Swati Avasthi is the co-curator (along with Heather Bouwman) of The Second Story Reading Series. This bi-monthly series features young adult and middle grade authors, pairing an emerging author with an established one. Swati is also the author of the just-released Split a young adult novel about a sixteen-year-old boy running from his abusive father. You can help her celebrate the launch of her book by attending a reading at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 20 at The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis. Until then you can read her answers to the 6 questions we always ask.

What book(s) are you currently reading?
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, and Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell.

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? Who?
Oh my. So many to choose from. Let’s see. First crush: Sodapop from The Outsiders.

If your favorite author came to Minnesota, who would it be and what bar would you take him/her to?
I’m not sure Emily Bronte would fit in the Minneapolis bar scene. I’d probably take her up north and try to cheer her up with some of Betty’s Pies and the soothing waters of Lake Superior.

What was your first favorite book?
Little House in the Big Woods.

Let’s say Fahrenheit 451 comes to life, which book would you become in order to save it from annihilation?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

What is one book you haven’t read but want to read before you die?
Graham Greene’s The Quiet American. I keep reading the first chapter and stopping but not for the reason you might think. In my view, the first chapter is perfect. I don’t mean strong or wonderful or amazing. I mean perfect. I don’t want to spoil it by reading on and finding imperfection.