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Meet the C-SPL April Reader of the Month: Amy Muchmore! Amy is also the Carnegie-Stout Public Library Adult Services Manager.
About Amy:
Growing up, my mom always told me I should be a librarian because of my love of books. Being stubborn, I couldnāt admit she was right until I was in my early 30s and decided to get my Masterās Degree in Library Science. Sometimes moms do know best. Over the years my reading interests have varied and I tend to binge read a genre until I just canāt read in that genre anymore. Iāve been binging cozy mysteries for at least five years, and fortunately (or unfortunately) there are thousands to choose from. I do mix it up with the occasional historical fiction, space opera, or fantasy novel. I read very quickly so it isnāt uncommon for me to read a book in a day or two. I believe that is why Iām so stuck on cozy mysteries. I can finish a typical cozy mystery in one day and then move on to another book. Digital books are a blessing, I used to travel with suitcase full of books, now I can just read on my phone or some other device.
Q & A:
Q. What book(s) are you currently reading?
A. Ā Iām currently reading āEncore in Deathā by J.D. Robb and Iām getting ready to read āSitting Prettyā by Rebekah Taussig, the book that all the area libraries will be discussing over the next couple of months.
Q. What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?
A. My two favorite books ever are āThe Power of Oneā by Bryce Courtenay, and āTo Kill a Mockingbirdā by Harper Lee. Over the past few years Iāve really enjoyed āDead Wakeā by Erik Larson and āThe Book of Two Waysā by Jodi Piccoult. I also loved the graphic novel āThey Called Us Enemyā by George Takei.
Q. What is your ideal reading environment (location, sound, snacks, etc.)?
A. Iām a big fan of white noise so I typically read on my couch with my TV or some music on in the background. I always read for at least 30 minutes to an hour before I go to bed. Iām also a huge re-reader. What I read before bed is usually something Iāve read before so I donāt have to keep reading to know how the book ends. If I start something new at night I just keep saying āone more chapterā and the next thing I know its 4 a.m., the book is finished, and I have to get up in 3 hours for work.
Q. What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
A. Iām eagerly awaiting the next installment in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire āSleep No Moreā. I love her October Daye series and also her Incryptid series. She is such an amazing writer! āSleep no Moreā doesnāt come out until September so Iām open to suggestions. I just finished Naomi Novikās āScholomanceā series and I love all of Jenn McKinlayās cozy mystery series.
Q. What is something interesting you learned from a book?
A. I think I learn something new from every non-fiction or historical fiction book I read. I typically read something and then go find out more information about the topic. The first time I remember doing this was after I read āAngels and Demonsā by Dan Brown. I didnāt grow up Catholic, and until that book I had no idea how a new Pope was chosen.
Q. What book has been the most challenging for you to read? How did it challenge you?
A. The first book that comes to mind is āThe Girl on the Trainā by Paula Hawkins. The only reason I finished that book was because it was for a book discussion, and to be honest I skipped many chapters and just read the last one to see how it ended. That was when I realized that suspenseful books with unreliable narrators are not for me. I need to root for at least one character in the book.
Q. 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?
A. It took me a long time to learn that I donāt have to finish every book I start to read. Now I always give a book a chance, but if Iām a third of the way through and it just doesnāt hold my interest, I stop reading and move on to something else.
Q. Do you remember when your love for reading began?
A. My mom swears I taught myself to read when I was about 3. I donāt remember a time in my life when I didnāt love to read.
Check out Amy’s Favorite Books
Be the next C-SPL Reader of the Month!
More Reader of the Month posts.
One thought on “C-SPL April Reader of the Month”
Your love of reading and book follow up to go beyond the book brought you to your perfect career as a librarian.
It’s amazing to have taught yourself to read as a 3 year old.
And more interesting that your parents didn’t take credit!
See you at the Library!