Hey There, It's Christa!

Just Hangin' Out With Julia (Child, That Is) For Two Months Straight...

Usually I plow through whatever I'm reading, especially if it's something I'm really enjoying, at breakneck pace.

But for whatever reason, when it came to the remarkable Julia Child biography by Bob Spitz called Dearie, which just happens to weigh in at a whomping 534 pages, I took my sweet, sweet time—two months, in fact.

I read it while waiting in the reception area at the dentist's office. I read it before I dozed off to sleep every night. I even read it during those rare free moments when I wasn't up against a deadline while sipping my first pumpkin spice lattes (I'm sure Julia would've approved) of the season.

And given that Spitz is such a terrific writer and Julia such a fascinating, lovable subject, well, it was the sort of reading experience you never wanted to end. In short, Dearie was easily one of my favorite books this year, and perhaps, one of the best biographies I've ever read, hands down.

In a world where everyone's so eager to conform, it's downright refreshing to read about a woman who really did things "her way" (cue the famed Frank Sinatra song). Not only did she live out her life's passion to the ripe ol' age of 92, but her illustrious career in French cooking didn't even begin until she was in her 40s. Yes, I was reminded once again that life's grandest chapters aren't limited to what happens before you're 30, and that it's never, ever too late to try something totally new. 

In addition to hearing about her love of French food and cooking in greater depth, the reader also gets a front-row seat into her long, loving marriage with Paul Child, her various travels before—and after—she became a household name since she moved around frequently when doing government work and the details of her comfortable surburban upbringing that ultimately made her hungry to pursue something a little more left of center with her life.

And unlike many biographies where the author is clearly so infatuated with his/her subject that we don't have an opportunity to learn about their flaws as well as their triumphs, Dearie is a warts-and-all look at Julia. Like most people, she was complicated and not always the strong, self-assured and approachable presence she was on TV.  Plus, I discovered she doesn't even (gasp!) like Italian food, so that's something we would've majorly disagreed on (ha ha!).

All in all, it was a joy just hangin' out with Julia for two straight months. I could practically hear the trill of her oh-so-unique voice as we walked through her colorful life. And in the same way I couldn't stop thinking of Paris after reading Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, I'm already pining for a return trip to the Paris that Julia loved so much—if anything, just to eat sole meuniere again, the rich, buttery masterpiece that forever changed the course of her life.

Q&A With Tracie Banister, Author of "In Need of Therapy" and "Blame it On the Fame"

Let's face it: Most of the time, Twitter is a pretty mixed bag. In fact, sometimes I find myself wondering how in the world [insert super random person here] ever found me in the first place.

And yes, I know I could ask, but...

But every once in a while in the wild and crazy world of social networking, you actually meet a kindred spirit who not only loves to write as much as you do, but just happens to have the same last name—one "n" and all.

And since we Banisters need to stick together, I wanted to make sure you knew about her fantastic new book, In Need of Therapy, not to mention her theory on why Scarlett O'Hara had such a crush on drippy ol' Ashley (yes, we both are big fans of Gone With the Wind), what's been vying for the precious space on her DVR and why you should download her novel—pronto.

Hello fellow namesake, thanks for stopping by my blog. Although I've only been a Banister for just shy of seven years now, I just have to ask. How many times in an average week does someone try to sneak another "n" in your name?
 
LOL. At least twice a week! And if someone's not misspelling my last name, they're spelling Tracie with a "-y" or an "-ey." My parents had no idea they were giving me such a difficult name!

Besides our last names, we have something else in common. A mutual admiration for Gone With the Wind. How many times (you know, estimate if need be) have you watched the saga of Scarlett, Rhett and the South? And what's your theory on why Scarlett liked drippy ol' Ashley so much anyway? As many times as I've watched, I will never, ever understand the attraction.
 
Let me pull out a calculator here.  If I've been watching GWTW once or twice a year since I was 11... I'd guesstimate that I've seen the movie 30 times (this includes viewings on TV, DVD,and a few showings at a movie theater). And yes, I can quote lines from the movie and do so often, my favorite being some variation on Prissy's, "I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no babies, Miz Scarlett!"
 
