Veteran Author Interview + Giveaway

Today on the blog I have the honor of hosting the lovely New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver, who's newest novel Pandemonium came out on February 28th.  Lauren's answers are in regular font due to some crazy computer thing.

Hi Lauren, thank you so much for agreeing to do an interview with me, your books are amazing.

Thanks so much for having me! 

First, you’ve written four (five, I’m not sure if you’re actually done with Requiem yet) books, which one was your favorite and why?

Actually, I've written six! (I have a new MG book, THE SPINDLERS, coming out in Fall 2012; and yes, I am done with REQUIEM.) They've all been favorites in different ways. That sounds hokey to say, but it's true. I think in some ways Liesl and Po is the most meaningful to me, because of where I was and who I was when I wrote it. But books are like children, and I love them all in different ways. 

Tell us a little know secret about you and a little know secret about your book (any one of them).

 Hmmm. A secret about me? I hate fruit. Okay, that's not really a secret, but I like to keep my secrets secret! :) Let's see. . .a secret about one of my books is that I had to change a lot of the names in Before I Fall at the very last second; I had named a lot of the characters after people in my high school (often unintentionally).

Seeing as Pandemonium is your next release what was your favorite part of it to write?  Was there a part that was hard to write? 

I had difficulty with some of the fight scenes. They don't come as naturally to me. I enjoyed writing the descriptions of the Wilds, though. I felt as though I was exploring alongside Lena. 

You’ve written one Middle Grade novel, what was that like?  Was it harder or easier then writing Young Adult?  Do you plan on writing another MG novel?

 I think all books are difficult in different ways. I do have another MG novel coming out; it's called THE SPINDLERS, and it releases in Fall 2012. It tells the story of a girl, Liza, who must rescue her brother Patrick's soul from the underworld after it is stolen by spider-people.

When the summary for Pandemonium came out there was quite the uproar, and having read Pandemonium the ending will probably create even a bigger one, was it fully your idea to write it the way you did?

Yes, absolutely.  

Once people have read Pandemonium I’m sure they will all be eagerly awaiting Requiem just as much as I am, can you give us a small sneak peak? 

I will only say that Requiem takes place from two different points of view, and I'm very excited about it! 

Your other two books have been stand alones, is it harder to write a trilogy/series then it is to write a stand alone?

 I think it's challenging in a different way. There's something comforting about writing a series; you have more time to tell your story. But it is hard to live with the same characters for such an extended period of time.

Your writing is so beautiful, how do you accomplish that?  Do you try to write like that or is that just naturally how it comes out?

Thank you!! Well, I've been writing my whole life, and I've also been an avid reader. I've definitely tried very hard in my life to become a better writer, to work on the flow and the rhythm of the words. So I guess now it does kind of come "naturally," but I'm always honing my voice and working to better my prose.

Out of all your books do you have a favorite character to write?  One that most closely resembles you in demeanor?

I think I had the most fun writing Po, the ghost from Liesl and Po, because it was such an exercise in imagination for me! Of all my characters, I'm probably the closest to Sam from Before I Fall, although I like to think I'm substantially nicer than she is. :)

If you could live in one of your books which one would you live in?  What about if you lived in Lena’s world? Would you be a zombie or a rebel?

Well, I pretty much DID live in the world of Before I Fall, so I'd probably just re-choose that! If I lived in Lena's world, I'd of course like to say that I would rebel. But it's incredibly, incredibly difficult to turn your back on your education, your values, your religion; very few people manage to do it. So I'd probably submit.

Do you have a favorite line out of all of your books?

Oh, I have a few favorites here and there! I also reread a lot of my sentences and think: oh, dear. what was I thinking? That's far more common.

You can’t always be an author, what do you do in your spare time?  What’s on your TBR pile as of right now?  Any books that you’re dying to get your hands on?

Oh, man. My TBR pile is ridiculous. I'm really eager to read A Fault In Our Stars, by John Green; I've heard such amazing things. In my free time, I do read a lot. I also cook, do a lot of running and pilates

 

Let’s talk about covers.  I know authors really have no say in covers but what do you think about your covers?  What about the new covers for theDelirium trilogy?

 I'm kind of obsessed with the new Delirium trilogy covers, and I love how they kind of reference the look of Before I Fall. I've been lucky that Harper is incredibly accommodating and always asks for my approval and input on covers--but I'm also lucky that because of their wonderful design team, I rarely give anything but my total approval.

