We welcome internationally bestselling author, Joanna Rakoff, to discuss her memoir, My Salinger Year. Joanna tells the story of the year she worked as the assistant to the literary agent for JD Salinger. It's a beautiful coming of age story and now a major motion picture!  ** We start by discussing the exhilarating experience of seeing her story adapted for the big screen starring Margaret Qualley and Sigourney Weaver, and the role she played in the adaptation. (02:55)** The protagonist of My Salinger Year, who is a version of Joanna at 24 years old, is certainly complicated. We discuss a question she posed to herself at the time and love her answer about how she still struggles with this question even now at age 48: “was it possible that one could be complicated, intellectual, awake to the world, that one could be an artist and also be rosy and filled with light, was it possible that one could be all those things and also happy?” (08:10)** Joanna discusses the fan mail of Salinger’s that she responded to, and in doing so, how she found her own voice. We are in awe of how wise she was at the age of 24! (16:03) ** At the end of the memoir we find out that Joanna and her college boyfriend reconnect sixteen years later, which allowed us the perfect opportunity to deep dive into one of our favorite themes: the one that got away. You can actually hear Carinn’s lightbulb moment as she gets the idea: what if “the one” came into your life too soon? What if he would have hindered your personal growth? That’s a love worth waiting for! (20:27)** Joanna is a writer at heart -- she has been a poet, a reporter, a novelist, a memoirist and a screenwriter -- but she refuses to be assigned to one box. We were so inspired by her “policy of saying yes” to the right things and “no” to the wrong things. She also gives us a glimpse into her future aspirations and we are giddy at her sustained ambition! (31:54). ** We discuss Joanna’s love of poetry, which she views now as a luxury as opposed to a necessity like it was in her twenties. It’s still a respite for her, and something we should all read right now.  (39:28)** Listen to here how Joanna applied the principles of fiction writing in order to structure her real life events into a compelling narrative. (43:20)** We can’t go without discussing astrology...Joanna is a “classic Taurus” who loves astrology, but is curious to know more about her sign, even though she was once gifted an astrological chart by an author. (49:08)** Joanna shares information about her next book, The Fifth Passenger. (55:16)** We end with what Joanna is loving right now in terms of books, movies and TV shows. (57:41)Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @popfictionwomen and on Twitter @pop_women. To do a full deep dive, check out our website at www.popfictionwomen.com. Stay Complicated!We’ve launched a platform at patreon.com/popfictionwomen to keep making the podcast you love -- and to make it even better. For a one time contribution to support this episode, use venmo @carinn-jade. Thank you for your support and enjoy the show!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.