Holiday Books! How do YOU Choose?

Hank PHILLIPPI RYAN: I was at the bookstore yesterday, signing THE WRONG GIRL (thank you!) and in between customers, and trying to spot what other books people were buying at the same time.

Research, right?

What I saw, over and over, was exactly the same thing.  For those who went to the big display of books in the middle of the store, their procedure became fascinatingly predictable.

1. Pick up book

2. Flip to back cover

3. Open to inside cover

4. Look at first page of book

And then, the critical moment 5: Sometimes they’d put he book down and try another.

Sometimes, they’d put the book into their basket. A sale.

It was all I could do not to say--excuse me? Could you tell me what just went through your mind? It'd be so fascinating to know.

What connects a potential reader with the story? What will clinch the deal?  It’s clear it so different for each individual, right?

When I saw the list of the Girlfriends new books, I had a bit of the same experience...there were some I instantly loved.

Because I am a hard-working novelist, I burst out laughing at:

PURSUING THE TIMES:

Lauren Baratz-Logsted

“All that popular Chick-Lit author Mercury Lauren wants is to have one of her books reviewed by the New York Times Book Review - just one - and she'll do almost anything to get it. In this contemporary romantic comedy, with a nod toward Pride and Prejudice she crosses swords and hearts with the Editor-in-Chief of the NYTBR in a madcap adventure that takes her from her home in Westport to a yoga retreat to a golf course in Florida. Will she get what she wants and will she finally be happy if she does? Only one thing's for certain: nothing will stop her from Pursuing the Times.”

And because I LOVE an original idea, I’m tempted to get this one by Lauren Baratz-Logsted for my grandson:

THE SISTERS 8: “A nine-book series about octuplets whose parents go missing on New Year's Eve leaving the Eights, as they are known, to solve the mystery of what happened to Mom and Dad while keeping the rest of the world from realizing that eight little girls are living home alone.”

Because I love the concept of The Daddy School”—rats, I wish I had thought of it, how about:

FATHER FOUND by Judith Arnold:  “Jamie McCoy's syndicated column, "Guy Stuff," keeps thousands of men in a macho frame of mind. But the day Jamie finds Samantha on his doorstep, his life changes drastically. Samantha is a baby. Jamie knows nothing about babies. He phones Allison Winslow, a nurse who runs the Daddy School, for advice. But when he actually meets Allison, he finds he wants much more than her assistance.”

And finally, because the synopsis tells the story instantly—and you can just picture the whole hilarious thing right?

SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA By Ellen Meister

“When a Hollywood location scout comes to Applewood, Long Island, and announces that the local elementary school might make the perfect backdrop for an upcoming George Clooney movie, the PTA's decorum crumbles like a cookie from last week's bake sale.”

So you can’t go wrong with the Gitlfriends’ books! Check them all out  (click to see a big list) for the ones perfect or you-and your gift recipients!  say it at every event—“A book makes a perfect gift!” 

Happy shopping all…and happy reading.

photo by Iden Ford HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s NBC affiliate. She’s won 30 EMMYs, 12 Edward R. Murrow awards and dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism. A bestselling author of six mystery novels, Ryan has won multiple prestigious awards for her crime fiction: the Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, and most recently, the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award for THE OTHER WOMAN. National reviews have called her a "master at crafting suspenseful mysteries" and "a superb and gifted storyteller." Her newest thriller, THE WRONG GIRL, is a Boston Globe bestseller

and was dubbed "Another winner" in a Booklist starred review. She’s on the national board of Mystery Writers of America and 2013 president of national Sisters in Crime. Visit her online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @hank_phillippi and Facebook/HankPhillippiRyanAuthorPage.

'Tis the Season for Reading

The Road to You is a story about finding truth...
and love...along the highway of life.

Right now, I'm in between books...that is, in between writing them. I've been pretty much on a nonstop deadline for the past five and a half years with very few pockets of down time to just read. 

More often, I've only been able to snatch a few minutes here or there, while waiting in the school parking lot to pick up my son or at the orthodontist's office, etc. And, much as I love writing, I've missed those nights of snuggling up with my Kindle or a new paperback on the sofa downstairs, while the guys in my house obsess over the Blackhawks playing hockey. I've missed those cold winter weekends where the snow outside makes exercising at the gym even less appealing than usual, and I just need to escape into a novel for a few uninterrupted hours...

