I read and love Three Day Summer by Sarvenaz Tash and was thrilled to take part of that blog tour when it happened. So, of course when Sarvenaz approached me to be part of the blog tour for her new book, The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love, I couldn’t respond to her fast enough.
Before we get to Sarvenaz’s interview, let’s check out the book.
John Hughes meets Comic Con in this hilarious, unabashedly romantic, coming-of-age novel about a teenager who is trying to get his best friend to fall in love with him from the author of Three Day Summer.
Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy…
Archie and Veronica…
Althena and Noth…
…Graham and Roxy?Graham met his best friend, Roxana, when he moved into her neighborhood eight years ago, and she asked him which Hogwarts house he’d be sorted into. Graham has been in love with her ever since.
But now they’re sixteen, still neighbors, still best friends. And Graham and Roxy share more than ever—moving on from their Harry Potter obsession to a serious love of comic books.
When Graham learns that the creator of their favorite comic, The Chronicles of Althena, is making a rare appearance at this year’s New York Comic Con, he knows he must score tickets. And the event inspires Graham to come up with the perfect plan to tell Roxy how he really feels about her. He’s got three days to woo his best friend at the coolest, kookiest con full of superheroes and supervillains. But no one at a comic book convention is who they appear to be…even Roxy. And Graham is starting to realize fictional love stories are way less complicated than real-life ones.
Sounds good, right?
1. Please give the elevator pitch for The Geek’s Guide for Unrequited Love.
Pretty in Pink goes to Comic Con.
2. Where did the idea come from?
I think it was one of those things that was always banging around in my brain, just waiting for the right moment to show itself. I’ve attended New York Comic Con for a few years and had so much fun, mostly from soaking in the passionate buzz of it all. And I’ve loved John Hughes’s films, particularly his teen films, for almost as long as I can remember. I think these two parts of my brain/heart simply collided at precisely the right time and there it was: a shiny, irresistible idea.
3. Why do you love Graham and why should we root for him?
I’m not sure I’m supposed to admit this, but I think I might love him more than any other character I’ve ever written. Maybe it’s because his voice just came so easily to me. But also because he’s so sincere, so determined and, yes, so nerdy. I also happen to think he’s funny too and, in my mind, quite adorable.
4. This is the most accurate portrayal of a con that I’ve read so far. Did you go to NYCC or do other research?
Absolutely. I’ve been attending NYCC for a few years now. The last two times I attended, I was in the middle of writing this book, so I took extra special notes. But there have been other memorable stories from my experiences there that I’ve used. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to my friend Billy Henehan, who has been attending cons much longer than I have and who convinced me to attend my first NYCC. He also shared a lot of his stories with me, and helped me vet the manuscript to make sure I got a lot of the references right. (There’s nothing worse than being a part of a fandom and reading something where the writer has gotten details WRONG.)
5. Without spoilers, what was your favorite scene to write?
There’s a speed dating scene that made me giggle every time I worked on it, and then every time I read it.
Speed [ish] round:
1. Who is your favorite Doctor, companion, and episode?
Okay, the first two parts of this question are easy: 10th and Rose. But the second took me a long time. Ultimately, I settled on “The Unicorn and the Wasp.” Because even though it doesn’t involve Rose (Donna is my second favorite companion though) it does involve Agatha Christie…whom I simply adore. I got so giddy when I first saw the preview for that episode, and it did not disappoint. I love how well they incorporated a Christie-style mystery and the real-life mystery of what happened to Agatha herself for those 11 days she went missing in 1926. Plus DT and Catherine Tate banter at its best.
2. What three things would you take to a desert island?
My Nook, a pocket knife, and floaties (I’m not a great swimmer).
3. What book would you want to read again for the first time?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azbakan. That was the book where I think I first realized that this series was going to change my life.
4. If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?
I’m going to have to pick Hogwarts here. What can I say, I’m loyal if not predictable!
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Sarvenaz Tash was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. This means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun).
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Huge thanks to Sarvenaz for the invite and for taking the time. Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page and adding all of her books to your Goodreads TBR shelf.
The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love releases 6/14. Pre-order it at: Simon & Schuster | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon
And if you pre-order by the 19th, you can get an awesome swag pack of awesome. Click here for details.
Definitely check out the rest of the blogs participating in the blog tour and keep scrolling for a giveaway!
Tour Schedule
6/6 Beauty and the Bookshelf
6/7 Prose and Kahn
6/8 Read. Breathe. Relax
6/9 The Hiding Spot
6/10 The Reading Nook
6/13 Adventures of a Book Junkie
6/14 Green Bean Teen Queen
6/15 Word Spelunking
6/16 Andi’s ABCs
6/17 What a Nerd Girl Says
**Good Luck!!**
My favorite superhero is The Flash!
I WOULD TOTALLY have picked Hogwarts as well! I remember beings super DUPER confused about the ending of The Prisoner of Azkaban but now I understand it! teehee! THAT BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE TOO! <3 (The whole series actually) :)
Iron Man is my favorite.
My favorite superhero is Captain America.
Superman!!!!
Gorgeous blog tour post Stacee :D Yay for liking this author. <3 I have not heard of her before.. but she seems awesome :) This book isn't for me, but I do like the cover, lol. And I love the interview :D Thank you so much for sharing sweet girl. <3
My favorite superheroes growing up were Superman and Wonder Woman (I always wanted to fly!) but after the Avengers movies I’m more of a Black Widow and Captain America fan now :)
Fave superhero has to be Black Widow! She’s badass and i love that about her!
Oh. So hard. I’ve been really into the Bat Family for a while now, so I’d have to go with either Nightwing or Red Hood (even though he’s not always heroic). I tend to like the heroes without powers more than the ones with them.
I love Captain America the most!