Teenreads.com: In ELSEWHERE, you conjure a vivid picture of life after death. Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, does it resemble Elsewhere at all?

Gabrielle Zevin: Well, there’s probably a very long answer to that question, but in the interest of time and space, I’ll give my short one. While I certainly hope there’s something after the end, the only life I know of for certain is this one. It goes without saying that, having never been there, I have no real idea what the afterlife might look like. It would certainly be an enormous coincidence and surprise to me if it ended up looking at all like Elsewhere. For me, ELSEWHERE was never really about the afterlife anyway; rather, the next life was a way for me to discuss the big things about this one.

Great reading week, though not through as many as Robin! Read Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin, who’s now on the buy immediately list. It’s very different from Elsewhere but I found it both enjoyable and very impressive. And I loved Elsewhere. I’d have to see that Q&A remark in context, because I read a long interview with her after finishing Memoirs and everything she said (including some remarks about Elsewhere) was great too.

And then Eva Ibbotson’s The Morning Gift, which was a big, lovely read. One of her adult books re-done as YA.

That’s my normal reading load. Actually, since I wrote that yesterday morning I’ve already read two of Richard Peck’s books. I’d get a lot more reading done if I didn’t spend so much time on the computer….

Kelly, damn. I wanna read that novel now (Arsonist’s Guide . . .). Why’d you have to go and add to my TBR pile?

2ndgenlibrarian, I think I’m going to do what you did: read all of Shannon Hale’s books now right away.

Judy, I only saw the DVD of that. Some of it was kind of hokey, but there was much to like and ponder. Glad you liked the book.

Kelly, you’ve convinced me. I HAVE to read that book. Lady T already whet my appetite for it with her review a while back, and now your enthusiasm for An Arsonist’s Guide has put me over the top.

Katie, thanks for reading my book! And saying such nice things about it! I really appreciate that!

Heather, *snort.* Thanks for keeping it real (and funny).

Miri, I thought of you while I was reading Princess Academy, wondering if you had read that book and how you felt about seeing yourself as the main character. And thanks for speaking of East. It’s been on my bookshelf for about two years now. Guess I should read it, huh?

Diana, I need to get to those Libba Bray books! Thanks for the reminder.

Shai, did you get to see Christopher Paul Curtis when he was in town?

Dylan, I can sympathize with your need for some Edward from Twilight. Isn’t it nice to be able to dip back into these books just to visit our secret boyfriends?

Michelle, nice mega-list! And thanks for making mine part of it! I forgot all about your book club discussing Evolution this month. I hope someone will tell me what you all say!

Katie A., no rush with Eat, Pray, Love–it’s a perfect one to savor.

Sara, I understand how hard it is to read other people’s fiction when you’re supposed to be working on your own. And I agree that the personal stuff in On Writing is juicy, but I loved all of that book, start to finish. I appreciate writers who expose themselves so thoroughly.

Lizzie, your list just gives me a headache. I’m not seeing any pleasure reading there, you poor thing. One day you will break free of college and read what you really love. Unless I’m wrong, and you really love those books you listed. In which case we need to talk.

Kari, I just read a review of that new Perrotta book–sounds fascinating! And how nice that you’re going back and rereading some L’Engle. It feels good to revisit beloved books.

Lady T, I would love to hear Stephen King read some short story of his! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for that. Hey, is Pillars of the Earth that book by Ken Follett? Or am I thinking of something else?

Adrienne, since you were the star of your library’s all-day read-aloud-athon, (I’m sure you called it something more elegant), I’m guessing you made up for the short length of the books with volume. You probably read as much as, if not more than, some of the rest of us this week.

Laura, thanks for mentioning Lani Diane Rich. I see her name around, but I’ve never picked up her books. But now that you said she’s funny, she must go on my list.

Alkelda, that’s so weird about Elsewhere! I think I’d feel the way you did–why write about something you’re not curious about yourself? Odd . . .

Kelley, good for you on your 20-minute bites. With how busy your life is, your 20-minute commitment to reading every night is really an important thing to give yourself. And some day it will be 30 minutes–think how luxurious that will feel!

Jules, with all you’ve been doing organizing the Robert’s Snow project, I doubt that anyone is expecting you to be able to read even a poem these days. Give yourself a break! We’ll be around when you find time to read and review again.

RM1, you read my book twice? Yeehaw! Thank you! And looks like you read a lot this week. Traveling, like me? Or just your usual reading load?