Barbara H. had
this meme on her blog almost a month ago. I really liked it—it’s about books! How could I not? So I am finally getting around to doing it.
1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading? I don’t remember a time in my life without books. My father was an avid reader. There were always books around our home. My mother would not have counted reading as a hobby at that time, but she filled our home with books for me and read to me from the time when I was born until I went to school. She became an avid reader shortly before she got cancer. I inherited many of her books.
2. What are some books you read as a child? The Summerfolk,
Katy and the Big Snow,
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,
Tiki Tiki Tembo were some of the books my mother read to me and I’ve collected them to share with my children.
As I began reading independently I read Marguerite Henry’s books—
King of the Wind was a favorite. I read the
Black Stallion series,
My Friend Flicka, the
Big Red books,
Trixie Beldon and
Robin Kane,
Betsy and Tacy; all series, so I guess my love for series began early. Also I read very precociously, I read
Gone with the Wind and
The Godfather in fifth grade—I wouldn’t recommend that for anyone and those books aren’t in my boys “to read” pile.
3. What is your favorite genre? I am a historical fiction nut. I also am very excited with “good” science fiction/fantasy—Frank Herbert, Tolkien,
Stephen R. Donaldson. I also like young adult lit for fast reads and have recently enjoyed some good Christian literature. I love
King Arthur literature and read a lot of it in college. I took a class devoted to it and considered pursuing a master’s in King Arthur lit—I decided that might not be to practical, but it sounded romantic at the time.
4. Do you have a favorite novel? Helen Hooven Santemeyer’s
…and Ladies of the Club.
The Morland Dynasty by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has become my favorite series.
5. Where do you usually read? Either in the big pink blogging recliner or in bed. Also I spend a lot of time in parents’ waiting rooms, so I will read there.
6. When do you usually read? After supper or after the boys are in bed. I often stay up too late reading.
7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Yes, sometimes I get too many going.
8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? No, I just need to read more of it.
9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library? The library is a wonderful place and I always have a lot of books checked out. I keep the Half Price Bookstore in business I am sure, but there are always books for 50 cents or a dollar and it is hard to pass those up. It also saves on shipping and overdue books. I look there first for a book. I don't mind paying retail, but if I don't have to, why bother?
Occasionally we go on a family trip to Barnes and Noble—that usually is a bank breaker (even though we have a buyer membership there) because everyone gets a book—but it is a fun thing when we go. I rarely borrow a book from anyone else—I have more books than anyone else I know in real life. I only have one friend who offers to loan me books—she also sends some home she thinks my dad will like.
10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them? Books are like friends. I can’t get rid of my friends!! Just kidding...sort of.
All of my favorites—Tolkien, Rosamunde Pilcher, Frank Herbert, Stephen Dondalson, I keep. Classics or books I think the boys might like I keep. I’ve got a stash I am saving for my niece who reads like I do, some she’ll get in the near future, some will have to wait. I’ve been culling the herd of children’s books and giving boxes to my friend for my goddaughter and godson. Then there are the homeschool books which have to stick around for a while. There are loads of those.
11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child? I mentioned some of the ones I loved, Robert McCloskey was another author who I really liked and so was Ezra Jack Keats.
Some that I “found” as the boys were growing up are the original Milne
Pooh stories,
The Wind in the Willows, Beatrix Potter, Eric Carle, Jan Brett,
James Herriot,
Thomas the Tank Engine. I love James Gurney’s
Dinotopia books. The boys both loved Mercer Mayer’s
Little Critter.
12. What are you reading now? I just finished Lauren Winner’s
Mudhouse Sabbath, and have
The Mirage, number 22 in Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Morland Dynasty series going. I also am reading
Sister Teresa by Barbara Mujica, a novel about St. Teresa of Avila. Also I’m working on
Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Recently I purchased
The South Beach Diet (half price, of course), I gave my copy to my to my dad and decided maybe I should revisit that.
13. Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list? Just piles and stacks and shelves that remind me what a book junkie I am. Actually I do keep a list on the computer. I am embarrassed to admit how many "pages" long it is. I keep it for the day I run out of books to read.
Snort.14. What’s next? I always have books about or for our homeschooling, I rarely “count” those, although maybe I should. If I pre-read or read at the same time a book for the boys I do count those books if they are over a hundred pages. At the top of the pile is
When All Hell Breaks Loose You May Be Doing Something Right: Surprising insights from the life of Job by Steven J. Lawson. I found that at
one of my bloggy friend’s place.
Queste—fourth in Angie Sage’s
Septimus Heap series. I want to read more of the classics Dumas, Dickens, Austen, Faulkner…etc. I am in a mood to start rereading some favorites—which it’s good the next question is:
15. What books would you like to reread? The
Lord of the Rings series, the
Dune series—both the ones by Frank Herbert and those by his son. I reread Rosamunde Pilcher when I need a vacation and also my
…and Ladies of the Club. I reread children’s books sometimes to refresh me. I miss my King Arthur books and have been thinking about rereading them. I will reread Tom Clancy’s
Jack Ryan books once in a while. I think at some point I will reread Beverly Lewis’ books, too. I am going to re-start Stephen R. Donaldson’s
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever soon.
16. Who are your favorite authors? I’m pretty eclectic. Frank Herbert—he fascinates me; I’m glad his son picked up his mantle and expanded the Dune series. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (of course)—they are “the masters.” Max Lucado is so gentle. Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter have been great to read. I will be looking for more from
Brandilyn Collins and
Rick Acker, also from
Jack Cavenaugh. And I have to admit J.K. Rowling
certainly got under my skin. I know her books were controversial, but they were good reads alouds for my family. James Herriot, another author I reread, and am planning to introduce to my sons and my niece; they’ve read his children’s works and will appreciate his more grown-up stories. Jane Austen—I was late to the party, but fell in love with her.
If you decide to do this loooooooooooooooong meme, let me know. I'd love to know more about your reading and find more books. Because there are never enough books.
In all seriousness, you can always find a silver lining. I am grateful we have the small pool the boys can play in during this heat and let me tell you, I am grateful for having air conditioning and being able to afford to run it!! I remember growing up without it at first and then with a window unit in our living room, but none of my grandparents had air conditioning. We just managed. I suppose I could “manage” now, but I’m thankful I don’t have to.
My father has been here for a while. The boys have danced for him, played piano for him, guitar with him, cards with him and conned us all into playing the board game they are stuck on right now, which is Clue. It’s brought back many good summer memories for me. I remember playing cards a lot and board games. I am very glad they are able to share that with my dad. Dad and I have had some good conversations although we don’t agree on politics and religion; we’ve agreed we will disagree for this visit anyway.
