Valerie Frankel is on the GCC with me and she has written many a very, very amusing books, including The Accidental Virgin and Smart Vs. Pretty, for adults. Her website is very fun and has pictures of her cats, her life, a blog and many, many book excerpts.

Her latest for teenagers, FRINGE GIRL IN LOVE, returns to Adora, heroine of FRINGE GIRL: THE REVOLUTION STARTS NOW. Adora is on the fringe of society at her Brooklyn Heights prep school. In the first book, she stages a bloodless revolution to overthrow the power elite and re-write social history at her high school. Along the way, she enjoys the spoils of victory and makes out with a hot marathon runner and a sexy techno-prankster. (Read chapter one.)

Now, she's IN LOVE, making out with a college boy, doing battle with a gorgeous and predatory substitute teacher, running away to Bermuda and playing matchmaker. (Read chapter one of this one!)

Below, Valerie Frankel takes the fly survey, in which she recommends a superhero movie no one else has ever recommended, and invents a new superhero who just might take over the world.

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me (because Gretchen in my novel Fly on the Wall is superhero obsessed), answers by Valerie Frankel

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?
Leo DiCaprio's dressing room. The Why is self evident.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?
The ability to lose 10 pounds overnight.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?
Anti-Gravity Girl. This is an invention of my 8 year old daughter, and I think it's just swell. It could mean she flies, or that she's light in heart and spirit, aka "nothing gets her down."

4) Who is your favorite superhero?
Mr. Furious from Mystery Men.

5) Favorite non-super hero?
I'm rooting for Hillary Clinton to be a hero for all womankind.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.
A bit obscure: The Specials. An indie about people with bizarre, random powers. Also, Mystery Men, of a similar theme.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?
I'd turn into my cat, Penny, who is the wisest, most Buddha-like, peaceful, centered being on Earth.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?
Have I ever? Jeez. I was addicted to Archie comics when I was a kid. I related to Betty, and would be ridiculously pleased when Archie chose her over Veronica.

Last time Melanie Lynne Hauser visited me here at The Boyfriend List, she explained why you should never date a superhero. And here is her blog!

Now she's back with a fly survey, promoting her new book, SUPERMOM SAVES THE WORLD.
It's six months after the Horrible Swiffer Accident that left her a superhero, and Birdie Lee's hometown of Astro Park gets Little League fever in a big way. Rabid parents, performance-enhancing Gatorade and a domed stadium on shaky - potentially explosive - ground are just the beginning of Super Mom's problems; throw in a ticked off school janitor and a corrupt mayor, and Super Mom has her hands full. Can one superhero — one mother — struggle to keep her teenagers in tow with one hand while saving her hometown from disaster with the other?

"Hauser's quirky characters sparkle brightly as a newly Swiffered floor, and her writing shines like freshly polished glass." - Meg Cabot

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me (because Fly on the Wall is about a superhero fanatic), answers by Melanie Lynne Hauser

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?
In my sons' bedrooms when they're on the Internet, with their doors closed!

2) If you could have one superpower, what?
I'd want one of the ones I gave Super Mom - the Super Electronic Hearing one. Again - teenagers. Internet. It'd be wonderful to know what they're up to!

3) What is your superhero name? Why?
Super Worry Wart - because I'm a big worrier. I'm a mom. It comes with the territory.

4) Who is your favorite superhero?
Um - Super Mom, of course!

5) Favorite non-super hero?
My husband.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.
I loved Spider-Man II. But I also liked Batman Begins. Both of them were great.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?
A horse, I think - I'd love to be able to run and run and run like that, and never tire.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?
Sadly, only Archie comics when I was a girl. I've relied heavily on my sons for all my superhero knowledge.

CHINA DOLLS by Michelle Yu and Blossom Kan just came out, and its authors are on the GCC with me. They are cousins!