After having three major releases in 2013 (including my coming-of-age romantic mystery THE ROAD TO YOU in October) and finishing up edits on the new-adult/romance anthology I've got coming out in mid-January (ALL I EVER WANTED with authors Caisey Quinn, Rhonda Helms and Lexi Ryan), I promised myself that December would be all about reading. In fact, that's my Christmas gift to myself!!

So, it was doubly exciting for me when I found out that the theme of this month's GBC cycle was on sharing books, particularly those written by my fellow Girlfriends. I've had the pleasure of reading a novel (or two or three!) by almost all of them, and I have quite a few on my Kindle or paperback TBR list as well. Below are some of the titles that fit into one of those categories, and they're all books I'd recommend for readers to check out!

Ariella Papa ~ A SEMESTER ABROAD
Barbara Claypole White ~ THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR
Brenda Janowitz ~ RECIPE FOR A HAPPY LIFE
Christa Allen ~ THE EDGE OF GRACE
Cindy Jones ~ MY JANE AUSTEN SUMMER
Ellen Meister ~ THE OTHER LIFE
Ernessa T. Carter ~ 32 CANDLES
Hank Phillippi Ryan ~ THE OTHER WOMAN
Jacqueline Luckett ~ SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER
Jenny Gardiner ~ ANYWHERE BUT HERE
Jess Riley ~ ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE
Judith Arnold ~ SAFE HARBOR
Karin Gillespie ~ BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR
Laura Spinella ~ BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
Lauren Baratz-Logsted ~ THE BRO-MAGNET
Leslie Langtry ~ 'SCUSE ME WHILE I KILL THIS GUY
Leslie Lehr ~ WHAT A MOTHER KNOWS
Maggie Marr ~ HOLLYWOOD GIRLS CLUB
Malena Lott ~ SOMETHING NEW
Maria Geraci ~ A GIRL LIKE YOU

All I Ever Wanted - coming January 13, 2014!

Megan Crane ~ I LOVE THE 80s
Melissa Clark ~ SWIMMING UPSTREAM, SLOWLY
Michele Young-Stone ~ THE HANDBOOK FOR LIGHTNING STRIKE SURVIVORS
Samantha Wilde ~ THIS LITTLE MOMMY STAYED HOME
Sara Rosett ~ ELUSIVE
Saralee Rosenberg ~ DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD
Sheila Curran ~ EVERYONE SHE LOVED
Wendy Nelson Tokunaga ~ LOVE IN TRANSLATION

How about you?? What have you got on your reading list for this month? Any novels you've been itching to break open? Any others you've especially enjoyed?

Whatever your December plans, may you all have a fabulous holiday season and a happy, healthy and safe start to 2014!!

---
Marilyn Brant is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary fiction and was named the 2013 Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves to listen to music, travel to new places, and read for hours at a time...whenever she can. She's also really fond of ice cream -- even in winter.

A Season For Strange Gifts

by Samantha Wilde

Many Christmases, as a child, I received, as many others did, gifts I did not particularly want. I invariably had one relative who would gift me a child's worst nightmare, something utilitarian and boring, like a lamp. (Some would say, "like a book," but in my family there really is no greater gift.) As a child, I found it bewildering. I clearly asked for what I wanted. I never gave vague requests. Just where in the words "Barbie Dream House," did she come up with "athletic socks?"

The same unusual scenario occurs in my adult spiritual life. Here I am, calling out for something very specific, "More time for myself, please!" or "Let this one be a bestseller!" or "Please inspire my husband to do all the dishes," and yet, I am getting completely different gifts from the universe, for example, terribly un-childlike presents, like patience and fortitude and forgiveness.

Many years ago, after the birth of my first child, I wrote an article called Strange Gifts which is one of the many pieces of writing I have collected into my new book by the same name. Strange Gifts, some writings on love, is a gathering of some of my words about love, faith, meaning, God, life, death, and hope written over the course of twelve years during the time I have been a minister.