And speaking of covers, do you have any covers you just love that aren’t yours?  Maybe some that you wish were yours but are someone else’s?

I love the cover of Wither, by Lauren DeStefano, and I loved all of the Fallen covers. 

What about books?  Are there any books/ideas that you wish you had written/come up with?

Um, yeah. Harry Potter!! But seriously, every time I read a new book that I love, I get author-envy.

Your books (the teen ones at least) have some pretty sexy heart-throbs, who is your literary crush?  (Don’t worry, I won’t tell your fiancé.)

Oh, Mr. Darcy. Always Mr. Darcy. (From Pride and Prejudice.) 

Last but not least (actually the most important question), Team Jacob or Team Edward?

 Ha. I don't know! If you can believe it, I only read the first Twilight.

 Thank you so much for answering all of my silly questions, and thanks to your books I can’t decide between your guys, they’re all great.

Lauren has been nice enough to donate a signed finished copy of Pandemonium and four signed book plates for me to give away.  Due to postage the book can only be sent inside the US/Canada but the bookplates are open to anyone anywhere! Since my computer is broken and I've been using my mom's all you have to do is fill out the form HERE, no questions to answer. The contest will run until March 31st at 12:00 midnight and the winner will be notified...hopefully soon after that.

Review-Liesl & Po

I bought this book because it was the book that brought Lauren to the store I went to go see her sign at, and I meant to read it right away, but time got away from me and before I knew it I had so many other things to read this one fell to the wayside.  Thankfully I managed to find a little time between books I HAD to read to read this one, and I'm really glad I did.  When I was talking with Lauren she said that this was her favorite book that she has written, because it wasn't just a made up story, it was part of her life.  While reading this book I was well aware of the fact that it was a middle grade novel, and that I am NOT in the middle grade by any means anymore, but I found that it was still a very magical book.  For me, this book goes so much deeper then what's just on the outside.  To call it good is a gross understatement. It's beautiful (like all of the books by Lauren that I have read) but this one holds a much deeper meaning that almost pulls at the how and why of the universe.  Call me crazy but sometimes I think that the novels with the most meaning, the ones that make you think the most, aren't the classics that we've filled our shelves with or the ones we have to read in class, but the ones that have just been written and that are for young people.  This is one of those novels, one that makes you think and one that makes you happy you're alive, and one that makes you feel even a little bit better about the people that you lose.  A beautiful book that's not only for middle graders, but adults and teenagers too. I think that everyone should read this book because it brings back sunlight into the world when everything is dark and grey.  I'm so glad I was able to read this book, it is no disappointment to those of you who have read Lauren's other books, and if you haven't read this one (or any book by her) this should be one of your next reads.  I can't wait for Lauren's next middle grade read because if it's anything like this one I'll love it too.

4.5/5



Review-Pandemonium

If you've been with me since the beginning you'll know how much I enjoyed Delirium, so when I got an ARC of this book I was very happy.  Delirium was so amazing, whenever I describe it to someone I call it "lyrical" and that's really what it was, and as excited as I was to get the sequel I was a little afraid to read it.  Because the first one was so good I was afraid this one would let me down, but it definitely did not.  Yes, it was different from the first one, and it wasn't exactly lyrical it was still such a good book.  The formatting was also different, switching between present time and right after Delirium ended, and you think that would be a confusing but I actually liked it.  Oliver uses such grace and has so much skill it doesn't seem like there's a difference, and it really doesn't matter which time you're in the story is gripping either way.  There was also some worries about having a new boy in the series, but I like the new boy as well.  As a sequel this book really doesn't disappoint in any way.  The new Lena is even better then the old one, and the new characters are perfect for the setting.  The lies run even deeper, and the stakes are even higher as things spiral out of control for Lena again.  There was more adventure in this whole book, it really starts out from the beginning, then there was in Delirium but given the circumstances and where she is I think that this was the perfect thing to do.  The ending will leave you screaming for more, just like the first one did.  I can't wait to see how Lauren will end the series, but this is a worthy sequel if I've ever read one.  If you've read Delirium you should pick this book out when it comes out, and if you haven't read the series I highly recommend it. 

Out March 28, 2012

5/5 dust spirits