I was shoveling Raisin Nut Brain into my maw a couple of weeks ago and talking with Google about what sorts of things successful bloggers do that earn that incredible achievement of upwards of 5 readers. Google disclosed that the coolest bloggers interview important people, like authors. Well, I don't really know any authors, but I thought all four of you might enjoy a quick text-message interview with my sister Vicky, who inhales books the way I inhale cups of coffee. In fact, looking at those numbers, if she were to just up her reading a little bit, her books to my coffee ratio would be equal. Impressive! Vicky has a Bachelor's, two Master's and a Doctorate, so she's done some book learnin' and is real real smart and uses big big words. She also tends to go on at length about various topics. Sometimes we'll have a conversation about something completely random and two hours later she (we) come up for air and she's got a complete outline for a new presentation she can deliver at a pop culture or dragon-themed conference. Thus, I opted to conduct our interview via text message! Short and sweet! Unlike my lengthy intro. Come back, come back, I'm done blathering on. Kimberly: How many book do you read each year on average? Vicky: When I used to keep a list yearly for several years, I was averaging between 150 to 200 books in addition to around 200 or more novellas a year. Many works touted as novels on Kindle are actually novellas. Kimberly: Are you a speed reader? Vicky: Probably not by the official definition because I do not skim as I read. Kimberly: Any tips or idea on how to squeeze in that many books? Vicky: Because reading is my favorite hobby, I don't think about having reading goals. Some days before work, I procrastinate the professional work I should be doing because I am in the middle of a good book, but I try not to do that, as I am always in the middle of a good book. Reading during lunch is when I used to get a lot of reading in. I love going out for coffee or a meal by myself to just sit and read. It keeps me away from the distractions of other things I should probably be doing, like grading or housework! Kimberly: What is this "housework" you speak of? Just kidding. Kimberly: Have you ever abandoned a crap book? Vicky: Yes, absolutely! If it just feels like work, has so many editing errors that I cannot get past them, or just isn't grabbing me, I may set it aside for the moment or abandon it completely. That does not happen often, though. Kimberly: Do you have any auto-read authors? Vicky: Certainly. JD Robb, Stephen King, Laurell K Hamilton, Frank Stepnowski, Eli Easton, Alexa Land, R. Cooper, Kelly Gallagher, Orlando Sanchez, Shelly Laurenston, Neil Gaiman. Many authors of novellas. Vicky: TJ Klune Kimberly: Holy smokes - that's pretty much everyone! Vicky: LOL, Not even close. Kimberly: An example of a book you thought was going to be lame but that rocked? Vicky: That's difficult. I don't read books that I think will be lame. Frank Stepnowski's Teaching Sucks but We Love it Anyway made me leery because of the title, but after that, he became an auto buy. I was nervous about Hewlett's Executive Presence, but I've found it wonderful. Vicky: I really love Kelly Gallagher's Readicide. Kimberly: I've literally never heard of any of the books you're talking about. Vicky: Ok. Well, I read Carrie once a year before prom. Kimberly: Who is your favorite sister? Vicky: <nickname for me that contains expletive, not unlike the nickname I have for her that contains an expletive> Kimberly: And why haven't you read your favorite sister's favorite book? Vicky: Because my sister reads circuitous dirges that would probably cause me mental anguish. She would like the slim volume, Janne Teller's Nothing, recommended to me by a student. It's amazingly written. Vicky: I reread King's IT about 2x a year. Vicky: I lent it to a student and need to get a new copy. Oh! House of Leaves! I dare you to read it! Kimberly <ignoring her other texts>: Well my sister would like Marcus Zusak's I Am The Messenger. Kimberly: Okay and finally why should someone grab a good book right now and ignore reality for a while? Vicky: Why should they? Why wouldn't they? I like a lot of escapism but sometimes works that incorporate real issues are excellent. I just read Eli Easton's m/m YA Boy Shattered and it was phenomenal. Kimberly: Thanks Vixy!! Well that was fun! Now I've got to go research all of these books and probably blow up my To Be Read list!! Also need to research "housework." Hope you're having a great week. I'm currently reading a book all about food and as a result, none of my clothes fit anymore. A little more about Vicky. I found this by Googling her......(sad)
At the same time as teaching full-time at Cerro Gordo High School, I have also taught at Richland Community College, have been a Teaching Assistant for courses through Harvard University Extension School, and continue to teach as an adjunct instructor at Millikin University. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English and Drama with 6-12 teacher certification in both as well as gifted certification, a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction, and a doctorate in Education and Leadership. In 2014, I earned a Master’s of Extension Studies in Liberal Arts in the area of Humanities with a concentration in English through Harvard University Extension School, where I was honored to receive the Thomas Small Prize. Recent publications include the poem "Another degree earned: Liminality begins" for the Illinois English Bulletin and the paper "Fangs in the cornfields: Teaching vampire literature to nontraditional students in the composition classroom" in The Vampire Goes to College.
12 Comments
Lolo
11/7/2018 02:56:24 pm
Okay your sister totally rocks. I love the conversation between the two of you.
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Kimberly Scheirer
11/8/2018 06:08:47 am
She does rock! So do you my friend!
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Ramona
11/7/2018 04:51:34 pm
That was pretty interesting even though I have a vested interest in the two young women! I'm wondering how your tastes have changed since you both (dare I say matured) grew in your literary choices. I find that I can actually get stressed from a book to the point I can't read it (goodbye Patricia Cornwell) or can no longer tolerate "romance" for the sake of bodice ripping, temptations and no story other than will they or won't they get together.
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Kimberly Scheirer
11/8/2018 06:11:57 am
I'd say I've matured in my need for new and interesting content. So many themes are just so overdone. I think romance is okay if done in a new and interesting way. I've read a few YA books in the past few years with a romantic element and they're so well done I can't even stand it (The Sea of Tranquility, Eleanor & Park, Two Across <not sure if that's YA>).
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Lysa
11/7/2018 05:51:20 pm
Just wanted to let you know that I have been reading your blog so you can add another reader to your list! I’m still on only one book that you suggested but working on it (the 13 things menatally strong people don’t do). I’ve got a lot of room for self improvement so it may take me a while. Also wanted to let you know that I’m currently looking up “circuitous dirges”. :)
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Kimberly Scheirer
11/8/2018 06:13:56 am
Lysa - hooray!!! Another awesome sister of mine! Hope you're enjoying Mentally Strong. I think I might need to re-read it every year, it was lovely. Though I will say you could probably author such a book yourself! Hope to see you soon!
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Angie
11/7/2018 07:15:52 pm
I get so excited every time I see you've added to your blog. I always know it will make me smile! I think I love your sister...
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Kimberly Scheirer
11/8/2018 06:15:54 am
Yay!! Thank you for saying so - I was beginning to think that maybe people were like "enough already with your damn blog" but perhaps not! You would definitely love my sister, and she would love you too!!!
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Taylor
11/7/2018 07:25:18 pm
All of my books are books about food (they are cookbooks). Also, I'm really enjoying reading your blog!
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Kimberly Scheirer
11/8/2018 06:19:12 am
Taylor! Wow, now I think I have like at least 7 people reading this thing and they're all my faves! This food book I'm reading is wonderful, and I think you would love it love it!!!
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Levi Elizabeth Carriger
11/15/2018 12:19:17 pm
I adore talking to your sister about books. We discussed House of Leaves a couple times, and I demand that you read it!
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Vicky Gilpin
11/18/2018 06:21:39 am
Yes, that was a great quote!
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AuthorMom of four, wife of one. By day I fund-raise with coffee, by night I read with wine and chocolate. Archives
October 2020
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