How many times have you participated in CBR?
I started with CBR4! So this is my 6th year, which is hard to believe. Time flies when you’re reading. I used to see Pajiba posts in my FB feed and especially enjoyed the book reviews. I thought it would be good for me to write about the books I read because I’d seen an article about warding off dementia by keeping your brain active with reading and writing. So far so good!
Has being a participant changed the way you read? If so, how?
I think so. I’ve branched out more with genres. I read more sci-if and fantasy than I used to, and thanks to Cannonballers, I’ve been turned on to writers like Rainbow Rowell and classics like Three Men In a Boat. Also, since I know I’m going to write a review, I think I read more carefully. I don’t want to be unfair with what I write, considering how much work must go in to writing a novel. I often read on my Kindle app so I can highlight and bookmark passages as I go, and I find it useful to go back and read through them before writing anything.
What books would you be sure to have with you if there was a possibility of being stranded on a desert island?
I would bring all my Harry Potters. I haven’t re-read them in a long time and I’m sure I would love to sit and read them all again. Sometimes I just pick one up and go to a random page. There’s always wisdom there! And I’d bring Pride and Prejudice, the first book I ever read and immediately started to re-read as soon as I finished. I’d bring all the novels by Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich and Margaret Atwood that I haven’t read yet.
Do you reread favorites, or think life’s too short and there are too many new things to read?
I don’t reread favorites much any more because I have such a stack of “to be read” books.
How many chapters do you give a book to hook you before you give up?
Probably 2-3. I can only think of 2 books that I gave up on. One was because it just didn’t interest me (I can’t even remember the title) and the other (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) I gave up on because it was too intense. I might go back some day and try again. I mostly try to stick through to the end.
Board games, card games, or sportsball games?
Role playing games!! We have a 13-year-old who is into D&D now, and you know, we believe that the family that slays together stays together.
“warding off dementia by keeping your brain active with reading and writing” — I think that’s going to work out well for me!
This was my favorite quote, too. Overall an excellent interview.
Considering my mother has just been diagnosed with Lewi Body Dementia (and it’s absolutely gutting for the whole family), and she’s been an avid reader her whole life, I’m just going to have to hope that it’s the book reviewing, not just the reading, that will keep the same thing from happening to me.
I love these interviews, they’re such a nice way to get to know about fellow Cannonballers!
I hope it works for your mom!
I’m sorry to hear that about your mother. Best wishes to her and you as well.
These are my favorite!
Well, except PattyKates is reviewing the Bible now, so I might have to bump this down one notch.
But I still love learning about everyone!
Also, this – “warding off dementia by keeping your brain active with reading and writing” – I can attest that this is true based on people I know.
“Dungeons and snuggles” — !!!! I’m dying! Thanks for the questions. I love reading the interviews myself.
Your desert island list sounds perfect. Remind me to get stranded with you!!!
I don’t know if I’ve said this yet, but you write such great reviews that they inspire me to put more effort into mine. Keep on keeping on! :)
Thank you, Bonnie! I’d be happy to be stranded with you. :)
I’m crashing this desert island, but I’m bringing some romance novels for myself and you lovelies can attempt to convince me about the lit fic. :)
I might even read a romance novel myself if you come along!
I love these little interviews <3
"The family that slays together stays together." PERFECT.
Great interview, loved the D&D quote!