Welcome, Andrea! Please start by introducing us to yourself and your family.
My husband and I have just entered the “empty nest” phase of life. He travels quite a bit, so I am alone quite a bit now except for a little bit of part-time work.
Andrea and I share that new phase of life! It’s quite an adjustment. And yet so much more quiet time to read. So when did you first come to identify yourself as a “reader”, Andrea? What do you most enjoy reading? Do you consider yourself a casual reader, a sporadic reader, a serious reader or an all-out bibliophile?
I have always been a reader. I will never forget the librarian who took me to the chapter-book section of the library and pulled The Boxcar Children for me in second grade. I am a compulsive “all-or-nothing”reader. I have the self-control to not begin a book, but not enough self-control to put it down.
I love that distinction. I’ve learned to put down a book to do other things, but I still don’t like to. So tell us, what do you most enjoy reading?
I love historical fiction, especially Christian historical fiction.
It’s nice to have that spiritual thread in the story, isn’t it? And of course the history. We love the history! What is the last book you finished and what are you currently reading?
A Home for My Heart by Anne Mateer! I have so many projects to tackle at home I have not allowed myself to start another novel. I’m skimming a non-fiction finance book which is giving me no pleasure at all!
No, I didn’t pay her to say that! 🙂 But thank you, Andrea. You are a reader I can always count on. And no, a finance book doesn’t sound fun at all. Do you have a favorite time and place to read?
I like to read in our guest bedroom. It’s my favorite room in the house when I don’t want to be disturbed. My favorite time to read would be the 24hrs following the beginning of the book.
You are a hoot! And as I have seen that guest bedroom, I can attest that it is indeed a comfy, cozy room for reading. What is the most unusual circumstance/place in which you’ve been found reading?
When I arrive home and there is family in the house, I often stay in the car inside the garage and read a little before I go inside to face my responsibilities. I’ve been caught doing this several times.
What a great idea! I can’t believe I haven’t done that before. Do you read physical books, ebooks, or both?
I read both. I love physical books but it’s nice to read ebooks at bedtime without my contacts in or the lights on.
Same here. Do you buy your books, borrow them from friends or check them out of the library? (Or all of the above!)
I buy and borrow. I’ve not been a very good library patron, unless you count my good friend D’Ann’s personal library, which is open all hours!
And has no late fees, right? *smile* Do you have any favorite foods or drinks that generally accompany your reading?
I usually have a water bottle nearby.
Finally, it’s true confessions time: have you ever forgotten something important (to fix dinner or that dinner was in the oven or an appointment, etc) because you were lost in the pages of a book?
The joke in my family is that the house could fall down and Mom wouldn’t notice if she’s reading a book. My daughter caught me sneaking a peek at my book once during her volleyball match. I never did that again.
Oh, the things we do for our children! Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself with us today, Andrea. I think we’ve all picked up a new avoidance technique of reading just a few more pages in the car before heading into the house!
Happy Reading, Y’all!
I’m loving this series. I was raised on The Boxcar Children…good series. 🙂 Had to laugh at the last question. Once when I was a kid we were making Christmas goodies…Mom had to make a quick store run for a missing ingredient. She told me to keep stirring the peanut brittle, which was on the stove top, while she was gone. When she got home, I was standing at the stove, nose in a book and the kitchen smelled like I’d burned it down…the peanut brittle was BLACK at the bottom of the pan…and I hadn’t even noticed… 🙂
Lol! I think that is exactly why I’m not a good cook! I mean, really, what do you do with all that “free” time while stuff is cooking other than read! And then, of course, it burns. The more I know you, Melissa, the more I know you are I are kindred spirits! 🙂
I love Fridays! It is always so much fun to be introduced to a fellow reader. People have different likes and different takes on things and I find it so very interesting to know a little bit of another person’ s story. I use to read The Boxcar Children to my second graders and I loved those books as much as my students did. I love Andrea’s car reading! Thank you for a great interview, Anne, and for introducing us to Andrea. Smiles to you!
Isn’t it so fun to meet other readers, Melanie? I am loving Fridays, too! Not only getting to know each reader a little bit better myself, but getting to introduce them to my other reader friends!
Boxcar Choldren! I loved those books! Andrea, I have driven around the block after a 6 hour drive to finish a book on CD. So I totally understand sitting in the car to read a few more pages. Thanks for sharing.
Seems everyone loved the Boxcar Children! Don’t you love how there are books that instantly bond you to another person?
I wish I had a special place to read like you, Andrea! I have my library, of course, but who can read with so many books just begging to be read?!
Too true, Deborah!