Accessit Team Talk – Christine – Accessit Library Support
Welcome to our first Accessit Team Talk, where we sit down with the people who form our very own Accessit Team to talk about a variety of topics. This week we are talking to Christine, whose love for reading is inspiring for many.
Can you remember the first book you read?
I can’t remember the first book I read but the best bet would be “Where the Wild Things Are”.
Did you read much growing up?
My mother always took myself and my siblings to the library and I was fortunate to always have books at home which she would read with us. I remember when I first started to properly get in to reading. During my time at Intermediate School my teacher brought in a class set of American classics, like “Children of the Oregon Trail”, and it just got me hooked. I started to go to bed early to read, rather than watch TV. I got hooked on reading just because of one teacher!
Do you read regularly now?
I am often challenged to find time to read due to the busyness of life, but yes, I do! My fantasy would be to just sit on the couch on a Sunday and read all day long. I also belong to a book club which I love.
What is your favourite genre to read?
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Fantasy or Science Fiction. But I confess, I do love books with happy endings! And I love to read non-fiction, and would love to read more biographies. Lately, I’ve been reading some interesting novels set in World War II.
What are your specific favourite books?
That is so hard. There are too many great books for one life-time… I love some of the classics, particularly Jane Austen. You just cannot read her books fast because she packs so much wit in to each one. Two books lately that have affected me deeply have been The Heart’s Invisible Furies, by John Boyne, and The Lost Wife, by Alyson Richman.
What would you tell younger kids now about reading? How would you encourage them to read?
As someone who works in a library one day a week, I would definitely show them the ranges of books. I would make sure they are exposed to a whole variety and aren’t limited by what they can choose. If you have enough books in your library, let them choose from as wide a range as possible.
What are the positive results of reading? How much do you endorse it?
Reading inspires the mind and feeds the imagination. It doesn’t matter what you are reading, if you are reading for pleasure, you will find positive benefits in all of your life, whether it’s school, family or whatever!
What do you think about book-to-movie transitions? Are they better or not as good?
It really depends! I loved the movie of “Ladies in Black”, then I read the book. Often seeing the movie will get me reading more books from that author. I love the dramatisations made from Jane Austen’s books for the costumes, music and scenery. They are fantastic! What’s great about books as movies is that they are accessible and kids become more inclined to read the books too.
Which character in a book would you resonate with most?
The heroines are nearly always much more interesting than me! But reading gives me the chance to identify with all those heroines out there!