If you came to my novel Fly on the Wall because you were interested in books that represent the experiences of Asian American women -- this is the (adult) book for you. They wrote CHINA DOLLS because "not only are there the stereotypes of the Asian woman as this docile, submissive person, but these women have to deal with the expectations of their own culture that they will be the perfect wife, mother and supporting cast for their future husbands. So, as if dating in and of itself isn't hard enough, these girls have to contend with these false images perpetuated by both Asians and non-Asians alike."

Here's the pitch:
With the traditions and family closeness of The Joy Luck Club
and the sass, girl friendships and humor of Sex and the City,
comes a novel about three Asian-American women balancing
life,
love
and one another in New York City.
Read an excerpt here. And check out the authors' joint blog.

Booklist says: “Yu and Kan's heroines are eminently likable, and their adventures in love
and on the job ring true.”

So -- they stopped off and took
The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me, answers by Michelle Yu and Blossom Kan
(but really more Blossom)

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?

We would want to be in the writer's breakdown room of any TV show.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?

I would want to be indestructible like Claire on "Heroes; Michelle would want to fly like Nathan.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?

Michelle's is Yucatan (because her last name is Yu). Mine is BK Broiler (my friends think I get pretty fiery sometimes).

4) Who is your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero is Wolverine. Michelle's is She-Ra.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.

X-Men without a doubt!

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?

I would say a lion (because of the whole "King of the Jungle" bit, plus I'm a Leo). Michelle would want to be a fox.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?

Michelle hasn't but I read X-Men comics - the stories of these young outsiders trying to deal with their mutant superpowers AND puberty is an affecting one and like I said, I love Wolverine!

The glamorous, the mysterious Ms. Lola Douglas swings by the Boyfriend List website today because she's promoting her second book. More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet is the sequel to True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet -- and the first one is just out in paperback.

Here's what Kirkus says: "The continuing travails of 17-year-old Morgan … come across with delightful zing, yet address serious subjects. … Douglas manages the lightest of styles while delving into deep issues for adolescents. Fun, breezy entertainment with thoughtful undertone."

I haven't read the second one, YET, but I thought the first one was a really admirable mix of Hollywood glamour and smart, sensitive storytelling. I highly recommend it for a winter vacation read that's fun city but not at all toxic.

Here is the boyfriend list Lola wrote for her main character, recovering addict and child star Morgan. (Brad Renfro! Aaron Carter!)

And now, Lola takes the Fly Survey (it's all about superheroes, because the heroine of my book Fly on the Wall is a superhero freak) -- and reveals herself to have excellent taste in heroes and a radical sense of humor as regards her own superhero name. And she points us to some awesome name generators -- thanks, Lola!

(I tried all three name generators, and my best one was: The Elderly Unplugged Refridgerator Woman)

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me, answers by Lola Douglas

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?
Assuming time and space were no obstacle, I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall of the writers’ room of GILMORE GIRLS during the reign of Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel. Because Amy Sherman-Palladino is my idol. Even more than Drew Barrymore.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?
I used to think I’d like to read minds, but after watching that dude on HEROES have a near-nervous breakdown from having that gift, I think I’ll go with the ability to make myself invisible. That way I can eavesdrop on conversations and go on super secret spy missions, but would still have some sort of control over what I was hearing.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?
According to this site I am The Underwater Vice Principle Trainee.
But according to this one, I am Scary Sister, my nemesis is Jasmine the Ugly, and my costume is a bulletproof bikini.
That’s tempting, but this site tells me that I am The Awesome Weirdo. So I’m going to go with that. The Awesome Weirdo. Because I am a weirdo dipped in awesome sauce.

4) Who is your favorite superhero?
Spider-Man, and not because of the Tobey Maguire movies. I’d been talking about having/wanting Spidey Senses long before T-Mag suited up in spandex.

5) Favorite non-super hero?
Is it clichéd if I say ma mere?

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.
THE INCREDIBLES. Yeah, I know it’s animated. But it’s funny as all get out. Smart, too.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?
I’d so be a pocket puppy, preferably owned by a rich animal lover who liked to buy me Swarovski-crusted collars and had a pink leather carrier to tote me with her everywhere.


