In an email interview, the best-selling writer explained why she aimed to “chill out” after publishing “Carrie Soto Is Back” in 2022. SCOTT HELLER
What books are on your night stand?
I’m listening to “Audition,” by Katie Kitamura, reading “Hungerstone,” by Kat Dunn, and next on deck are an advanced reader’s copy of Emma Straub’s new one, out next year, and Saumya Dave’s “The Guilt Pill.”
Describe your ideal reading experience.
On a patio, looking out over a body of water, with a great mystery or romance in front of me and at least one audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan ready to go. If there’s an iced tea sweating on the table and a good place to put my feet up, all the better. I had this exact experience last summer, reading “The God of the Woods,” by Liz Moore. Every moment was perfection.
What kind of reader were you as a child?
A reluctant one! I never read much as a kid. One of the first stories to change my mind about that was Edith Wharton’s short story, “Roman Fever.” We read it in Mrs. Hearn’s 10th grade American Lit class and I remember getting to the ending a few seconds before the other students and gasping. I loved it.
What’s the last great book you read?
“The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” by James McBride.
Do you prefer books that reach you emotionally, or intellectually?
I love a book that stays ahead of me the whole time. My brain is always working to figure out what might be coming next and I absolutely love being wrong. “Mexican Gothic,” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and “The Mill House Murders,” by Yukito Ayatsuji, were both like that for me. Brilliant plots. Otherwise, give me a book that’s going to break my heart and put it back together, please. Like something by Jasmine Guillory, Emily Henry, Celeste Ng or Ann Patchett.
What’s your favorite book no one else has heard of?
I think plenty of people have heard of Sophie Irwin but many, many more people should. “A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting” and “A Lady’s Guide to Scandal” are some of my favorite Regency romances lately. And she has a new one, “How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days,” coming out in July.
How do you sign books for your fans?
I made the mistake of having quite a long name so it’s a bit of a scribble. But when I meet someone in person, I always love to spend a second talking to them, not just focused on signing. I want to make sure they know how much it means to me by saying hi and thanking them for coming.
In what order should a newcomer to your work read the novels?
In any order they want! I have a varied backlist, with different genres in there. I just appreciate when any one of my premises appeals to someone and they pick the book up.
Can you recall the first time you were interested in space exploration?
I think I’ve always been curious about weightlessness. Gravity is so foundational to the human experience on Earth that it blew my mind as a child that there was a place humans had made it to that didn’t have gravity. But it wasn’t until my research for this book that I became fascinated by the inner workings of NASA — teams of people who come together to achieve the nearly impossible. It’s not without great risk, making it that much more impressive to me. I’m amazed by the courage and sacrifice of astronauts.
Why did you want to foreground a love story between women in “Atmosphere”?
Because there are a lot of different sides to me and it felt like, creatively, it was time to indulge this one. And also, because no one is going to tell me that love isn’t love. I wanted to write a big, bold sweeping love story. I think I wanted to break my own heart, a little bit.
You worked in casting in Hollywood. What impact did that have on you as a novelist?
I’m entirely focused on character first. I was when I worked in film — that’s what drew me to casting in particular — and I am as a novelist. I always say that I don’t really care what happens, I don’t really care when it happens. I care who it happens to.
Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine?
Jay Gatsby. All the more because I’m not sure he fits certain definitions of the word.
Your favorite antihero or villain?
Daisy Buchanan, of course. For the same reason.
You’ve talked a lot about the intensity of your ambition. Are you still intensely ambitious? And for what?
This might be the biggest way I’ve changed since publishing last. “Carrie Soto” taught me a lot. My goal, during my time away, was to chill out. And I think I’ve done that. There’s no particular achievement I’m looking for here. I’m just trying to spin a good yarn. And it feels good.
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