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

THE PORTRAIT THIEF by Grace D. Li. A fast paced art heist, plus an exploration of colonialism, identity, and belonging.

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

I just started reading AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie. I’ve only read a few chapters but it’s interesting to compare how this story begins (train station scene) vs. present day crime novels that pretty much drop you into the story, practically on top of a dead body.

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

I don’t! Sometimes I’ll flip back to my favorite scenes though.

What are your go-to genres?

I tend to read broadly but my latest preferences have been thrillers and women’s fiction.

What is your favorite childhood book?

I loved any Choose Your Own Adventure book I could get my hands on!

What books are on your bedside table right now?

THE SWEET SPOT by Amy Poeppel. On my kindle I have a few fun romcom ARCs for forthcoming books: ARTIFACTS OF AN EX by Jennifer Chen (YA), HER GOOD SIDE by Rebekah Weatherspoon, and THE COMEBACK SUMMER by Ali Brady (adult).

Do you bookmark or dogear your page in a book?

I use receipts and sometimes litter the book with post-its.

What is your ideal reading setting?

I can’t read poolside or by the beach, or even at a desk. I need to be on a couch or in my bed!

Tell us about your favorite indie bookstore?

It’s so hard to choose only one! I’m going to have to go with my hometown bookstore Parnassus in Nashville. I love the wide selection curated by the talented, friendly booksellers. When you walk in, it smells like…books!

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

I learned in middle school and high school that having quick comebacks could help get me out of potential bullying situations, so I sharpened my humor and wit, and used language as a tool as early as fifth grade.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

Sadly, none. I wrote about my first literary unlocking of my brain in high school, my first byline in Southern Living. Does this count? 

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

I’ve learned how to be untethered to my desk over the last couple of years, so when I’m on the go, I write in the car during swim lessons and edit on a couch during my daughter’s guitar instruction.  

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

When I’m stuck it’s exhausting, but when I have an AHA moment, it’s very exciting!

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

One permanently shelved, and one I am trying to resurrect because I think the market might want “dramedy” now. It didn’t six years ago.

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

I did read them until my last two books, and now I’m blissfully unaware. I do think it’s taken time to find the right readers for my brand of comedic novels so many of the reviews I don’t necessarily agree with are a mismatch of reader and content I provide.

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

Save your work frequently. Computers and software are unreliable! (ask me how I know…)

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

These days, I’m baking, cross-stitching, hamster taming, recipes, and learning ukelele.

What are your three favorite things right now?

Pedro Pascal, Pedro Pascal memes, and THE LAST OF US.

Your favorite travel destination and why?

Hawaii. When I go there, I think ahhhhh so beautiful…so relaxing… now it’s vacation time!

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

I love spicy chicken sandwich and sweet tea (half sweet).

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

Just to observe chaos, I’d invite random people and see what happens. Let’s say Snoop Dogg, Paula Deen, Dolly Parton, Gandhi, and Steve Martin and of course, Pedro Pascal.

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

A dramedy, and maybe Sandra Oh.  

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

THE LAST OF US. And I just finished K-drama THE GLORY, which I enjoyed.

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

I’d probably pick what my daughter calls “a tiktok meme song.”

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

How to Stay Alive: The Ultimate Survival Guide for Any Situation by Bear Grylls.

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The Do-Over by Suzanne Park is one of our best 2023 romance books.