I just released a book where the heroine is a psychologist, so let me channel Pilar for a moment here.  I think Scarlett's initial attraction to Ashley was just a simple case of opposites attracting.  She was young, high-spirited and extroverted while he was a more mature, soft-spoken, cerebral gentleman. Plus, he was a challenge. Scarlett had all the men of marriageable age in the area trying to woo and win her while Ashley remained somewhat aloof and out of her reach.  Most women would have grown out of an adolescent crush like the one Scarlett had on Ashley, but the war happened and the way of life that Scarlett loved and idealized was lost forever.  So, I think her continued pursuit of Ashley throughout the rest of the book/movie was Scarlett's attempt to recapture all that she cherished about her childhood.  She never loved Ashley, the man; she loved what he represented.

Speaking of GWTW, would you ever consider, say, modernizing it in your sassy chick lit fashion?
 
Well, I hadn't thought of it before, but now that you've put that bee in my bonnet, who knows?  It might be fun to try to reenvision GWTW as a modern-day Chick Lit story!

Switching gears, what's the last novel you read that really rocked your world and why? And while we're at it, why will In Need of Therapy rock someone's world?

I've been on a reading hiatus for the last five months while I focused on releasing and promoting Blame It on the Fame and In Need of Therapy. But if I reach back to early spring, the book that really bowled me over at that time was Entwined by Heather Dixon. Yes, I know. A YA/Fantasy novel doesn't sound like something a Chick Lit writer would be reading in her off-time, but I do like to check out other genres on occasion and Entwined caught my eye because I love fairy tales and this book ended up being a very clever and fantastic retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.  Entwined made me laugh and cry, which is quite a feat for any book! I was really moved and entertained by it. I can't wait to see what Heather Dixon releases next!  

As for why In Need of Therapy will rock someone's world, I hope that readers will appreciate the humor in the novel (Between her patients and her very crazy, over-the-top Cuban family, Pilar Alvarez has a lot of wackiness in her life!) and that they'll enjoy trying to figure out, along with Pilar, who her Mr. Right is. I've been told by people who've read In Need of Therapy that there are some surprises and plot twists towards the end of the book that they did not see coming!

I like that you gave your protagonist a job we don't often read about in novels. What inspired your female psychologist protagonist and what can readers take away from In Need of Therapy?

Thanks! I owe credit to my mother for suggesting that I write a "funny book about a female psychologist." It was a great idea because I've always been fascinated by psychology. I took Psych courses in school and even toyed with the idea of becoming a therapist myself, so writing for someone in that profession came naturally and I enjoyed playing up the comedic aspect of it.
 
I hope that readers will take away a couple of things from In Need of Therapy. One, be true to yourself. Don't let other people, even if they're well-meaning, put pressure on you. Only you know what's best for you. Two, being compassionate is a good thing, but don't let your kindness blind you to other people's faults and don't let them take advantage of you.

How long did it take to write In Need of Therapy and how was the process different from writing Blame It on the Fame?

I actually wrote In Need of Therapy before Blame It on the Fame, and they were two very different experiences. Blame was a very complex book with five interweaving stories and multiple heroines, so it took me 2 years to finish. Therapy had its challenges, too, as I'd never written a book with a first-person narrative before, but I was able to complete that novel in seven months.  I should, also, point out that I was running my own business while writing Blame, so my writing time was limited (only a few days a week) and that lengthened the process considerably. With Therapy, I was able to focus on my writing full-time, which is why I was able to finish the story relatively fast.

What's next in your writing pipeline?
 
Up until a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure which of my many WIPs I was going to focus on next, but then the inspiration fairy started divebombing my house with all sorts of new ideas for a Chick Lit novel that I started writing as a short story last year. I don't want to say too much about this book just yet, but I think it's going to be a really fun one. So, keep an eye out for it 2013! :)
 
When you're not putting the proverbial pen to paper, what's your favorite way to kick back?
 
Exercise is a great stress reliever for me and spending time on the treadmill and mini-stepper every day gives me a chance to catch up on all those TV shows I like to record (see my answer to your next question!)  I, also, like hanging out with my three adorable rescue dogs. They love play time and belly rubs!
 
If you would, tell us what TV shows are dominating your DVR during these summer months, and what are you looking forward to watching this fall?
 
I am a self-confessed TV addict, so I have a pretty impressive rotation of shows on my DVR year-round.  This summer, it's been True Blood, Suits, Teen Wolf, Melissa & Joey, Top Chef Masters, Project Runway, White Collar, Covert Affairs, Lost Girl, Alphas, and Warehouse 13. This fall, the top five shows I'm probably looking most forward to seeing back on my TV screen are:  Dancing With the Stars, Revenge, Hart of Dixie, Castle, and The Big Bang Theory. The one new show I can't wait to check out is Elementary, CBS's take on Sherlock with Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu as his Dr. Watson.  Should be fun!
 
