I first met Erika when I was going out with my husband who lived in a share house with her. I thought she was cool and funny and I loved her laugh. John and I had been married for a few years when Erika landed on our doorstep one late afternoon. She had just been out with a whole lot of couples before she arrived. She sat down and we were shootin’ the shit, as friends do, when she said “There are times I don’t want to be around married people. I just wanted to hang with friends”. We just stared at her and pointed to the baby in the corner. We took it as a compliment…..maybe….. *snort*.

Years later, Erika told me that when she heard John was going out with some unknown chick from his uni days, she thought she was going to lose her friend but instead we became wonderful friends and continue to be friends almost a quarter of a century later including Erika having lived in several different continents across the world. When she lived overseas we would Skype and write. It is great to have her living back in Oz and  I’m so glad I got to ask her to share her shallows in person. 

Erika Statue

Can you describe yourself?

I’ve just moved back to Australia after a long time overseas. I’m currently discovering beautiful Newcastle. I work as administration staff at the local university.

What is your main reading medium (books, blogs, games, news, etc) and how much time do you spend reading a week?

I spend about half an hour in bed every night reading a book.

What or who is your joyful reading (guilty or otherwise) pleasure?

Anything by Lisa St Aubin de Teran. She has been my favourite author for the last 20 years.

Do you have a favourite storyline or plot? And do you have one you will not read? 

My favourite storyline is when someone waits (years) for true love such as Waiting by Ha Jin.

I quite liked The Slap and Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas. Based on that I bought The Jesus Man. Halfway through, I threw the book in the bin. I hated it. There should of been some kind of warning on it.

Why do you/don’t you use a public library?

Sorry, I have a very bad track record with libraries. What I save in borrowing books, I pay in late fees. May I add that the last library I used where I accrued the highest fees was only opened between 10am and 1pm on a Saturday.

Do you RUI*. If so, what?

Yes definitely, normally a glass of wine.

Do you have a favourite reading spot?

Lying in bed before going to sleep.

Toilet reading: 

Yes but never books, only magazines and Aldi advertising

Romance fiction of the Happily Ever After (not the love tragedy) kind – are you a Lover or a Hater and why?

Hater, I’m a love tragedy fan.

What would you give up reading for**?

It would have to be something really important such as to save someone’s life.

Can a romance/crime/super/etc hero be the driver of a hatchback?

My superhero would be a dark-haired flamenco dancer or guitarist. He would drive a beat up SEAT as dancers are rarely well off and anything bigger would be too wide to navigate the narrow streets of Seville. It’s not a new hatchback in my romance.