A Reading Meme

1. Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I grew up with two sisters who were always reading. Besides books, there was always a lot of print media in our home. We walked 'up the hill' to the library many times each summer.

2. What are some books you read as a child?

The Little House series, Charlotte's Web, Serilda's Star. I also enjoyed reading encyclopedias.

3. What is your favorite genre?

That seems to change as I change. I used to scorn fiction. Now I love it! I'm also a huge fan of short stories. It is probably easier to say what I do NOT like. Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Mystery. With many exceptions, but I do not seek these. (oh, but if you have not, DO read Dorothy Sayers "The Nine Tailors" - the best mystery ever written - which of course is easy for me to say, as it is one of the only mysteries i've ever read!)

4. Do you have a favorite novel?

My all time favorite novel is "The Bird in the Tree" by Elizabeth Goudge. It is first in a trilogy and I am SURE you would like it. Tied for 2nd place would be Catherine Marshalls "Christy" and "Julie". Taking the bronze, L.M. Montgomery for "Anne's House of Dreams".

5. Where do you usually read?

I usually read in bed at night. This is not such a good idea, because now I tend to fall asleep wherever I am whenever I read for very long. My favorite place to read has always been on the beach at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park. Every summer I would get Ruth Sawyer's "Maggie Rose" and read it at the beach.

6. When do you usually read?

Late at night.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?

Yes. I do. It does depend on my mood at the time.

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

If the nonfiction requires that I concentrate or take notes, then I must read with a pen in my hand. Without a pen in my hand my ability to concentrate is seriously hampered (and, without a pen, i cannot take notes).

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

Mostly, I buy them at thrift stores. My sisters are excellent book resources also. And Youngest Son is tutoring his father in the fine art of reading N.T. Wright, so I read those before they go back to him.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

I keep everything. Books are no exception.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they the same ones you read as a child?

We enjoyed many of the same books during the early childhood years, but I think they were more influential in helping me choose books as they grew and developed different interests. One winter when Daughter was in 4th grade she suffered from a plethora of serious health issues. While I stenciled around our living room and dining room, she read Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars" outloud from her bed on the couch.

12. What are you reading now?

After finishing "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" I couldn't jump into another novel right away. So, I am rereading a favorite nonfiction book, "The Cleaver's Don't Live Here Anymore" by Laurie Hall.

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list?

I have a 'sort of' TBR list. One stays in my purse at all time. I do have a TBR pile on my side of the bedroom, which THGGM finds terribly annoying. I don't know why this annoys him, as it isn't his side of the room.

14. What's next?

I want to read the other novel written by Anne Bronte'. Books, books, everywhere, but not the one I want to read...

15. What books would you like to reread?

Oh, so many! I just LOVE how a book strikes one differently upon repeated readings. Clarice of "Story Book Woods" just reminded me of the first Elizabeth Goudge book that I read, "The Scent of Water". I do want to reread that one, and soon. I'm working my way through M. L'Engle's "Crosswick Chronicles" and have two more to go. As for nonfiction, my Leanne Payne books seem to be calling to me (from her i first learned of e. goudge).

16. Who are your favorite authors?

C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, George MacDonald, L.M. Montgomery, Elizabeth Goudge, Madeleine L'Engle, Catherine Marshall, Walter Wangerin, E.B White, Laura Ingals Wilder, Annie Dillard, Anne Tyler, Anne Bronte'...too many to list them all...

(this meme comes from Barbara at "Stray Thoughts" www.barbarah.wordpress.com )