8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?
When I was younger I was into the whole Archie-Betty-Veronica love triangle. (I’m definitely more of a Veronica than a Betty.) As an adult, I like reading a good graphic novel every now and then – like Craig Thompson’s BLANKETS. Haven’t been able to get into manga, though.

Happy Halloween!
I have the PERFECT Halloween guest today: Laurie Stolarz, who wrote the Blue is for Nightmares series -- now available in a boxed set.

Laurie grew up in Salem, and I don't know if that influenced her supernatural imagination or what, but the series is about a girl whose persistent nightmares predict real-life horrors. Together the books have sold over 250,000 copies.

BLEED is equally eerie: it's ten interlocked short stories. Like these: Over the course of a single day, the lives of ten teenagers intersect.Among them are Nicole, whose decision to betray her best friend will shock everyone, most of all herself; Kelly, who meets the convicted felon she’s been writing to for years; and Maria, whose definition of a true friend is someone who will cut her. Derik discovers his usual good looks and charm won’t help him get the girl he really wants, while Joy, a fifteen year old waitress, hoping for true intimacy, narrowly escapes a very dark fate.

Here is Laurie's boyfriend list from last time. And her blog. And here's her Fly survey! (If you don't know already -- Fly on the Wall is about a girl who's obsessed with Spiderman. And then she kind of becomes a superhero. But only only kind of.)
Laurie's Fly Survey even includes CANDY and CATS. Very Halloween-esque.

Be safe tonight!

-E

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me, answers by Laurie Stolarz

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where? I’d love to be a fly on the wall in TomKat’s mansion. Honestly, what’s the deal? Is Tom really that weird? Is Katie really that brainwashed? Or, are they just fabulously happy? Enquiring minds want to know.

2) If you could have one superpower, what? The ability to be invisible. It’d be very convenient to be able to shop in my pj’s or go out in a mud mask and not worry about getting weird stares. I’d also be able to eavesdrop on whomever I wanted.

3) What is your superhero name? Why? Yoga Girl, able to down dog, Chataranga, and drop crane in a single sun salutation.

4) Who is your favorite superhero? Wonderwoman. When I was little I wanted to be her - who else can use their accessories in defense?

5) Favorite non-super hero? My mom.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie. Superman. Who doesn’t love Clark Kent?

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why? A cat – my cat. She’s a princess and treated that way.

8) Comic books? As a kid, I used to love collecting and reading Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrappers.

.
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
---Comment overheard under the hair dryer at the Dazzling Do’s

The very very amusing Ms. Karin Gillespie is the uber-goddess of the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit, this thing where we do virtual tours of one another's blogs. (I think I am next!). Anyway, her new book is a continuation of her Bottom Dollar Girl series: the women are back with a sugar-spun vengeance in Dollar Daze: The Bottom Dollar Girls in Love, in which the feisty ladies of Cayboo Creek are suddenly blindsided by schoolgirl flights of fancy when unexpected romance enters their lives.

Karin's also is co-author of the upcoming Sweet Potato Queen’s First Big-Ass Novel (don't you love that title? It comes out January 2007) has a story called TRASH TALK in This is Chick Lit.

Karin's not so into superheres, but last time she visited my blog she made a very funny "Reader's Digest" boyfriend list -- and this time, she thought of the most unusual superpower I have had yet!

--E

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me, answers by Karin Gillespie

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?
I would love to hang out in the Pitt-Jolie household. Their relationship seems so weird to me. What do they talk about? Does Angelina throw Brad down onto the bed? And how do they manage all those kids?

2) If you could have one superpower, what?
I’d like the ability to see people as they were when they were babies. It’s east to dismiss the behaviors of babies and it’s hard to get mad and stay mad at them.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?
How about Empathy Gal? Able to forgive and sympathize in a single moment.

4) Who is your favorite superhero?
I’d like Batman because he didn’t have super powers and because he’s dark and mysterious.

