When I told Forrest we were tagged in Eleven Questions by WANA alum and travel blogger extraordinaire, Tami Clayton, he was all ears (and well, a lot of legs too).
I even caught him down by the water practicing his best Benedict Cumberbatch poses and now he’s asking which picture to use on his passport. I haven’t had the heart to tell him I don’t think he’s quite ready for Morocco or taking tea in the Kasbah yet.
Luckily, he was intrigued with the idea of being ‘it’ and even more thrilled at the idea of tagging eleven other bloggers. I think that means I’m answering the questions and he’s doing the tagging.
Being ‘it’ requires us to:
1. Post the rules
2. Answer the questions
3. Pass the questions on to eleven other bloggers by tagging and linking to them in our post
4. Let them know they’ve been tagged
The questions are:
1. If you could live in a fictional world, where would that be?
Without a doubt, it would have to be Dr. Dolittle’s town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh. Being able to ‘talk to the animals’ might take some of the mystery out of life, but the conversation would be so worth it!
2. Fiction or non-fiction?
Both. I read mostly non-fiction, particularly memoirs and books on animals, nature, and spirituality. My favorite novels tend to be those that uplift and inspire, but a really good thriller/suspense novel is a must-read.
3. Do you read in noisy or quiet places?
Quiet places. I can’t read or write if there’s a radio or TV on in the background. White noise like a fan or a water fountain is the best of all worlds. That’s where both my reading and writing circle a few times before lying down and curling up in their happy place.
4. Do reviews influence your choice of reads?
Occasionally. I like to browse books online and read the description, editorial, and reader reviews. I also like to look at the table of contents and read a few pages if I can. Sometimes a wealth of negative or positive reviews will make me pass on a book or conversely, pick up a book I might not have read otherwise.
5. Audio books or paperbacks?
Paperbacks or ebooks. I have never listened to an audio book in my life. I’m unusual that way … among others.
6. What was the first book you remember reading?
Hmm, I’m sure the subject matter will come as a complete shock. I’m listing both because I honestly can’t remember which was first, but it was the children’s picture book versions of The Black Stallion and Lassie Come Home. My animal obsession was a birthright that began with books, figurines, and stuffed animals, and much to my mother’s dismay, every living creature I could entice into the house. Bless her, she had the patience of Job … and ended up with Noah’s ark.
7. Favorite author?
Susan Chernak McElroy
8. Classic or Modern Novels?
Modern. I think I subliminally equate classics with those torturous tomes I had to read in high school and college. I still refer to them as CliffNotes Classics. Walden by Henry David Thoreau is my exception, because we all have one.
9. Have you ever met your favorite author?
On Facebook and the blogosphere; not in person.
10. Book groups or solitary reading?
In true only-child, introvert fashion – solitary. Do people actually read in groups, or do they get together in groups to discuss what they read in solitude? Because I really don’t think I could read in a group. I’d be too self-conscious about my facial expressions and whether or not I was mouthing each word of every sentence. I’m unusual that way. Also.
11. If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s harsh punishment for a reader, but if I were allowed only one, it would be The Bible.
I’ll turn the tagging of other bloggers over to Forrest, who has amphibiously chosen the following:
I hope he hasn’t tagged anyone who’s previously been ‘it’, but if you have, ah …
What? Seriously?
Forrest wants to know if he can keep one book too. He says he just can’t part with Lord of the Flies.
