Madi Sinha
Author Interview - Madi Sinha
Author of At Least You Have Your Health
Author I draw inspiration from: Ann Patchett. She’s so precise in her writing, always able to say exactly what she means both beautifully and without wasting a single word. It takes me forever to finish one of her books because I’ll go back and read the same paragraph again and again and still end up wondering “how did she do that?”
Favorite place to read a book: Anywhere my children can’t find me
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Bernadette from Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I dig weirdos.
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I think I was seven years old. Basically, I’ve wanted to be an author from the moment I understood what an author was. I was like, “Oh, that’s a job? That’s something people do? Yes, I want to do that.” But I lost my confidence as I got older, in part because you just didn’t see Indian American novelists back then. All the Indian American people I knew in the early aughts were going into science-related fields. I was well into my thirties, established in my own science career, before I thought, “Huh, maybe I should finally try this,” and wrote my first novel.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Currently, audiobook. I have a long commute to work, and a good book makes it feel like five minutes. I also listen while I’m doing dishes or the laundry, because I’m a compulsive multi-tasker.
The last book I read: I just finished Life, Unscheduled by the brilliant Kristin Rockaway. Everything she writes is delightful.
Pen & paper or computer: Computer all the way. The louder the keyboard, the better.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Hermione Granger. I’d be the Ron to her Harry.
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: So, being an author is already my “other job”. I’m also a mom and a doctor, both things that I enjoy very much. After many years of flailing around trying to do everything at once, I’ve finally achieved the perfect balance for me. I’m very grateful for that.
Favorite decade in fashion history: 1960’s Bollywood. Beehives and saris, what’s not to love?
Place I’d most like to travel: I read Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan and now I really want to go to Capri
My signature drink: a London Fog
Favorite artist: Banksy
Number one on my bucket list: To get through my TBR!
Anything else you'd like to add: Thanks so much for having me!