But before you run screaming from the room with grim memories of your own childhood religion, let me assure you that my practice is entirely expansive, inclusive, encompassing, and based on my understanding of God as Love. I write outside of religion but inside of believing. I write remembering and standing in solidarity with people who don't or cannot believe, and in boldness with people who do.

Because this is the season of gifts, we all have asking hearts. What I learned, over time, was to look for the strange gifts, the unexpected gifts, the ways in which prayers are answered in unusual ways. In my Strange Gifts article, I quote Helen Keller who wrote: "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door we do not see the one which has been opened for us." I stumble upon this truth all the time. Even in publishing Strange Gifts, I have received them. The first printing is almost completely sold out, and a little book of my heart, intended for only a small audience, has gone out to dozens of states, to friends and to strangers.

I'll tell you, a writer may write for herself, or she may think that she writes because she needs to, but the real gift is to have a reader.

At the end of my Strange Gifts article in my collection, I wrote: May our hearts be open to the open doors in our lives, to the gifts we are given that can change us and lead us more completely into communion with Goodness. May you find that the great Santa of Love know you better than you think, better than you know yourself. I won't wish for you to be blessed this season, but to realize the blessings that already abound. Let's join together in looking for them; fling wide the new door!

I hope you get many strange and wonderful gifts this holiday time.
And if you would like one of them to be a copy of Strange Gifts, which is (unlike a boring lamp) a perfect little gift, you can buy it on my website (and only on my website), you can even ask for it to be wrapped. Maybe it will open a new door for someone.

Find out about Sam on her Reverend Sam Wilde website, her author site, listen to her hip and inspiring messages on her weekly radio show, You Are Loved, and like her on Facebook because she really likes to be liked. 
Sam is the author of I'll Take What She Has and This Little Mommy Stayed Home. She is a graduate of Smith College, Yale Divinity School, the New Seminary and the Kripalu School of Yoga. She has been an ordained minister for more than a decade, serving various populations with her central message that God's love (by whatever name you call it) is for everyone. She is an at-home mother of three small children, a yoga teacher, and the daughter of novelist Nancy Thayer.

Safety—and Good Books—First

Judith Arnold

’Tis the season! Like all book-lovers, I hope to find some books waiting for me under the tree on Christmas morning. And I hope at least a few of the books waiting under trees all across the country will be novels by the authors who participate in our Girlfriends Book Club blog. I am honored to be a part of the Girlfriends Book Club, sharing my thoughts about books, writing, and life in the company of these amazingly talented novelists.

Novels can do so many things: entertain, inform, carry us off to new worlds, and help us make sense of the world we live in. They can also do something else: they can keep us safe.

One of the greatest hazards on the roads these days is texting while driving. According to a 2011 Harris Poll, nearly half of all drivers under the age of 35 have texted while behind the wheel. Even if you don’t text while you drive, a lot of the folks you’re sharing the roads with do.

In light of this troubling situation, the Incredible Indie Authors, a group of ten bestselling mystery, suspense, and romance novelists, realized that one way to keep people from texting while they drive is to encourage them to listen to audiobooks instead.

The Incredible Indie Authors came up with a “Don’t Text and Drive” campaign, complete with a contest to give away free copies of our audiobooks. Every time you help to disseminate our “Don’t Text and Drive” message, you increase your chances of winning a free audiobook by one of us.

How can you help? “Like” and “share” our Incredible IndieAuthors Facebook page, and visit our contest page. The contest ends Saturday, December 7^th, so hurry! (Unlike driving, speeding on the Internet is not hazardous. )

I know plenty of people who listen to audiobooks while they power-walk, jog, and work out in the gym. Some of my friends listen to audiobooks when they’re cleaning the house or folding the laundry. Others enjoy audiobooks on long drives and during their commutes to work. Audiobooks are a great way to occupy your mind when your eyes have to focus on something other than printed words—not just words on a page or an e-reader screen, but also words in a smart-phone text.

So help us make the roads safer. Remind everyone you know not to text and drive. Stock up on audiobooks. And enter our contest . Maybe you’ll win a free audiobook, our holiday gift to you and our way of thanking you for spreading the word.