5) Favorite non-super hero?
The Dalai Lama

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.
Holy Moly, Robin. I haven’t seen any superhero movies.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?
Probably a chimpanzee. I like to stick with the same order and family. And who knows? Maybe I’ll be up for evolvement.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?
As a kid I looked the Archie comic. (The rivalry between Veronica and Betty was particularly compelling and I was on team Betty.) Also loved Richie Rich because everything he had was made of gold.

Here's what I said about Queen of Cool, when I first read it. (Hint: it's gushy). And here is the author's groovy Boyfriend List.

Now, I asked Cecil Castelluci to take the Fly Survey, because she also wrote Boy Proof and I know she's got the same geek heart that I have, only much better developed and nurtured, and would point us all towards some interesting stuff. And I was right. I want to go out and buy those comic books pronto.

Plus, she wants to be a tasmanian devil!

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by me, answers by Cecil Castelluci

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?

The Royal Court of Henry the VIII

2) If you could have one superpower, what?

Teleportation.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?

Mal Entendu

4) Who is your favorite superhero?

(this week)

Girl: Kitty Pryde
Boy: Batman

5) Favorite non-super hero?

Sally Ride (first American woman in Space)

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.

The Turkish Spiderman (on you tube)

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?

Tasmanian Devil. Because. Come on! You'd be from Tasmania, and you'd be a devil!

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?

Right now I am obsessed with Fables by Bill Willingham, DMZ by Brian Wood, Tin Tin by Herge, Astonishing X Men by Joss Whedon and all things Brian K. Vaughan.

P.S. Cecil has also got a tres interesting Crush Library, in which you can read all things she deems crush-worthy. And a most excellent blog.

Elise Broach is my friend from teen author drinks night and she's also the author of one of my very favorite read-aloud picture books, WET DOG, with illustrations by David Catrow. Really, I am telling you. If you got a pal under the age of seven, this is such a very very funny and pleasing book and ideal for library story time, too.

Not only that, Elise can TELL THE COLOR OF AN M&M BY TASTE.

Elise's new book is Desert Crossing, a thriller. For teenagers. I read this in one night on my summer break and I am not saying this because she is my friend, I am saying this because I WAS UP ALL NIGHT. It is a really good book. Scary scary but also very thoughtful and emotional.

Three teenagers driving in the rain at night in the southwest desert. The driver is drinking. There is a horrible sickening bump. They freak out and drive on a little ways before they stop and go back. THere's a girl on the side of the road. Dead. But if they hit her, how did she get to the side? And who is she? Why was she alone at night in the desert?

Here's Elise's fly survey, in which she reminded me about TARZAN and how when I was young I went to see that Greystoke movie and let a guy feel my boob and it was only one boob and I put that in The Boyfriend List!

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by ME, answers by Elise Broach

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?

A confessional. It would probably be dead boring 95% of the time, but the other 5% would give you enough stories to last a lifetime. Or somewhere more fun: an Academy Awards after-party.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?

Definitely flying. It's not only useful but exciting, and I'm addicted to heights. Invisibility is a close second, but might be too sneaky.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?

Maybe Motormouth because when I'm excited I talk really fast. There's no good superhero use for that, though.

4) Who is your favorite superhero?

Tarzan. You're thinking, "not a superhero"... but he's clearly not a regular guy! He talks to animals, swings through the jungle canopy on vines (almost like flying), and always gets the girl. I think he's the only person to ever make environmentalism sexy.

5) Favorite non-super hero?

Too many to name a favorite, but here are the categories: people who find a way to put difficult experiences to good use (Jeannette Walls, author of The Glass Castle); people who use their fame and wealth to address world problems (Bill Gates); people who are incredibly talented at their art but not afraid to take risks (Stephen Sondheim, Tom Stoppard, Gerhard Richter).

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.

I'm sure you're expecting me to say "Greystoke" because of the Tarzan thing, but it was so bad I can't bring myself to do it. So: "The Incredibles," for its funny yet compassionate superheroism. Or maybe "The Dead Zone," the Stephen King movie where Christopher Walken plays an ordinary guy suddenly possessed by psychic abilities, who sees how people are going to die and tries to save them. I like the irony of superhero powers being both a gift and a burden.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?

