Hi, Classic! Thanks so much for agreeing to participate in our interview! I see from your Cannonball Read profile that you’ve been participating in and off since CBR 9. How did you find us?
I used to post on Pajiba, and reading Pajiba Love, I saw that there were often book reviews and I started to read the reviews that were linked. There were more CBR commenters back in those days, and I think it was Ms. Julien who told me about CBR and how it got started and how much fun it was. I joined up for CBR 9 and will sometimes take a year or so off between participating. I still checked the site everyday and loved everyone’s reviews.
This year you’re up over 100 books already. That is quite an accomplishment in these days of shrinking attention spans. Is it too early to congratulate you on your double Cannonball? Any tips and tricks on how to maximize reading time? What’s your preferred method of consuming books?
Thank you! And honestly. I just always read fast even when I was a kid. I don’t speed read, just very fast. I honestly think the best way to maximize reading time is to find a designated reading spot, have your supplies nearby, a cozy blanket, and soft music in the background. I have also been lucky that I found out and joined the Silent Book Club in Alexandria where I live. Being able to devote an hour a month to just reading quietly has helped me with my concentration.
Paging through your reviews on the Cannonball Read website, it quickly became apparent that you read all kinds of stuff. When I reached out to you, you indicated that Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple series is your all-time favorite. What is it about her writing that appeals to you? If you could have just three Miss Marples, which three would you choose?
Honestly, I think I love Agatha Christie so much because it’s fun to figure out who the murderer is and why the victim was killed. I always loved that in the earlier books I read, Christie had included diagrams of rooms, or homes in the cases of locked room mysteries so you could try to figure out how the murder managed to get in to kill the victim. Also, I just find it satisfying in this day and age to just read a book where the bad guy is caught in the end. My favorite Miss Marples are the ones where she takes center stage: (1) The Body in the Library, (2) A Murder is Announced, and (3) A Caribbean Mystery.
You also indicated that you’ve read them randomly and in order. Did you find that that made a significant difference to absorption or enjoyment?
Yes. I really wish I had read them in order since some of the books referenced events that happened in a book I had skipped. Also, I think most authors get better in their series, you get more depth and growth in the characters you have been reading about for such a long time. Well, you do if the author is doing things correctly.
I couldn’t help but notice that you have also read J. D. Robb’s iconic In Death series. Me, too! I find them to be such a comfort read. What do you find appealing about them? Would you recommend the series to someone knowing that as of right now it’s 62 books long?
What’s funny about that series is that it’s one that my mom started. I started reading that series because of her, and The Dark Tower series because of my dad. I just really got interested in how Robb wrote the future, that it seemed as if race didn’t really matter anymore since it was rare for most people to not be mixed-race. I was also intrigued on how she did her world building in terms of the U.S, other countries, how human beings were living off planet, and how things like real meat, eggs, and coffee were very rare. I loved that it seemed you had a detective that was focused on the truth and getting justice for victims. I would definitely recommend the series to people who are into sci-fi and romance. I still read it because I always know what I am going to get. That makes those books very satisfying.
One of your all-time favorite movies is Raiders of the Lost Ark. It even influenced your choice of profession. It’s got so many iconic scenes, and the chemistry between Harrison Ford and Karen Allen is top notch. Have you made a heart-pounding discovery like Indy? Can you share a little about that experience?
LOL, I wish! I got into history and fell in love with that along with political science and anthropology. When I went to graduate school, I ended up going for Security and Intelligence Studies. I do have to thank that movie for making me fall in love with people, objects, history, everything. And I still love to travel and experience new things.
And now we get to the truly dangerous part of the interview. The Great British Baking Show is your favorite television show. Who are your favorite hosts, winner, contestant? What is the most amazing bake you’ve seen?
Oh man. Favorite hosts are Noel and Alison (don’t throw things at me). I love them. I always thought that Mel and Sue were great, but Noel and Alison to me are the successors that the show has needed for some time. They really are just so hilarious together. Favorite winner is Nadiya. My favorite contestant is Kim Joy. My favorite bake is honestly the one she did with the chocolate ball and space turtles. I was laughing and cheering the whole time.
Finally, we’re going to play Kiss Marry Kill with your Pajiba 10 entries. They are: Miles Canton, Delroy Lindo, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and Tom Hiddleston. Whom would you Kiss? Marry? Kill? What is your favorite TV or movie adaptation of a book that features one of your 10?
Hmm kiss for me is Delroy LIndo, Marry would be Tom Hiddleston. He looks like he is a good cuddler. Kill would be…..dang. Miles? I am going to go with Miles because I love Wunmi and Jack too much.
Now that you’ve learned all about Classic, head over and see what she’s been reading lately. Or meet other Cannonballers we’ve interviewed recently.