Have a safe, happy holiday season. Don’t text while driving. Listen to an audiobook instead.

USA Today bestselling author Judith Arnold’s most recent indie-published release, Best Friends, is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords. 

Her award-winning Father Found, the first book in the Daddy School series, is currently available for free. Links to all the retailers can be found here. Her audiobook Safe Harbor is currently priced at Audible for only $1.99—10% of the usual retail price! 

To learn more about these and her other books, please visit her web site  and sign up for her newsletter. 

Books I Loved This Year (and I hope you will too!) by Jenny Gardiner

I am always looking for that book. The one that leaves me wanting more. The one that makes me drop everything and read. The one I mourn when I've finished it. So I'm always seeking out recommendations for books, especially in that post- fabulous-book-lull in which you revisit the book and wish it hadn't ended. Which is where I am now, so I'm scouring our Girlfriends Book Blog for suggestions myself, too! But I also want to tell you some books I've really enjoyed that I hope you'll find enchanting/interesting/fascinating/compelling/unputdownable. Tangled, by Emma Chase I'm amazed at how well this author nailed the voice of a narcissistic male. I was so certain it was written pseudonomously by a guy, so quick shocked to see the author picture and she is decidedly not a he. Funny writing, great dialogue, loved the voice. Man Alive! Mary Kay Zuravleff This is quirky, I'll warn you. But in a good way. The outwardly perfect family starts to crumble when the titular head, the wise father, is struck by lightning while inserting a coin in a parking meter. Zany behavior ensues. It's funny yet serious, and definitely a bit out there. The author is masterful with word play, which is something I love. She's a gifted writer, indeed. What Alice Forgot Liane Moriarty I love Liane Moriarty's books because they make me think. And this certainly did, about a woman who wakes up in a do-over of sorts. She's got a great voice and engaging writing style. The Husband's Secret Liane Moriarty Again, loved this book. Moriarty has such a great premise for this novel: what if you found out something so unbelievable about your wonderful husband. Then what? A compelling read. Crazy Little Thing Tracy Brogan Loved her voice, just a fun writer Beautiful Ruins Jess Walters Fabulous story set against a backdrop of the Cinque Terre in Italy, my favorite country. Imagining a huge backstory set during the filming of Cleopatra back in the 60's. Terrific read. Making Waves Tawna Fenske Fun voice, very engaging writing. The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict The Arbinger Institute I'm not much for non-fiction, but loved this book, written by two men, one Israeli, one Palestinian, who both lost fathers to their "enemy" during wars in their lands, and who joined forces to help troubled children figure out their lives. Wonderful book, shows you the power of possibility Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray Always love her books Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain I'm in the midst of this book right now. I'd read a recommendation by Maria Semple, whose writing I adore, but then it got lost in my kindle and I forgot about it. Fabulous read, terrific writing, terrific storytelling. Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple Such a talented writer and storyteller -- go read this book! You'll love it! Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo Wow, non-fic that reads like a novel. Boo went undercover in a Mumbai slum and knits the tale of several families together. Heartbreaking but unputdownable. Erasing Death by Sam Parnia I got so into this concept, by a doctor whose devoted his career to what happens when people die and are resuscitated. Amazing insights. And of course there are so many wonderful books written by my fellow Girlfriends. This is such a diverse group of talented authors, I just hate that I don't have time to read everyone's books in a timely way! And I don't want to forget anyone and I fear I'm going to. But in the past year I've read and loved books by Maggie Marr, Malena Lott, Brenda Janowitz, Leslie Lehr. And here are a few great escapist books: About That Night Julie James Susan Mallery -- any of her books Jill Shalvis -- any of her books Most overrated book, in my opinion? Wild, by: Cheryl Strayed. I'm sorry, but the woman was an idiot. Shooting up heroin just as she plans to depart for this lengthy journey, about which she did virtually no preparation? I don't buy it. (I will grant you, she's got writing chops, however).

TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT NOVELISTS

by Saralee Rosenberg

The latest trend on Facebook is sharing a list of things people might not know about you. I have declined this opportunity because the things people don’t know about me, I would like to keep that way. But the idea inspired a list of a different sort- the things most people don’t know about novelists. Everyone loves the behind-the-scenes story. This is ours:

1. Fear is our Faithful Companion We may not go to Hemingway extremes, drinking ‘til dawn in Key West, but we live with angst and neurosis as a natural state. Call it Woody Allen disease. Is our latest project good enough? Will it be our last published book? Is another writer copying us and hitting the bestseller list? Yet in spite of the self-doubt, we write on, ever hopeful that we are telling a story that matters and that readers will care. 

2. We Believe in Miracles; We don’t Rely on Them It is a misconception that a writer’s inspiration comes from lightning bolts or some divined intervention.  Instead, our best ideas may emerge while doing mundane tasks, such as stalking other author’s Amazon rankings. But mostly they come when we allow our characters to speak for themselves. When we let go of the literary leashes and give them free reign to act in ways we never envisioned. When we become less the writer and more the designated typist. It’s not that we aren’t clever and creative, it is that we often thrive when we get out of our own way.

3. Compassion for Characters  The most compelling and memorable characters are those with great imperfections. And just like our children, we love them none the same. We also care deeply about their challenges and invest heavily in their outcomes. Ironically, writers are responsible for the dire circumstances in which our characters find themselves. So, first we send them up the tree without a ladder, and then we wait to see how they get down. If they do at all… Hmm. Perhaps writers and parents are more similar than we think.

4. More Give Than Take  Writers are by nature a generous lot. Not all of us, of course, but most. We donate our books, time, energy and resources to help organizations, students and fellow writers. We blurb, promote and show up in support. We give advice to those who ask. We encourage those who feel dejected, rejected and subjected. Perhaps that it why our stories resonate. We don’t just write with emotions, we transfer them from our affected hearts.

5. We May Not Fight Fires but We are Brave  Even if it scares the crap out of us, we will explore the underbelly of fear, hatred, shame, despair and other emotions, hoping to uncover  nuggets of truth. We will also challenge readers’ beliefs, even at the expense of offending them. In fact our deepest desire is, in some small measure, to alter the Universe.

6. Boxers Have Nothing on Us Writers have always taken it on the chin from editors, agents and reviewers. And the criticism is a blow. A big blow. But today, anyone with a smartphone and a grudge can level us with a scathing review (sadly, they may not have even read our books). And it is no longer a missive between the writer and reader. Today these wrong-headed rants are there for millions to read on line. Fortunately, we continue the fight as a KO is not an option.

7. Truth Is Stranger than Fiction Our stories are made up but our facts are real. That is why we devote so much time to doing research. Yet it still surprises me how many readers confuse fact with fiction. They complain about unrealistic plots. “That would never happen,” they say. “So contrived.”  To which I say, a novelist’s goal is not to distort the truth but to honor it.

8. The NFL Isn’t the Only One with A Draft  I can only speak for myself, but I suspect I’m in good company. When I’m writing a new novel, I apologize to the trees in Oregon because I know I will waste reams of paper getting through the process. My drafts will spawn generations of other drafts that involve title changes, killing off darlings, and starting over so often, I’ll refer to the latest version as the anniversary edition. It’s not that I’m a bad writer. I’m a heartless editor. Regardless of how far along I am, if a story doesn’t keep me up at night then our business is done. So if per chance you love my novels and what to know when the next one is coming out, I apologize for the delay. I’m knee deep in paper and I’m not ready to hit send.

9. We Love Being Published, We Dread the Process   Due to a recipe of denial, arrogance and technology, the publishing industry is in the midst of major indigestion. Amazon was dismissed as a non-threat. Same with e-readers and digital publishing. And the demise of both the big box stores and the independents was not on anyone’s radar. Nor is there a solution to how to control marketing and distribution costs while giving a new novel a chance to succeed. What that means for the author is that it is incumbent upon us to write our best books and be ready to do most of the heavy lifting to create interest. It often feels like a losing proposition, and we wish that given our steadfast commitment to staying in the game, there was far greater love and support. Notice I said nothing about royalties. That is a whole ‘nother story.

