Here it is, the first installment of Portrait of a Reader! I hope you will find these interviews as fun as I have. I love, love, love connecting with other readers–people like YOU!
Today I want you to meet Melanie B. She is an awesome lady who I’ve connected with online and then recently got to meet in person. I love it when that happens! So without further ado:
Welcome, Melanie! Please start by introducing us to yourself and your family.
I am very blessed to have a wonderfully loving family. My husband and I will celebrate our 38th anniversary the 24th of October. We are the parents of a daughter and son-in-law and a son and daughter-in-law and we have three of the grandest grandchildren! I am further blessed to have both of my parents living a short distance from me. In fact, they live one mile from me one direction and the grands live one mile from me the other direction, so life is good!
I love that you have everyone nearby. When did you first come to identify yourself as a “reader”? Do you consider yourself a casual reader, a sporadic reader, a serious reader or an all-out bibliophile?
The love of reading didn’t come to me until I was an adult. Growing up, I think I was just too busy wanting to be around people. (I am an only child.) Later on, I came to love the written word. I am in awe of people who sit down, collect their thoughts, and go to work with a pen and paper or I guess now…. a computer! I love books now, so bibliophile fits me pretty well.
What do you most enjoy reading?
I love a variety of books: Christian fiction, biographies, thrillers, etc. My list of authors is vast. Of course, Anne, you are right there at the top. *blush* Also, Lisa Wingate, Julie Cantrell, Nicholas Sparks, Iris Johansen…the list goes on and on.
I feel quite honored to be in that list! What is the last book you finished and what are you currently reading?
I have just finished reading Joanne Bischof’s Be Still My Soul and Though My Heart Is Torn. I am eagerly awaiting the third novel is this series, My Hope Is Found. I have many, many books in my TBR stack!
I know that TBR stack. I have one of my own! I enjoyed Be Still My Soul as well. What is your favorite time and place to read?
My favorite time to read is late at night, comfy in my bed when all is quiet. I end every day reading. I find it so relaxing and just can’t go to sleep without it!
What is the most unusual circumstance/place in which you’ve been found reading?
I read in all kinds of places. I am one that cannot sit idle when having to wait…doctor’s appointments, checkout lines, fishing when the fish aren’t biting….I have a book on hand at all times!
Ah, a woman after my own heart! Books–don’t leave home without them! 🙂 Do you read physical books, ebooks, or both?
I think ebooks are great and it is so handy to have a variety of books to choose from at a single touch, but there is nothing like holding a book in your hands and turning page after page. I love it!
Do you buy your books, borrow them from friends or check them out of the library? (Or all of the above!)
I am a patron of my local library. In fact, I serve on the board of directors. But I thoroughly enjoy owning my own books. In my opinion, books in a home make it warmer and more inviting. Books make me feel good!
I like owning my books, too. Do you have any favorite foods or drinks that generally accompany your reading?
I don’t really have a specific food or drink involved with my reading, but I do love to run across books with recipes included in them and many times I will sit with a cookbook and read through it like a novel.
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?
I don’t recall ever forgetting anything in the oven or not preparing a meal due to reading, but I do have a funny reading quirk. When I am totally engrossed in a wonderful book, as I get close to the end, I will slow my reading to a near stop just because I hate to see the book come to an end.
I completely understand! I’ve done that myself. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself with us today.
Happy Reading!
Wonderful portrait of a wonderful woman! 😉 I love this new feature, Anne, and look forward to getting to know others who love to read!
How fun! Cool to hear about readers!
Isn’t it? Readers are my favorite type of people!
Thanks, Britney! And you are blessed to have her fro a mom! 🙂
Terrific post! I love melanie and I don’t know her! 🙂
I know! Isn’t it fun?
Mary, what a sweet thing to say! Thank you so very much. I hope in this life I am able to cross paths through the written word or in person with loving people like yourself. Have a great day!
Melanie is my sweet and beautiful sister-in-law. I have had the pleasure to know her for 36 years. The two of us being married to brothers we have often needed each other to make it thru these years. A terrific book could be written about the antic of those boys! I love to read, I am a book holder no ebooks for me. I am so glad to find a new author to follow. I really enjoyed the blog.
That is awesome, Gloria! So glad you dropped by to support your sister-in-law! And another reader, too! No wonder you and Melanie get along so well. 🙂
Good morning all….what a beautiful rainy day to read!
A rainy day to read! So jealous, Nat! Thanks for dropping in.
What a fun interview! I know there are lots of readers like me out there.
I currently have A Home For My Heart in my TBR stack. My husband doesn’t understand why I have to have so many unread books waiting for me:)
Hi, Martha! I know what you mean about that TBR stack. I think I’d have to read 24/7 for a year or two to get through mine! It’s always good to know I’m not alone in my book addiction. 🙂
Anne,
Thanks for introducing us to Melanie! I can tell we’d be great friends. I love this new feature. Great idea and so interesting.
Love,
Regina
Regina, I am sure we would be great friends too. I am very interested in people…everyone has a story!
Thanks, Regina! It is so fun to connect people who read with one another, isn’t it?
Anne, I so appreciate the opportunity to be featured today. What a thrill for me! You, my dear, are such a special person, so kind, gentle, thoughtful and loving. I am blessed to call you my friend and I look forward to many more posts, emails, and book signings. You have a wonderful talent and I thank you so much for sharing it.
You are so precious! Thanks for being my guinea pig! 🙂
Wow! First of all, I’m SO very happy you featured Melanie here today. I recently had the opportunity to meet her in person and she’s absolutely delightful! Secondly, I’m thrilled I stumbled across your blogsite … it’s wonderful and I’ll be subscribing. Thirdly, I am incredibly honored to be listed as one of Melanie’s favorite authors. What a thrill for me to see! Thanks Melanie for reading these stories and for sharing your love of reading with others.
Cheers,
Julie Cantrell
Julie, what a thrill that you stopped by. You are the true delight!!!! You know I loved your books so I surely wanted to mention them and you. With great authors like you and Anne, readers like me are so very blessed!
Thanks for stopping by, Julie! It’s nice to “meet” you here since our paths haven’t crossed yet in writerly circles.
Isn’t Melanie awesome! I got to meet her in person recently, too, and figured she would be a great person to kick off this new feature! And she is!
Please to meet you Melanie! Always good to meet a fellow reader! Nice to hear about books others like, as well. This was a really nice post!
Thanks for dropping in Sonja! I hope you’ll join us for other reader profiles!
Hi Anne and Melanie! Waving from the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Loved the interview. Melanie, you are a treasure =D
Waving back at you Lisa! You are a busy girl! Thanks for stopping in to say hi!
Hi Anne and Melanie! Waving from the Outer Banks of North Carolina! Loved the interview. Melanie, you are a treasure!
What a fabulous interview! I often say that my TBR pile could be proof that I’m delusional. There’s comfort in realizing I’m never without the adventure of new surroundings and new “imaginary” friends. Melanie, it’s delightful hearing another fans thoughts. Thank you!
Hi Anne and Melanie, what a fun idea! I loved meeting Melanie. We book lovers have to stick together! : )
Amen, Carrie!
Hi, Anne & Melanie!
Really enjoyed the post Melanie, & the first Portrait of a Reader, Anne! Thanks!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
You are very welcome!
Melanie is one of the sweetest,kindest, peson I have been fortunate to know
She is a dear!