into a movie. I think Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris and Florence Welsh would be a great song choice for the movie because it really has some great tension to it.

Unknown said...

I know Divergent is going to be a movie, and I think "I'll follow you down" by Shinedown is perfect for Four's relationship with Tris.

"I'll follow you down through the eye of the storm
Don't worry I'll keep you warm.
I'll follow you down while we're passing through space
I don't care if we fall from grace
I'll follow you down"

Hannah said...

i would like to see "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green into a movie/ I'm not gonna give the book away but it is very deep and emotional and you get so invested in the characters.

A song to match would be "On a Night Like This" by Dave Barnes. The song talks about falling in love on a perfect night.

also Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us, i wanna see the characters interact!

Rebecca said...

I'd love to see the Fault in our Stars by John Green made into a movie with the song "Love Vigilantes" by Iron and Wine in the soundtrack.

what now.. said...

I would love to see "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain made into a movie. The book was amazing and very well written. The song I would choose is "Dark Side" by Kelly Clarkson because the words to that song explain the book perfectly. I would love to win. :)13 reasons why is a fantastic book and it was very moving.

Unknown said...

I think that "Click Here" by Denise Vega should be made into a movie. That book was so funny and good. The song I think that would be perfect in it would be "Secrets" by One Republic because the book is about her giving all her secrets away just like the lyrics of the book are.

Kat C @ Books and Sensibility said...

I'm re-reading Dreamland by Sarah Dessen right now and I think this book has the kind of visuals to make an awesome movie. Like how Caitlin wears her cheerleader uniform as she beings to descend into Rogerson's world. It's not a book with a lot of spark I think it'd make a great indie or something.

I think the song Gravity by Sara Barielles would be perfect to describe the relationship between Caitlin and Rogerson. Maybe even an accapella version

Olivia said...

I would love to see "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak made into a movie. The story is told from Death's perspective about a little girl named Liesel Meminger during WWII in Nazi Germany. The book is described as, "Just a small story really, amongst other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery...". I think the song, "The Lonely" by Christina Perri would be perfect if it were placed at the end:
"Broken pieces of a barely breathing story
Where there once was love
Now there's only me and the lonely."

AlwaysSmileyRylee said...

I would like to see the book Grey Eyes by Brandon Alston be turned into a movie. It was a very good book and I would like to see a movie of it. The song i would choose would be Misguided Ghosts by Paramore.

Unknown said...

I was going to offer a John Green book, but to change things up a bit...

I think Burned by Ellen Hopkins would be a great (and unpredictable) movie. After tedious pondering, I've decided on the song "Hood" by Perfume Genius. It seems sorta silly, but simple is sometimes the answer. After seeing the video to the song, I was confused and I began to think meticulously about the actual meaning behind the lyrics.
So to relate it to the story... it could be talking about her relationship with her father who she is trying to please, to an extent, but does many things behind his back anyway. Him, being a strict Mormon, would not approve of a variety of things that she does throughout the book.

Besides the meaning behind the lyrics, the beat is not too depressing or too happy for the Burned. It has a fun beat and it's a great song to listen to :) (was one of my favorites until I played it out like I do with every good song) The video is interesting, too, if anyone wants to check it out!

I just feel like it will be a good movie-type of song.

Unknown said...

I think the book Parallel by Claudia Lefeeve would be a great movie. It was very interesting and made me think a lot about parallel universes and stuff. The song that would be good in it it White Nights by Oh Land because every time I hear that song it makes me think of different universes. I hope you consider me as the winner. Would love to win.

Samantha Warchol said...

I would love to see Divergent by Veronica Roth be made into a movie (I think it is going to be). I think "It's Time" or "Tiptoe" by Imagine Dragons would both be great songs for the soundtrack because they are both intense and somewhat dark songs that seem similar to Dauntless as a faction. Both songs are also strong and thoughtful and emphasize being yourself, which both Tris and Four struggle with in the beginning. The novel is partially about them coming out and being strong and fighting for what they want just like both songs.

Ben padilla said...

I absolutely adore "a fault in our stars" by john green. I feel that turning tables or make you feel my love by adele would fit so perfectly in the movie.

Tara B. said...

The next book I want to see transform into a movie is Halo by Alexandra Adornetto with the song Bereakaway by Kelly Clarkson on it's soundtrack. This song seems to Mimic the way the Bethany, the main character, feels when she acts different from everyone else. I believe it would have encouraged her to be herself and do what she felt was right when everyone else told her it was wrong.

Megan said...

I would reallylike to see "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green turned into a movie. It is such a phenonenal book and it really deserves it. I would like to see the song "Hosptial Beds" by the Cold War Kids featured in the film. It just fits so perfectly and I don't know how to explain it but anybody who has read the book and heard the song would understand.

Also, if and when your novel "Thirteen Reasons Why" is turned into a movie, I would like to see the song "Asleep" by The Smiths featured in the film. I think that is pretty self explanatory.

Wa said...

The novel "Before I Die" by Jenny Downham is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever and will ever read. Concentrating on a young girl dying from cancer and following her list of things to-do before shes passes on. A song I could see going along with the movie would definitely be "May Angels Lead You In" by Jimmy Eat World. Instantly once you hear the lyrics, "And if you were with me tonight, I'd sing to you just one more time. A song for a heart so big, god couldn't let it live.
May angels lead you in. Hear you me my friends. On sleepless roads the sleepless go. May angels lead you in." I could picture the main character, Tessa, lying in her bed before she passes, saying goodbye to the boy she loves, the dad who cared for her, the best friend whose reckless heart gave her adventure, and the brother who struggled to really say how much love he had for her. This is the link for the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pQo9OQlIB8. The story is so powerful, as is this beautiful song.

