I wasn't able to go to BEA this year, so I'm participating in Armchair BEA! As part of Armchair BEA, I was paired up with another blogger for an interview and I got to meet Molly from My Cozy Book Nook. Get to know a little bit about Molly and be sure to check out her blog!
1. You're an English teacher. What book has been the most fun to teach?
This is so incredibly tough to answer as I love to teach almost every one. I would say that Tale of Two Cities is probably the most fun in my British Literature class (this year especially --- the students really got into the symbolism and foreshadowing). In 9th grade it is a toss between Fahrenheit 451 and To Kill a Mockingbird; in 8th grade we study A Midsummer Night's Dream the entire year and that has really been a blast; and in 7th grade I would say I really enjoy teaching The Hobbit (although Tuck Everlasting runs a close second place)
2. What got you interested in blogging?
I am not sure how I found my first book blog (either Becky's Book Reviews or J. Kaye's Book blog) but I remember being just fascinated with the concept. I spent several hours following their blog links. This was in October 2008. I finally got brave enough to post my first blog entry in December of that same year. I have always loved to write - but never thought I would have enough to say on a regular blog. I LOVED the fact that book bloggers have a focus --- and since I love to read, it was a natural fit.
3. If you were stranded on an island, what five books would you take with you?
UGH -- I am horrible at questions like these because inevitably I will list 5 books and then after I hit "send" I will immediately think of another 2 or 3 that I should have considered. I will try to do my best here: 1. The Bible as it would provide much spiritual education that would be necessary in such an environment....2. Something by Dickens - although I am not sure which one. I love his detailed writing style (it would take several re-readings to fully understand and appreciate it all) and his social themes are always worth pondering.....3. Pride and Prejudice. I am not really a Janeite - and I am not a reader of romance novels -- but I do like Austen's satiric wit and I think I might enjoy the romantic getaway if I were stranded for a prolonged period of time.....4. an art history book - although I am not sure which one (I tend to really enjoy the DK books though). I have started to take an interest in art appreciation at this late stage of life and I think I would enjoy a book that would allow me to look at all the lovely paintings and sculptures and perhaps help me to remember civilization and all its beauty.....5. I'm having a hard time with a final book. For some reason Walden keeps coming up. I just recently read that book and I love Thoreau's message of simplicity.
4. If you were at BEA this year, what would be your must-have book to grab?
ok -- this is going to sound really odd...but in addition to my new-found interest in art appreciation, I am also trying to take up photography. When I heard that Rick Sammon was going to be autographing his newest book, Confessions of a Compact Camera Shooter, I was really disappointed that I would not be able to pick that up.
5. What author would you love to have dinner with?
Oh my...another very difficult question. Truth be told, I would be scared to have dinner with any author -- I am shy to begin with and tend to get very tongue-tied when thrust is social settings. However, if I had to choose I might say Elizabeth Kostova. I read Swan Thieves this past winter and really loved it; it actually help inspire my recent interest in art. I am saving the Historian to read for Carl's RIP challenge this fall. She is only a few years younger than I, but she managed to write such a stellar first novel. I am also dabbling in writing at this point in my life and I would love to talk to her about her writing - and the research that she does for each novel - and her story ideas. She strikes me as an author with whom I could be myself and learn so much about the art and craft of writing
1. You're an English teacher. What book has been the most fun to teach?
This is so incredibly tough to answer as I love to teach almost every one. I would say that Tale of Two Cities is probably the most fun in my British Literature class (this year especially --- the students really got into the symbolism and foreshadowing). In 9th grade it is a toss between Fahrenheit 451 and To Kill a Mockingbird; in 8th grade we study A Midsummer Night's Dream the entire year and that has really been a blast; and in 7th grade I would say I really enjoy teaching The Hobbit (although Tuck Everlasting runs a close second place)
2. What got you interested in blogging?
I am not sure how I found my first book blog (either Becky's Book Reviews or J. Kaye's Book blog) but I remember being just fascinated with the concept. I spent several hours following their blog links. This was in October 2008. I finally got brave enough to post my first blog entry in December of that same year. I have always loved to write - but never thought I would have enough to say on a regular blog. I LOVED the fact that book bloggers have a focus --- and since I love to read, it was a natural fit.
3. If you were stranded on an island, what five books would you take with you?
UGH -- I am horrible at questions like these because inevitably I will list 5 books and then after I hit "send" I will immediately think of another 2 or 3 that I should have considered. I will try to do my best here: 1. The Bible as it would provide much spiritual education that would be necessary in such an environment....2. Something by Dickens - although I am not sure which one. I love his detailed writing style (it would take several re-readings to fully understand and appreciate it all) and his social themes are always worth pondering.....3. Pride and Prejudice. I am not really a Janeite - and I am not a reader of romance novels -- but I do like Austen's satiric wit and I think I might enjoy the romantic getaway if I were stranded for a prolonged period of time.....4. an art history book - although I am not sure which one (I tend to really enjoy the DK books though). I have started to take an interest in art appreciation at this late stage of life and I think I would enjoy a book that would allow me to look at all the lovely paintings and sculptures and perhaps help me to remember civilization and all its beauty.....5. I'm having a hard time with a final book. For some reason Walden keeps coming up. I just recently read that book and I love Thoreau's message of simplicity.
4. If you were at BEA this year, what would be your must-have book to grab?
ok -- this is going to sound really odd...but in addition to my new-found interest in art appreciation, I am also trying to take up photography. When I heard that Rick Sammon was going to be autographing his newest book, Confessions of a Compact Camera Shooter, I was really disappointed that I would not be able to pick that up.
5. What author would you love to have dinner with?
Oh my...another very difficult question. Truth be told, I would be scared to have dinner with any author -- I am shy to begin with and tend to get very tongue-tied when thrust is social settings. However, if I had to choose I might say Elizabeth Kostova. I read Swan Thieves this past winter and really loved it; it actually help inspire my recent interest in art. I am saving the Historian to read for Carl's RIP challenge this fall. She is only a few years younger than I, but she managed to write such a stellar first novel. I am also dabbling in writing at this point in my life and I would love to talk to her about her writing - and the research that she does for each novel - and her story ideas. She strikes me as an author with whom I could be myself and learn so much about the art and craft of writing
Great interview, Molly and Sarah. I love learning new things about other bloggers.
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