Ok, last question. Where can people connect with you online? Are there sample chapters of your novels available to check out?
 
I have a blog and I'm very active on Twitter and Facebook.  If you love books, TV, dogs or all of the above, please follow or Friend me! I always enjoy connecting with readers and other authors. And yes, you can sample several chapters of my books, In Need of Therapy and Blame It on the Fame, either online or on your e-reader at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Now That Our Blog Hop Has Ended, the Lucky Winners Are...

Just a quick thanks to everyone who made our Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2012 such a success and so much fun...

Thanks soooo much for all those supportive comments and for venturing all over the web to read our thoughts on this most illustrious of literature.

Now for some exciting news...

The Grand Prize Winner of the $150 Sephora gift card is (cue the drum roll ) . . . Tiffany White!  Congratulations, Tiffany!  I hope you enjoy all the beauty goodies.

And the winner of a copy of my debut novel, Around the World in 80 Dates, is Rhonda Dennis. :) Here's hoping you love the crazy adventures of Sydney Alexander...

Q&A With Brandy Bruce, Author of "Looks Like Love"

A book editor by day and renegrade author, wife and mommy to an adorable daughter by night, I was absolutely thrilled when Brandy Bruce asked if I'd take a look at her first novel, Looks Like Love.

In fact, I ended up liking it so much, I endorsed it. And finished reading in about two days flat.

If that wasn't enough to persuade you to pick up a copy of Looks Like Love, well, lemme tell you this...it'll make you want to hop a plane to London pronto, too. As I've mentioned in previous blog posts, I've always had a soft spot for London, and Brandy does a wonderful job of making you feel like you're there. So if you've gotta live vicariously in the ol' travel department at the moment, this is the perfect read.

Now with no further adieu, get to know Brandy a little better in our Q&A.

When did you first know that you wanted to write and edit books, and who was the author that first won your heart? I’ve been scribbling stories since elementary school. But it was in middle school that I read the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn and just fell in love with the power of story. Those books made such a difference in my 14-year-old life. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to have a career with books, but I also knew it wasn’t easy to get published and make a living off writing. So my very first day at Liberty University I told my advisor I wanted to be an editor. I figured that would be another great way to work with books. After graduating, I was lucky enough to get a job as an editor for Focus on the Family books. 

That's very cool. I was also a huge fan of the Christy Miller series and loved that she was from my home state of Wisconsin—not many protagonists are. Who are some of your biggest writing influences and who would I find on your personal bookshelf? Robin Jones Gunn is probably the person I would credit with influencing me to write. You’ll definitely find a worn-out copy of A Summer Promise somewhere on my bookshelf. I’ve also been inspired by Jennifer Weiner, Liz Curtis Higgs, Jodi Picoult, and Ann Rinaldi—just to name a handful out of an otherwise huge list. I’m an eclectic reader; I like all sorts of genres. On my bookshelf right now I’ve got Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Misguided Angel by Melissa de la Cruz, Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs, and LOL with God: Messages of Hope and Humor for Women by Pam Farrel and Dawn Wilson.  

How did your day job in the book biz help you with your first novel? And for those who don't know already, describe a bit of what you do at Focus on the Family. My work as an editor definitely helped, especially with the nitty-gritty stuff like working on sentence structure, character development, vocabulary, and pacing. I’ve been a book editor for Focus for more than six years so lots of my time is spent editing, writing or rewriting, working with authors, going to cover design meetings, and reviewing book proposals. 

Had the idea for Looks Like Love been in your head for a while? How did you come up with your plucky protagonist? I went to Europe several years ago, right before I graduated from college actually. Traveling through places like Scotland, Ireland, and England left a lasting impression on me, and I knew I wanted to write a story about a girl who travels overseas. In fact, my first thought for a title was Over the Ocean.  

In an interview we did for Family Fiction, you said your novel was also inspired a bit by one of my favorite movies, The Holiday. What is the significance of traveling to England in your story? Going to Europe was such an amazing experience for me personally. I realized what a big world this is and how much more to it there is than what I was used to seeing. I wanted to broaden my heroine’s perspective. One way to do that was to make her travel and see other parts of the world. It provided my heroine with a fresh start. She needed to be reminded that there was still adventure to be had, that there were places of mystery and romance, and sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to experience that.

