Meme and contest: 15 things about my life with books

I actually planned to post something else (and probably will later tonight if I don’t make scones), but this has been going around so I thought I would give it a try. If I can’t think of fifteen things it might turn into fourteen truths and a lie. We’ll see.

1. I memorized the Golden Book version of Sleeping Beauty when I was three to the point where I could say the words as I traced my finger across them. This fooled several people into believing I could read whereas the reality was I was just a damn good mimic.


2. My favorite series as a child was the Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (or something along those lines). I loved, loved, LOVED those books and either wanted to date Indy (which in my nine-year-old mind had more to do with kicking ass as a team than holding hands) or be him (explain that genderbend to momma).


3. I read my first romance novel at age twelve after sneaking it out of my mother’s room, and for the life me I cannot remember what it was called.


4. I have great respect for Toni Morrison. That being said, I think that reading Beloved is like being high on ether. And yes, I know this from experience.


5. I am not ashamed; Harlequin Presents saved my soul during Organic Chemistry.


6. At work I’m quite anal when it comes to alphabetizing books by title and series, but at home my shelves are a mishmash of unrelated titles and genres happily cohabitating.


7. Speaking of home, bookshelves are the most prominent decorating choice in my apartment and I too dream of the day where I will have a house with a designated library. I realize that I will have to win the lottery to come by said house, and I dutifully buy a ticket (or at least think about it) whenever Powerball goes over 100 million.


8. I feel no qualms when it comes to dissecting books. I took a bartending book, sliced out the pages, and framed several of the pictures to decorate my dining room.


9. I’ve completed several publishing classes from editing to marketing to graphic design, but I do not have anything close to a degree.


10. I will read just about everything, or at least try it once.


11. While in Spain when I was sixteen, I searched the whole town of Salamanca for books in English, but could only find the complete works of Jane Austen. I had to go to another country to finally read Pride & Prejudice.


12. No matter how bad my day has been or how many customers have made my life a living hell, a good book, a bath and a glass of wine can make me forget all my cares.


13. Besides Gregory Maguire, I have a big ol’ unrepentant writer crush on Christopher Moore, and someday I will actually make it to one of his signings damn it. At which time I may offer to have his babies even though the pizza boy may get jealous.


14. I kept a whole dorm supplied with reading material my freshman and sophomore years of college.


15. The best part of being a bookseller is when someone not only buys my suggested books, but comes back days later as excited about the author as I am. Makes me feel all warm and melty inside.

Hmm, fifteen truths, or fourteen truths and a lie? Let’s ask Mr. Owl! Maybe I can make this into some sort of contest with the possibility of prizes. The first person to guess will get…something; I’ll have to take inventory of what I’ve got to offer. If no one guesses then I’m home free!