Who knew the comments section on social media could be the inspiration behind a book? That's what happened to Auriane Desombre, who wrote "I Love You S'more" while thinking about the power that exists in the narratives people spin about others based on their personas on social media.
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
"I Love You S'more" was inspired in a lot of ways by the comments sections on social media. It got me thinking about the power that exists in the narratives we spin about others based on their public-facing personas, and the ones we present about ourselves. I became really interested in the way a comments section can draw sweeping conclusions about an influencer relationship, for example, based on the little slice of it that we see in their videos. Ivy’s story came from seeing how those stories are shaped just as much by their audience as the people telling or living the stories themselves. In Ivy’s case, she herself is not famous at all, but because her ex made it on a big TV show while they were together, all her fans are invested in the story of their breakup. What interested me about that is how Ivy can reclaim her story for herself and move on amidst all the voices that have been let in to her narrative.
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
With the increase in book bans around the country, Reading Rainbow is more important than ever. To me, that means standing steadfastly by the books we love and the voices we want to amplify, and fighting for them to be heard and have a place on our shelves. As a teacher, I think it’s so important that students are exposed to these voices and that they have access to books that will help unlock the world for them.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Given how much "I Love You S'more" was inspired by the power in narratives we tell about each other, this question feels especially important to think about! Ultimately, books can help us understand each other’s perspectives and experiences, and show us how others understand the world. Representing a wide variety of perspectives ensures that we’re empowering people to tell their own stories, which can only make the world of literature richer — and make our world richer in turn as well.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"I Love You S'more" follows Ivy as she returns to her beloved childhood summer camp as a counselor. She’s fresh off a breakup with her celebrity ex-girlfriend and hoping to escape the comments sections weighing in on her heartbreak. At camp, she finds herself face-to-face with her ex-best friend from childhood, Rynn, who’s also working as a counselor at the same camp.
What can fans expect from your book?
This book oozes with love for musical theater, dogs, and late-night campfire-side chats with the people you love.
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
My next YA rom-com has me travelling to the ancient world, and I’m so excited to share it with you all soon!
