Thursday, October 7, 2010

Her and Me and You

Okay, so dude, Lauren Strasnick has a new book out. I read and simply loved NOTHING LIKE YOU, so I can't wait to get my hands on HER AND ME AND YOU. Isn't that cover gorgeous?? (YES.)





I managed to wrangle some questions out of her. About Lauren:

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Since 4th or 5th grade. I wanted to dance, too. But I surrendered that dream at sixteen. *grin*

What made you decide to go that “extra step” and seek publication?

This was pretty much always the plan, but ten years ago, I was only writing short fiction and there wasn’t really a place for short stories in the teen market. So it wasn’t until I completed my first novel, in 2006, that I actively started pursuing publication.



Quick! You’ve been chosen to go on Survivor. What luxury item do you take?

Oh, gosh! I’ve never seen survivor. (What?? The horror!) What can and can’t people bring? Does my kitten count as a luxury item?? (Yeah, sure. More mouths to feed, but whatever.)

And the most important of all: bacon or chocolate?

Chocolate. I was big into bacon as a youngin, but my body quit the-other-white (& red) meat, at eighteen. I remember it fondly, though… (Okay, fine. Chocolate: 2, Bacon: 0. So sad.)

About HER AND ME AND YOU:

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less:

Broken friendship! Thwarted love! Twincest! (Okay, that's not even fair.)

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.

What Kirkus Has to Say:
“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.”

Visit Lauren on her website and blog
Order Her and Me and You

And, as if you're not already stoked about this book, get a little excited! Because I'm giving a copy away! That's right--your very own HER AND ME AND YOU! All you have to do is leave a comment.


Oh, and I'm in Denver through the weekend, so I won't be blogging tomorrow. Chill, people. Take a pill or something. I know you'll survive. *wink* Whether I will is debatable, so keep your fingers crossed.

77 comments:

Renae said...

Another great book to add to my ever growing list! Great interview as well! Enjoy Denver Elana!

Emily White said...

This book sounds *really* interesting. *crosses fingers to win*

Great interview, Elana!

Ted Cross said...

Hey, the kitten would be useful when hunger sets in *evil grin*

Anita Saxena said...

Great interview. definitely want to read this book. Although, I don't know if I want to find out what twincest is (i have an idea though).

Theresa Milstein said...

I'm enjoying these interviews.

Wow. This sounds like my kind of book.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great interview. Lauren, I'm glad I'm not the only one who hasn't watched Survivor and who doesn't eat bacon. Sorry, Elana. Good luck with your book.

Have fun this weekend. I'm going to a weekend SCBWI conference. It's crazy getting ready. My daughter just twisted her ankle. Sigh.

Kay said...

Sounds like an excellent read. And you are absolutely right--the cover is gorgeous. And if you're truly tallying the votes, mine is for chocolate. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if a state fair somewhere doesn't combine the two.

Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale said...

Great interview!! Book sounds great!!

Bast said...

Twincest ... Alright, I want to read it.

Unknown said...

Bahaha "Does a kitten count as a luxury?" ... "More mouths to feed but whatever," Elana you're hilarious!!!

What a cool book! I've yet to read the first one so you now have two new books on my radar and how cool to win it!!!! That would be awesome!!!

Good luck surviving! You'll be missed... for sure!

Stina said...

I loved Nothing Like You. I'll definitely check this one out. :D

Megan said...

I kind of really want to win this book...The title is gorgeous, the cover is gorgeous, the author is gorgeous. Triple threat. Hope you and the fella have fun in Denver!

Shannon said...

Hrm, she almost lost me at the "never having watched Survivor" comment, but the book sounds fab so I'll let that one slide. =)

Looks like a great read.

Michelle McLean said...

Oooo sounds like an amazing book! Definitely on my list! :D

Karen Baldwin said...

Twincest? Gotta love that. Bacon or chocolate? Love that too. B's for me.

Unknown said...

Please enter me in contest. Sounds like a really good book to read. Tore923@aol.com

Unknown said...

Poor bacon. I'll give it a vote.

Bish Denham said...

Oh...I like that new word twincest. Very interesting. I put my name in the hat.

Rachel Harris said...

Sounds awesome! Thanks for the spotlight on this book and author. I'd love to win it . . . and if not, I'm adding it to my list.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

I was just reading about this book on S&S's website the other day. I was so drawn in by that cover, but the premise is what seals it for me. Great interview, Elana. Yours are always so much fun. I used to want to be a dancer, too. Not an easy dream to give up, but even harder to pursue.

Meredith said...

Haha, great interview! I definitely vote for chocolate :) This book sounds amazing--I'm totally intrigued. And that cover actually makes me want snow, which is just wrong.

Kara said...

I can't wait to read this one! I didn't even know it was out already :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Wow. This sounds like a great book. Bacon or chocolate? Both!

Slamdunk said...

Anyone who considers a kitten as essential is ok with me.

Carolyn V. said...

Yay! Another chocolate lover! It's so chocolate. Great interview Lauren.

Have fun in Denver Elana!

Anonymous said...

Um... I would pick bacon hands down. Yum yum yum yum yum!
But chocolate is good too, so I forgive her for choosing wrong.
I've been hearing a lot about this book and would love to get my hands on a copy! Here's hoping for a win!
Thanks for the great interview!
Put it on Paper

Colene Murphy said...

A Kitten!?! I think I love her! haha. That book sounds amazing too!

Lola Sharp said...

Is there such a thing as chocolate covered bacon? If so, I'd eat it. (love salty/sweet combo.)

That Kirkus review is stellar.
I've heard a lot of buzz on this book, but didn't realize it was released already.

Love the interview, ladies. :)
(also, I've never seen Survivor either.)

Lola-->out.

Lisa Potts said...