Now that you've written your first novel, have you officially been bitten by the author bug? Do you have other story ideas in the works? Well, to be honest, I’m juggling two major book projects as an editor at the moment. It’s hard to think past working on what’s in front of me. But my sister has been working on a YA fantasy series and I’m helping co-author that. It’s been a lot of fun and a great way for me to keep my creative writing outlet while I’m editing other projects.

Many people in the publishing industry have seemed to indicate that chick lit is "out" but yet it still seems to be selling relatively well. Why do you think the industry is so quick to want to bury this genre? I’m not sure. Since I’ve been in publishing, I’ve noticed that there are trends, like in everything else. Over the last several years historical fiction and Amish fiction have really taken off in Christian publishing. That seems to be what most publishers are looking for. But I think there’s room at the table for more than just Amish and historical fiction. And I think that women will always enjoy a good love story. I think there was a flood of “chick lit” for a while, and then maybe interest waned a bit. But humor and romance are two things that are never going out of style, in my opinion. Jane Austen has taught us that.  

Since your novel is basically a romantic comedy in book form, what are some of your all-time favorite movie rom coms? The Holiday, Sabrina, Sweet Home Alabama, and The Prince and Me

When you're not taking care of your daughter, hanging with the hubby or working, what's your favorite way to kick back? I love just ordering pizza and renting lots of movies and staying in with my husband.

Rumor has it, you're a big Harry Potter and Twilight fan. Are you sad that the last movies in these franchises are coming so soon? Definitely. Even though I’ll admit I was one of those people who wasn’t a huge fan of Breaking Dawn. But still, it’s so fun to get into the excitement of going to those kinds of movies with other fans. I’m going to be looking for my next series obsession to get into. I’ve heard that the "Hunger Games" trilogy will be turned into films. I’d totally on board for that.  

Lastly, where can people connect with you online? I’m very active on my blog: www.brandyreneebruce.wordpress.com or you can look me up on Facebook or Twitter.

Book Comment: The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate

File under: Comfort food without all those annoying calories

While I wait with bated breath for my first trip to Italy (the countdown is less than a month now—woo hoo!), reading The Love Goddess' Cooking School has been the next best thing—even if the bulk of the story takes place in Maine, not the country shaped like a boot.

See, the old and new world collide when our newly single protagonist, Holly Maguire, inherits her Italian grandmother's cooking school in Blue Crab Island, Maine. Known for her mouthwatering creations in the kitchen, not to mention the ability to see the future, Holly knows her grandma's shoes won't exactly be easy to fill, considering she can't even boil pasta without making a big gummy ol' mess.

If Holly's new career as a chef wasn't already terrifying enough, her search for the proverbial Mr. Right hasn't been much more promising either.  Thanks to her grandmother's premonition when Holly was only 16, Holly knows the man of her dreams is a brave soul who actually enjoys sa cordula, a supposed delicacy with the starring ingredients of, wait for it, lamb intestines and peas.

So far, all the men in her life have bolted not long after trying the dish (not that she blames them for that), and Holly can't help wondering if true love, the sort of love that unfolded in the pages of her grandmother's journal, will ever come her way.

But Holly isn't not sulking too much in the meantime. After all, she's got a cookbook full of recipes to master and an Italian cooking class to teach. And as she starts really getting to know the people who regularly stop by Camilla's Cucinotta, well, Holly's life is never quite the same.

Ultimately, The Love Goddess' Cooking School is one of those delicious books you'll end up whipping through in only a couple of days. With relatable, compelling characters and storylines that'll tug at your heart (but not shamelessly so), there's a myriad of charms in Melissa Senate's writing.

But a word to the wise: Don't read while you're hungry. Whether she's describing the creamiest of risottos or the best pick-me-up of all, sumpteous layers of tiramisu, your stomach will growl, and you'll be craving Italian food—pronto. Really, the book should come with a warning...but I guess there are worse things than great comfort reading, right?

Rating: ****1/2 out of ***** stars

 

List #8: 10 Christmas Movies That Make the Season Merry Indeed

While my morning Starbucks cup may be red instead of the traditional white and green, and my house is now all tinsel-y and bright, I'm still in a bit of denial that it's actually Christmas time.

Maybe it's the absence of snow (which for the record, I don't miss in the least) or that I haven't actually started my holiday shopping (tsk tsk). Or maybe it's because 2010 has been a gigantic blur for the most part (I chalk that up to moving), but I just wasn't really feeling it.

