All About Books--a Meme

I got this meme from Inland Empire Girl, who got it from Ravenous Reader, a few weeks ago. I enjoyed thinking and writing about reading and the books and authors I love. I'd enjoy reading about your favorites, too. If you do this, come back and let me know!

Do you remember how you developed a love of reading? I'm certain it came from my parents, who read books to us when we were young. My Grandmother Kellogg did as well. In summers when my sisters, a cousin and I spent a week or two with her and my grandfather, she read countless books to us. A few of the ones I specially remember: A Spy in Williamsburg, Litling of Gaywood, the Little House series and other books with historical significance. A book mobile used to come around to our neighborhood in the summer and stop right in front of our house. The rest of the year my mother took us to the library on a weekly basis. I can even remember fighting with my sisters over who got to read books next!

What are some books you loved as a child? The Little House books, Little Women and other Louisa May Alcott books, Lois Lenski books, any biography, the Childcraft series, the Little Pepper books, the Little Maid books, Heidi, missionary books, My Bible Friends, the Bible Story books, and many, many more.

What is your favorite genre? I like contemporary novels, mysteries (particularly those with women detectives), memoir, biographies, historical novels, classics found in literature classes...

Do you have a favorite novel? I have so many, it's impossible to list them all, but some include all books by Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series, the No. 1 Ladies Detective series, books by Earlene Fowler, Susan Whitig Albert, Rosamunde Pilcher, Maeve Binchy, Betty Smith (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), Chaim Potok (The Chosen), Tracy Chevalier (Girl with the Pearl Earring), ad infinitum =)

Where do you usually read? In bed or in my rocker in the living room.

When do you usually read? Always before I go to bed, even if it's just a few minutes, always when I travel and whenever else I can find time.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Yes. I usually have something secular and something inspirational or spiritual going, and then there are the books I teach as well. I don't always thoroughly read them while the kids are reading them, but I always skim and research them anew at the very least.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? Yes. I usually read nonfiction with a pen or highlighter in hand, although I will often have to find one for other books, too. If they are mine, that is. If they belong to the library or someone else, then I still have pen in hand, but a notebook besides.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library? I usually buy most of my books, much to the shrinking of my apartment! I love bookstores and can spend hours going through the piles of books on the tables and shelves. I love the library, too, but don't tend to patronize it the way I did as a kid because it takes me longer to get through books as a working adult. In a way, I would rather buy a book than food!

Do you keep most of the books you buy? I keep them, but love to share them with my mother, my sisters, and my nieces. I keep saying I should thin the book shelves out, but have only done that once or twice...

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? I don't have children of my own, but I love sharing books with my (teenager) students. I don't require them to read anything I haven't enjoyed or appreciated myself. Books I've actually given to whole classes of students: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and On Writing by Stephen King. Other books kids have loved are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Chosen, My Name is Asher Lev, Pride and Prejudice, A Tale of Two Cities, and many more. For children, I like to share any of Shel Silverstein's books, Willy the Wimp and Willy the Champ, any of Arnold Lobel's fabels, The Runaway Bunny, Stellaluna, and many more.

What are you reading now? I am reading Sandra Dallas' Buster Midnight's Cafe and The Writing Diet by Julia Cameron.

Do you keep a To Be Read list? I just have a huge stack of books by my bed, and on the floor in my living room, and a whole bookcase by my rocker, and a stack in my study and . . . =)

What’s next? Not sure. Probably just whatever book I see first. I've been in a Jane Austen mood lately, though, and have several books connected to her one way or another, most recently biographies. She's like comfort food to me.

What books would you like to reread? Anything by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Night of Rain and Stars (because I've now been to Greece), anything Jane Austen...

Who are your favorite authors? Anne Lamott, Elizabeth Berg, Elizabeth Peters, Susan Whitig Albert, Earlene Fowler, Carolyn Hart, Chaim Potok, Elie Wiesel, Thomas Hardy, Isak Dinesen, Alexander McCall Smith, Jane Austen, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, and many more...