What was the first book you bought with your own money?
Hmm...I'm not 100% sure but I would think it must have been a Nancy Drew book.
Have you ever stolen a book? Why/when/where?
Alas, no. But I can positively assure you that if I were ever to steal anything, it would definitely be a book! Well, except that I already have more books than is good for me, so I should not be stealing more!
What book changed the way you look at the world?
Ohhh...so many! Anne of Green Gables, for sure! I don't think anything has ever impacted my life as dramatically as reading Anne of Green Gables. But also Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Which I read as an adult. And which devastated me.
What book did you love as a kid that you realize now was “of its time” and would not be published today?
Little House on the Prairie, which I will always love with all of my heart because of how much I loved it as a kid. And Nancy Drew :)
In which fictional house or land would you like to live?
Green Gables, of course!!!
Which fictional character do you wish was your best friend?
Well, at this point it must be obvious that Anne Shirley would be my answer to that question! But if I had to choose someone else, hmm ... Victoria from Secret Letters From 0 - 10 by Susie Morgenstern? Or Eugenides from Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief! Or Ellie from If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson. Or Peyton from Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen. Jenna Boller from Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer? Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor! Possibly Ingrid from Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined by Danielle Younge-Ullman. Or Ballet Cat! (by Bob Shea)
What is a word you loathe?
I'm sure there is one, but I just can't think of it! I generally just really love and respect and admire words!
Choose three adjectives to describe yourself.
Intense, honest and loquacious.
What annoys you most in a book?
A weak ending. It doesn't have to be a happy ending. Surprise endings are especially good. But it has to be "right"! The ending can make or break a book. Midnight Hour Encores by Bruce Brooks is one of my favourite books of all time ... because of the ending!
How do you feel about kids loving books that you feel are less than great?
I have incredibly strong feelings about this!!! It is a blessing and a gift to be able to just love a book because it speaks to you and/or your heart in some way, not because it has been deemed "great literature" or "perfect for young readers" or "a book that Lisa D. at Woozles recommends" or anything else. Just because it touched you in that moment. I believe that every book has the capacity to be the book that will truly matter to some reader, and that is ALL THAT MATTERS! In fact, I feel that it is especially wonderful and special when a book that I feel is "less than great" proves to be meaningful to a young reader. That's the way it should be! A book doesn't have to be "great" (or I don't have to think it is great) in order for it to make a difference to someone who needs it! Some of the books that touched me most deeply were not "great". But I am profoundly grateful for them, and I wish that experience for every young reader!
Do you ever go home from work and read a book?
Every single day!! And what a blessing that is!