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Anna Godbersen

Anna Godbersen is the talented author of both The Luxe and Bright Young Things series. She lives in New York City, where she moved to study English and Creative Writing at university. After graduating she worked as a literary editor's assistant for the magazine Esquire, and also wrote book reviews for their website.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer.

Favourite book character (not one of your own!)

Isabel Archer from Portrait of a Lady

How did you feel when you saw your first ever book in a bookshop?

It just looked weird — I don’t think I really processed it until later!

What are your five favourite words?

Easy, Incandescent, Catalyst, Sublime, Dusk

What is most precious to you?

My family.

What is the first book you read and loved?

Little House on the Prairie

What is the last book you read and loved?

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

What is your biggest fear?

Having to get a real job!

What is your earliest childhood memory?

Sitting with my dad, who was playing guitar, on a very threadbare Persian carpet, in what was then called Married Student Housing at UC Berkeley, eating cherries out of a wooden bowl.

What is your greatest extravagance?

It’s boring, but I probably spend too much on clothes.

What is your worst habit?

Afternoon naps when I should be working.

What makes you happy?

Getting cozy by a fireplace.

Where were you born and have you got an accent?

Berkeley, Ca—it’s not much of an accent, but I suppose someone who was really paying attention could hear the California girl in me.

Who is your best friend?

Both my parents.

Full name

Anna Sofia Godbersen

Date of birth

10th April 1980

Birthplace

Berkeley, California

Place of residence

Brooklyn, New York

Colour of eyes

Blue

Colour of hair

Brown

Favourite food

Chinese dumplings

Favourite colour

Black

Favourite poem

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Favourite smell

Jasmine flowers