Lauren Schuker Blum is the West Coast correspondent for The Economist; previously, she was the national real estate reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Before moderating a panel on the high cost of living in L.A., she answered questions about her hidden talents and what reality TV show she’d be on in the Zócalo green room—and confessed that her worst habit is asking too many questions.
What book have you re-read most?
Weirdly, Lolita I think is probably the book I’ve read the most.
Are you good at keeping secrets? If so, who can vouch for you?
Very. My husband.
It’s your last meal. What do you eat?
A Nutella crepe. That’s it. Four of them, maybe.
What’s your worst habit?
Asking too many questions.
How do you react when you’re embarrassed?
I blush, uncontrollably.
What do you love to hate?
New York.
What’s your hidden talent?
Do I have to have a hidden talent? I have double-jointed thumbs.
What reality TV show would you be on?
I would have loved to be on The Hills. That was my first introduction to L.A. If I could just time travel and go back there …
What comforts you?
The rain. Panda bears.
How are you different from who you were 10 years ago?
I’m much more Californian.