Meet our October Reader of the Month – Dora!
Dora’s love of books is deeply tied to her passion for education, community, and family. She describes her reading life as an invitation to imagine the world as it was, as it is, or as it could be – whether through an inspiring biography, a thought-provoking historical novel, or the winding twists of a good murder mystery. For Dora, reading isn’t just a pastime; it’s a way to reflect, learn, and connect. You’ll often find her curled up in her living room with a book in hand and her cat nearby.
Read on to discover Dora’s current reads, her all-time favorites, and the stories that have shaped her perspective. View all of her recommendations here.
C-SPL October Reader of the Month Q&A :
- Can you tell us about your reading interests in general?
- I love books that drag me into the story, that make me think and wonder, that make me reflect and learn about myself or society. This could be anything from an inspiring biography to a historical novel. I enjoy the labyrinth of a good murder mystery novel. In general, I take any book as an invitation to imagine the world as it was, as it is or as it could be.
- What books are you currently reading?
- “Weathering” by Arline T. Geronimus and “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden.
- What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?
- “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. And a very close second, “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran.
- What is your ideal reading environment?
- In my living room, with no sound, my cat as company, some almonds or popcorn, and the occasional glass of wine.
- What format do you prefer and why?
- Physical book, I love holding the book and feeling the pages. It reminds me of my childhood reading with my father.
- Have you discovered any exciting new authors or genres?
- Yes, Freida McFadden is an example. I know that she has written several books that I am looking forward to read.
- Have you read any books recently that have changed the way you think about something?
- “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” by Richard Rothstein. This book made me reflect and understand more about how governments have created segregated areas in cities around the country.
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“La Viajera Nocturna” by Armando Lucas Correa. It is an eye-opening book about segregation in Nazi Germany and a look at the Cuban revolution through a story of survivalism of several generations of women.
- What is something interesting you learned from a book?
- I learned from “La Viajera Nocturna” that the Catholic Church created the “Peter Pan” program to help children escape indoctrination by the Cuban revolutionaries.
- From “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, a deep reflection on how to find value in yourself.
- When do you decide to stop reading a book? In other words, do you read every book to the last page, or is there a moment when you decide to stop?
- Once I pickup a book, I need to finish it. If the book isn’t a page turner, I might put it down for a day or two or even start another one. But I will come back to it and finish it in time.
- Do you remember when your love for reading began?
- I have very fond memories of being a little child and sitting with my dad while he read to me. He would share memories of the importance of reading and how my grandfather never had the opportunity to learn how to read or write.
- What other library resources do you enjoy?
- I really enjoyed board games, DVDs, and many programs for children and adults. I will take advantage of the baking pans soon.
A huge thanks to Dora for being our October Reader of the Month! From treasured childhood memories to thought-provoking new reads, Dora’s reading journey is a wonderful reminder of the power of books to shape lives. We’re so glad to have her as part of our library community.
Interested in being our next Reader of the Month? Fill out the application form here.