We are ecstatic that Jennifer Weiner has agreed to share her innermost secrets here at Chick Lit Is Not Dead. Well, maybe not her innermost secrets, but we were thrilled to discover little nuggets about her. And it turns out, we share a love for the same television shows and all appreciate the word “douchebag”! We love this woman! In fact, GOOD IN BED is one of Liz’s all-time favorite books, and Lisa has read THE GUY NOT TAKEN more times than she can count.
Jennifer is the author of many fabulous Chick Lit novels including her much-anticipated new book, BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, available in just a couple weeks! We can tell from the title alone that we are going to LOVE it! Gee, we wonder why?
After her debut novel GOOD IN BED (2001); came IN HER SHOES (2002) which was turned into a major motion picture starring Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine; then LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (2004); GOODNIGHT NOBODY (2005); the short story collection THE GUY NOT TAKEN (2006); and CERTAIN GIRLS (2008), the sequel to GOOD IN BED. And because of all her awesomeness, there are more than 11 million copies of her books in print in 36 countries. Kind of makes us want to learn another language…
So give us a drum roll please…CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS: 25 things Liz & Lisa want to know about Jennifer Weiner!
1. Inside my purse, you’ll discover: My glasses, cinnamon gum, a stray pacifier for the baby.
2. My secret talent is: nothing I’d want to see in print!
3. If stranded on an island, the five things I could not live without are: Prescription sunglasses, Blackberry, Carmex lip balm, my Kindle (yes, I know it’s going to kill publishing, but can’t live without it), my Kindle power cord and…wait, is there power on this island?
4. On my nightstand you’ll find: About a dozen books I’m either reading or re-reading; my Kindle, a framed picture of my older daughter (she’s six) from her first birthday.
5. When I grew up, I wanted to be: A writer! How ‘bout that?
6. My worst job: When I was sixteen, I worked at a really fancy (well, for suburban Connecticut it was really fancy) restaurant. My job was to walk through the tables with a wicker basket over my arm, offering diners fresh-baked biscuits and raspberry jam. I was the biscuit girl.
7. My comfort food: Shortbread cookies, chocolate-chip cookies, linzer tarts, garlic-lemon roast chicken with mashed potatoes…and biscuits. Yes, I still love biscuits!
8. The location where I write: Neighborhood coffee shops and cafes, my closet when I’m home
9. Three songs on my IPOD’s most played list: “You Found Me” by The Fray, “Wore Me Down” by Rachael Yamagata, the “Glee” version of “Don’t Stop Believin’”
10. If I was on the cover of US Weekly, my headline would read: “Jen’s Secret Heartache?” (If I were on the cover of Us Weekly, I can only assume it would be because someone confused me with Jennifer Aniston. In which case the headline could very well be “Jen Lets Herself Go.”)
11. The three books that make me think of my childhood:A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Little Women, Blubber
12. My favorite Chick Flick: “Working Girl.” Has Harrison Ford ever been hotter? I could watch it every day.
13. My favorite Chick Lit book: An oldie but a goodie: SHEILA LEVINE IS DEAD AND LIVING IN NEW YORK
14. My “must see” TV: How much time have you got? Lost, Grey’s, So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, Top Chef, Project Runway, How I Met Your Mother and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria
15. My Starbucks order: Calm tea in the winter, venti iced decaf with room for milk in the summer (and isn’t “Room for Milk” a great potential book title?)
16. My favorite curse word: Douchebag
17. My celebrity man crush: Alan Rickman. Shutup
18. My celebrity girl crush: Sarah Silverman
19. My writer crush: Tom Perrotta
20. My last meal before execution: Clearly, I would demand to be taken to an all-you-can-eat buffet…and then I’d just say, “Sorry, not done yet.” They’d never be able to kill me!
21. Three words to summarize my book: Great big heart
22. It took me _____ to write my book. Unspeakable quantities of dark chocolate and baked goods
23. My book’s original title: It was always BFF!
24. Right now, I’m working on: Packing up the girls for our jaunt to Cape Cod
25. Chick Lit is alive & kicking because: women never get tired of reading about funny, familiar, relatable characters trying to make sense of their lives.
We can’t wait to read BEST FRIENDS FOREVER, available on July 14th! Click here to pre-order your copy. And to find out even more about the divine Jennifer Weiner, head on over to www.jenniferweiner.com.
xoxo,
Liz & Lisa
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#8 is funny–the closet
Little Earthquakes is my fave. Harry was a newborn at that time and so thoroughly enjoyed reading about motherhood.
Carrie, me too! I really related to that book, I think I was pregnant with my daughter when I read it. xoxo Liz
And seriously, I love me some Jen Weiner. (Do you guys think it’s cool if i call her Jen? or maybe Jenny? hmmm…) Anyway, I love her answers! Liz
Liz– I LOVE her too (um, obviously) and am so honored to have her as a guest on our site. Anyone who can appreciate Barney Stinson AND Tim Gunn is welcome here anytime! LIsa
Alan Rickman… I have had a crush on him for over 20 years!!! Now that I know Jennifer has good taste, going to have to read her books!!!
Anne, you would LOVE her books! Her characters are warm and funny. I would start with Good in Bed or Little Earthquakes! xoxo Liz
This was fun to read — looking forward to the new book!
Elisa, thanks for stopping by! xoxo Liz
Anne– as Liz said, you will LOVE them!! I also recommend In Her Shoes! and of course the short story collection that we mentioned in our post! xo
Loving this series, ladies! I’m laughing about the “room for milk” answer; back in America ordering coffee, I’d always tell them to leave extra room for milk–I like my coffee on a 3:1 coffee to milk ratio
Oh! And I wanted to add I’ll be reviewing Jen’s new book, coming out next month over at my place at some point; I can’t wait to receive it in the mail (so please keep your fingers crossed that the Italian postal service cooperates)!
Just got back in from a looooong two-week trip featuring many in-laws and I couldn’t ask for a happier welcome-home gift. Jen W is perhaps my favorite writer and I loved learning more about her. I’m dying to read to Best Friends Forever.
Sarah–OMG.. so weird. I just wrote on your Facebook wall because I was missing you. And now, here you are! What a nice surprise! I am very curious about this trip you just went on… do give us some of the gory, um, fantastic, deets!
PS: I have no doubt that BFF will be a great read! And I’m loving her even more after getting to know some fun info about her.
Michelle– THANKS! And I loved the “room for milk” idea too! I’m a little surprised to hear that you still take milk in the coffee after moving over there? I thought Italian coffee was strong, strong, strong with absolutely no milk? But what do I know… it’s been years since I’ve been there. (Boo!) Maybe I need to go back and find out for myself
Yes, let’s cross our fingers… Especially after how long it took our book… (ha!) We’re crossing our fingers for ya and looking forward to your review! xoxo
PS: Love that another Chick Lit author is being reviewed on your site!
I got an ARC of Best Friends Forever and you won’t be disappointed… very funny take on if you and your estranged BFF reconnected as adults and got to go back and mess with the guys who messed with you in high school…. some hilarious LOL moments.
Crystal–sounds juicy! Can’t wait
Jennifer’s sense of humor in her writing and interviews are the main reason I cannot stop reading her books! I can’t wait for Best Friends Forever! Liz and Lisa, I found your site from Jennifer’s facebook page. I’ll be back!
Jen, we are so glad you found us! Come back soon, sista! xoxo
Jen,
I love the necklace on you.
Susan
I love her answers! She seems like such a cool person!
I can’t wait to read the new book!!
I agree, Susan, her necklace is fabulous!
Hi Emily,
We are so glad you enjoyed them as much as we did! And I can’t wait to read BFF! xoxo