By Angela Maria Hart

What book is on your nightstand now?

I have been meaning to read “Life After Life” for a little while now. I am leaving it on my nightstand to remind me to read it!

What was the last truly great book that you read?

“Rebecca!” I just re-read “Rebecca” and I still love it. This classic novel is a piece that everyone should read; people who enjoy romance, mystery, and drama should add this to their to-be read list. I would give “Rebecca” more than five stars if I could.

If you could meet any writer – dead or alive – who would it be? And what would you want to know?

Jane Austen. I would want to know her inspiration. I know she never married or had a great love, yet she chose to spend her life writing about romance. I would want to ask her personal questions about her life (inspiration, family dynamics, and life in England) as well as developing characters.

What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves? 

I have a lot of books about the 1950s. That time period has always fascinated me. Also, I read a lot of biographies. I don’t post a lot of biographical reviews on Goodreads or on my blog, but I read quite a few of them.

How do you organize your personal library?

My bookshelves are organized in several ways; genre, height, and to-be read. I reorganize them on a regular basis.

What book have you always meant to read and haven’t gotten around to yet? Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read?

To be honest, I’ve never been a huge reader of poetry. There are some free verse poems that I could not become invested in and have never finished.

Disappointing, overrated, just not good: What book did you feel you were supposed to like but didn’t?

There are books that are classics that I appreciate the literary value of, but don’t like or was not personally drawn to. “Mrs. Dalloway” and “Lord of the Flies” come to mind.

Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?

“The Wolves of Mercy Falls” series. I was really invested in Sam and Grace’s relationship. If you have not read this series and enjoy YA supernatural tales, add them to your to-be read list. Also, be sure to check out my book review here.

What kinds of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of?

I am drawn to YA & NA the most. For the most part, there is no genre that I stay away from. I read anything and everything.

If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?

Awesome question! I don’t know. There are so many amazing books. I am the type of person who tries to recommend something for the person, not a book I myself enjoyed and pontificate onto others. I will say the “Five People You Meet in Heaven,” “Tuesdays with Morrie,” “The Last Lecture,” or “To Kill a Mockingbird.” There are certain books everyone should read.

What do you plan to read next?

There are so many books that I want to read. I just re-read a “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” Be sure to check my blog regularly for those reviews!