1. Describe your ‘one book’ that changed everything for you as a reader:
In the book “Sometimes Reading is Hard’ the author speaks about how a teacher’s main job is to get that “one book” into a child’s hands. With this one book, a lifelong reader can be born. I absolutely LOVE reading, but I’ve never really reflected on which book was that “one book” that began my journey as a lifelong reader. If I had to choose one book that started it all, it would be ‘Bunnicula‘ by James and Deborah Howe. It is told from the perspective of the family dog and cat, Harold and Chester respectively. The family gets a bunny, and the two pets are convinced he is a literal vampire. I remember my grade 3 teacher, Mrs. Brauti, reading it out loud to our class one chapter at a time. I could barely wait until she began the next chapter! I was so excited to hear what would happen next in the story! I remember laughing so hard at one point in the book that I was crying! This was the first time I realized that books could be so funny and they could be a real source of joy.
2. How do you feel about reading? Tell me about it.
I feel a great sense of joy and comfort when I read. I feel confident in my reading ability and am able to find books that I enjoy. When I was in my 20s I felt a great desire to be ‘well read’. I remember seeing a quote by Mark Twain, “You can be well-read, but you can’t be well-viewed”. At the time I took it to mean that it’s much better to spend your time reading, than watching tv! Since then, I’ve learned that it means something else, but it really struck me. I wanted to be a person of substance, that could discuss the great classics with other people who loved reading as well. I viewed people that were well-read as intelligent, and I wanted to be that kind of person as well.
3. What types of books do you like to read?
My favourite genre is historical fiction. I love history and learning about factual events, but I find it a little dry to read only facts. Having a storyline to follow is much more engaging. Having the world of story meet the world of history is a wonderful blend of both worlds. I also love the anticipation of mysteries.
4. List some hobbies and things you like to do outside of school.
I love to downhill and cross country ski. I love hiking and mountain biking and running, swing dancing, wakesurfing and eating peanut butter chocolate ice cream. I love reading the books and then watching period piece movies like Pride and Prejudice, Far From the Madding Crowd and Anne of Green Gables.
5 Who are your favourite authors?
I love Kate Morton, Jane Austen, and Kate Quinn. I’m also a big Harry Potter fan so I can’t leave out JK.
6.Tell me a bit about the last book you read that you really enjoyed.
I recently read a book called ‘The Berry Pickers’ by Amanda Peters. If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it! It is a Canadian story, written by an Indigenous author and the writing is superb. The story follows an Indigenous family from Nova Scotia who go through many hardships and forge a bond of love together and come out stronger for it. I won’t give any more details- I don’t want to give anything away.
7. Tell me a bit about what you have been doing since last semester during your winter break. How have you been spending your time?
Over the winter break we did a lot of skiing and playing in the snow. We went to a cabin with my husbands extended family near Waterton and skated on a pond and it was wonderful being together in one cozy place!
8.What subjects or topics do you like learning about?
I love learning about history, different countries, and real people that made a positive difference in their sphere of influence. I also enjoy learning about how to communicate and have better relationships, how to be a better parent and teacher, and understanding why people do what they do.
9. If you could read a book about one thing, what would that be?
I would love to read Canadian historical fiction. Specifically, I’d like to know more about the Indigenous perspective of when the settlers came to the West. We have a lot of information about how the settlers felt about their new lives in Canada, but I would love to hear authentic stories about how the Indigenous people felt about what happened to them.
