Tagged - Weird Book Facts

Lisa, at Cranberry Flats, has tagged me for this really hard thing.

I am to list seven weird facts that relate to me and books.
O.k. here goes...

1. I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Whenever we would go to spend a few days at my Grandparents in Western PA, I would read almost every waking hour. I wasn't a very great guest. I could be found up in my Aunt's room reading away...For a while it was every Grace Livingston Hill book I could get my hands on.

2. My Dad and I had a huge argument once because I loved the Grace Livingston Hill books. He wanted me to read something he felt was more substantial...CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien. The Hobbit was a book he contrasted with GLH and found her books to be vastly wanting...I happen to disagree and think that I learned a lot about proper relationships with gentlemen who respected the young ladies and the virtues of homemaking that are so hard to find today.

3. Like Lisa I loved, loved, loved the Little House series. I had my own complete paperback set and read them until they were well worn. I introduced my daughter to these books few years ago. She had the same reaction. Reading every book in the series and then anything about Laura available at the local library.

4. My books of choice today are usually Historical Fiction, however, I also love biographies. When I was in Middle School I found the biography section in our school library and immersed myself in studying human nature by reading about how people lived...at least what they were willing to share. A good biography is a wonderful thing. I read nearly every book written about the Royals in Britain.
I also love to read about Political Figures.
Or, talking about weird, for example, did you know that Richard Simmons used to steal Barbie Heads from all the Barbie Dolls in the toy aisles in the stores. He then kept his collection of Barbie heads in his top dresser drawer. Strange!!! I guess he may be responsible for all of that horrible packaging that we have to endure with toys today. O.k. so that bio wasn't one of the most brainy ones.

5. Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit the southern Georgia Island known as St. Simons Island. This is where my favorite author Eugenia Price lived and was buried. There was such a feeling of awe just being in the cemetery and seeing her gravestone. There was her stone and all around the markers for the people about whom she had written for years. I have never been one to swoon over celebrities but there was something about being in the very places I loved to read about and seeing the moss hanging from the trees. The rich history of the church with battle scars remaining from the Civil War. All of it combined was almost too much to bear. I was only there for an hour or so...but I will never forget it.
Sigh...I want to go back! For a while I collected lighthouses because it made me think of that experience.

6. My Mom took a course for authors once. This was great for us kids. We learned so much about her childhood. The best practice for writing it would seem is to take experiences from your own life and to write them in such a way as to capture the attention of the reader. From this I'll never forget that Mom rode on the back of her Grandpa's car into town...he did not know, I learned that my Great-Grandpa used to listen in on the Party lines for his nightly entertainment...no TV, and that my poor Mom, as a child, accidentally killed her pet chicken when she tried to cool it off by giving it a bath on a hot day. Thank goodness she took that course. Now I know that she had an exciting childhood.

7. Finally, I love to read aloud. It is one of the best things about homeschooling for me. I love to take a great piece of literature...or a simply fun poem and get the kids attention...take them inside the story. I love to stop at an absolutely intense spot in the book and make them write what should come next. They have done some outstanding work when faced with this challenge. Books are the key to our imagination when appreciated and utilized. Love them! Truly!

Thanks Lisa.
I thought this was going to be harder than it was. They may not all be weird but they are all about me and books and since I am pretty weird, I guess it will have to do.

I would love to ask Mrs. Rabe and Kelly to do this. I know they are both readers, as well. I will look forward to reading their lists.

If this catches your attention...please consider yourself tagged. Let me know. I want to stop by and learn from you.