Well, until I started listening to Harry, Bing, Frank this past week and watching holiday movies. Now it's beginning to look—and sound—a lot like Christmas...

And just because I'm in such a giving mood, I thought I'd dedicate my 8th list to my 10 favorite flicks (in no particular order, naturally, because I wouldn't want to hurt any of the other films' feelings).

Basically, if you haven't seen some of these, you've now got a cheat sheet for what to add to your Netflix queue...

Christmas in Connecticut—Can't believe that Hollywood hasn't ruined updated this one yet because it's such a fantastic movie. Basically, Barbara Stanwyck's character pretends she's this domestic goddess in her popular magazine column, but truth be told, she can hardly boil water. And just when the charade couldn't be going better, she's forced to deliver the "perfect Christmas" to a soldier who's just come home from war.

Cue culinary hi-jinks and a whole lot more...

Love Actually—Why watch just one rom-com when you can have like seven packed into a single movie? Any movie with Hugh Grant and Colin Firth is usually a winner in my book, but this one particularly shines because the script it so darn funny and heartfelt. Plus, as a Wisconsinite, I busted out laughing when one the character's big journey to America was to Milwaukee of all places. Turns out, it made a memorable first impression, and not just for the beer.

Home Alone—Yeah, after 20 years, it still cracks me up when the pizza guy shows up and Macaulay Culkin's character presses play on Angels With Filthy Souls.

White Christmas—Singing. Dancing. That song about sisters. Yeah, it pretty much rocks.

Serendipity—Ok, so it's not technically a Christmas movie, but the story begins on Christmas Eve, so close enough. Love, love, love the New York and San Fran scenery, and John Cusack is his usual self-depracating self in this twisty rom-com that questions the significance of fate's role in our love lives.

Elf—Will Ferrell declares that smiling is his favorite while sporting the elfish green tights. Plus syrup stands in for spaghetti sauce as the perfect pasta topper. Basically, what's not to love?

It's a Wonderful Life—I know what you're thinking...hello Captain Obvious. But work with me here: Even though this film has been probably airing on NBC since the birth of television, I never watched it until I was a newlywed. Funny thing is, both Will and I were probably the only people on the planet who'd never seen It's a Wonderful Life until 2005. But now that I have, I definitely know why everyone loves it so much...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas—The cartoon, not the frighteningly bad Jim Carrey version, is absolutely genius. Love the songs, love the old-school animation, love the Seuss.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe—Journeying to the world where it's always winter, never Christmas, is always a delight—Turkish and otherwise. I always love the scene when Lucy first steps foot in Narnia...the sense of wonder on her face is beyond memorable.

The Holiday—Yeah, it's not your traditional holiday movie either, but since everything happens during Christmas break, I've decided that it counts. Not only does is take place in two of my favorite cities (London and Los Angeles), but I just love the story that Nancy Meyers has whipped up here. Sure, it's got little basis in actual living, breathing reality (I could write an entire blog entry about that, but I won't bother ruining the fantasy), but really, it's the perfect escapist flick—and quite quotable to boot—just ask Will.

Ok, so now that I've weighed in, what are some of your Christmas must-watches and why? What should I add to my Netflix queue—pronto?

 

List #5: 5 Authors I'll Never Get Sick Of...

First off, I apologize for my blogging hiatus...like everyone else on the planet, I've been busy, busy, busy as of late, and unfortunately, blogging is usually the first thing to go when life gets like this. Sigh.

In the midst of all the deadline madness, though, I made my way to Colorado where we celebrated my Mom's 58th birthday with P.F. Chang's, shopping and some great live music (and bonus, I also got to hang with the  lovely Adelyn Grace and her two amazing parents!), so that was a pretty awesome reason to set my writing aside, no?

Now that I'm back in the swing of semi-normal life (or as normal as it gets when you're a full-time writer), it's back to all things list-worthy, and today, we're talking writers.

Ever since I've been old enough to read (and a big shout-out goes to my late Grandpa Buisker, who always read to me when I was a kid), I've absolutely loved, loved, loved books. Truth be told, some of my fondest childhood memories involve those trips to my local library where I read everything from Jane Austen to Judy Blume and yes, even a handful of Nancy Drew mysteries and Sweet Valley High books, too.

And while I graduated from reading Sweet Valley a while ago now (but I must say I'm thrilled that Diablo Cody is reviving it for the big screen), I'm still a very, very happy girl whenever I'm digging into a juicy new novel. So with no further blathering on and on, (and trust me, I could go on for days), I'm revealing my list of 5 Authors I'll Never Get Sick Of (in no particular order)...