A loon, because it can fly and swim and even dive underwater, and it has a romantic (if sometimes goofy) image in film and literature.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?

No, never... sorry! I used to read the Sunday comics, especially Doonesbury, and I love looking at New Yorker cartoons and graphic novels. I really liked Lauren Weinstein's Girl Stories.

Melanie Lynn Hauser is on the GCC with me and made an awesome superhero boyfriend list last time she visited this blog. So of course, she's a natural for the Fly survey.

Her book, CONFESSIONS OF SUPERMOM, just came out in paperback. The gist: The a mom becomes a superhero due to inhaling the fumes of many household cleaning agents mixed together -- and aided by her teenage son, she attempts to save her daughter from heartbreak and her neighborhood from destruction.

Bookreporter says: From the book's very first page you find yourself grinning...never has there been a more loveable, down-to-earth superhero...with wit, humor and some age-old motherly advice, this book gives the reader a true-to-life hero, helping every mom find the Super Mom inside!"

Melanie's blog lives here, and she's very upfront about her daily life -- and very amusing.

THE FLY ON THE WALL SURVEY
questions by me, answers by Melanie Lynne Hauser

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?
In the cafeteria of a high school, Anywhere, USA. I want to see if high school kids really are as self-assured & confident as they appear to be; I certainly remember my high school years differently than what's presented to us today as the typical high school experience.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?
The ability to eat everything I want and never gain weight.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?
Well, duh - Super Mom!

4) Who is your favorite superhero?
Ditto!

5) Favorite non-super hero?
I think right now it has to be Steve Irwin. My whole family is incredibly saddened by his death.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.
Maybe some day - "Confessions of Super Mom" - the movie? (The film rights were recently optioned, so who knows?) But right now I think I'd have to recommend SpiderMan. Really loved that movie.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?
A cat. So I could lie around all day sleeping and looking regal.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?
Not many, other than Archie and Betty & Veronica.

Okay, I really AM on vacation. Today involved a leisurely swap meet, some birdwatching, some time in the library, catching some crabs, and drinking diet root beer while staring at boats. My idea of a good time.
But
it is GCC time again!

Ellen Meister has her debut novel on audiobook read by Lisa Kudrow. Click here for the clip. How cool is that?

The book is SECRET CONFESSIONS OF THE APPLEWOOD PTA, and it's a distinctly adult tale of three conflicted Long Island housewives whose lives come apart when a Hollywood location scout comes to town. Library Journal gave it a starred review and said: "Meister's debut novel is heartbreakingly funny, her characters facing life's dramas and disappointments head on with wit and spunk." And you can read a preview here.

Her blog is good fun, and she has all the GCC members pitch and cast their book as a Hollywood movie. (I'm up in a couple months for the Boy Book, but haven't done it yet!) So if you're curious about what all those funny women from my blog fantasize about when the imagine their books as movies, head on over. Cute pictures of Josh Lucas, Adrian Grenier, Christian Coulson and the like, don'tcha know?

Anyway, read on to see Ellen's Fly survey, in which she made me think about Superman in a whole new way.

--E

The Fly on the Wall Survey
questions by ME, answers by Ellen Meister

1) If you could be a fly on the wall somewhere, anywhere – where?

kk Backstage at the Oprah show when they're discussing book recommendations.

2) If you could have one superpower, what?

A Since I have 60 hours of work to do every day, I think it might come in handy if I could move like The Flash.

3) What is your superhero name? Why?

Multimom, capable of doing so many tasks at once it seems like there's more than one of me

4) Who is your favorite superhero?

Superman, of course. I mean, he's the man of steel. Use your imagination.

5) Favorite non-super hero?

A certain wonderkid who's overcome more obstacles than anyone should have to.

6) Recommend us a superhero movie.

I'm not much of an action movie fan, but I liked Spiderman.

7) If you could turn in to any animal, what? Why?

A dog. They're the loyalest friends.

8) Do you (or have you ever) read comic books? What? When?

As a kid, I was a fiend for Superman comics.