7 Things You Don't Know About Lisa Yee

In 2008, we chatted with author Lisa Yee in person. In May 2010, we picked her novel Absolutely Maybe for our book club discussion. Now it's 2014, and Lisa's about to reveal...

7 Things You Don't Know About Me
1. I fail at taking naps, but want to get good at them.
2. Telephone conversations make me anxious.
3. I once had a pet chicken named Herbie Gordon.
4. Last year I rode a camel in the Dubai desert.
5. I am frequently confused over, where to put commas.
6. One time, while running the spotlight for a community theater production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, I was daydreaming and left Joseph in the dark for about a minute.
7. I was never asked back to run the spotlight.

Remember, we're catching up with spotlighted authors* all month long here at readergirlz, so come early and comment often! :)

* Yes, that was intentional. You must have seen that coming.

May: Round Up of Discussions

Just in case you missed any of the great discussions with Lisa, check out these links and drop your comment!


So, what would your nickname be?

Would you dye your hair?
What's your creative outlet?

Will Mean Girls be sorry?

Where is your quiet place?

Helping someone in a bad situation

What's your favorite food?

Underestimating Yourself
Do you judge?
Been in a love triangle?

Thank You, Lisa Yee!

Here's a big MERCI to the very fun and inspiring Lisa Yee for joining us at readergirlz this month!

We loved hearing stories from Lisa and learning more about the back story of Absolutely Maybe.

Some highlights:

Absolutely Maybe was supposed to be a middle grade book, but Maybe took over Lisa's brain and wound up telling her story instead!

Peepy loves the book!

Lisa thinks that "social media is the author's water cooler." YES!

We've so enjoyed having you here this month. Thank you, Lisa!

May: Have You Ever Been in a Love Triangle?

Lisa says, "Ted, Hollywood and Maybe are in a love triangle. Do you know anyone who's been in this situation? Have you?"

May: Do you Judge People Too Quickly?

Lisa says, "Maybe hates Willow the first time they meet, but later discovers she's not a total loser. Do you ever judge people too quickly?"

May: Party It Up with Lisa Yee!

Planning your own book group get-together for Absolutely Maybe? Here are some party ideas from author Lisa Yee.

Invite: Hollywood Walk of Fame stars

Décor: So Cal beach stuff and/or Hollywood

Food: Tacos, chips and salsa, and hot dogs

Project: Dye your hair with Kool-Aid! (Get

permission from your parents!)

Movies: Rebel Without a Cause, Sunset Boulevard and Little Miss Sunshine

May: Underestimating Yourself

Lisa says, "Maybe constantly underestimates herself. What would you tell someone who can't see how wonderful they are?"

May: What's Your Favorite Food?

Lisa says, "Maybe loves Mexican food. What's your fave?"

May: Helping Someone in a Bad Situation

Lisa says, "On the streets and homeless, Maybe hits rock bottom. Where could she have turned for help? If you knew someone who was in an abusive situation, what would you do?"

rgz LIVE! with Lisa Yee!

Welcome to rgz LIVE! with Lisa Yee! We're super excited to have her visit, and the chat will start at the top of the hour--make sure you're here and ready to talk about hope, rgz!

May: The Soundtrack to Absolutely Maybe

Featured Author Lisa Yee hand-picked songs for the playlist that accompanies Absolutely Maybe this month (and how cool is that peek at the mix, left?). Listen to the full soundtrack with the player in the right-hand sidebar or in the May issue!

May: Where is Your Quiet Place?

Lisa says, "At one point, Maybe retreats to the library for solace. Where to you go or what do you do when you want to be alone?"

May: Will Mean Girls Regret Their Behavior?

Lisa says, "Maybe is picked on at school by the stuck-up, popular girls. Do you think any of them will ever regret being so mean in high school?"

May: What's Your Creative Outlet?

Lisa says, "Ted's creative outlet is talking and schmoozing. Hollywood's is making films. Maybe's is making tacos. What's yours?"

May: Would You Dye Your Hair?

Lisa says, "Maybe likes to change her hair color. Have you ever done this? Would you?"

rgz TV: Little Willow talks to Lisa Yee!

In the summer of 2008, shortly before the book was released, postergirl Little Willow interviewed Lisa Yee about Absolutely Maybe. Watch the video (and read the Cover Story here!):

May: Things to Know About Featured Author Lisa Yee

Favorite library: All of them. If they have books, I'm there!

Pets: "Puppy," my black Labradoodle

Place to write: In my cluttered (but creative) office at midnight

Dream book tour: Tour of European bookstores with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy as my author escort

Writer buddies: Elise Broach, Dan Santat, Cecil Castellucci, Jordan Sonnenblick, Julia DeVillers

Cure for writer's block: Chocolate (and the fear of missing a deadline and being labeled a slacker.)

Favorite outfit: Crummy old jeans and a worn, soft sweater

Author idol: Markus Zusak

Next up: Bobby the Brave (Sometimes), the sequel to Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally). Also currently working on a YA mystery novel for Arthur A. Levine Books.

Additional Interviews: Publishers Weekly, TeenReads.com, California Readers, Shrinking Violet

Websites:

http://www.lisayee.com
http://www.absolutely-maybe.com
http://lisayee.livejournal.com

May: What Would Your Nickname Be?

Lisa asks, "Maybelline calls herself 'Maybe.' What would you nickname yourself?"

rgz Street Team: Jacqueline Reviews Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

The rgz Street Team is a group of teens who bring YA reviews to our blog, led by Postergirl Miss Erin. Find out more.

Today, Jacqueline reviews Absolutely Maybe, the featured title this month by Lisa Yee!

"Named after her mother’s favorite mascara, Maybelline Mary Katherine Mary Ann Chestnut is different in every way. With multiple hairstyles, and very little fashion sense, Maybelline is the opposite of her mother, Chessamay Chestnut Abajian Wing Marshall Wing Sinclair Alavrez -- also known as Chessy. With quite a long name for small-town, pageant-loving, commitment-confused, alcoholic mother you would be surprised how little self confidence she has.

"Through too many marriages to count, Maybelline’s last name seems to be the only thing she has in common with her mother. Her nonexistent father figure has always bothered her and when Chessy believes her soon-to-be-husband over Maybelline, it’s finally the last straw. On a quest to find her father, Maybelline finds herself on the way to Los Angeles with her best friends Ted and 'Hollywood.'

"This book is officially on my top ten favorite books' list. Throughout the book, I felt as if it were my life and I had to turn the page to see what would happen! I absolutely loved this book!" --Jacqueline Glade

Little Willow on the Walk of Fame!

In honor of Absolutely Maybe, Little Willow hit Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Check out the fun she had along the way, her fabulous singing voice, and the guys she met! :~)