The Continuation of The Book Lover’s Tag

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Angela, one of my husband’s co-workers, regarding my new journey in life, writing. Well, I’ve been writing in one shape or another for decades now (helping my brothers edit their school papers, looking over resumes and cover letters, and occasionally writing a short story or even a funeral bulletin) as I’ve always enjoyed writing. Last April (2017) I finally made the decision to dedicate time each week to writing, and I have to say, I am enjoying my new hobby immensely.

Back to the point here, Angela reached out to me via email regarding writing and blogging as she has been writing for awhile now on You are Awesome. She has been a game-changer for me as far as writing is concerned. This all happened in just a short couple of weeks. I had no idea there were wonderful blogging communities, plug-ins for websites that make writing more efficient, and many different ways to get involved with other writers (my head is actually spinning a little with all that I have discovered in the past week). So, thank you, Angela!

This past week, Angela tagged me in a recent post of hers: The Book Lover’s Tag. Basically, it’s a post with a series of questions that are answered by the writer about reading and books. Then, the writer tags other writers to answer the same questions. I think of it as a getting-to-know-you activity in the world of books. Reading: another true passion of mine.

Learning is something I love to do, and books are one of my favorite means of learning. My husband has called me a “perpetual student” on several occasions, which I take as a sincere compliment (although I get the feeling that he sometimes would like to see me spend less time with my nose in a book, or in front of the computer screen Googling things that I must know at that very moment). I do have to admit that when we read together at night, he is extremely tolerant of me interrupting his reading with interesting facts or ideas I’m reading about in my own book. I think I should probably work on doing this a little less often.

Anyway, I’m going to jump right into the questions here. I will tag a few other writers I have had the joy of interacting with in the past week, thanks to Angela!

 

Do you have a specific place for reading?

Anywhere where my kids are not is probably my best answer! I stay home with my kids, and I also home school my kids, so they are with me day and night. They even come with me on my gardening jobs during our short, Minnesota growing season.

My usual place of learning is on my bed or in the comfy, red chair in the corner of my bedroom. A place of solace and relaxation. My lovely children respect my reading time when I tip-toe into my bedroom for a little me-time. As of late, they have taken up reading while I read, which is a double bonus in my eyes.

Another place I love to read is on my back deck in the mornings. When the weather is warm enough, I like to go out on the deck before the kids awake each day. The deck overlooks my perennial gardens, the chicken coop, and the acres of woodland on the back side of our property. Here I can hear the wild birds, the chickens clucking softly (with the occasional wake-up call from Johnny, our rooster), and the bubbling of the fountain in the garden. A reading haven.

Fountain in Garden
Iris and wood anemone surround the fountain in the spring.

Bookmark or random pieces of paper?

Bookmarks, facial tissues folded once or twice, pictures, or occasionally folding the corner of the page over (shamefully hiding my face).

Can you stop anywhere or must it be at the end of a chapter?

Stopping usually happens at the end of a chapter, but if I’m tired or need to stop for something, I will stop at the top of the left-hand page at the first indent (or start of the next paragraph).

Do you eat or drink whilst reading?

No, when I read the book gets my full attention.

Music or TV whilst reading?

No to both. I like my reading environment quiet for the most part. Nature noises are just fine when I’m delving into a book outside.

One book at a time or several?

One.

Do you prefer to read at home or elsewhere?

Reading happens wherever I am. If I’m camping, I’ll read in the camper or on the picnic table. I read on the beach, in the woods, and in the prairie. If the fishing is bad, I’ll happily read in a boat or on the shores of an ice-cold trout creek. Reading happens in the airport, while I wait for jury duty, and in the hammock at the cabin. Books travel with me wherever I go. Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr. Seuss, is running through my mind as I write this paragraph.

Read out loud or silently?

For the majority of my reading time, I read to myself. But, as I mentioned above, if I get excited by some new-found knowledge, my husband (and occasionally other family members) get to hear me read certain selections out of a book. My husband and I have also read aloud to our children since the day they were born. Even though our children are able to read on their own these days, we still enjoy reading certain books aloud as a family, such as:

  • Little House on the Prairie books
  • Boxcar Children books
  • Gary Paulsen books
  • Classics such as The Old Man and the Sea by Hemmingway
  • And, any other books the children ask us to read aloud with them

Do you read ahead or skip pages?