Great interview! I'm so intrigued by the review too. Thanks for the giveaway, Elana!

Anonymous said...

Intriguing. I'll have to read her first book! Awesome interview Elana. Though I hate to see the bacon lagging in the polls.

BK Mattingly said...

This sounds like an AWESOME book! Hope you have a good trip :)

Nicole Zoltack said...

Great interview. Sounds like an intriguing read.

Anonymous said...

Definitely adding to my TBR list! Great interview!

hannah moskowitz said...

I'm a SP author and I'm obsessed with this book (and with Lauren). And I have not been able to get my hands on this book. And I would kill for it. KILL.

Bidisha said...

I. Want. This. Book.

I mean, Twincest, really? This is mine.

Jen said...

An intriguing sounding book. My interest is peaked :)

Have fun in Denver!

Christine Fonseca said...

HAHAHA! Love that she said Chocolate! Just sayin' :D

Tere Kirkland said...

mmm, chocolate covered bacon (almost as good as praline bacon. ;D )!

Thanks for the review, I'd never heard of this book before.

Ishta Mercurio said...

You had me at "twincest."

And no blog post tomorrow? What are you thinking? No way is anything in Denver worth missing out on our scintillating commentary. I await your return on Monday. (Bring bacon to Denver. Everything is endurable and survivable with bacon.)

Alex Mullarky said...

OMG me please.

Susan R. Mills said...

Sounds like a good one. Thanks for the interview.

Lydia Kang said...

Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks Elana. And btw, I love your new avatar/photo!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

This book sounds awesome! I hadn't seen it yet, so I appreciate the great review. :-)

Eric said...

You're in Denver? No Way! Now I'm going to have to drive around town so I can find and stalk you.

Oh wait. I kidding. That truck following you isn't me. Really.

Great interview though :)

Tina Lynn said...

*arches eyebrow* Um, wow...

Valerie Ipson said...

The cover is just beautiful! Wow.

Kirsten Hubbard said...

I am dying to read both of Lauren's books. Fun interview!
while I only eat turkey bacon, I did take a tiny nibble of a pal's gourmet bacon chocolate bar. I am all for foods in serendipitous places.

NiaRaie said...

OO this sounds dark and interesting.

Talli Roland said...

Love the cover and the Twitter summary. It sounds like a great book.

Nicole L Rivera said...

Gorgeous cover. Enticing premise. Can't wait to read :) Congratulations!

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

wow, my list never stops growing!

Kay said...

Thanks for the recommendation, haven't read either, so thanks again for the introduction!

Shannon Messenger said...

Love that cover. LOVE. Must catch up on my TBR pile so I can add this to it! :)

Krispy said...

I hear about such great books from your blog. This one is something different than what I'd normally pick up, but I'm certainly curious!

Jennie Englund said...

Happy Denver weekend!

Do you wish you could go to KidLit Con in Minnesota on the 23rd?

Liza said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Bacon dipped in chocolate!!! Sounds like a great book.

Sara B. Larson said...

Hope you have fun in Denver! :) You can take a break from blogging for a day, we will survive. I hope. Ha ha. Have a great weekend!

Julie Hedlund said...

Welcome to my part of the world (Boulder), and count me in for the contest. Book sounds awesome!

Elana Johnson said...

Jennie, I got invited to speak at that conference, but had a family scheduling conflict. Are you going?

And I simply love this book, and Lauren. Thanks, guys.

Unknown said...

I am totally pulled into the book by the title, and the synopsis leaves me drooling. MUST. READ.

Jemi Fraser said...

That is quite the Twitter synopsis of the book. Makes me wish the stores were open right now!

Olivia Carter said...

Wow, this sounds like a REALLY interesting book! And a great interview too!

lettucehead said...

YES! Count me in :)

Anonymous said...

Nice interview! Sounds like a neat book.

Have a great trip! :D

Angela Ackerman said...

Wow, this book sounds edgy! Can't wait to read it.

And Elana, HOW COULD YOU force anyone to choose between Bacon and Chocolate? Just the idea...*shudders* No, I can't go there. It's too traumatic to contemplate!

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

lotusgirl said...

Sounds like a book I would really enjoy. This author's new to me. I'll have to go check out her first book.

Deni Krueger said...

Love listening to your interviews and reviews. It lets me know what to look for since our bookstore in Germany is limited. Enjoy Denver!

Lisa_Gibson said...

Dude! You're in my hood. I'm in Littleton (suburb of Denver). I always wave. Can you see me waving? Okay probably not.
This sounds like an awesome book. I'm definitely going to check it out. Enjoy your time in Denvah. ;)
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

Julie Musil said...

This book sounds amazing! Wow. And that twitter version, impressive.

Enjoy Denver!

Heather said...

Yay another one for chocolate! And I love that you would take your kitten with you. That's awesome! Her And Me And You sounds great. I'm adding it to my to be read list!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Another great interview, Elana!

Lauren...If you are chosen for Survivor....Don't take your kitten! Have you seen what they do on that show? Take some sunscreen with bug repellent in it.

Best wishes with your new book. :-)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview and the chance to win the novel.

I would taken a kitten, too.

Have a great weekend.

mariska said...

i would love to read this book ! enter me in :)

Marieke said...

Love the sound of this book! Definitely going on my tbr pile :)

Tessa Quin said...

Elana! I see that you have no awards posted on your wall, which, because you are you, probably means that you don't redistribute awards. Which is totally fine!

But I'm awarding you the Cherry on Top Award regardless, because I think you deserve it.

http://tessyquin.blogspot.com/2010/10/nano-and-award.html

Gnesis said...

I can't decide between my kitty or a book. A pro for taking a book is I won't be tempted to eat it when I'm starving.

Kamp Kyburz said...

Chocolate.

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