Bibliotherapy Q&A
NS September 3rd, 2009
I mentioned before that I was intrigued with the idea of Bibliotherapy, offered by the School of Life here in London. In my post, from January of this year, I said that it was something I’d like for my birthday, which is in late June. My sister, being the amazing sibling that she is, remembered this and bought a session for me as a gift for my 30th. Does she rock, or what?!
However, being a busy person and mother of two little people who command my attention for 14 hours a day, I only just got around to emailing them about it this week. The lady who wrote back asked me to fill out a questionnaire before we proceeded and I, being the blogger always on the lookout for blog fodder that I am, couldn’t help but notice that it woud make a great meme. So, stolen directly from the School of Life, I give you a little Bibliotherapy Q&A:
Q. How would you describe your current reading habits?
A. I read a lot of news, blogs and zines online and am also always in the middle of at least one or two non-fiction books and one novel
Q. In a bookshop, do you tend to find yourself in the fiction or the non-fiction department?
A. Usually both but probably a little bit more in the non-fiction
Q. What novels and authors have you loved in the past?
A. Margaret Atwood, John Irving, Bill Bryson, Dave Eggers, Doris Lessing, Janet Fitch, Alex Garland
Q. Did books feature largely in your childhood?
A. Absolutely
Q. Where do you read?
A. In bed, on the sofa, outside, in coffee shops
Q. Why do you read?
A. To learn, to escape, to feel or imagine something I’ve never felt or imagined before
Q. What do you most hope to get out of a novel?
A. To have been so absorbed in it, so attuned with it that I feel either great joy or grief upon finishing it
Q. Do you like the challenge of a big fat tome or do you prefer something slim?
A. I don’t particularly like either a massive tome or a very slim book, just something in between.
Q. Do you always finish the books you start?
A. Always, even if I’m not that taken with it. In fact, even if I downright hate it (case in point: Empire Falls)
Q. If there were such a thing as a perfect novel for you, what would it be like?
A. It would incorporate history, fantasy, philosophy and culture into a societal commentary that makes me think, laugh, cry and dream of worlds or ideas I hadn’t thought possible. It would be full of wonderful, unique prose and devoid of literary cliches.
ABOUT YOU
Q. How old are you?
A. 30
Q. Are you single, co-habiting, married, divorced? Do you have kids?
A. Married with two young children (3 and 1)
Q. What do you do for a living?
A. I look after my children at home where I do part-time doing freelance work for an online news website. I am also a feminist blogger and advocate for mothers’ issues
Q. What is preoccupying you at the moment?
A. I’m researching my first book (non-fiction)
Q. Are there any personal dramas currently occurring in your life?
A. Not really. Just the daily drama of being responsible for two small children all day and being a bit cash-strapped
Q. What are your passions?
A. Writing, reading, photography, film, horses and wine
Q. What is missing from your life?
A. The time to pursue my passions and nurture my talents
Q. Where would you like to be in your life in 10 years’ time?
A. I would like to be an established writer and be happy with the balance between my responsibilities to my family and being my true self
I tag anyone who loves to read and/or could use a little free therapy.
- Memes
- Comments(5)
I love it! You must get your hands on Zeitoun by Dave Eggers (new here). I actually didn’t like him before, but it’s amazing (about a Syrian-American family post-Katrina). ALSO, you should check out Elizabeth Strout (Amy and Isabelle/Olive Kitteridge). ALSO, I just finished Dan Balz and Haynes Johnson’s book The Battle for America 2008 – awesome awesome look at the election. I love that I left graduate school and can finally read things I love. I miss you!
I need to read up on the School of Life, but I loved the Q&A. Very interesting questions that made you think before you answered.
Free therapy is always a good thing.
jo
i’m so glad you’re getting started on the bibliotherapy! (*pats self on back for remembering sister’s interest in school of life and giving such a fantastic gift) i think i’ll have to dust off my blog and post this “meme” for myself.
Where on earth do you find the time to read so much NS? The one thing I miss the most about my life before kids is being able to completely lose myself in a good book, and sit and read it until I was done. This is one of the reasons I secretly love business trips and obsess about getting the perfect book to read on my flights. Margaret Atwood is one of my favourites (Love the Blind assasin), and John Irving (Either prayer for owen meany or a widow for one year). However I also quite liked Empire falls! I’ll check out some of your other authors. I’m a sucker for PD James, Ruth Rendall and possibly my all time favourite books are AS Byatt’s “Frederica” series, The Virgin in the Garden, Still Life, Babel Tower and A Whistling Woman. A wonderful history of one fictional womans journey though feminism in the 1950′s and 60′s.
I am SO doing this meme. I love books. I live for books (and my family of course). I have never even heard of bibliotherapy but I could use a little therapy. Thanks so much!