10. We are Grateful  For those who covet novels as works of art. For those who discuss books and live for the conversation. For those who offer writers encouraging words and remain loyal in spite of disappointing sales. For those who post rave reviews. And mostly, we are grateful to those who find inspiration in our ideas and who grow or change for the better because of them.

You see, it is a daunting task to write a novel. And yet, once the mountain is scaled, we vow to climb another. And another. Our only hope is that you follow us there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Saralee Rosenberg is the author of four novels from Avon/HarperCollins. A LITTLE HELP FROM ABOVE, CLAIRE VOYANT, FATE AND MS. FORTUNE and DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD. Her latest project, for younger readers, is THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MEDIUM.

www.saraleerosenberg.com

Writerly Gifts by Jess Riley

Our blogging topic this posting cycle is holiday book gifts, but this can be so subjective, depending on the gift recipient. I am giving books for Christmas this year, but they’re pretty specific to the recipients. What I’d like to focus on today instead are gifts for writers: practical, daily use type-gifts. I’ll break this down by category.

What do you write with? Back in the day, laptops cost as much as small used cars. Many years ago—maybe ten or more--I saw an ad for a word processing device in an old issue of Writer’s Digest: the “Neo,” by Alphasmart. (Do any of you remember this thing??) I ordered it, because I am sometimes a sucker and had grandiose fantasies of typing my opus on the sand dunes of Kohler Andrae State Park. I really did do that once, but actually using the Neo was a bit cumbersome.

"Sent from my Neo Alphasmart."

It didn’t take long for the poor Neo to go where old technologies die in my house.  Which is to say, hidden in a drawer somewhere. I’m typing this on a new 2-in-1 Ultrabook, which didn’t cost much more than the Neo. There are hundreds of options for portable word processing these days, and when you’re in the market, the choices can feel overwhelming. Plus, emphasis is on individual use and preference, so recommendations from friends or family may not work for you.  

Guess which one's also a tablet?

So all my writer friends, weigh in, please: what do you write on, and why? What do you like about it? I’ve only had my Lenovo Yoga Ideapad for a day, and so far it’s great for portable writing. However, Windows 8 took some getting used to. For example, I nearly threw the whole thing at the wall an hour after I had it out of the box because I kept downloading Word (and kept playing the intro video) because I couldn’t figure out how to “pin the app” to my start page. My preference is still for my old desktop PC with the huge, bright screen and comfy, worn keyboard, but so far, I’m digging my little Lenovo.

E, I, O, S, D, L, C, N, M. An anagram for "rubbed out of existence."

What do you read with? ("My eyes." Har-har.) I know, I know: this one’s for the e-reader fans. I have a Kindle Fire—not HD, not the new one with live support from Amy (and god bless her for all of the chat roulette-ish images she’ll be getting from teenage boys after the holidays). Anyway, my Kindle is heavy and kind of clunky, and I already wish I’d have waited just one year to upgrade to this year’s model, with its beveled edges and lighter feel. The Fire also works as a tablet, which has come in handy when looking up recipes AND seeing which old boyfriends got bald on Facebook.  I know some people fiercely love their Nooks or reading on their iPads, so this is also an area where personal preference comes to play.

How about some quirky things you can wear? (Other than a Duck Dynasty-themed bra.) I love jewelry and clothing with a writerly-theme. A few years ago my thoughtful sister-in-law gave me a necklace made from old typewriter keys. There are some fun literary-oriented ideas on this website: outofprintclothing.com. You can also check waxingpoetic.com, as well as dozens of Etsy shops devoted to the classics. Jane Austen bracelet? Alice in Wonderland t-shirt? Emily Dickinson necklace? Beyond wearable gifts, there are journals, calendars, pens, organizational tools, fancy bookmarks, reading lights, e-reader cases, frameable prints on old Dictionary pages (Etsy strikes again), even coffee and tea tucked in a nice, big mug.

Not counting books, what writerly gifts are you giving this year? Books are always FABULOUS (particularly signed, personalized copies), but there are so many options!

~~~~
Jess Riley is the author of three novels (Driving Sideways, All the Lonely People, Mandatory Release); she wears her Alice in Wonderland shirt when she meets with book clubs. She's on Facebook, Twitter (@JessRileyWrites), and at the moment, the couch.