Danielle “The Book Huntress” is, in every sense of the word, an exceptional reader, having rated more than 2300 books and reviewed more than 600 on the popular book social networking website GoodReads.com. I got a chance to sit with this maven of the reading arts and find a bit more about her.
What was the first book you remember reading?
Danielle - Argh!!! That would be really difficult to say. I know my mom used to read fairy tale books with us, particularly, Andrew Lang’s color Fairy Tale books, so I’m going to go with those. My mother said I have been reading since the age of four.
Explain the moment when you knew you were addicted to reading.
Danielle - I was very young, and I remember how happy I was to get my own library card in my name. I think that is probably the most lucid memory of my reading addiction.
What is your favorite childrens’ book?
Danielle - The Gruesome Green Witch by Patricia Coffin. I remember checking it out of the library so many times. I would read it and get really scared, but I always came back for more.
What social networking tools do you use and how have they changed the way you read?
Danielle - I mainly use the reading sites, such as Goodreads and Shelfari, and the Amazon.com forums, also Yahoo groups for various reading/book groups. Strictly romance-related, I love All About Romance. I also use Blogger.com to blog about my reading and to read other reader’s blogs. These online sites have increased by ability to talk to other readers. I don’t meet too many readers offline. Also I have bought and read so many books because of my online contacts.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a favorite time to read?
Danielle - I like to read in bed with the covers pulled up over me. I love to read before bed and I like to spend lazy Saturdays reading.
Will you only read a book if someone says it is great, or will you read a book if others say it is bad but has tons of hype?
Danielle - I won’t read a book because it’s hyped. I have to be interested in reading it. I really dislike jumping on bandwagons. I am more likely to read a book that my trusted friends say is great, if I’m interested in the first place.
What is your favorite reading moment (any moment in your life where you were reading counts in this)?
Danielle - When I read Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase and I realized it was my favorite book ever.
What do you hate most about reading?
Danielle - That I don’t have enough time to do as much of it as I want to do.
If you could have a dinner/movie date with any author, who would it be and why?
Danielle - CS Lewis. I think he was a brilliant man, and I love his love for the Lord and how he used his rational mind to spread the word about God. I think he was an interesting person, and I am sure that he would completely captivate me for that time I spent with him.
You can read all of Danielle’s reviews on GoodReads by clicking on her name above. Thank you Danielle for giving me a few minutes of your time.
-Nick