Nick Hornby (yeah, he's the Brit in the picture)—While I probably would've hated dating any of his music-obsessed, man/boy protagonists with a John Mayer level of commitment (see High Fidelity, About a Boy, Juliet, Naked), I sure didn't mind hanging out with them for the few days. Maybe it's because his stories are usually set in my favorite city, London, or perhaps, it's because I've had crushes on my fair share of hopeless causes before I met and married my Prince William. But whatever the reason, Nick Hornby's novels (with the exception of A Long Way Down, which was just morbid and a complete drag) are an absolute kick. In fact, I wish he'd stop writing music with Ben Folds already so he could concentrate on writing something new...

Jane Austen—You know how Meg Ryan's character in You've Got Mail says she's read Pride & Prejudice like 100 times and gets lost in words like "thither" and "felicity?" Well, that's precisely why I like Jane's writing so much. It has that innate ability to completely transport you to another era, and yet, the themes are still relevant today. LOVE that.

A.J. Jacobs—I've probably never laughed so hard—or so much—while reading as when I plowed through A.J. Jacobs' The Year of Living Biblically. Sure, growing up in church definitely helped the cause, but trying to live out the Bible—literally speaking—in the modern age? Yeah, that's universally funny, especially when it involves one hideous beard, blood on your doorpost and being forced to stone someone with a small selection of pebbles. And in case you wondered, yes, Jacobs' other books are gutbusters, too. Case in point: the "outsourcing his life" chapter in Guinea Pig Diaries.

Judy Blume—Back in my elementary school years, we had "library day" once a week, and trust me, that was definitely one of the highlights of my school experience, especially when I discovered Judy Blume's Superfudge. I loved it sooo much that I checked it out faithfully—week after week. Finally at the end of the school year, probably exasperated by my enthusiasm for Peter Hatcher and that dreadful brother of his, the librarian finally just gave me the book, and I was thrilled beyond belief. Of course, all the other Judy Blume books I discovered later on (Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Blubber, Freckle Juice, Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, etc.) certainly didn't disappoint either. I liked them so much that I wrote her a fan letter and to this day, I remember how I thought if she could make up stories for a living and get paid for it, well, that's exactly what I wanted to do.

Sophie Kinsella—I'm on my gazillionth Shopaholic book and am still laughing at the looney antics of Rebecca Brandon (neé Bloomwood). Not only does Sophie have a flair for comedy, but she spins some pretty great tales under not one, but two names. Of all the chick-lit writers I love (and trust me, there are p-l-e-n-t-y!!!), her books are why I gravitate toward writing romantic comedies. With all that's bad in the world, it's good to escape (and laugh), and her books (especially Can You Keep a Secret? and Twenties Girl) always do the trick.

Escaping to Italy With Jenny Nelson's "Georgia's Kitchen"

Given that I've always been more of an "inside, please" girl, summer and reading have always gone together like caramel and whipped cream over a fantastic cup of strongly brewed espresso. Sure, I like the sunshine and fresh air like everyone else, but given my pasty white skin and serious aversion to mosquitoes, the great indoors suits me far better as long as the air conditioning is blasting.

In fact, I remember spending many, many Wisconsin summer afternoons in the chilly confines of the local library's basement. It was there where I discovered Judy Blume's Blubber, and later, Deenie and journeyed to far-off places with all of Austen's leading ladies. In a word: heaven.

And while I have a sizable stack of novels I was hoping to plow through this summer, our big move to Texas (and all the shenanigans of getting settled in) has seriously cut into my reading time. It's already August 4, and I've read exactly one and a half novels—Jenny Nelson's superb debut Georgia's Kitchen and half of Jennifer Weiner's latest Fly Away From Home, which I'm also totally loving and can't wait to finish.

Now I have to say, I was pretty sure I was going to love Jenny's book given my love of all things Italian (especially the extraordinary cuisine) and was thrilled beyond belief to score myself an advanced copy. What I didn't anticipate what not being able to put it down once I started. With a winning protagonist, a gorgeous backdrop, and of course, the luscious descriptions of food, I was hooked immediately and finished in about a day and a half (a girl's gotta get her beauty sleep, after all, right?).

And now in celebration of her debut hitting store shelves yesterday, I just had to chat with the author herself. So with no further adieu, here's our illustrious Q&A...turns out, we'd both love to cook with Giada and share many of our earliest influences (like the aforementioned Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary). Very, very cool.

