Please note that in my illustration, Annie and I are holding hands. A girl can dream.
Also, while doing this blog with Annie, I'm amazed again and again at how easy she makes writing look. My portion of our By the Book will not be nearly as articulate, and will have many more exclamation points.
What books are on your nightstand?
Too many. I think that nightstands were made for something other than holding books, but I always have some kind of TBR stack there.
(Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health, edited by Kelly Jensen. I really enjoy listening to Jensen on the Book Riot Hey YA podcast, and she has recruited some amazing YA authors for the anthology. And! Also! Kristen Bell, who is the cherry on top of the sundae.
A Room Away From the Wolves, by Nova Ren Suma. I’m upset that I haven’t gotten to this book, yet. It was sent to the bookstore I work at in advance of its release, and I made an embarrassing yelp of joy when I saw it. Nova Ren Suma is an amazing writer, and writes about heavy topics with bewildering beauty and grace.
In Other Lands, by Sarah Rees Brennan. I loved Brennan’s YA trilogy Unspoken, so I bought this one without really looking at the summary. Brennan’s books are funny and sweet, with just the right amount of spook. This book has mermaids, so I’m sold.
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock, by Imogen Hermes Gowar. Another mermaid book! I guess it's A Thing with me right now. This is a US-release ARC that was sent to my store, and I grabbed it from the pile because Madeline Miller recommended it and Vogue blurbed it as funny. I don't think Vogue is who I should count on as the authority of what is funny, but maybe it's fashionably funny with lots of ad space, and that still sounds good to me.
Seafire, by Natalie Parker. At work, this is a book that I stopped by a few times every day to take off the shelf and inspect. Seafire is about pirates and revenge and kickass women: what else could I ask for? I impulsively bought it, and can't wait to dive in.
Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).
In a hammock, surrounded by trees, overlooking a lake. The rest of the details don’t really matter, as long as the waves are the loudest thing I can hear.
Who’s your favorite fictional detective?
Nancy Drew is forever #1 in my heart. She’s intelligent, persevering, intrepid, collected, fashionable, kind, and her boyfriend Ned follows her around like a loyal puppy. I still want to be just like her when I grow up.
Who is your favorite overlooked or underappreciated writer?
I love YA author Kiersten White. Her writing isn’t groundbreaking, but her titles are in varied genres--all witty, fast-paced, and intriguing. Any book of hers I pick up is bound to keep me entertained and wanting more. White keeps getting better and better, so I can’t wait to see what her next adventure will be.
Disappointing, overrated, just not good: What book did you feel you were supposed to like, and didn’t? Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?
The Great Gatsby. I KNOW. Don’t @ me.
I can't think of any book in particular, but the only kind of book I quit is usually a romance novel. I really enjoy the genre, but I'm also picky with it, because half of the time I find myself being disappointed and not having any interest in how the book ends. Any other genre, I usually fight my way to the last page.
You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?
Terry Pratchett, for warmth and humor and good stories. David Sedaris, for caustic wit and complaints to balance Pratchett out. Then lastly, debut author Tomi Adeyemi, because based on her Instagram, she seems like just the kind of girlfriend you’d want at your side during a dinner party.
How do you like to read? Paper or electronic? One book at a time or simultaneously? Morning or night?
Lately I’ve only been reading paper books. I went through a dry reading spell for a while, and I think that having a physical book in my hands helps to combat that.
Only one book at a time! Who am I, Annie??? I’m always amazed at how Annie can read lots of books at the same time, and is able to hold all of those worlds in her head.
And really, morning vs. night doesn’t matter. I’m moody! Whenever I want to read, I do.
How do you decide what to read next? Is it reviews, word of mouth, books by friends, books for research? Does it depend on mood or do you plot in advance?
Working at a bookstore is as much of a blessing as it is a curse. Books literally come at me from all directions, and it’s my job to have conversations with people about what they’re reading. Covers grab me as I’m unpacking books from boxes, or re-shelving, and customers will excitedly tell me about a book as I look up a title for them. I also listen to a couple YA and Middle Grade podcasts to try and stay on top of what’s hot in my department, and there’s always books that pique my interest.
MOOD. Always. I’m too much of a messy person to have a plan. What I read is always what strikes me in the moment.
What’s the last book that made you cry?
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour. It’s such a soft, quiet book, but carries a lot of weight. I don’t want to give too much away, but I was sobbing during the last chapter, and had to pause and blink away tears so I could get through the last few pages. In a good way. Good crying. Cool crying.
What do you plan to read next?
Seafire is really nudging at me--the tagline is Sisterhood is Survival! And pirates!--but I want to reread Howl’s Moving Castle before I write an upcoming review on it. Either way, I’m making a good choice.
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