Introducing new author Radhika Sanghani whose debut novel, ‘Virgin’ hits the shelves on the 12th September. The novel is a searingly honest and downright hilarious account of one girl’s quest to lose her virginity.
We sat the author down for some coffee, cake and a good ol’ M&B heart-to-heart…
Star sign?
Taurus
What coffee would you like?
I’m more of a tea person, so an Earl Grey please!
And which cake can we get you?
Red velvet with way too much icing
What’s your earliest childhood memory?
Naming my pet kittens. There was Charlie because of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Sam because of Fireman Sam. I used to sit inside the laundry bin with them for hours – it drove my mum crazy because she thought we’d run off somewhere.
What was your favourite lesson at school?
English, definitely. I’ve been obsessed with books for as long as I can remember. Although I did love Art. I was convinced I was going to be the next Van Gogh until my art teacher kindly told me I was talentless.
If you could invite three people, dead or alive, to a dinner party…
I think Jane Austen, just because I’m so curious to know more about her life, Caitlin Moran because she’s hilarious and I want us to be friends, and Gandhi for some life advice.
Do you prefer sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. It makes me feel special because I know everyone else is in bed – and I normally would be too.
Love is…
The best thing ever, regardless of whether it’s romantic/friendly/general ‘I love life’.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Having Virgin published.
Describe what you can see right now?
A packed Tube carriage. I’m multitasking on my iPad.
Who’s your favourite writer?
I don’t know how to just have one favourite. But I guess Charlotte Bronte because I can’t stop reading Jane Eyre.
If you could go back and do it all again, what would you change?
What, do life again?! Um, I guess I would try and be a nicer teenager. I’d take a gap year, or several. And I’d try and have a bit more self-belief through puberty.
What’s your favourite flower?
A sunflower
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Freida Pinto but it’s definitely wishful thinking that I look like her
And finally, the perfect heroine must be..
Honest. As much as I love reading novels with heroines who come across as ‘perfect’ I’d much rather have one who is totally honest about her insecurities, worries and thoughts. It’s definitely more relatable.
You can follow Radhika on Twitter @RadhikaSanghani
