C-SPL August Reader of the Month

Check out Terry’s Favorite Books
Be the next C-SPL Reader of the Month!

Meet the C-SPL August 2024 Reader of the Month, Terry Morton!

I am a former elementary school teacher with endorsements in reading and special education. I enjoy being creative and recently took up rock painting. (I may or may not have placed a few in and around the library …wink wink). My tastes in reading material is eclectic. As long as I’m entertained or learning something new, I’ll read it. Lately I’ve really been into historical events, whether they are memoirs or non-fiction stories. I’m interested in learning more about things I was not taught, like Japanese internment encampments, Native American boarding schools, and Black history (Tulsa massacre & Juneteenth.) I’m currently looking for books on those topics. I haven’t read much science fiction or fantasy, though.

C-SPL August 2024 Reader of the Month Q & A:

Q: What book(s) are you currently reading?

A: “When I Die I’m Going to Heaven ‘Cause I’ve Spent My Time in Hell: A Memoir of my Years as an Army Nurse in Vietnam” by Barbara Hesselman Kautz and “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal” by Bettina L. Love.

Q: What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?

A: “The Midwife of Auschwitz” by Anna Stuart.

Q: What is your ideal reading environment (location, sound, snacks, etc.)?

A: My favorite reading spot is on my reclining couch with my feet up, a blanket covering my legs, an Arizona Razzleberry tea within reach, and my two cats taking turns laying on my lap.

Q: What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is exciting?

A: The graphic novel “Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands” by Kate Beaton. It’s on the adult book club list. I’ve always wanted to be in a book club and being in one has exposed me to genres I otherwise might not read. This will be my first graphic novel.

Q: What format do you prefer?

A: There’s nothing more satisfying to me than holding a book in my hands, turning each page, and placing a bookmark where I left off and then return to. However, I have recently discovered the benefits of audio books! I’m on my third one and love that I can multitask while listening to a book. This is a time I paint a few rocks, do a scrapbook page, or do some housework.

Q: Have you read any books that have changed the way you think about something?

A: Yes, several self-help books and most recently a book from the 2024 Black History Reading Challenge called “White Fragility: Why it is so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism“ by Robin DiAngelo.

Q: Do you remember when your love for reading began?

A: As a very young child, maybe age 3 or 4, my mom took me to the library for story hour and to check out books. She was an avid reader. I had my own book bag and I remember the day I got my own library card. I was so proud. We also visited the bookmobile often. As I got older, I spent my allowance money on books. I had so many books I played librarian and card cataloged them! I’d even check them out to my friends. Most of my books fell apart because I read them over and over. I had the box set of Beverly Cleary books and when I got a little older, Judy Blume, and then S.E. Hinton.

Q: What other library resources do you enjoy?

A: I recently joined two book clubs. I also downloaded the Beanstack app for the adult reading challenge, hoopla, which I love, and Kanopy which I am obsessed with for the documentaries.

Q: What are your favorite books?

A: I stopped teaching about seven years ago, but I have a 3-year-old grandson now so I’ve been enjoying introducing him to some of my favorite children’s authors. I especially like Shel Silverstein, Eric Carle, and Bill Martin Jr. because of both the content and the illustrations. Fractured fairy tales are also great fun!

---

Check out Terry’s Favorite Books
Be the next C-SPL Reader of the Month!
More Reader of the Month posts.