Reading Meme

Melli had this meme on her blog a while back. I've been saving it for day when there wasn't time to blog.

1. Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?I think it was when I came back from summer vacation between first and second grades and I thought I'd forgotten how to read. I was so freaked out about that I started reading in earnest.

2. What are some books you loved as a child. As a little girl there was The Little Train that Could, for some reason I remember my grandmother reading that one to me a lot. Time passed and as I was able to read to myself I fell in love with "Nancy Drew" books, The Black Stallion books, and then I discovered the bookmobile especially in the summer. I'm sure you are aware by now how hot it is here in the summer and that was in a time when we didn't have a/c like we do now. We had what was referred to as a "swamp coooler". It had a squirrel cage and mats on the outside over which ran water to cool the air. Those kind work really well in the desert where the humidity is not so much, but here where we get the gulf moisture...well, it was better than nothing. But there wasn't much better than coming home from swimming in the morning, showering, and lunch of pimento cheese on cheese bread. Then getting on my bed with the cool sheets and a new book. It was the bookmobile that introduced me to travel books when I was older and learned I could go anywhere....in my mind. I especially remember one about a trip down through South America to the tip. The guy called his jeep, Tortuga.

3. Do you have a favorite genre? These days I like crime stories, and crime thrillers. Evanovich is one of my favorites, Tess Geritson is, too, but what she writes is very dark...and scary.Lisa Gardener is a good one. I love Lisa Scottoline's books and especially favorite is Jan Karon's "Mitford" Series books. I got the Mitford Cookbook as my birthday present to myself today.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?The Lord of The Rings was one of my favorites, but Dune was one that just grabbed me when it came out. I loved those books.

5. Where do you usually read? Usually I read before going to sleep. Rarely do I get so involved with a book that I stay up all night, but when I started The Exorcist...well, it was dawn when I put that one down! cover to cover in one terrified night. That was one of the scariest books I've ever read...like I think Jaws is the scariest movie ever.

6. When do you usually read? Mostly at night ... but sometimes I go back to bed if I'm tired or not feeling well and read.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Usually only one at a time is all I read. I like to give the book my total attention.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? yes. I don't much care for non fiction books. That means I'm having to learn something and so not so enjoyable. The knitting books I've been reading are read in the TV room on the sofa.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out at the library?
I buy a lot of books at 1/2 Price books. I sell some books at 1/2 Price books. I buy some books at the bookstore on the markdown table...and well, Amazon keeps me busy.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? I loan books and get testy when I don't get them back right away...or at least in a a lot of them, until my tastes change then a lot gets sold and someone at 1/2 Price gets a real bargain.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? The Black Stallion Series, Dune (they were older), The Lord of The Rings, but they didn't like those much. My oldest daughter still buys any Dune book that comes out. The youngest is the one who got me interested in the crime/thriller genre.

12. What are you reading now?"Hide" by Lisa Gardner

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list? Not a list....just check to see if my favorite authors have written any new ones lately. Or I have a stack of books next to the bed. After having to read so many books while at university, I no longer want to see a list of books to read. On my other computer I have a list of thriller authors that I'd like to try reading sometime.

14. What’s next? Evanovich...Fearless 14...I think it is.

15. What books would you like to reread?Why...I've read them. However, during one super stressy time last year when I was still working I read a book and didn't realize I'd read it until I was nearly finished. That is so unlike me. Usually when I read the first few sentences I know if I've read the book. After getting to the end of this I see that all of William Faulkner's works would be really good read again.

16. Who are your favorite authors? Actually, Rick Bragg has my attention right now, and William Faulkner has had it for a long time. I fell in love with his writing when I wrote my first research paper in high school. The paper was terrible, but it kindled a lifelong love of his work. Those are books I probably would read again.



I'm not tagging anyone, but... you know..Id like to hear what you've got to say!