CB: So how amazing was the research for your novel? How did you go about suffering for your art?

JN: Let’s just say that eating at incredible restaurants and calling it research was very easy on my taste buds and my mood, harder on my wallet, and hardest on my waistline. To repent for all of that indulgence, I logged some serious miles on my treadmill! That said, enjoying good food and wine is part of my life and by virtue of that, so is running. It’s not a bad tradeoff.

When you frequent your favorite Italian restaurant (name and location please), what’s your order of choice (including antipasti, cocktails or wine)?

My favorite Italian restaurant is Mercato, in Red Hook, NY, where the chef/owner is Francesco Buitoni (as in the pasta), who’s from Rome and whose pedigree includes stints at several Mario Batali restaurants. As my husband says, Francesco’s the real deal.

I’d start with a glass of prosecco, share an antipasto plate with my husband, work my way into the kale, pecorino and pine nut salad (my fave, plus it makes me feel somewhat virtuous), and a glass of Roero Arneis (I much prefer white wine to red, sacrilegious but true), then either a simple pasta al pomodoro (his is amazing) or maybe the seared scallops or orata, if it’s on the menu. For dessert, a few sinful bites of Francesco’s tiramisu, which my husband orders no matter how stuffed he is and which I eat, no matter how stuffed I am.

Do you enjoy cooking all things Italian as well? What’s the best dish you make?

I love cooking Italian, which to me is very forgiving – it’s hard to really mess it up (although I’ve managed!). My favorite dish to make is risotto, all kinds, but I’ve been told my shrimp and fennel is pretty tasty and everyone is shocked to learn there’s no cheese in it.

As someone who’s about to finally make it to Rome next year, any recommendations for out-of-the-box dining, sight-seeing and the like?

You’re in for a treat. I’m sorry to say that I used to have the Rome list to end all lists and I can’t find it anywhere. I’m better on Florence.

You had Giada DeLaurentiis, one of my favorite chefs, endorse your book, just how cool are you?

I am beyond thrilled that Giada wrote that blurb. I love her food and her spirit – she’d be so fun to cook with!

Now talking Georgia's Kitchen, how much of yourself makes its way into Georgia’s character?

In a word – none. Well, maybe her dry sense of humor is sorta similar to mine, but that’s about it. Swear. Oh, and I love jeans almost as much as Georgia.

How long did it take you to write your novel, and what inspired the decidedly Italian feel of it?

It took me about two years to write it, then longer to revise it, sell it and now, finally, publish it! It’s been a long process, but well worth every step and setback along the way.

As for the Italian slant, I am an Italia-phile. I love Italian food, fashion, design, wine, people and above all the country itself. My husband and I have traveled extensively throughout Italy and were married in Florence ten years ago. Part of my rationale behind making Georgia a chef was so I could send her to Italy and revisit (if only in spirit) some of my favorite places in the world.

What are a few of your favorite novels of late, and for the uninitiated, why should everyone read Georgia’s Kitchen prontissimo?

Not a novel, but a collection of stories: Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri, which ranks right up there with my favorite books of all time. Other recent favorites include The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout, Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin, Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch.

As for why everyone should read Georgia’s Kitchen...at its essence, Georgia’s Kitchen is the story of a woman determined not to give up on herself or her dreams. Her journey takes her from the chic cityscapes of New York to the charming hill towns of Italy and back again. Along the way, she meets amazing people, finds herself in incredible places, eats and drinks like a culinary queen, turns up the heat with a sexy Italian winery owner, and embarks on a crash course in self-discovery. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to be a top chef, or make it in New York, or what really goes on in a professional kitchen, or dreamed of chucking it all and moving to Italy, Georgia’s Kitchen is for you. It’s packed with heart and humor, glamour and guts (not to mention food porn galore!) and a heroine you’ll root for to the very end.

Team Edward, Team Jacob or don’t care?

Took me a while to figure out who you meant (saw the first two Twilights but haven’t yet seen Eclipse and haven’t read any of them), but I’d say Team Edward all the way. He is gorgeous and I’m a sucker for that pale, otherworldly kind of beauty.

Who'd play Georgia in the big-screen rendition of Georgia's Kitchen and who'd portray the oh-so-smooth Gianni?

