Abbi Waxman
Author Interview - Abbi Waxman
Author of Adult Assembly Required
In The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, readers were introduced to Nina, an introverted bookseller living in Los Angeles—a whimsical and fun, yet raw and vulnerable, character who quickly became readers’ book-best-friend. The Washington Post called Nina Hill a “modern-day Elizabeth Bennet.”
Now, in ADULT ASSEMBLY REQUIRED, Waxman’s story is again filled with relatable characters, clever dialogue, and a slew of incredible pop culture references—all while dealing with themes of isolation, connection, and mental health.
Author I draw inspiration from: ’s really hard to pick one, but I’ll go with P.G. Wodehouse. There has never been a day in the history of the planet that hasn’t been improved by reading P.G. Wodehouse.
Favorite place to read a book: My back porch. Or bed. (Note to self: Drag bed to back porch.)
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Willy Wonka, he’s bound to have snacks.
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I didn’t have a moment, it was just always part of the plan. My mom is an author (she wrote murder mysteries, she’s retired now) so when I was little I thought that was just what Moms did. I guessed I would grow up, have kids and write books, which is basically what happened. In between I discovered I was constitutionally unsuitable for most other jobs, and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before starting on books. And kids, which got in the way of the books, of course. Little buggers.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback.
The last book I read: Pocket Full of Rye, Agatha Christie
Pen & paper or computer: Computer
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Clifford the Big Red Dog. Honestly, I think Emily Elizabeth wasn’t even trying. I could love that dog twice as big.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Person trying to be an author. I’d like to say I’d be a nurse, because I think they’re badass and it’s a job I’d love to be able to do. But I’d have to go back and do chemistry, and that is not happening. Not unless brain transplants become, you know, a thing.
Favorite decade in fashion history: As someone who’s always worn pajama pants 40% of the time and jeans the remaining 60%, I’d have to go with right now.
Place I’d most like to travel: Edinburgh, Scotland, to surprise my eldest daughter who’s away at college.
My signature drink: Tea, of course.
Favorite artist: Mother Nature.
Number one on my bucket list: I don’t know if this should come first or last on the list but the thing I really want to do before I die is be hit by a falling piano. Or a safe. Or a train that comes hurtling out of a tunnel I’ve just drawn on the wall. Obviously these things would come really just before.
Anything else you'd like to add: : In case you guys think I’m weird to want to die like Road Runner, it’s because it tickles me to think that any time my kids spoke of me in the future they’d have to end by saying and of course she died when a piano fell out of a jet plane and landed on her head. And that will never not be funny.