A Life In Books with Kimberly Livingston

Today I am joined by Kimberly Livingston whose book In the Eyes of an Angel reviewed this morning so take a look if you haven’t already.

 

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I’m an American living in Colorado, which (for my UK followers) is the middle to western half of the United States right next to the Rocky Mountains. I am a Disney fanatic – Disneyland to be specific. I spend as much time there as I absolutely can. I currently am immersed in studying American Sign Language (ASL) and am trying to work that into a novel at some point in time. I am married (to my own Prince Charming) and have 3 grandchildren. I’m liking the point I am at in my life. There is something about aging that is rather a relief. Much of the drama of younger years begins to fade. Of course, it gets replaced with other things, such as wrinkles.

 

1. What was your favourite book from childhood?

I remember reading From the Mixed of Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I recall it being about a girl who runs away and lives in a museum. That is all I remember of the plot but I always imagined living in a museum or a mall (or Disneyland) after that.

 

2. What type of books did you read as a teenager?

Probably not what people might expect. I never did get into YA books as a kid. I read Shakespeare, poetry and Broadway plays. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-forties that I started to love teenage fiction!

 

3. When you were at school what was your favourite book you studied?

Funny you should ask because I just reread it for the first time since High School. We read Heart of Darkness in my Junior year and I remembered loving it. I had no idea why so I picked it up the other day. I still loved it. The writing style was poetic and the story, in my mind, had a strangely happy ending.

 

4. What is your favourite classic book?

 

Is it fair to say Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? Timeless.

 

5. What would you consider to be one of the best books you have had over the last 5 years?

This one is easy. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I was hooked on it from the very beginning, closed the book at the end, turned it over, opened it to the first page re-read it. Twice. I have read that book probably a half a dozen times in the past couple of years.

 

6. What book do you think you should read but never get round to?

I am squeamish about a lot of misery and violence in books, so realize that there are many “great books” that I am missing out on. Therefore, I never read many of the books that so many others are discussing, but it is more of a conscious decision versus “not getting around to it.” I would suppose more of the classics are the ones I feel that I “should” read, but never do.

 

7. What do you consider to be your favourite book ?

Again, The Night Circus. But I have other books that I will read over and over again. Gone with the Wind happens to be one.

 

8. Is there a book that you have started but were unable to finish?

Oh, often. I just picked up Wicked by Gregory Maguire and I couldn’t get past the third chapter. Ick. I know that people have raved about it and that it was the impetus for the Broadway hit, but to me it took “TMI” to a whole new level. Too bad, because the concept behind it intrigues me.

 

9. If you were stranded on a desert Island which 2 books would you want to have with you?

The Night Circus (if that isn’t obvious by now) and honestly, a blank book (a really thick blank book) so I could daydream and write to my heart’s content. Hmmmm sounds like a perfect life!

 

10. Kindle or Book?

Generally speaking, Book. However, I have to say there is a convenience about a Kindle….. “Ack, I need something to read RIGHT NOW, hmmmm, let me download that.” But if I love a book, it has to be in my hands or on my shelf.