Kristin Harmel is the author of the novels How to Sleep With a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, When You Wish, The Art of French Kissing, Italian for Beginners and After. Her upcoming books include The Blue Hour (spring 2012) and the autobiography of Chubby Checker.

Today, Kristin joins us to answer our 20 Questions. Enjoy!

Kindle or Nook? Neither: I actually have a Sony Pocket Reader, which is great for checking books out from the library. It’s also smaller than a Kindle or Nook, which makes it a little easier to throw in my bag when I head out.

iPhone or BlackBerry? BlackBerry. I love the feel of the keys (although I admit iPhones are cooler!)

Coke or Pepsi? Coke. Diet Coke, actually!

Coffee or tea? Coffee. I’m a caffeine-a-holic.

Ice cream or frozen yogurt? Ice cream.

Flats or heels? Heels! I’m only five feet tall. I need all the help I can get.

Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. I have a Twitter account but hardly ever use it.

Call or text message? Depends who I’m talking to and what I need to say. Texts are easier and more efficient; calls are more personal.

Favorite song right now? “Let’s Twist Again” by Chubby Checker. I’m ghostwriting Chubby’s autobiography and have become good friends with him. Whenever I’m feeling a little lonely or down, listening to one of his songs makes me feel like he’s right here with me.

Celebrity crush? Yikes, don’t really have one! I’ve interviewed Patrick Dempsey a handful of times, and in addition to being completely handsome, he’s also very kind, warm and genuine. But am I allowed to have a crush on someone who’s married with kids? I think it’s more like a platonic crush, because one of the things I like so much about him is how dedicated he is to his family!

Movie you saw recently? “The Kids Are All Right”

Favorite television show? “Shameless” on Showtime or “Big Love” on HBO. Both are like nothing else on TV, and the writing is amazing.

Favorite snack food? I could eat a whole jar of green olives in a sitting. I know, I’m gross.

Your most overused word or phrase? “No worries!”

Your hidden talent? I played the drums all through school.

Your biggest pet peeve? When people are cold/unfriendly. Why not just be nice?

Favorite activity when you’re not writing? Going to see to live music.

Favorite authors? Too many to name!! They include Emily Giffin, Tatiana de Rosnay, Anita Shreve, Jodi Picoult, Megan Crane, Jane Porter, Liza Palmer, Wendy Toliver, Josie Brown, Cecelia Ahern, Kristin Hannah, Sarah Mlynowski, Alison Pace, Melissa Senate, Nora Ephron, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and many, many more.

Favorite books? WAY too many to name. As a kid, I devoured the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Three Investigators series of books, and as a teen, I got really into F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Diary of Anne Frank, which I read dozens of times. I read constantly; if it’s written by an author I know I like; if a friend has recommended it; if I read a good review; or if the plot sounds interesting, I’ll pick it up.

Comment heard most often from your readers? I have a lot of readers tell me that they see some version of themselves in my characters, and that my books have motivated them to make some sort of change for the better in their own lives. That means the world to me.

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To find out more about Kristin and her books, please visit www.KristinHarmel.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.
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