ALWAYS is my eighth novel in the US, and ninth in the world, and today I'm making room for my newest story, in hardcover, in my Seattle bookcase--in Doc Martens, of course (which I haven't worn since the nineties!). In 1993, when my novel begins, I was a 16-year-old in Seattle, with a diary and a lot of dreams. I was dating a boy with a mohawk who was the lead singer of a punk rock band. When I close my eyes and let my heart go back to those years, it's all there--ferries, thrift-shop shopping, cafe living, shows, guitar, bad poetry, young love. There are a lot of those old ghosts in this new novel, and some new ones. I'm excited to share this story with the world on February 7! My love, Brandon, is, very generously, throwing me a book launch party this month. It will be at an awesome spot in Pioneer Square (where ALWAYS is set), with all of our favorite people, and where a special musician will be playing songs from the novel, including a cover from Mazzy Star. It will be such a full circle moment for me--celebrating the old and the new.

Thank you, Seattle Magazine for featuring me and ALWAYS in your February issue! I shall forever love the headline "Grunge Lover."  

An inspiring photographer friend of mine, Michelle Moore, decided to pick an aspirational word for the New Year. She chose the word "elevate," which I really loved--both the word and the idea. I thought a long time about what word I'd choose. Lots of words rose to the top, but the one that resonated most is: grace. I don't always feel that graceful. In fact, a lot of my life is about rushing and worrying and clumsily getting from point A to point B. Snapping when I should speak in a kind voice. Criticizing myself, sometimes cruelly. I don't always show myself grace, and, even worse, sometimes I don't give others the grace I should give them either. I've always loved Grace Kelly, above; her life seemed to embody her name. I'd love to write about her someday. Maybe. For now, here's to a grace-filled 2017!

One of the most memorable moments for an author is the moment a box arrives in the mail from your editor/publisher with finished copies of your novel! Seriously, after nine books, published in (I think) 30 countries, this never gets old. Yesterday, a few boxes of my eighth novel in the US, and my ninth novel in the world, ALWAYS, arrived! I was so excited to see them, and also a little shy about the ENORMOUS photo of my face on the back. Eeks! What do you think? I'm so excited to be working with the BEST publishing team in the U.S., Random House/Ballantine, to release the first of three new novels of mine in the U.S. Have you preordered your copy yet? I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of this story. Lots of love from Seattle!

Hello friends! There has been some confusion about my publishing schedule in the US and internationally, so I thought I'd try to explain. I have had the lovely good fortune of signing a multiple book deal with Pena, my wonderful Turkish publisher. Pena is publishing a new Sarah Jio book each November. Because the appetite for my books in Turkey is so strong, last year, I decided to take the summer and write a special book to be published as a world exclusive in Turkey. The novel hasn't been published anywhere else, but will be soon sold to other countries by my amazing literary agent. The novel, BACK TO YOU, or in Turkish, Kelebek Adasi, was published in November, has hit the #1 spot on the Turkish bestseller list and has already gone through multiple printings. I continue to be so honored by the love and support from my Turkish readers. US readers: ALWAYS (which was published in Turkey last year, and will be published in a list of other countries this year!), will be in bookstores across America on February 7! I can't wait! Love to you all!

I'm so excited to share the cover for my new novel. ALWAYS will be published in hardcover from Random House (Ballantine Books) on February 7, 2017. Isn't the cover gorgeous!? I can't wait for you all to read. If you'd like to preorder a copy, click here!

Have you watched the new Nora Ephron documentary "Everything Is Copy"? I can't wait. I've sat down with a glass of wine three times now attempting to watch it and have either had to tend to a little boy who needed to sleep in mommy's bed or have had Internet issues

My trip to Istanbul last November was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I can't wait to return this year and say hi to all of my lovely Turkish readers again. Until then, back to work on my new novel!    

Book tour observation #258: A lot of time was spent on my hair. Thank you, Brandon for documenting the hours of prep work (hehe).