Coffee shop lovers and fiction affiliates will find affirmation in the new novel Slacker Girl by Hoboken resident Alexandra Koslow.
Author Koslow tells the fictional story of Jane Cooper, a downtown Manhattanite who would rather spend her days sipping lattes in a café then giving her time to corporate America.
This funny, irreverent book follows the adventures of Jane and best friend Rebecka as they make their way through job changes, bad relationships, and new passions.
Slacker Girl was released last week by Plume Books, which is a division of Penguin Publishing Company. Koslow will read from her book this Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at Borders Books at 10 Columbus Circle in Manhattan.
A city girl
This is the second book for Koslow, but it is her first novel. Her first book, Citybursts!, was released in 2005 by Andrews McMeel Publishing. The illustrated book, which included drawings by Lysa Hawke, featured humorous observations on the life of a city girl. Many of the slice-of-life vignettes were written as a haiku, which gave the reader a picture perfect snapshot of urban living.
Now two years later, Koslow has branched out into the world of fiction, aiming for a book that will move and delight readers.
The novel features some of the witty observations that author Koslow displayed a real knack for in her first book. Slacker Girl expands upon on the life of an urban, contemporary woman, yet without the typical lost-girl-looking-for-love scenario that is typical of some books in the chick-lit genre.
Koslow’s Jane is the anti-it girl, who prefers the company of friends and lounging in coffee shops to the hustle and bustle of career climbing or fabulous parties.
Yet, Koslow’s book is too crafty, too polished to fall into just one category. The author uses well-aimed humorous observations that capture how young thirtysomething city dwellers live their lives.
Working is overrated
The book is laugh-out-loud funny in parts – particularly when leading lady Jane explains how people have been brainwashed into believing that becoming a workaholic will better their lives.
Jane says, “Working like crazy is so ingrained into the system that we all believe this is just how it is, it’s not our fault, it’s the fabric of our lives.”
She adds, “If you are conscious of the fact that you hate working and it is making you sick to your stomach, there’s a reason for that: it’s going against your nature and therefore your system is rejecting it.”
Jane says that “propaganda films” like Working Girl and The Secret to My Success also unfairly glamorized the business world.
Yet even Jane must pay the bills. She eventually succumbs to the pressure of getting a regular job – but takes it on her terms.
Jane plans to work hard for the first few months as a junior relationship manager, all while gradually adding more leisure to her life.
That decision almost costs Jane her job. Her understanding boss Ray risks his own reputation to save Jane’s job when the company is forced to downsize.
But sassy Jane Cooper still lives her life her own way, opting to take a vacation to South Beach with Rebecka whilst in the midst of the all the work turmoil.
Choosing the positive
During a recent interview, Koslow took some time out of her real busy life (unlike her character Jane’s!) to discuss life, the Universal Laws of Attraction, and discovering one’s passion.
Koslow said that while she doesn’t consider her book chick-lit, she doesn’t take offense to the comparison. “I didn’t have that intention,” said Koslow, “but if they [call it that], I don’t have a problem with it. I think it is a happy book. If someone wants to call it chick-lit, I don’t care.”
She added, “I think if something is light and funny, then sometimes people don’t think it is a valid piece of literature.”
According to Koslow, the problem with many books in the chick-lit genre is that they tend to be about a woman falling apart waiting for a hero to save her.
“Why can’t they be about together women, who are witty, downtown New York girls?” said Koslow. “I think the idea of the knight in shining armor could be the guy right in front of you.”
Koslow said that so many books like that are unrealistic to most women, so she set out to tell a believable story. “I wanted the tone to be like a good friend telling you a story,” said Koslow.
Writing from life
Although Koslow said that she is not Jane, she said that there are parts of her life evident in both of the characters of Jane and Rebecka.
“I have to say that because it was my first novel that it was loosely based on people I know,” said Koslow. “I wanted to write about what I know.”
According to Koslow, the character of Jane is a little closer to who she is, while Rebecka is definitely mouthier. “I would write dialogue and then I would have to ‘Jane it up,’ because she is a whole lot nicer than I am,” said Koslow.
Another idea that writer Koslow and character Jane agree on is the “Universal Laws of Attraction.” In the book, Jane gives the universe her wish-list of things that she wants for the future, like selling her art and finding love.
Koslow said that she believes that you can attract positive things into your life by thinking about them. She explains that people tend to be really positive when talking to their friends. Why shouldn’t they apply that same positive energy to themselves?
According to Koslow, she hopes that readers feel that they know the main characters and feel good about themselves after reading the book.
“First of all, I want them to consider that they don’t have to work all the time,” said Koslow. “I want them to consider the laws of attraction. I want them to consider people outside their radar – consider what is right in front of you.”
She added, “Loving what you do certainly helps.”
For now, radio interviews for the book are what keep Koslow happy. She currently plans to focus on promotions for Slacker Girl before starting any new projects, yet she does believe she will write more books in the future. “I love [writing],” said Koslow. “I think I’m kind of a natural. When I walk through the day I see people and I see different scenarios. That is all you really need to write a novel.”
Author Koslow will read from her book “Slacker Girl” on Thursday, August 9 at Border’s Books in Manhattan. For more information, visit: www.slackergirlnovel.com.
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