The time between finishing a good book and the release of an author's next work can take months- even years-so for fans who are obsessed, the final stages of waiting are often the most difficult.
But for Jennifer Weiner fans, this painful waiting game is virtually eliminated.
True Jennifer Weiner fans know they can find solace in the witty words of Weiner's Weblog: SnarkSpot.
Weiner, who will speak about her career at UW-Madison tonight, began SnarkSpot three years ago as her forum for \Snotty and funny stuff about popular culture. Now it's like sap spot,"" Weiner said.
Weiner's journalism career took off with a long running column about Generation X. She later had a regular spot on a late night television show as a cultural commentator and wrote a number of freelance features articles.
After almost a decade of working in journalism, Weiner sold her first novel, ""Good In Bed"" to Pocket Books. ""Good In Bed"" was published in 2001, and HBO optioned it in 2003.
However, Weiner remains humble and down-to-earth with regards to her new-found fame.
""I remember writing ""Good in Bed"" and thinking that like 12 people in the world are going to read it; six would be women in my Weight Watchers group, and six I'd be related to,"" Weiner said.
Today 'Good in Bed' is an international bestseller.
""There is a universal appeal to my characters. That's a very happy thought to any writer,"" Weiner said.
However, Weiner's widespread reader base also evokes mixed feelings.
""It's a sad indictment of how we in the U.S. have exported our body anxieties,"" she said.
Weiner's latest novel, ""Little Earthquakes,"" explores topics of new motherhood and was written during the months following her daughter's birth.
""Writing a book on new motherhood while in the throes of it gave me a good outlet,"" Weiner said.
Her fourth book, ""Goodnight Nobody,"" is a murder mystery set in the suburbs and is due out soon.
Weiner's novels all have Jewish protagonists. ""Judaism is a part of who they are, but does not encompass their lives,"" said Tamara Berger, Jewish Cultural Collective Major Events coordinator and UW-Madison senior.
""She represents a modern Jewish voice,"" Berger said.
Although her protagonists are all female, male readers can explore interesting themes in the book.
""I would like to hear her opinions on body image in American popular culture, because that is something I haven't given as much thought to as I think I should have,"" said a male UW-Madison junior, who wished to remain anonymous.
Weiner's talk, sponsored by JCC, will take place at Hillel, 611 Langdon St., at 7:30 pm. Tickets are free but required, and are available at Hillel.
