Welcome, Rel! Please start by introducing us to yourself and your family.
I’m an Aussie girl, born and bred, with one movie loving husband, three gorgeous daughters, one rambunctious black Labrador, and five little fish!
So glad you are visiting us from Down Under! How fun is that? My first international Portrait of a Reader interview. 🙂 When did you first came to identify yourself as a reader? Do you consider yourself a casual reader, a sporadic reader, a serious reader or an all-out bibliophile?
I fell in love with stories as a little child ~ my mother was a teacher and books were always valued in our home. Learning to read opened up a whole new world and I was rarely without a book in hand. No question, I’m a dedicated bibliophile!
Bibliophiles are my favorite people! What do you most enjoy reading?
Broadly, I’m a fiction reader, more specifically I read all genres with romantic suspense at the top of my list and science fiction at the bottom. Favourite authors include Ronie Kendig, Tamara Leigh, Lori Benton, Robert Liparulo, Charles Martin, and many more.
Lots of good ones there. Romantic suspense is down a bit on my list (it’s the suspense part that gets me!), but I make room for two or three a year from authors I know I like. (Like Ronie!) What is the last book you finished and what are you currently reading?
As a member of the INSPY’s Advisory Board, I’m in the midst of reading nominations. I’ve just finished Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge and Cheryl McKay. Currently reading Seeds of Evidence by Linda J White.
I imagine reading nominations helps you decide what of the many available titles to read next, so that’s good! And it’s fun to read different things, too. Do you have a favorite time and place to read?
Any place, anytime, anywhere!
Of course! So what is the most unusual circumstance/place in which you’ve been found reading?
In the shower, with the book outside the screen, when I was about 13 years old! Crazy, I know, but I told you I was a dedicated reader 😉
Lol! These “unusual” stories keep getting better! But yes, that is dedication! Do you read physical books, ebooks, or both?
Both ~ I adore physical books, the feel, the smell. That said, the convenience and portability of my Kindle is fantastic.
Agreed! Do you buy your books, borrow them from friends or check them out of the library? (Or all of the above!)
These days, most of my books I have received from publishers for review on my blog, www.relzreviewz.com. I still buy books and instead of borrowing from a library, I run my own library from home, lending out my books to family, friends, church family, and more.
Don’t you love being the go-to girl for your reading friends? I especially get requests when people are leaving on vacation or teachers in the summer months. Do you have any favorite foods or drinks that generally accompany your reading?
Not really ~ it’s all about the reading, not the food!! Chocolate and sparkling water always combine well, though 😉
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?
All of the above! Well, I don’t think I’ve forgotten an appointment, but I have been late…sigh!
You are not alone. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of yourself with us today, Rel. I hope everyone else enjoyed getting to know you, too!
Happy Reading, Y’all!
Yay it’s Rel! So fun to see her here. 🙂
I know! Isn’t that fun?
Thanks for having me visit, Anne ~ what a privilege! The question were great 🙂 I hope you do a portrait of yourself as a reader, too.
I’ve actually been considering that! 🙂
Hi Melissa, thanks for stopping by! This was so much fun to do. I’m sure you have some interesting reading habits, too 😉 Tell me you do….please!!!
So fun to see Rel and Sherlock here! I loved the interview and getting to know Rel better… good friend, reviewer, blogger … now shower reader! 🙂
Love to you both! KBR
“Shower reader” ~ I’m wearing it with pride! Please someone tell me I’m not the only one ;-D
Thanks for dropping by, dear Katherine
Anne and Rel, great interview. Have to ask–Rel, do you still read books in the shower? Are you shopping for a waterproof e-reader?
Seriously, thanks for sharing.
Ha! Well, with maturity comes a little more sense so, no, not any more…as she runs off to check Amazon for a waterproof e-reader…hahaha!
Loved learning more about the reader-side of one of my favorite reviewers! Thanks, Rel. And Anne!
Oh, Julie – thank you for your very sweet and encouraging comment. So glad you dropped by 🙂
What a fun interview! I love the picture of you and your dog, Rel. And I laughed at your story of trying to read in the shower when you were a young teen. At around that same age, I can remember sneaking a romance novel into church choir practice. Never cared much for singing (or had any talent at it, either) but cared very much about the book I was reading.
I love seeing the unusual places people have been found reading. Yours is a good one too, Becky!
Ah, a woman after my own heart, Becky!! Love it – thanks so much for sharing and making me feel less weird 😉
Rel the picture of you with Sherlock is too precious! What a fun interview 🙂 The shower story certainly made me laugh! We readers are a rare breed.
Thanks, Lydia ~ you always make me feel sane, dear friend xo
Yay! What a fun interview! Made me laugh! We definitely are kindred spirits 🙂 P.S. your dog is sooo cute!!
That we are, Jamie! Hugs xo
Great interview, Rel! The shower story had me rolling. I agree with you about reading anytime, anywhere, anyplace, but I haven’t tried that on yet. I tried a bath once, but I tend to be clumsy and wet books just aren’t as much fun.
That’s too funny, Aaron – thanks for dropping by 🙂