A reflection on books

Having just returned from an amazing writer's retreat and ICRS in Orlando, I'm slap worn out. But excited about books, ideas and writing. Being around tons of books and book people will do that to you. ;-)

So when Heather, my friend and my family's awesome host while I was off authoring, blogged a series of book questions, I had to respond...

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

As a child, books were friends and means of escape to worlds far removed from daily life. I remember teaching myself to read because I adored my first grade teacher so much and wanted to be part of her special group who got to read books instead of taking a nap. I sure am dating myself when I say that, huh???

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

I don't remember all the books I devoured as a child. But as a young teen, I enjoyed books like Catcher in the Rye and Something Wicked This Way Comes.

3. What is your favorite genre?

My favorite genre includes books that lead me to worship as I read and stories that make me laugh.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?

There are a ton of books I love, many of which are written by friends like Sharon Hinck, Trish Perry, Mark Mynheir, Claudia Mair Burney, Cindy Woodsmall and Deb Raney.

If forced to pick a favorite, I'd name The Restorer by Sharon Hinck. It's the first and one of few novels where I laughed, cried and worshipped the Lord as I read.

5. Where do you usually read?

I read at my desk, in bed, at the kitchen table, in the living room.... and on and on. The only place I can't read is in the car.

6. When do you usually read?

I read mostly at night after everyone else is in bed and I can immerse myself in the story until my eyes close against my will.

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

I tend to read a number of books at a time when I'm not editing. I can juggle a few non-fiction books with one or two novels. But when I'm captured by a fiction story, it's all I'll read until I finish the last page.

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

I can read non-fiction in bits and pieces, a chapter or section at a time. But with fiction, if I really like the book, I read until I finish or fall asleep trying.

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

I buy the books I love, check some out at the library and am involved with some blog tour groups to feed my fiction habit without emptying my husband's wallet.

1o. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?

My kiddos and I fall in love with historical fiction novels and fictionalized biographies together during the school year and pick a few longer and meatier books to tackle during the summer. This year we loved The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Red and the Redcoats and Swiss Family Robinson. We raced through the Chronicles of Narnia last summer and continue to reread those. We've also loved Little Women and Anne of Green Gables.

11. What are you reading now?

Beach Dreams by Trish Perry, Sisterchicks go Brit by Robin Jones Gunn, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle.

12. Do you keep a To Be Read list?

Yes and a HUGE To Be Read pile. It's like Christmas peeking at the stacks of books I brought home from ICRS this year. I look forward to digging into some great reading and sharing the wonderful stories.

13. What’s next?

Beyond the Night by a new friend and fellow ICRS wanderer, Marlo Schalesky.

14. What books would you like to reread?

I rarely, if ever, reread a novel or non-fiction book. In the ones I really enjoyed, I might go back and skim my notes or find a favorite scene once in a while.

15. Who are your favorite authors?

Sharon Hinck, Trish Perry, Mark Mynheir, Claudia Mair Burney, Cindy Woodsmall and Deb Raney for fiction. John Piper, Max Lucado, Liz Curtis Higgs for non-fiction.


I'd love to hear your answers to these questions and maybe add a few more books to my To Be Read pile. So, please leave me a comment or post a blog link if you'd like to join me in being a book person and sharing your love of the written word!