I have been a huge an of Michelle Gable’s since I first read, I’ll See You in Paris. She has a way with her storytelling that transports you. I was thrilled to hear that she was going to be writing about John F. Kennedy in her latest, The Summer I Met Jack. I am a Kennedy enthusiast and always love a story that I do not know much about cue this book and the quintessential New England summer read. I am so excited to have Michelle back on the blog to day in my latest “Open Book” feature and if you like Flashdance then you will LOVE Michelle- see below ❤
via Amazon ~
“[The Summer I Met Jack] offers an alternate Kennedy family history that will leave readers wondering whether America knew the real JFK at all.” —Kirkus Reviews
New York Times bestselling author imagines the affair between John F. Kennedy and Alicia Corning Clark – and the child they may have had.
Based on a real story – in 1950, a young, beautiful Polish refugee arrives in Hyannisport, Massachusetts to work as a maid for one of the wealthiest families in America. Alicia is at once dazzled by the large and charismatic family, in particular the oldest son, a rising politician named Jack.
Alicia and Jack are soon engaged, but his domineering father forbids the marriage. And so, Alicia trades Hyannisport for Hollywood, and eventually Rome. She dates famous actors and athletes and royalty, including Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, and Katharine Hepburn, all the while staying close with Jack. A decade after they meet, on the eve of Jack’s inauguration as the thirty-fifth President of the United States, the two must confront what they mean to each other.
The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable is based on the fascinating real life of Alicia Corning Clark, a woman who J. Edgar Hoover insisted was paid by the Kennedys to keep quiet, not only about her romance with Jack Kennedy, but also a baby they may have had together.
1. What three celebrities/authors/figures- living or dead, would you want to have a bookclub with?
JFK, Tim Ferriss, and Oprah. A dream book club could never be complete without her!
2. Current binge series?
I’m not really a binger, but the most recent series I watched was the One Day at a Time reboot.
3. Last favorite book?
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain
4. What 3 things to you pack in your bag for your dream vacation? Where is it?
Bikini, linen dress, and a book. Two places I’ve been dying to see are Portugal and Isla Holbox in Mexico.
5. Sunday NYT or US Weekly?
Neither. People Magazine and/or Entertainment Weekly.
6. Last person you sent a text message to?
My good friend and doubles partner, Erin.
7. Book you read that you wished you wrote?
Gloria by Keith Maillard
8. Do you have a teacher who encouraged you to become a writer?
I was an accounting major (you know, like most aspiring authors), but took creative writing classes as electives. One professor said I was “selling out” by going into finance. I was like, “if by ‘selling out’ you mean, ‘pay my rent,’ then you are correct.” Maybe that’s not encouragement, exactly? When I was younger, the support definitely came from my dad.
9. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, who?
Never.
10. Describe your writing space?
We recently turned our daughters’ former playroom into my office and it’s a great space. It’s at the top of the stairs, with a sliding barn door and windows that open onto the stairwell. It is gray with pops of blue and has white built-in cabinets and dark walnut floors lied diagonally. The desk is huge and there are three distinct work spaces, so my girls can do their homework with me, if they want.
11. Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.
12. Do you have a favorite book that you gift?
Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed
13. Book that you wished they would make a movie out of?
Amazon made a pilot for The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer and I loved it. I kept waiting for the rest of the series, but it never came. I wish they’d finish!
14. If you could have one song as the theme song of your life what would it be and why?
This is embarrassing but the first song that popped into my head was What a Feeling by Irene Cara from the movie Flashdance. It reminds me so much of my childhood and I sing it to the girls all the time. I love the lines “Take your passion, and make it happen…” I was trying to convince my youngest daughter to use it for her “walk up” song this summer at the national playoffs for softball, but she was unmoved by my pleas.
15. What/Who inspires you?
Other writers inspire me for sure—whether they write novels, or scripts, or something else. If I’m stuck, reading something always helps.
16. Bravo reality TV- yes or no?
No—although I do like Bethenny Frankel.
17. Favorite Instagram account?
That’s a tough one! Probably @celestebarber or @travelandleisure
18. If you could name just one lipstick after a book, what would you call it and what shade would it be?
I recently read and loved Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood. It comes out in August and is about the true story that inspired Nabokov’s Lolita. I’m sure there are many shades of “Lolita” out there already, so I’d call it “Sally” after Sally Horner, the real girl behind the book. It’d either have to be very light pink, to reflect her innocence, or a garish, glittery fuchsia, something a young girl would think was pretty just because it was so loud.
19. Current #TBR pile?
The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara
A Theory of Love by Margaret Bradham Thornton
I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon
The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian
20. Best advice you’ve ever received?
“If it’s not a ‘hell yes,’ then it’s a ‘no.’” This helps me prioritize and reminds me not to say yes to things out of obligation, especially when I’m on deadline, or about to go on tour!
Follow Michelle:
blissbeautyandbeyond.wordpress.com 