The author of young-adult novels Plus One, Monstrous Beauty, and Overboard, opens up about her reading life.
- By
- January 10, 2016
- Media, Entertainment, and Sports
When Elizabeth Fama, AB ’85, MBA ’91, PhD ’96, isn't writing young adult fiction, she's researching 1500s Italy or multitasking by listening to audiobooks while getting a workout.
What are you reading?
The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black, for my young-adult book group. Florence in the Forgotten Centuries, by my late father-in-law and University of Chicago history professor, Eric W. Cochrane, as research for my current historical novel, set in Italy in the 1500s. Wolf Hall, to see how the heck [author] Hilary Mantel does it. I’m also reading a colleague's young-adult manuscript.
Who are your favorite authors?
In the young-adult category, I love less discovered authors like Margo Lanagan. Her Brides of Rollrock Island is a great introduction to YA literature for adults. Our own University of Chicago graduate Megan Whalen Turner, AB ’87, has a brilliant series called The Queen's Thief.
Who is your favorite literary hero?
She's everyone's favorite: Elizabeth Bennet. Smart, wryly cutting, irreverent, with fine eyes. I want to be her.
What is your favorite book?
Pass. Seriously, do people have favorite books?
What is your reading style: Hardcovers, softcovers, tablet, or smartphone?
Audiobooks! I'm an addict, and I wish everyone would discover them.
Where do you read?
While jogging. (See above.)
Reading: Pleasure or business?
Both. These are inseparable for me.
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