How many times have you participated in CBR? Has it changed the way you read?
CBR10 is my fourth go-round. Participating has definitely changed the way that I read! I read more, I read more deeply, and I also read more boldly. I am more open now about being (1) an avid reader and (2) loving the books that I love. As a happy result of being more forthcoming, I’m now in a book club and a regular book exchange. That’s big for me. CBR has enriched my life!
How many chapters do you give a book to hook you before you give up?
I usually give both print and audiobooks about an hour before I decide whether I’m in or out. If it’s a series I like or an author I trust, I’ll give the book a little longer. I think of it as “deciding whether a book is for me or not” rather than “giving up”. There’s no shame in choosing to read something else! That being said, books can help you grow, so don’t be afraid to try something new!
Do you read to your kids? If so, what?
Yes! My kids are one and three. I try to read in front of them a lot so that they see there’s more to life than looking at your tv or your phone. If I’m reading a magazine like Texas Monthly, we’ll sit together and look through all the pictures and name all the things they know. My favorite kid books to read are Little Blue Truck and Mother Bruce. One is about taking care of your neighbors, and the other is all about the grumpy love of a dad.
What three books would you take with you if you were about to be stranded on a desert island?
I’d want a mix of utility and entertainment, so I’d go with a Bible (New Living Translation), the U.S. Army Survival Manual, and one of the Library of America’s giant Raymond Chandler volumes. Chandler’s characters and writing are endlessly entertaining to me, so I wouldn’t have any problem rereading him.
If you were to get a book-related tattoo, what would it be? (Or if you already have one, what does it say?)
A sketch of a card catalog on my neck. The Dewey Decimal System on my forearm. Maybe the Book It logo from when I was in elementary school and got a free Pizza Hut pizza every six week for reading. I do have several tattoos, but probably wouldn’t get a book-related tattoo because my reading tastes change so much.
Who’s your favorite left-handed author/artist?
The awesome thing about this question is that so many creative types are left-handed that I can basically say anyone and I’d be correct. Jimi Hendrix is probably my favorite because his left-handedness helped create his sound – the way he strung his guitar and formed chords and everything.
Anything else?
Get in the habit of using CBR’s Amazon links when you buy stuff online. It only takes a couple seconds, but you can help raise money to fight cancer! I started doing CBR in honor of my (now) wife’s mother, who died of cancer about ten years ago. The American Cancer Society did so much for her and my wife’s family during that difficult time. In fact, our wedding guest gifts were donations to ACS. CBR is another way that we can all give to that great organization!
(Note from Mswas – both the Little Blue Truck and Mother Bruce links here and above are CBR Amazon affiliate links, so go to town! The CBR Buyhole is always available too.)
Thanks for your responses and now I’m thinking about book-related tattoos.
Glad you’re a part of CBR and focusing on reading with your kids. In a few years we might have a couple more junior Cannonballers, right?
I’m so glad you’re encouraging your kids to read AND letting them see you read for enjoyment as well. I think that is critical to creating future readers.
Book it! Free pizza for doing something I already loved was the best as a kid! Do they still do it?
We need an adult version of Book It – sign up, read an agreed on number of books and get free pizza. And reading in front of your kids is great. When I was a nanny, I would read my law school assignments while the toddler “read” her books. She is still an avid reader.
I agree! Where can I sign up for fancy Italian pizza given for reading paranormal romances during the summer? :)
I really miss reading to my kids (who are now 19 and 17), but it’s still nice that we can talk about books we like and want to share.
I LOVED Book It. Pizza was just the bonus. Awesome you’re always using the CBR link to shop on Amazon.
I LOVE the idea of a Book It! tatoo. Genius!
One of my favorite memories of my dad is him bringing a book with him when he was going to have to wait for our kid activities to be over (sitting in a waiting room during music lessons can only be so interesting). He encouraged us to use our “down” time similarly. Whenever I see a Clive Cussler Dirk Pitt novel at a book store I smile.
I love the concept of book tattoos, I’m considering a few for my next tattoo. MsWas, I tried the Buyhole for a book I wanted, I problem is that when I sign in with my credentials, it defaults to my Indian Amazon, and won’t let me buy through the link provided. Plus, the prices alter, and a couple of books became unavailable to me because of licensing issues. If I order the same book from the American website, my shipping charges are exorbitant and I can’t afford to buy the book. So that’s a technical issue I thought I’d mention.
I love CBR! I’m almost ready with my first review.
Thank you for clicking through anyway @getoffmylawnn!! We do only have a US affiliate link, so I totally understand. Just being here and visiting the pages helps too – our ads should be international.
Can’t wait for your first review!