Tuesday, July 29, 2008

My First Meme

To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure what "meme" means...but I'm willing to give it a try:) I borrowed this from "Bloggin' About Books"-- thanks!



Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?

I can't remember a time when I didn't love books and the act of reading. I know that I learned how to read while in first grade, but I had spent the years before that being read to and staring at numerous pictures book. I watched Reading Rainbow every summer (one of my favorite perks of being out of school during the week!), participated in our library's awesome summer programs every year, and practically plowed down the door to our school book fairs when the Scholastic truck would pull into the parking lot.





What are some books you loved as a child?

Hands down- my favorite book was "Pebbles and BamBam and the Witch Who Ran Out of Jizzle". During my elementary years, while my peers were outside playing, I was sitting in the peacock chair in my bedroom perusing "My First Dictionary". I think that's why I am a fairly good speller:)

I also loved Heidi, The Boxcar Children series, John Bellair's books, anything by Betsey Miles, Goodnight Mr. Tom, Sweet Valley Twins series, Babysitter's Club series.

Writing this is making me want to go bust out my boxes of books I've saved that I just couldn't bear to part with:)



What is your favorite genre?

I enjoy women's fiction, some chick-lit, and I'm dedicated to a few romance authors. Mysteries, memoirs, travelogues, food writings. Religious books, parenting books, self-help titles. I'm really not picky!



Do you have a favorite novel?

Can't do it. Just can't do it. Breaking into a cold sweat just thinking about trying to narrow it down.



Where do you usually read?

Well, it's really determined by season:

Summertime-- I read a lot on the front porch and on the back patio... depending on where the kids are playing.



Wintertime-- My main spot is the living room couch while curled up under my favorite blanket.



But regardless of the time of year, I read almost every night in bed. I find it difficult to go to sleep without reading at least a couple pages first.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Absolutely. I usually have one, sometimes two nonfiction titles going, and one novel. I find this method balances it out and keeps me from getting restless with what I'm reading.

Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Not really. To me, the best non-fiction works usually read just as easily a a novel does.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out from the library?

I check out a lot of stuff from the library. I work very near to our downtown library, so I often walk over on my lunch break- usually at least once a week. That being said, I do get sucked into a buying spree every now and then when I see those items that I just don't think I can last another minute without. Of course, there are also those authors that I always buy. I know they will be good enough that I will want to own them. Twice a year though, we have two large local Friends of the Library sales that my friends and I go crazy at. I do a LOT of stocking up there, and often buy the things that I've read and loved that have been borrowed from the library to begin with.

Do you keep most of the books you buy?

Yes, it's a sickness really. I LOVE being surrounded by books!

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?

A sweet little Golden book called "We Like Kindergarten"; my childhood favorite "Pebbles and Bam-Bam and the Witch Who Ran Out of Jizzle; Berenstain Bear books. Although the Arthur books were technically released after I was a "child", I still really enjoy them as do the kids. Oh.. .and the Miss Nelson books...we love those as well. I'm still searching for my copy of "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein is also up on the list of TBR to the kiddos soon.

What are you reading now?

Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott (I love her nonfiction works-- this is my first try at her fiction); Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner; The Book Thief.

What's next?

I Was Told There'd Be Cake- essays by Sloane Crosley; The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs; Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris.

What books would you like to re-read?

I often re-read the Harry Potter books , the In Death series by JD Robb, and anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany (both by Frances Mayes), A Year In Provence (Peter Mayle), Operating Instructions, Traveling Mercies, and Operating Instructions (all by Anne Lamott) are also common re-reads for me. It's about time for me to re-read Eat Pray Love as well. I adored it and want to treasure it all over again.

Who are your favorite authors?

Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb, Jayne Castle, John Dunning, Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle, Anne Lamott, Brad Meltzer, J.K. Rowling... I could really go on and on with this answer, so I'll stop now:)

So there it is.. my first meme. Off to bed now... with a book, of course.

3 comments:

Jessican said...

How is the Sloane Crosley?

Jessica said...

I'm waiting to get Sloane from the library. There are only about 500 people in line before me, so I should be able to let you know how it is by, oh say, 2008. I'll keep ya posted:)

PS I did read bits and pieces of it while browsing at the bookstore a few weeks ago, and I was laughing so hard that other customers were staring at me.

Brian W. said...

yea jessica!!