This is kind of a weird one, y’all! The previous Answerer gets to nominate the next Cannon Fodder Q&Aer, and Ellesfena picked…me! So MsWas and her merry band turned the tables on me this time. Thanks to the CBR helpers for coming up with the below questions.
What was it that first helped you fall in love with reading? Was it a particular book? A person? Something else?
I don’t even remember a time in my life that didn’t involve books. My dad read the Hobbit to my brother and me; Mom read us Little House on the Prairie. My aunt made us our very own audio books, where she would mail us picture books with a cassette tape of her reading the books aloud. The Oz books were a huge part of my childhood, and Edward Eager, and on and on. Books were just always around, and I remember loving that I had such easy access to all these other worlds.
When you’re feeling stressed or sad, what author, series, or genre helps you feel better and why?
Lois, of course! Lois McMaster Bujold is the best. I love everything she writes, but when I need a boost, I gravitate to Komarr. I love Miles falling in love, and I love Ekaterin, against all expectations (how could anyone be good enough for Miles?!). I also find I reread Spirit Ring when I need a brain break.
What place (actual or fictional) that you’ve read about would you most like to visit?
Fantasia, probably – as long as I get a turn riding Falkor. I adored the movie, and was very confused when I read the book. Neverending Story the book was SO different from the movie, and it was a great lesson that while the book is usually better, if I love the movie first, that’ll probably stay my favorite. (The same thing happened with the Secret of NIMH.) But magical lands with all sorts of wondrous creatures? Sign me up! Oz would also be acceptable.
Name 3 favorite authors you would pick to be on your trivia team.
Again, Lois, of course. She could answer all the sciency questions, and she’s a good conversationalist (I got to have brunch with her once!). Can I pick Douglas Adams? Even if he didn’t know the real answer, I bet the loud fake ones he’d come up with to throw off the neighboring teams would be hilarious. And maybe China Mieville – his brain is SO twisty and interesting. He’d either get everything right or not be able to answer a single question.
What is your favorite part of conducting the Q&A? What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about your fellow Cannonballers?
I absolutely love the “OMG ME TOOOOOO!” feeling that happens at least once every time I get a set of answers back. Our Cannonballers are so wise and thoughtful and articulate and funny, and very frequently I’ll read an answer and think “I’ve never thought of it that way, but that’s exactly right.”
Plus, I love all the glimpses into regular lives. Jobs, kids, pets, food preferences…the CBR reviews that get personal are always my favorites, and the Q&A feels like an extension of that.
Since it’s February, the obvious question is dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or no chocolate?
ALL the chocolate!! But I guess dark chocolate would be my favorite. Not the snooty 987% dark imported from Pretentioustan – a Dove square works just fine!
