Portrait of a Reader: Debbie G.

Welcome, Debbie! Please start by introducing us to yourself and your family.

My name is Debbie Read Gannon and I am a proud 56 year old “Granny” of 9 beautiful and perfect grandchildren ages 1 year to 16 years! I live in rural America, just outside Ponder, Tx. I grew up in Paris, Texas and will always consider Paris my “hometown” even though I rarely get a chance to get back there. I live a good, simple life that evolves around my grandchildren and their activities. I attend a great church and live around  the best neighbors in the world. I have wonderful sons of whom I am so proud! They are wonderful fathers, husbands, and men. They blessed me with not only grandchildren but awesome “daughters” in-law as well. One of my sons and his family live in Mass., near Boston. I pray all the time that they will move back to Texas someday! The rest of my family is fairly close – much to my enjoyment!

How very fun, Debbie. I’m sure you are a great Granny and that your grandchildren love your involvement in their lives.  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 came to love reading and books when I was young! I used to spend lots of time in the Culbertson Library in Paris soaking up knowledge! Reading was such a wonderful escape  for me, and still is… I believe that I am a serious reader. I feel a little naked if I don’t have a book in the car or in my bag and next to my chair…

Oh, I know that “naked” feeling without a book close at hand! So what do you most enjoy reading?

I really enjoy History and I love historical settings with a good story attached. I also love intrigue…Christian fiction and non fiction – also biography and autobiography’s…Elizabeth Camden – Anne Mateer – Jerry Jenkins to name a few…

You are very sweet! And I’m so happy to see you mention Elizabeth Camden. I love her as a person and an author and don’t think her books get enough attention from readers. What is the last book you finished and what are you currently reading? 

The last 2 books I read,  simultaneously – Orange is the New Black and A Home for the Heart. Currently reading I, Saul by Jerry Jenkins.

I’ve heard good things about I, Saul. It’s on my (very long) to read list! Do you have a favorite time and place to read?

Early  mornings in my bedroom glider. Other than that – everywhere and anytime – waiting on appointments – grandkids from softball or football practices etc…

Those are great places to read! What is the most unusual circumstance/place in which you’ve been found reading?

I got so engrossed in the Left Behind Series when it came out that I would read everywhere. I was reading at a red light one time and a cop came up to my window to ask me if I was okay because I had sat through the light 3 times and someone reported me! He let me go with a warning – try not to read unless I pull over and park☺

Oh my goodness! That is being engrossed in a book! I love it! So if do you read physical books, ebooks, or both?

I mostly read physical books – I know its not that popular anymore, but I enjoy having that book in my hands.

I enjoy that, too, I just give over for the sake of convenience sometimes. Do you buy your books, borrow them from friends or check them out of the library? (Or all of the above!)

I mostly buy books because if I really enjoy the book I like to pass them on to someone else to read…

Agreed! That is one of the joys of reading, isn’t it? I love handing someone else a book I loved. Do you have any favorite foods or drinks that generally accompany your reading?

Not really. I am a big fan of bottled water and you will usually find one in my hand or right next to me most of the time.

Good for you. I’m terrible about snacking while I read. 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? 

Yes! To GO on a green light!

I will think about you every time I’m tempted to pick up a book at a red light now. Though I imagine where I live I’d get too many honks to sit through that light three times! Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself with us today, Debbie. You are such a gracious and lovely lady!

Happy Reading, Y’all!