All along I’ve thought Drew Barrymore would be a terrific Georgia, but then I met Parker Posey at a film festival and started thinking she’d be a great too, in a totally different way. Anna Kendrick or Amy Adams too! Gael Garcia Bernal would be perfect for Gianni, but maybe too gorgeous. How would Georgia ever turn him down? James Franco would be terrific.

When did you know that you wanted to write a novel?

In high school, when I enrolled in a summer creative writing program taught by Michael Cunningham. This way well before he wrote The Hours and won the Pulitzer prize, and he was a terrific teacher and a super cool guy to boot. By the end of the program I’d caught the writing bug in a big way.

Who were some of your earliest writing influences, and who is your writer crush?

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Beverly Cleary, and Judy Blume were my three biggest early writing influences. I was the kid under the covers with a flashlight and a book. As for a writer crush, I think I’d have to go Sebastian Junger. There’s something about a man who’s drawn to danger AND able to string together a mean sentence that does it for me.

What’s a book you love so much that you wish you’d written it?

Oh, boy. There are about a zillion books I wish I’d written! How about The Great Gatsby, for starters? The House of Mirth? Persuasion? Great Expectations?

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure movie and/or TV show?

I love Top Chef, but have convinced myself it’s part of my research so I don’t feel even a twinge of guilt watching it. A true guilty pleasure is Real Housewives, the New York version, though I’m looking forward to checking out the DC wives too. Another is, gulp, Bethenny Getting Married and The Rachel Zoe Report (yes, I love Bravo). As for movies, I’m a sucker for a good teen movie. 10 Things I Hate About You is still one of my faves.

If we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find?

Hello Kitty band aids (at least two, one for each of my daughters), two hair bows, same, Bobbi Brown lip gloss (I’m addicted), my Blackberry (ditto), Coppertone Babies sunblock stick, which I swipe across my forehead whenever I remember, Lorac powder and a Sephora retractable brush I adore, a tin of peppermints, a small Kleen Kanteen filled with water, because I basically live my life dehydrated, a wallet strangely devoid of cash but stuffed with credit card receipts, and tissues, all of which look a little worse for wear.

Lastly where can people keep up with you online?

At my brand-new website: www.jennynelsonauthor.com, on Facebook and Twitter.
 

A Motivational Thought For Writers...

I've been a bit of slacker on the blog front lately, but with good reason, I promise.

Since we found out we're moving to the Big D in a few weeks (and officially renting a lovely, lovely house in Fort Worth that I can't wait to decorate), I've been a packing fool when I'm not working, etc. Instead of procrastinating (like I do with so many projects because you know, I love the adrenaline rush), I've been filling a few boxes each night so I won't want to pull my hair out once, oh, June 29th rolls around.

And somehow, all the prepping for our post-Minneapolis adventures got me thinking about novel writing.  One of the questions I get the most from aspiring writers is "How in the world did you finish one—let alone two—novels and not lose your sanity?" 

While I can't exactly guarantee that a little sanity wasn't lost in the process, I think writing books is a lot like all the packing I've been doing. If you devote a little time to it each day, whether it's just your lunch break, the two hours you would've spent watching "The Bachelorette" (a guilty pleasure of mine lately, I must admit), an hour before you head to the job that pays the bills, before you know it, you'll have made some serious progress in the ol' word count department.

And if you need more inspiration for getting started (or making progress) on your magnum opus pronto, consider the oh-so-wise words of novelist Toni Morrison: "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

I don't know about you, but that's pretty motivating...in fact, it's just one of the many reasons I love writing romantic comedies in novel form. Instead of complaining about the new Kate Hudson bomb at the box office, I'm spending a few minutes a day offering an alternative. And whatever your genre, you can do the same...I promise.

Book Comment: "The Opposite of Me"

After a bout of serious literary A-D-D, I have finally found a novel that I absolutely love—Sarah Pekkanen's fantastic debut, The Opposite of Me.

Now considering it has the always-coveted endorsement of another author I've always enjoyed, Jennifer Weiner, I knew there was a good chance I'd probably like it. What I didn't know, of course, was how much...

It's always a good sign when I plow through a novel in just a couple of days. Not only was the sisterly component an interesting twist on the whole smart VS. pretty debate, but I really appreciated Pekkanen's unfussy but engaging prose.

And unlike many stories where you see the ending coming from a mile away, I was actually surprised by how things turned out for the protagonist, a girl I could definitely enjoy a cup of coffee with—a nice change from most chick-lit heroines who only have shopping and boys on the brain.

Rating: **** 1/2 out of ***** stars