The Familiars: Interview with Adam & Andrew (Part 2)


All this week, we’re talking about The Familiars — the upcoming release from authors Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson. Today, we continue our exclusive three-part interview with Adam & Andrew!

At Novel Novice, one of our main goals is encouraging teens to read. What would you say to reluctant teen readers to convince them to pick up a book (any book)? Why do you think reading is so important?

Andrew: Going to see “Avatar” or playing “Modern Warfare” may immerse you in fantastical worlds and incredible situations, but using your own imagination to paint the picture of a character or place you read about in a book is equally thrilling, if not more. Whatever the medium, great stories on screen and the page can allow for an escape into a world you’ve never dreamed of or some kind of wish fulfillment to experience something extraordinary. But books have the added advantage of making you smarter. And chicks dig guys who are smart, especially when you get a little older.

Adam: Think of a book as a really long text message. Or a huge status update with a cool story. Books offer something that movies can’t: You can live in the world of a book for a much longer time. Instead of two hours.. you can experience a book as slowly as you want…relishing every detail. Or you can skim the parts that are less interesting. It’s your choice..you’re the reader.

Tell us about an educational experience you had that changed your life.

Andrew: In 2nd grade, my teacher had everyone in our class read Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” I honestly don’t remember much about the actual book, but every day, when we spent our allotted class time reading another chapter, we were allowed to reach into our little desks and take a bite of a candy bar. I think my Milky Way lasted for a good three weeks. Moral of the story: when you’re 8, reading is way cooler when you can eat candy in school.
Adam: In 3rd grade, I got to go to a special class they called Socrates where you’d play games (like Axis and Allies and Cosmic Encounters,) do brain teasers and math puzzles. It was that experience that started to teach me how to think on my own. And that learning could be really fun.
What question do you always wish someone would ask you during an interview?
Andrew: Can you name all five of the monster-themed cereals of the ’70s from General Mills?

Adam: You look like a cross between George Clooney and Justin Timberlake. Do you get that a lot?

Now answer that question.

Andrew: It’s funny you should ask, because I can name all five of the monster-themed cereals of the ’70s.
1-Booberry
2-Frankenberry
3-Count Chocula
4-Yummy Mummy
5-Fruit Brute

Adam: No. Can you believe this is the first time?

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