This month’s Reader of the Month is Bernadette, a senior at Loras College majoring in secondary education and Spanish. Whether she’s serving as an RA, singing at church, or participating in her campus’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Club, Bernadette brings energy and heart to everything she does. When she’s not studying or staying active on campus, you’ll likely find her cooking, working out, or curled up with a good book. Find Bernadette’s full list of recommendations here.
March Reader of the Month Q&A:
Can you tell us about your reading interests in general?
- I’m interested in young adult fiction and fantasy right now. I love reminiscing about childhood favorites like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. I don’t usually reread or buy books, but if I do, it means I enjoyed it a lot. I am picky with what books I buy because otherwise I’ll buy too much! I love reading book series because they often have recurring characters. Found family is one of my favorite tropes. I am discovering a lot more non-fiction books which isn’t something I ever thought I’d enjoy. My Catholic faith is important to me, so I enjoy reading about saints and theology. I loved reading His Five Great Loves by Jason Evert because it was about Pope John Paul II and his devotion to the church.
What book(s) are you currently reading?
- The Dragon’s Promise by Elizabeth Lim. I usually don’t buy books because I use the library, but I enjoyed the Six Crimson Cranes series so much that I bought it! Fun Fact: I read 16 books in 8 weeks over the summer while working at my internship in Kansas City, Missouri. I visited the library frequently!
What is the best book you have read within the last year?
- Within the last year, I enjoyed Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves by Jason Evert! It’s different than the books I usually read, but my FOCUS missionary lent it to me. I was moved by the story and learning more about him.
What is your ideal reading environment?
- In my hammock! I love reading outdoors on a bright and sunny day. I love listening to nature when I’m outside. If there’s any conversations happening, I can’t concentrate on the book. I also love to read in the evening to wind down. It calms my mind.
What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
- Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark because the cover art is pretty. I enjoy fantasy and quests so much.
What format do you prefer to read and why?
- Physical book for sure. My sisters make and give me bookmarks that I use. Recently, I’ve been a big magnetic bookmark fan. It doesn’t fall out, and there’s a lot of different designs. I have a lot of different bookmarks for all the books I read.
Have you discovered any exciting new authors or genres?
- Sophie Kim is an exciting author I discovered. She writes fantasy adventure books based on Korean folklore.
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?
- I read books based on my mood, so if I don’t enjoy it, I’ll stop. I try to pick out books that I think I’ll like so I don’t have to stop. I sometimes read a book, pause, read a little bit of a second book, and then come back to the first book. I’ve read different books at the same time to keep me entertained.
Do you remember when your love for reading began?
- Definitely from a young age. My mom says I would demand more stories after she finished reading. I would read at the dinner table which annoyed my parents so much. I begged my parents for a Percy Jackson book set from Scholastic book orders. I’ve also been heavily influenced by Reading Counts quizzes from my elementary school. For every book you read, you could take a quiz on it. If you got it right, you got a sticker on your personal chart. Those charts could be turned in for ribbons and other prizes. I was very competitive and read so many books for the prizes. Now, I participate in summer reading challenges and set personal goals for reading.
What other library resources do you enjoy?
- I love board games and card games. I get super competitive, so I need to check out new games from the library to play with friends. One of my favorite memories is picking a random game and playing it with friends.
From fantasy worlds filled with found family to thoughtful works of theology and reflections on faith, Bernadette’s reading life is as vibrant and meaningful as her campus involvement. We’re thrilled to feature her this month—and we hope her love of series, saints, and stories inspires you to pick up something new. Interested in being our next Reader of the Month? Fill out an application form!