Jill Kargman's 5 Things I'd Tell the Teen Me

Today's guest: Jill Kargman Why we love her: She's hilarious (and used lots of curse words in her "5 things" see below!)

Her latest: Rock Star in Seat 3A (out tomorrow- May 22!)

The scoop: It's Hazel's thirtieth birthday and she has everything she's ever wanted: a kickass job, a dream apartment in New York City, and the perfect boyfriend—who's just days away from proposing. Hazel thinks she's happy but isn't quite ready to settle down. So when her most far-fetched fantasy enters the realm of the possible, shouldn't she drop everything to see it through?

The morning after her birthday, Hazel boards a flight to L.A. only to get the surprise of her life. When she's bumped up to first class, extra legroom and free drinks are absolutely the last things on her mind when she catches sight of her seatmate: her all-time biggest celebrity crush, rock star Finn Schiller! Only the night before she'd confessed her infatuation with the gorgeous musician, and her boyfriend joked that she had a free pass if she ever met him. Hazel can't believe fate has actually thrown them together.

Even more unbelievable is that during the flight they genuinely connect. Finn likes her uncensored cursing and wicked sense of humor, and that she's unlike all of his groupies; Hazel likes his killer looks, ripped physique, and soulful music. But what started as a fantasy quickly becomes a real attraction, and after a dream date and taste of the rock-star life with Finn in L.A., Hazel is forced to examine the track her life is on. Indulging in a passionate affair with a rock star seems crazy—but could she ever forgive herself if she walked away from her wildest dream coming true? And is her wildest dream the stuff that happiness is made of?

Our thoughts: It's a must-read for any chick lit-lover. You'll love to escape with this lighthearted and LOL funny rock-n-roll Cinderella fantasy. Plus, who hasn't fantasized about who their seatmate would be on an airplane??

Giveaway: 5 copies! Just leave a comment and we'll randomly select the winners after 6pm PST on Tuesday, May 29th.

Fun fact: She has a writing partner and they've co-authored several novels, including two YA books.

Where you can read more about Jill: Her website.

CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS...JILL KARGMAN'S 5 THINGS I'D TELL THE TEEN ME

1. It is total bullshit that “these are the best years of your life.” They’re SO NOT! The best is yet to come and do not let anyone make you feel lucky to be young. It’s filled with stress and frustration and waiting to be free in so many ways and I swear it all gets better. Much.

2. Zits clear.

3. You have not yet met all of your bridesmaids. Friendships are tricky when you bond at a young age because often times it’s simply proximity or inertia rather than that organic closeness that comes with growing up and then meeting a parallel kindred spirit rather than just geography class throwing you together. You will meet all kind of incredible women who truly appreciate you for who you are and they will become like sister so don’t let the beeyotches ever be a thorn in your side.

4. It’s so good that you didn’t drink. The partygirls all look like crap now.  And very prescient on the sunblock and tons of water.

5. Love is on the way. Drawn hearts in the margin and romantic stories in your head will one day feel real instead of fantasy. Just hold on tight. There will be douchebags and loneliness and longing so painful you feel like you will barf up your heart, but be patient and most of all, be yourself.

Thanks, Jill!

xoxo, Liz & Lisa

What's on Jill Kargman's Bucket List?

So we're finally warming up to the LOL.  Not the actual act of laughing out loud-we do that all the time!  But the use of the term LOL.  Not gonna lie, we used to be too good for it.  Thought all these LOLers were bullshitting a bit.  Because although we've been known to be funny here and there, we had a hard time believing that all these people were really LAUGHING OUT LOUD at our texts and emails.  But lately we find ourselves actually LOLing(the actual act) and typing LOL too.  One of the reasons?  Jill Kargman's latest, Sometimes I feel Like a Nut, her high-larious collection of essays-out tomorrow! We promise you'll be LOLing from page one. Jill Kargman is a mother, wife, and writer living the life in New York City . . . a life that includes camping out in a one-bedroom apartment with some unfortunate (and furry) roommates, battling the Momzillas of Manhattan, and coming to terms with her desire for gay men. In this entertaining collection of observations, Kargman offers her unique, wickedly funny perspective as she zips around Manhattan with three kids in tow.

Kargman tackles issues big and small with sharp wit and laugh-out-loud humor: her love of the smell of gasoline, her new names for nail polishes, her adventures in New York City real estate, and her fear of mimes, clowns, and other haunting things. Whether it's surviving a family road trip or why she can't stand Cirque du So Lame, living with a mommy vagina the size of the Holland Tunnel or surviving the hell that was her first job out of college, Kargman's nutty self triumphs, thanks to a wonderfully wise outlook and sense of fun that makes the best of everything that gets thrown her way. And if that's not enough, Kargman illustrates her reflections with doodles that capture her refreshing voice.

We think Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut is the perfect way to de-stress after a long day.  And we have FIVE copies to give away!  Just leave a comment and we'll choose a winner on Wednesday after 6pm PST.

CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS: WHAT'S ON JILL KARGMAN'S BUCKET LIST?

1. Before I croak I'd love to have lunch with my idol, Woody Allen. I worship him and met him a couple times but it was at crowded parties where it would've come off as stalkerish and Kathy Batesian to start worshipping him.

2. I want to do Natalie Portman-style crash course in ballet for like months on end and totally be Black Swan-worthy. Minus the fucked upness.

3. Scotland trip. I love those accents.

4. I want to see my three kids find love and be settled and happy. And I want tons of grandkids! I miss fat little feeties.

5. When I'm 94 or so I want to become a junkie. I'm not even kidding. I'm a relative drug virgin and I want to go nuts in old age and try it all.

Thanks Jill!  xo, L&L

To read more about Jill, head on over to her website or find her on Twitter.