I am a lawyer and an author. My first novel was released last year to extraordinary critical praise and strong sales, and has since been nominated for a major award, translated into four foreign languages and optioned for film by a major Hollywood producer.

I like good books and great movies. I appreciate anything that can surprise me.

I enjoy museums; and I'll go to the ones with art in them as well as the ones with dinosaurs in them. I like brunch, both as a philosophical idea and as an excuse to drink in the morning.

Keeping busy, spending my free time writing my third novel and actively trying to avoid embarrassment.

1. Mixing cocktails.

2. Telling stories.

3. Figuring out which way I am facing when I come out of the subway, based on the angle of the sun.

4. Tweeting.

The other day, I saw a dude walking down the street with a parrot on his shoulder. His shirt was covered in bird poop. If you asked him this question, he'd tell you people notice his eyes. Or maybe his smile.

Liking Wes Anderson is kind of a cliche these days, but I've watched "Rushmore" at least twice a year for more than a decade, and I just upgraded from my Criterion DVD to a Criterion Blu-Ray so, whatever.

I also really like Sam Peckinpah, though, so that's pretty badass. And David Cronenberg. His films are icky and Canadian, so that's kind of a double threat. Also, Clint Eastwood.

My favorite book is the one I wrote, because I am totally narcissistic. But I also like Dashiell Hammett, Hunter Thompson, Hemingway and Philip Roth. And Byron.

1. Yo-Yos
2. The cinematic ouvre of Jan DeBont
3. Hilarious monkeys.
4. Bourbon.
5. Swiss watches with automatic movements.
6. Cargo pants.

Carbs.

Probably writing. But if you can suggest something more fun, I am open to it.

I sometimes confuse Gabriel Garcia Marquez with Gael Garcia Bernal.

Also, I think LOUIE is overrated, but GIRLS is one of my favorite shows on TV right now.