Habitual Reader Profiles - Page 2

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	Name: Annibella Beggs
	City & State: Santa Cruz, California
	Vocation / Avocation: Author, wife, mom (not always in that order)
	Website: http://dahlquin.com

Why I'm a Habitual Reader:

I am a habitual reader because a book transports me to more places than I could ever go in several lifetimes! I love to be entertained and educated simultaneously. I was an undiagnosed dyslexic in school, needless to say, reading was a burdensome chore and I was embarrassed to be the slowest reader on the planet. I do have a lot of literature to catch up on, but with no pressure other than the library due date...I read for my own pleasure. And it makes me a better writer.

Books on tape are my absolute favorite. And it means I must work in the garden, clean house or do dishes while someone reads me a story. And for long road trips...I'm not saying are we there yet?

And a top ten, you've got to be kidding. That is like asking me my favorite song. (I'll try, because I love to see my own words on the screen.) Do I get more than one category?

My List of Ten: Sweeping Sagas

1. Asian series
Author: James Clavell
The master. Taking me to a world I didn't even think I was interested in. Shogun was my first read, and I had to go back and find Tai-Pan, then Noble House. Whirlwind and last Gai-Jin. I am embarassed to say I haven't read King Rat yet (the shame).

These are my favorite type of books, and the type I aspire to write. So I listed them first.

2. Outlander series
Author: Diana Gabaldon
My husband introduced me to these glorious books about a WW II nurse transported back to the Scottish Highlands of 1745 AD, in audio, and it has become a ritual to listen to them together--the best possible date night! I do prefer the first three/four over the latter two.

3. Earth Children Series
Author: Jean Auel
Cave sex, wow! Valley of Horses was certainly my favorite. I love archaeology, anthropology and history. What a treasure.

4. Harry Potter
Author: JK Rowling
Three generations of my family love these books. On a trip driving down the Croatian coast, we had nine people and one Order of the Phoenix. Very colorful with different bookmarks, and the perpetual question--not are we there yet? but Who has Potter? Where's a kitchen timer when you need one?

5. Atonement
Author: Ian MacEwan
Wow, wow, wow. Just an incredible book. I use it as a measuring stick for literary reads.

6. Poisonwood Bible
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Again, wow, wow, wow. Educated about the plight of the African continent in one page-turning adventure (an audio book--with my dyslexia I wonder if I would have 'gotten' Adah's speech pattern. To hear it was brilliant.).

7. Watership Down
Author: Richard Adams
Great book, and one that has become a family favorite read aloud with the kids.

8. Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
The first book (that wasn't about horses) I ever read for pleasure. It was of course an assignment in high school. But I couldn't put it down. Went to the library and got Oliver Twist and Old Curiosity Shop after that.

9. Dune
Author: Frank Herbert
How could I forget this life-changing series. Such scope. It is humbling.

10. Mr. Perfect
Author: Linda Howard
A really funny and intriguing thriller. Some gruesome murders...but a good read. I could picture Sandra Bullock as Jaine Bright.

Darn, and I'm out of room, I need another category!

Have you read any of these titles? Review one now.

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