Author Alex Aster, known for her work including "Barbie: Dreamscape," finds a profound sense of escape and inspiration in reading. Her "dream afternoon," she shared, involves lounging by a window with a book, a ritual she likens to an indulgence she enjoyed as a child. "Nothing gets me out of my head more than reading or writing," Aster told Page Six. "I love the feeling of falling into a world and only surfacing when suddenly you can’t see the words, because the sun went down."
Aster's latest book, "Barbie: Dreamscape," aims to capture the magic and nostalgia associated with Barbie while also exploring themes of self-discovery through failure. The book's tagline, "Dream Big. Fail Hard. Get back up again.," reflects Aster's intention to write a story that offered solace during her own times of change. She hopes readers find as much enjoyment in the narrative as she did in creating it.
The author shared a selection of her favorite books, highlighting authors such as Tana French, Jane Austen, and Tahereh Mafi. Of French, Aster described her as a favorite in the mystery genre, admiring her prose and character exploration. Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is noted as a timeless depiction of romance and the blueprint for the enemies-to-lovers trope. Aster also recommended a book that inspired her during her own journey to get published, calling it an encouraging exploration of creativity suitable for anyone pursuing an artistic endeavor.
Her recommendations extend to young adult literature, including a YA book that combines fantasy and dystopian elements with an original magic system and vivid descriptions of its world. Another cherished YA novel mentioned by Aster is praised for its lyrical and often humorous writing, which she believes captures the essence of teenage emotions.