No.

Break the spine or keep it like new?

I try to keep my books in great shape. But, with continual use, a book is bound to show it’s age, which I think is just as special (or maybe more so). My favorite books tend to show wear and tear, or love if you will.

Do you write in your books?

This is highly dependent on the type of book it is. If I’m reading for fun, I leave the books free of marking. But, if I’m reading a reference book and intend to reference the book quite often I will write, highlight, and sticky-note the pages.

What books are you reading now?

Right now I am reading The One World School House: Education Reimagined, by Salmand Khan. I just bought six other books I intend to read this summer that will be giving me more insight into the world of writing. One of the books I am most excited to read is Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters, by John Steinbeck.

Favorite childhood book?

When I was a little girl I loved any book that highlighted animals (especially horses), contained free-spirited characters (most tend to be female), and were set in times long ago. Some of my favorites were:

  • Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell
  • Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink
  • Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, By Kate Douglas Wiggin
  • Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
  • Little House on the Prairie series, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • The Horse Whisperer, by Nicholas Evans
  • Charlotte’s Web, by E. B. White

Goldie in the Garden

All-time favorite book?

As an adult, my favorite books are the books in the Earth’s Children series by Jean M. Auel (I can’t choose just one). Auel uses brilliant narrative skills to depict the life of Ayla, a heroine, some 30,000 years ago. The strong female character, along with the remarkable re-creation of the way life was lived so many years ago, had me hooked from book one to book six. This book series made me feel like I was living the story, experiencing all of the new discoveries, and a part of Ayla’s life. Last year we bought a camper from a family in the cities. One of the young girl’s name was Ayla. I’m sure my eyes lit up when I heard the name as I didn’t skip a beat in asking her if she was named after the heroine in the Earth’s Children series. Sure enough, a smile spread over her face as she proudly exclaimed “It sure is!”

 

The Nominations for Book Lover’s Tag:

Tag! You’re it (if you choose to play)!

Ruth of Ruth Daly Author

McKenna of Life Through My Eyes and Adventures of a New Floridian

Brigid of Watching the Daisies

If you choose to participate please link back to this post. I can’t wait to read about your reading adventures!

Also, dear readers, I would love to hear about your reading adventures too! Please comment below. Happy Reading!

5 Replies to “The Continuation of The Book Lover’s Tag”

  1. angelanoelauthor says: Reply

    Hi Erin! I love your responses. Your description of your deck in the morning made me smile–so vivid and beautiful!
    I’m delighted to find we share a childhood love of horses. I never owned a Barbie, but I had about twenty Breyer horses. I’d always cry when horses were hurt in movies.
    I read Jean M. Auel’s series up through The Plains of Passage. But I was in junior high and high school at the time. Since it took her twelve years to complete the next book, I’d moved on from Ayla’s journey. But maybe it’s time to pick up her story once again. Than you for reminding me!
    You’ve picked some excellent folks to nominate–I hope we get to read more about book lovers who take up the tag torch. It’s great fun to learn more about what writers read.
    So glad you’re enjoying the Big Up Your Blog community–it really is something special and you fit right in.

    1. I can see that, Angela. I’m so happy to be a part of it, thanks to you! I truly am excited to participate in all of the discussions, meet more people, and read their amazing stories. And, as always, thank you for your thoughtful comment.

  2. Hi Erin, It was lovely to read about your love of books. I am happy to accept the tag. I have a couple of weeks of scheduled posts so I will add the tag after that. Happy reading.

    1. Thank you so much, Brigid, for your kind comment and continuing The Book Lover’s Tag. I look forward to reading your post (and those that come before it). Have a wonderful day!

  3. Hey Erin! Thank you so much for tagging me! I will be sure to continue this tag as well. I loved reading about your love for reading. I am not the biggest reader, but your love for it is definitely inspiring to me!

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