Follow Friday (3)

Follow Friday is hosted by parajunkee.com & alisoncanread.com     

For the rules, click through on the button.

Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life. Was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?

My immediate response was, This is too difficult. Then I paused, reflected, and realized there is really only one way to answer this question:  Jane Eyre.

Years ago, a very special person and I found in each other a kindred spirit.  This friend sent me a copy of Jane Eyre as a gift. We decided we would read and discuss the novel together.  Little did we know, dear reader, that in sharing this beautiful book we would fall in love.

Reader, I married him.

Follow Friday (2)

Follow Friday is hosted by parajunkee.com & alisoncanread.com     
For the rules, click through on the button.

Q. Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. 

What t-shirt slogan best describes you?

This was a hard question to answer.  I had a different post ready, but deleted it when I remembered a t-shirt from my past.  You can't read it very well in this photo, but the shirt says, "I think I'm allergic to morning!" 

In retrospect, I find this a funny shirt.  Let me explain.  I was, and still am, allergic to nearly everything.  Hence the artificial Christmas tree! 

Allergic or not, mornings and I have never gotten along.  Funny that I should be named Dawn, because I'm rarely up early.  I am a snooze-button addict who should probably caffeinate but doesn't. (You don't want to see what caffeine does to me!)  So nearly every morning, I slump into work and invariably respond to the receptionist's friendly "How are you?" with the same word -- "Sleepy."

While much is unchanged, I have improved.  It used to be you couldn't speak to me until I'd had my breakfast.  Well, on second thought, that's still your safest bet!

 

 

Follow Friday (1)

This is my first time participating in Follow Friday, which is hosted by parajunkee.com & alisoncanread.com  Each week they each feature a blogger and participating folks answer a question posed by the featured blogger.  For the full rules, click through on the button.

Q:  Name 3 authors that you would love to sit down and spend an hour or a meal with just talking about either their books or get advice on writing from?

Okay, I'm going to assume that I can take the liberty of choosing any author, living or dead for this question.

• Ernest Hemingway

Papa.  One of my favorite authors.  Not sure if we'd talk, hang out with the cats in Cuba, or do something bold and adventurous.  As long as he weren't drinking, I'd love to spend time with Hemingway.  I doubt he'd be very chatty, but to be in his presence would be a treat.  There is so much mystique surrounding Hemingway.  I'd love to find out if the man is what I imagine him to be.

 

• Mark Twain

Samuel Clemens.  The man's recently published unexpurgated autobiography was a 2010 New York times bestseller that the stores couldn't keep on the shelf.  At Twain's request, the unedited version was not to be published until 100 years after his death.  He wanted to be frank and candid, and he knew much of what he said could hurt his reputation.  Talking with Mr. Clemens would be colorful.  Gossip, humor, sarcasm, strong opinions--they'd definitely be present.  And what a window into the world of 19th century America he would be!

•  C.S. Lewis

I'd love to sit and wax philosophical with C.S. Lewis.  We could discuss The Screwtape Letters.  I'd love to hear what inspired him to write the work in such an interesting format.  Letters from one demon to another .  How cool is that??!  The conversation would be both enthralling and enlightening!