Today we interview Lindsey Goldstein about her book, GAP YEAR.

One of her early publications was an adorable personal essay she wrote for THE NEW YORK TIMES' Modern Love column:

At the cusp of 40, Lindsey decided there was only gain to try her hand at becoming a novelist. She wrote her first novel in her early 40s. GAP YEAR was her third novel and first published one.

GAP YEAR takes place in Ecuador, where Lindsey has visited and has swum with the penguins and sea lions, just as Jane did in GAP YEAR. Lindsey, like Jane, also had a gap year (traditional one, though!) and stayed in a hostel. We explore other ways Lindsey pulled from her own experiences, including those as a friend, daughter, and mother to bring realism to the novel.

We talk about youthful dreams and the importance of pursuing those that are meaningful to you, even if in just small steps.

Lindsey tells us how other authors have inspired her passions and her writing, including:

Bill Bryson’s A WALK IN THE WOODS

Rebecca Serle’s IN FIVE YEARS

Ashley Poston’s alternate reality books

Linny and Nancy discuss the REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES series and reminisce about how much they loved chatting with author Shelby Van Pelt.

Episode 71: Our review of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES

Episode 72: Our chat with Shelby Van Pelt, author of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES