The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club: August 2019

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Interview with Lauren Spieller for She's The Worst

She's the Worst

by Lauren Spieller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young
Release Date: September 3rd 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Synopsis:

Sisters April and Jenn haven’t been close in years. Jenn’s too busy with school, the family antique shop, and her boyfriend, and April would rather play soccer and hang out with the boy next door.

But when April notices her older sister is sad about staying home for college, she decides to do something about it. The girls set off to revive a pact they made as kids: spend an epic day exploring the greatest hits of their childhood and all that Los Angeles has to offer.

Then April learns that Jenn has been keeping a secret that could rip their family—and their feuding parents—apart. With only one day to set things right, the sisters must decide if their relationship is worth saving, or if the truth will tear them apart for good.

Can you briefly describe SHE’S THE WORST and the characters?

SHE’S THE WORST is the story of two sisters—16YO April and 18YO Jenn—who have grown up in sunny L.A. They used to be close, but in recent years they’ve grown apart. Now, Jenn is about to start college, which inspires April to arrange a fun day of activities for them to do together before Jenn becomes too busy to spend time with her younger sister. But when secrets come out, the girls have to decide if their relationship can withstand the truth.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

That’s like choosing a favorite child! April was the most fun to write because she’s impulsive and funny, but I actually have a soft spot for stressed out and well-meaning big sister Jenn.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I have a sister I’m very close to, so I thought it would be fun to write a story that reminded me of her and of growing up (though she and I don’t have the kind of drama-filled relationship that April and Jenn have). Plus I’m from L.A., so it was a natural place to set SHE’S THE WORST.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Even though Jenn and April aren’t twins, I’ve gotta go with the theme song from Sister, Sister.

Sister, sister

Never knew how much I missed ya

Now that everybody knows

I ain't ever gonna let you go

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I’d love to see someone like Hailee Steinfeld play April, because she’s adorable, and I think Katherine Langford would make a great Jenn.

Fall is here and we love to go out and enjoy the sun. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

I recommend taking advantage of those last summer rays by reading this book outside with a glass of iced tea.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish SHE’S THE WORST?

Definitely IF I’M BEING HONEST by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, since it’s also set in L.A., and I’d also suggest checking out my first book, YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT.

What’s next for you?

I’m still brainstorming for now, but whatever I do next, it’ll probably involve fun kissing scenes, secrets, and a sun filled afternoon :)

Lauren Spieller is an author and literary agent who lives in New York with her husband. When she isn’t writing, she can be found drinking lattes, pining for every dog she sees, or visiting her native California. She is the author of Your Destination is on the Left and She’s the Worst. Follow her on Twitter @laurenspieller and Instagram @laurenspieller. You can also visit her website at www.laurenspieller.com

Photo Cred: Dave Cross Photography

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Interview with Sonia Hartl for Have a Little Faith in Me

Have a Little Faith in Me

by Sonia Hartl
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Release Date: September 3rd 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Romance, Religion, Realistic Fiction

Synopsis:

"Saved!" meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that takes a meaningful look at consent and what it means to give it.

When CeCe’s born-again ex-boyfriend dumps her after they have sex, she follows him to Jesus camp in order to win him back. Problem: She knows nothing about Jesus. But her best friend Paul does. He accompanies CeCe to camp, and the plan—God’s or CeCe’s—goes immediately awry when her ex shows up with a new girlfriend, a True Believer at that.

Scrambling to save face, CeCe ropes Paul into faking a relationship. But as deceptions stack up, she questions whether her ex is really the nice guy he seemed. And what about her strange new feelings for Paul—is this love, lust, or an illusion born of heartbreak? To figure it out, she’ll have to confront the reasons she chased her ex to camp in the first place, including the truth about the night she lost her virginity.

Can you briefly describe HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME and the characters?

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME is about a girl named CeCe who comes up with a plan to win back her born-again ex by pretending to be a Christian. With the help of her BFF, Paul, she enrols in a Christian summer camp, despite knowing nothing about it. When her ex shows up to camp with a new girlfriend, CeCe ropes Paul into faking a relationship to save face, and ends up confronting all the reasons why she chased her ex to camp in the first place.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

I would have to say my favorite character is my main character, CeCe. She has a lot of heart, and makes a lot of mistakes, but she’s also incredibly vulnerable and open to viewing herself through an honest lens. She confronts a lot of things I wish I’d been brave enough to tackle as a teen, and she has one of the most rewarding character arcs I’ve ever written.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I tend to spend most Decembers elbow deep in cake and Hallmark movies, and one thing that always stuck out to me in these ‘wholesome’ Hallmark movies was how much girl-hate they have going on. The ex is always the evil roadblock on the path to ‘true love’, and I really wanted to flip that outdated notion on its head. I wanted to write a story where girls are supportive of each other, where they can share their fears and their hopes with each other without judgement, where they can lean on each other when things get hard. Girls who are like the ones I know in real life. This story became my love letter to female friendship.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Is it too on-the-nose to pick HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME by John Hiatt? I’m going to pick it anyway, the lyrics fit well with the romance.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I’ve always pictured CeCe to look a bit like Joey King and I think Noah Centineo would be the perfect Paul.

