Did you have an encyclopedia at home growing up? How did you use it?
We had the World Book Encyclopedia when I was small. In my recollection several volumes were missing and I used to play “school” with them. I was most into the Time-Life books, especially the Time-Life Nature/Science Annuals from the 1970s that I inherited from my older siblings. I recently purchased the complete 1970s set on eBay.
Have you ever gotten in trouble for reading a book?
When we moved to Georgia in 1983, I was in ninth grade, so in lieu of studying or making friends or learning the ropes of high school, I took German with the other nerds and then spent my time in class reading Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” under my desk. I think I finished the book before I was caught, though.
Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?
It’s not the last by any means, but one can read “The Clansman,” by Thomas Dixon Jr., without finishing and kind of get the point.
Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine?
This will probably sound pretentious but I read George Eliot’s “Middlemarch” a few years ago and although there were moments where I got lost in the language, I loved the book. Dorothea Brooke and her pious dreaming and obtuse longing were so charmingly written, and yes, I may have encouraged my daughter to read it because I was reminded of her a little bit, and might have mentioned that to her about 100 times, knowing full well it’s one of those “Great” books she may not want to be told to read.
Your favorite antihero or villain?
Margaret Mitchell’s Scarlett O’Hara is my favorite villain, even though she’s positioned as the heroine.
You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?
James Hannaham (living!). Zadie Smith (also LIVING!). Samuel Clemens (but in zombie form, or as a ghost or something). Also Douglas Adams (but alive and well). It could be a fun, funny evening.
