I’m so excited a new girlfriend is visiting! Lauren Strasnick’s book, Her and Me and You, just came out and isn’t the cover amazing?
Her and Me and You
Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, October 2010
First love, broken friendships, and heartache all play a part in this evocative, voice-driven novel about Alex, a girl whose world is ripped apart when her father’s affair splits her family in two.
Alex moves with her mess of a mother to a new town, where she is befriended by hot, enigmatic Fred–and alternately flirted with and cold-shouldered by Fred’s twin sister, Adina. Others warn Alex to steer clear of the twins, whose sibling relationship is considered abnormal at best, but there’s just something about Fred–and something about Adina–that draws Alex to them and makes her want to be part of their crazy world, no matter the consequences.
“Strasnick’s slim second offering packs a lot into its short chapters: divorce, broken friendships, crushes, the lines between love and sex and more. Characterization, scenes, dialogue and setting are seamlessly distilled into so few sharp, image-rich phrases that the novel reads almost as if it were written in verse. Less is definitely more here, and readers are plunged into Alex’s physical and emotional world within three to four words. Although the plot moves swiftly, the author’s ability to capture Alex’s inner world in so few words give the novel depth and balance. Complex and thought-provoking.” –Kirkus
Our Interview:
KRISTINA: In my book, THE ESPRESSOLOGIST, Jane, a coffee barista, matchmakes people based on their favorite coffee drinks. What’s your favorite coffee drink? (If you don’t like coffee, tell me what your favorite drink in general is. But I am sorry, you’ll never find love. Kidding!)
LAUREN: What?!! Nooooo! Loveless? J Well, coffee makes me hurt, so I don’t drink it. But is there anything more intoxicating then the smell of freshly ground beans?!
I’m a tea girl. St. Dalfour Strawberry Rose Green Tea, my fave. I order it by the case.
KRISTINA: How do you come up with the names of your characters?
LAUREN: I have a baby name book. I do first name and surname searches online. I spend days naming characters when I first start a project – the names have to sound believable, but I also want them to suit my taste and fit each character. First names are fun. Last names, impossible. I frequently steal last names from friends and friends of friends. I used the last name of a girl I went to high school with for a character in my first book, NOTHING LIKE YOU, and I can’t tell you how many emails I get from old friends wondering why I turned such a nice girl into such an unlikable character! Each time this happens I get wildly paranoid that this girl will read the book and think the character is based on her, when nothing could be farther from the truth! I just really, really liked her last name! Doh.
KRISTINA: What is the title of the first book you ever wrote?
LAUREN: “Yours Truly, The Girls From Bunk Six”. 5th grade! My unfinished masterpiece.
KRISTINA: Are you on twitter? Where can we follow you?
LAUREN: I am! You can follow me at: http://twitter.com/laurenstrasnick
KRISTINA: What are you working on now?
LAUREN: Another book for Simon Pulse: DAKOTA WEBB IS MISSING (out Spring 2012). Messy relationships, mystery, music and… Wow, too many M’s. I wasn’t even trying to be cute!
KRISTINA: Thanks Lauren! I can’t wait to read your book!
Visit her at her website & blog: www.laurenstrasnick.com
1 comment:
I really like the sound of this book!!! Not to mention the cover alone is inticing!!! She's so super cute too!
I'm a new follower! Yay!
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