Summer is still here and we love to go out and enjoy the sun. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME is very much a beach read, and since it’s set at a summer camp, next to a bonfire would also be ideal. To be enjoyed with a tall glass of homemade lemonade.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME?

FIRSTS by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

CHERRY by Lindsey Rosin

HERETICS ANOYMOUS by Katie Henry

ALWAYS NEVER YOURS by Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley

TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW by Rachel Lynn Solomon

STARRY EYES by Jenn Bennett

HOT DOG GIRL by Jennifer Dugan

What’s next for you?

My next book, still untitled, will be coming out in Fall 2020 with Page Street! It’s about a YouTuber named Macy Evans who is doxed after the woman sitting behind her at a baseball game tweets about her supposed romance with a boy she stumbled into, vaulting her into a whirlwind fake relationship and driving a wedge between her and the quiet, small-town boy she really likes.

Sonia Hartl is a YA author who calls Michigan home, even though she’s lived in several different states. Her debut novel, HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME is forthcoming from Page Street Publishing. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s enjoying pub trivia, marathoning Disney movies, or taking a walk outside in the fall. She’s a member of SCBWI and the communications director for Pitch Wars. She has been published in The Writers Post Journal and Boston Literary Magazine. She lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and two daughters.

Interview with Rebecca Schaeffer for Only Ashes Remain

Only Ashes Remain (Market of Monsters #2)

by Rebecca Schaeffer
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 3rd 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis:

After escaping her kidnappers and destroying the black market where she was held captive, all Nita wants is to find a way to live her life without looking over her shoulder. But with a video of her ability to self-heal all over the dark web, Nita knows she’s still a prime target on the black market.

There’s only one way to keep herself safe.

Nita must make herself so feared that no one would ever dare come after her again. And the best way to start building her reputation? Take her revenge on Fabricio, the boy who sold Nita to her kidnappers. But killing Fabricio is harder than Nita thought it would be, even with Kovit by her side. Now caught in a game of kill or be killed, Nita will do whatever it takes to win.

Can you briefly describe ONLY ASHES REMAIN and the characters?

Not Even Bones was about Nita, a girl who dissected monsters and sold their body parts on the internet, until she ways betrayed. Only Ashes Remain continues that story, and it focuses on Nita trying to get vengeance on the person who betrayed her.

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Ooof, this is a hard one. I love all my characters, and my favourite changes depending on my mood. I really do love Nita, the main character, for all her flaws and mistakes and viciousness, I love that she never gives up, that she’s proactive instead of reactive, and that she’ll do whatever it takes to win. I love Kovit just as much, because I just adore the fact that he’s evil, he knows it, and he enjoys it. Sure, he has issues and his life isn’t great, but he’s not broody about the crimes he commits or the monstrous things he takes joy in. He’s a villain, and he embraces it.

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

People always ask me where I get my inspiration, and honestly, it’s just everywhere. I can’t really pinpoint one thing that gives me my ideas, it’s usually an amalgamation of things that combine in interesting ways in my head.

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

This is a hard question! I don’t really make playlists, but I suppose since Nita listens to Disney music while she dissects, I’d have to say this book is summed up best by Scar’s Be Prepared song from The Lion King.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

I… have no idea. I can’t think of any actors who really even visually look like my characters. I have some character reference photos, but none of them are really anyone famous, just pictures I found on the web through googling a lot of very specific features XD

Winter is coming and we love to find cozy places to read. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Oh, good question. I think it’d be fun to take the book to the Sedlec Ossuary near Prague. It’s a giant church, and all the decorations are made of human bones. Skull chandeliers, a coat of arms made out of actual arm bones. I think I’d chill there, surrounded by the artistically arrayed dead, and drink something spicy and a little sweet and totally inappropriate for a church, like spiked chilli hot chocolate.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish ONLY ASHES REMAIN?

Ohhh, book recommendations, I can always do that! If they liked Only Ashes Remain I’d definitely recommend they check out Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black, Jade City by Fonda Lee, and Cracked by Eliza Crewe.

What’s next for you?

The third and final book in the Market of Monsters series! I’m just finishing up edits, and I’m really excited for fans to be able to read the conclusion of this story.

Rebecca Schaeffer was born and raised in the Canadian prairies. Her itchy feet took her far from home when she turned eighteen, and she hasn’t returned for more than a few months here or there since. You can find her sitting in a cafe on the other side of the world, writing about villains, antiheroes and morally ambiguous characters.

Her debut , Not Even Bones, is about a girl who dissects and sells monsters on the internet. Not Even Bones received a starred review from Booklist, was shortlisted for the Sunburst Award for Speculative Fiction, as well as the Cybilis awards.

The sequel, Only Ashes Remain, comes out September 2019.