Unknown said...

*feels like most unhip person ever* But I too would like to see Thirteen Reasons Why made into a movie. I don't really know what song I would choose, but I'm thinking along the lines of 'My Immortal' by Evanescence, or 'Safe and Sound' by Taylor Swift, because they both give off a hopelessly sad vibe.

Megan@The Book Babe

purebloodprisoner said...

I'd love to see Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver made into a movie, and for some reason I picture Undercover Martyn or What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club as a part of the soundtrack - the general feel of them seems to fit the book, and I feel like they would suit it well in a movie.

Anonymous said...

I would really like to see 'Perfect' by Ellen Hopkins made into a movie. Since the book is written from the perspective of four different people in poem form, I think it would be really interesting to see how the director of the film would interpret the text. The song that I think that fits best with this book is 'Push' by Matchbox Twenty. To me, it captures the emotions of the characters and the overall angst of the book.

@ibeshe032
ashleigh.lowis@gmail.com

Jenn said...

The book I would looooveee to see made into a movie is called "The Summer I Turned Pretty" it was written by Jenny Han. Its such a good trilogy, and it shows how first love, no matter how many obstacles or how many times you give up, always finds a way back. It also talks about family relationships, which is something that I love reading about, the dynamic between parents and children and siblings, its such a complex thing. The song that ALWAYS remembers me of this book, is "Poison and Wine" by the Civil wars. The reason why it reminds me so much of the book and it goes so well with it, its because of the main couple, Belly and Conrad, childhood friends, the cool but distant older guy who shes always love and he who has always felt the same way but is always too scared. The song is basically about the girl knowing everything about the guy, and the guy pretending to be in denial about this. A part of the song says "I don't love you but I always will" and through the books that becomes the main thing, he pretends he doesn't love her so his brother can have her, but at the end of the day, he still does and its killing him. It also says "I wish you'd hold me when I turn my back. The less I give the more I get back.... I don't have a choice but I'd still choose you
" When she decides to walk away, to let him and her love for him go, she still wishes he would go to her, that he tell her how much he cares, and no matter how he tries not to give her any hope, she always worries and does whatever she can to be there for him -for an instance his mother dies of cancer.- As for the last line, it reminds me of how no matter what happened between them, the happy moments, the sad moments, she wanted to hold on to them, because those were things she appreciated, things she valued and things that made her happy. And that's why I love the song and the book and why they fit so well, it taught me to believe in love, to fight for it and that no matter whatever happens, you should always hold on to whats dear to you, and as someone who tends to be somewhat more malicious, it just warmed my heart.

Unknown said...

A lot of people are saying The Fault in Our Stars, and although it's a wonderful book, I'd rather see another John Green book be seen on the big screen. The book is called Paper Towns, and it's about Q, a nerdy, invisible kind of kid who is incredibly in love with his neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman, who is popular and beautiful and eccentric. One night, Margo shows up at Q's window and takes him away and gives him possibly the best night ever. And in the morning, she's gone. Now, Q must uncover the mystery of where Margo went, as well as who she really was and who he, Q, is.

A song I think that would fit nicely is What Are You So Scared Of by Tonight Alive. I think it represents the night when Q and Margo are together, and how scared Q is.

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to see The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler made into a movie and if that happened, I've always thought the Yo La Tengo song "My Little Corner of the World" would be a good song for the soundtrack. Besides being a good song, it would offer some commentary on the terrific twist Handler builds into the story, revealed toward the end of the novel.

Karissa said...

A novel which I want to see made into a film adaption is The Giver, by Lois Lowry. This dystopian read has been one of my favourites for many, many years, and rumours of a film adaption being in the works have raised my hopes numerous times over the last 6 years.

The song that I think would go very nicely in the film is "Avalanche" by Jonas Sees in Color (a band named after the main character, Jonas' ability to see in colour while others in his community cannot). The lyrics fit the hardships that Jonas encounters throughout the novel, and the melody is pretty sweet.

Jessica S. said...

I would love to see the book "Revolution" by Jennifer Donnelly with the song "Everybody Hurts" by Avril Lavigne. Throughout the entire book, Andi struggles with her life, living with her dad, and finding closure over her brother's death. This song perfectly fits the idea that idea that everybody is going to struggle and get hurt, but in the end, it'll all turn out okay, which Andi realizes by the end. She's been hurting for so long, but she's finally realized that she's had so many wonderful things in her life too, and that revelation changes her. (The beginning of the song would show her struggle with getting over her brother's death, but the chorus relates to all her struggles combined and just feeling so brought down.)

Sarah Jackman said...

Unfortunately, like a vast majority of the comments posted, I've been waiting for Thirteen Reasons Why. I think Nine Days' song "So Far Away" would be great for the soundtrack. The lyrics fit well with Hannah's journey through her downfall and the style of music I find to be very fitting as well. It is slow enough and sticking to a millennium style of music that beautifully illustrates life: acoustically chaotic yet moving. While that's the song I'm entering for the contest, another song that I found easy to connect is Red Jumpsuit Apparatus' song "Face Down" assuming it comes from the viewpoint of Clay towards the other people on the tapes, mostly focusing on his interaction with Marcus in front of Tyler's house and his thoughts towards Tyler or perhaps Justin. "Face Down" collects the harsh brutality of Hannah's reality. Ahh, yet another song that I feel really connects to Hannah is Nine Days' "If I Am". Please check out all of these songs if you haven't. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I think Trouble by Gary Schmidt would be an excellent movie. Setting, characters and plot are all intriguing! I would use the Lucksmiths "caravana" as it is about a road trip and the book characters do just that. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7rY66ooy5Z4
Although "sunlight in a jar" is my absolute favorite, it may be too peppy!