This week: Christina Perri, the 24-year-old cafe manager whose break-up anthem “Jar of Hearts” became a download sensation last summer and led to a recording contract. Her debut album, lovestrong, drops May 10 on Atlantic Records — and her summer tour kicks off in Las Vegas, July 16.

FAVORITE SONG:
“Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron and Wine. This song has been my favorite for over two years now. The lyrics don’t make much sense, so it just makes you swim in the melody and feel the song. It’s what all songs should do… It melts me into a puddle every time I hear it.

FAVORITE ALBUM:
Counting Crows’ August and Everything After. This was the very first cassette tape I ever owned and it’s still my favorite front to back album. It makes me feel every feeling I want. It makes me think. It makes everything okay.

FAVORITE NEW ARTIST:
The Civil Wars. Joy Williams and John Paul White are my new favorite duo. Their presence, melodies, lyrics, harmonies, songs and voices are unbelievable. I find myself listening to more women than ever, and I think that Joy is one of the ladies pushing great artistry forward. I’m so happy they’re blowing up!

FAVORITE CELEBRITY:
Paul McCartney. I have “john paul ringo george” tattooed on my wrist and hope that when I’m old and grey I’ll be a The Beatles historian. My earliest memories as a child are listening to Beatles records, and they are a big part of how I’ve learned to write pop songs. If I met him, I’m pretty sure I’d pass out.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
The 101 Cafe in L.A. I lived around the corner in a studio apartment up until my big break, when I was broke and trying to make music. I’d go stir crazy in my single room and had to get out after a while. This became my living room, where I’d think about lyrics and life. I always get the tuna nicoise salad + sweet potato fries.

FAVORITE BOOK:
The Perks of Beinga Wallflower. I read this book in one day when I was a freshman in high school, and I’ve read it at least once a year since. I even drove to Pittsburgh in the middle of the night in college just to pass through the Fort Pitt tunnel and feel “infinite.”

FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Godfather. I took time off from school and traveled to Italy when I was 19, living with my extended family members. I must have slept in 30 different houses those months, taken in by people who’d never even met me. Watching this movie reminds me of what the real Italy is like.

FAVORITE STORE:
Wasteland in L.A.. It’s a vintage shop filled with designer clothes. It has the best stuff for the best prices and is so fun to shop in with your friends. You never know what you’re gonna find!

FAVORITE PET:
Lexi Perri. My parents have a pug who is 16 years old and so overweight she looks like a walrus. She’s the star of my family.

FAVORITE PIECE OF MUSICAL GEAR:
My black acoustic Taylor guitar. This is my favorite instrument and has been with me through everything. When I’m holding her, I feel better and ready to write a song or play a show.

FAVORITE GADGET:
My blender. I’m a total protein shake junkie nerd. I get creative every morning — you never know what you’re gonna get in my shake… fruit? Peanut butter? Ice-cream?

FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH:
San Pietro Apostolo in the south of Italy. It’s the town where my father and his family were born, and it’s more beautiful then any movie you’ve ever seen. It instantly warms my heart and makes me feel at home.

FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return” — from Moulin Rouge