My Favorite Reader... Annie

I hope that you enjoyed your weekend.  Our weekend was very relaxing.  We filled up our Costco love tank, took care of a few errands, and went out for a nice lunch. 

 

No filter!

You will never see these two words under a photo of me.

You can all relax and stop worrying.  The Mister's back has recovered.  He is back to his old job - secret service detail on my daily walks.  Here are a couple of pics that I snapped for your viewing pleasure.  

We are enjoying this series so much.

Here is the trailer.

Today, I am starting a new series.  I am asking some of my friends that are avid readers to answer some hard-hitting, below-the-belt questions pertaining to books.

I am beginning with my dear friend, Annie.  When I moved to Massachusetts, I didn't know anyone.  It was a hard transition for me.  And then, one day, I got an email from Annie.  She said that her sister read my blog, and she suggested that we meet because she felt that we would hit it off.  A week later, Annie and I met for lunch.  We spent more time laughing than eating.  We then set up a date for dinner with our Misters, and they hit it off like a house on fire! 

I shared a lot of memorable lunches, dinners, book club meetings, author signings, garden walks,  and my daughter's wedding with Annie, and I miss her very much.  I am hoping that she and her hubby will come and visit us soon in our new home. 

 1. Tell us about yourself, i.e., your home state, family, career, etc.

I live in Massachusetts with my spouse and one 4-legged hooligan named Sassafras.  Sassy describes her perfectly.  I am currently in public health, looking forward to my next career move, becoming a professional beach bum.

 

2.  When did your love affair with reading begin?

I can’t ever remember not reading; family lore says it started at age four.

3.  What are your favorite genres?

I will read anything; however, science fiction would not be my first choice.  I love mysteries, biographies, fiction, and non-fiction. I will give any and all books a chance. 

I am a member of a book club at a charming local bookstore named Buttonwood Books.  The greatest joy of being part of this group for me is the monthly book selections.  They are often books I don’t gravitate towards, but with few exceptions wind up loving the read.

4.  Paper book, ebook, and/or audiobook?

I am a staunch paper book reader.  However, since my needlepointing is taking a back seat to reading, I need to give audiobooks a try.  

Full disclosure,  I have been making that statement about audiobooks for a decade.  I would give up Chardonnay before I would choose an ebook.  Even if George Clooney was the narrator.

 

5.  What are the best books that you have read in 2022?

I loved The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand was my favorite beach read of the summer, and I loved The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korlitz (sorry Katie :>)

 

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

6.  What book(s) come to mind that you consider overrated?

I did not enjoy The Paper Palace so many unlikable characters. I have a difficult time reading a book if I don’t like the main protagonist(s). I also could not get past Chapter 1 in Where the Crawdads Sing.  I recognize I am an outlier in this opinion.  It has been banished to the avoidance pile with no bookmark.

Amazon

Amazon

 

7.  If you don't enjoy a book, do you finish it or not?

I love this question.  There are so many authors interviewed in the New York Times Book Review that say there is not enough time to read all the great books; they don’t finish books they don’t enjoy.  

I have tried to embrace this philosophy; however, I fail every time. There are books that I had to read several chapters before I really began to enjoy them.  I put certain books down for a bit and then go back to them, hoping I will have a different perspective.  This is likely the reason I can’t find my favorite bookmarks; they are residing in some book in a pile with which I avoid making eye contact.

8.  Favorite place and time of day to read?

I do the largest volume of reading during the spring and summer as I love to read at the beach/outside. When I am absolutely forced inside, I have a favorite reading chair in the den.  I always read to go to sleep.

9.  Your table is set for six.  What five authors (living or not) would you invite for lunch?

     Edith Wharton for the gossip, Oscar Wilde for the wit, F. Scott Fitzgerald (he can supply the beverages), Lucy Maud Montgomery, and if cookbooks count, Ina Garten.    

    Bloggers are writers,  I would include my favorite blogger.

10.  What book(s) resonates with you the most?

      I love any book about large families, such as The Most Fun We Ever Had.  I loved all of the Anne of Green Gables books; the Blythes had lots of children. Stories about generations at the seashore always resonate as well as books about sisters.  I have great sisters.

Amazon

Amazon

 

11. What is the funniest book that you have ever read?  The saddest? The most depressing?

      Foul Matter by Martha Grimes is hysterical.  It is about authors and book publishing.  For recent sad books, Dear Edward. I loved reading it and cried quite a bit.  

Any books that include children being harmed, neglected, or abused are depressing for me.  Even if I love a book, I just scan those pages.

Amazon

Amazon

 

12.  What are you presently reading, and what's next on your list?  Is there a book you are looking forward to that will be published later this year?

  I am currently reading The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, I needed a book with the main protagonist that I love.  This is a reread from decades ago.  Our October book club selection is Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.  I am embarrassed to say that I have not yet read Wolf Hall, but it is also on deck for October.

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Thank you, dear Annie!  And many thanks for including me in your dinner party.  Can I sit between the guy who is bringing the booze and the lady with the latest scoop? 

Feel free to answer the questions in the comment section.

Linking up with:

I do DeClaire
Inspire Me Tuesday

The Happy Now Blog 

Lou Lou Girls