I’ve followed Trish at Desktop Retreat for about four years now, and am grateful she thought of me when passing out the Liebster Award. She the one who got me hooked on the Mistress of the Art of Death series, and I enjoy the bookish quotes and art she posts.
The Q&A
1. At what age and with what book did reading ‘click’ for you?
I’m too young to remember, but my mom says “The Three Little Pigs” was my first big obsession. She read it to me so many times that I actually memorized the book, and would “read” aloud by reciting the words in order (and with no punctuation) and turning the pages on cue. I learned to read soon after, and have never looked back.
2. If you were stranded on an island for a year with all of your needs taken care of and could only fit five books in your bag, which books would you bring?
The agony! Let’s see…
- Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
- The Thursday Next series (Jasper Fforde) – I’d staple these into a single anthology
- Hurt Go Happy (Ginny Rorby)
- Graceling (Kristin Cashore)
- The Grand Sophy (Georgette Heyer)
A good mix, I think.
3. If you could get to know an author, dead or alive, on a personal level, what would you like to ask him/her?
This is cliche and totally weird for me, but I’d like to talk with some of the writers of The Bible, particularly John the Revelator, who knew Jesus. I would like to talk with him about his experiences, and get the story firsthand.
4. Is there a book you were afraid would be too difficult or dense and then ended up loving?
I rarely feel intimidated by a book, but The Bully Pulpit and Team of Rivals made me a little hesitant. Both are chunksters and deal with complex historical times and issues.
Looking back, though, there was no reason to worry — Doris Kearns Goodwin always keeps her readers entranced.
5. Where do you get your best reading done?
Stretched out or curled up on my enormous sofa.
6. What non-bookish activities do you enjoy?
Sacred Harp singing is high up on my list. I also enjoy watching movies, eating delicious food with friends, and listening to good music of all genres.
7. Do you have a life philosophy?
Everything I believe about life can be rolled up into six main beliefs:
- Connection – to ourselves and others
- Laughter – every day, all day
- Learning – never stop
- Passion – for people and things
- Breathing – never underestimate its calming, focusing power
- Creation – write, sew, paint, film, storytell
Pay it forward
I pass this Liebster Award on to:
- Chris at 61 Musings
- Laurie at What She Read
- Laura at Scribbles and Wanderlust
- Gabriel at The Great Gabsby
- The team at Insatiable Booksluts
And now to the questions!
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
- Do you use a print or web-based calendar (or none)?
- What song can you not. stop. listening to?
- Describe the best thing you have ever eaten.
- Skittles or Starburst?
