Melissa De La Cruz was inspired by celebrity culture and female friendships, therefore writing, "When Stars Align."

What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?

My teen daughter calling Paris Hilton a “queen” which made me think of how the starlets from the early 2000s are so much more respected now — whereas they weren’t back then. That’s certainly not how the media portrayed them. And I’d always loved that iconic photo of Paris, Lindsay and Britney all together in the car — how young and beautiful they were. And I thought, that would make an interesting novel. So it was inspired by celebrity culture but also about female friendships.

What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?

I think it means to be open to a lot of different characters and books, being interested in a diversity of voices and stories that are different from your own. I like to think I am “writing with pride” as well!

Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?

It’s very important because books are a way to step in another person’s shoes and understand their life experience without judgment and division. If we could all be a little more empathetic, it would help as a society. Studies have shown that readers are a lot more empathetic than non-readers.

Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.

The story follows three starlets who meet as child stars and rise to fame in their teens. Their friendship is the only thing that sustains them through the glittery and false promises of stardom, but something comes between them, and in their 40s they rediscover each other. I wanted to write something fun and sexy and juicy but also still emotional and resonant about friendship and celebrity culture.

What can fans expect from your book?

A fun Daisy Jones and the Six-style novel about the early 2000s starlet culture!

What's up next for you in the bookish world?

My first adult romantasy, "Rings of Fate," comes out this September! It’s "Princess Bride" meets "Wheel of Time." I call it sexy "Lord of the Rings," about a snarky barmaid and a handsome prince who have to save the world — and each other. I’m so proud of it and can’t wait for everyone to read it!