fbpx

Author Features

MEET: Alexis Daria author of “Take The Lead”

Alexis writes stories about successful Latinx characters and their (occasionally messy) familias.

Last Updated on May 18, 2023 by BiblioLifestyle

Alexis Daria - Take the Lead
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

What was the last book that you read that you’d now recommend?

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay.  If you want those Harry and Meghan vibes in romance novel form, pick this up!  The sequel comes out July 11th. 

Have you read any classics lately that you were reading for the first time? 

Does The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren count? 

Do you re-read books? And if yes, what was your last re-read?

I used to love revisiting my comfort reads, but these days my TBR is so long, I don’t have time for re-reading. 

What are your go-to genres? 

Romance, sci-fi, and comics! 

What is your favorite childhood book?

This is so tough! I’ll go with an unusual one. For a while in 4th grade, I carried around a compilation of the original Addams Family comics. I read it cover to cover many times. 

What books are on your bedside table right now?

Only my Kindle is on the bedside table, but I’m currently reading e-ARCs of Too Wrong to Be Right by Melonie Johnson (out 2/28) and Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova (out 8/1). 

Do you bookmark or dogear your page in a book? 

Bookmarks all the way! I have a collection of bookmarks by artists I follow.

What is your ideal reading setting? 

In bed, propped up by a mountain of pillows, with a lo-fi playlist playing low in the background.

Tell us about your favorite indie bookstore? 

My newest favorite is Meet Cute Bookshop in San Diego. I had the pleasure of stopping by just before their grand opening in 2022, and they have a great selection of romance (and romance-adjacent) books and gift items. 

Alexis Daria's favorite bookstore

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Let me tell you about the time when I was 5 and singing “The Name Game” with my mom, and I decided to rhyme the word “duck”… 

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

I visited New Orleans for the first time when I was 20, and I, of course, stopped by some of the locations mentioned in Anne Rice’s books. 

Where do you get most of your writing and editing done?

I used to be a member of a coworking space for writers, but for the last few years I’ve been working at home. We just moved so I have a brand new desk/office setup, and I’m excited to create new stories here! 

Does writing energize or exhaust you? 

Both. I love coming up with ideas, and when the words flow, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.  But when the words aren’t coming or I’m tinkering with the same scene for the 30th time, it’s. pretty draining!

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

Sooo many! I started writing longer form stories in middle school and didn’t publish until I was 34, so…I don’t really want to do the math haha.   

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I read the reviews sent to me by my publicity team, and if I’m tagged in something on Instagram, I’ll skim it, but I don’t look at Goodreads or Amazon reviews and I don’t Google myself. Reading is so subjective, and readers have every right to feel however they want to about my books. I just don’t need to see it!   

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? 

YOU DID IT!   

When you’re not reading or writing, what are you doing?

I watch a LOT of TV. It’s my favorite way to fill up on stories. Next up: Alchemy of Souls season 2. 

What are your three favorite things right now? 

1) My new Branch office chair
2) Blackwing 602 pencils
3) The Fresh skincare products I splurged on over the holidays

Your favorite travel destination and why? 

California because I have lots of extended family there, and also…Disneyland!

What’s your favorite meal and go-to drink order?

NYC pizza and oat milk chai. (Not at the same time, of course!)

Alexis Daria's favorite food

What six people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?

Michelle Obama
Cassandra Peterson, aka Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Carrie Fisher
Ariana Debose
Rita Moreno
And the 6th would be a real life friend, so I’d have someone to dish about it with afterward!
 

If a movie was made of your life, what genre would it be, and who would play you?

I’d like to think it would be a comedy and not a drama! And maybe Aubrey Plaza would play me.  

What’s the last TV show or movie you watched that was really good?

Glass Onion, the sequel to Knives Out. Janelle Monae was fantastic, and it was just a really solid mystery.

You have to sing karaoke; what song do you pick?

“It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi, only because “Livin’ On A Prayer” destroys my voice. 

If you were being taken to a deserted island and could only bring one book, what would it be? 

Tough question! I’d want to bring a massive anthology so I could have some variety, or something like a bound edition of the complete works of Jane Austen or somebody.

BUY TAKE THE LEAD BY ALEXIS DARIA FROM: AMAZON / BOOKSHOP

TAKE THE LEAD BY ALEXIS DARIA IS ALSO:

One of the books on our Best 2023 Romance Books list, and in our 2023 Winter Reading Guide.

+ show Comments

- Hide Comments

add a comment

Leave a Reply

so hot right now

Free Guide!

get the guide

Spring is a time for new beginnings.  Plus it’s the perfect time to refresh and renew your reading life.  So if you're looking for the best new books of the season, this guide is just for you.

The 2024 Spring Reading Guide has twenty-one new releases organized across six categories. You’ll also find some fun things to do at home, spring-themed recipes, plus more.

Download The 2024 Spring Reading Guide

error: Content is protected !!