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Welcome to the sixth edition of the Maw Books Reader Spotlight!  In the hot seat today is Amy who blogs at Amy’s Haiku Haven and is a contributor to The Joy of Reading!  Amy is one of those bloggers who lives close enough to meet but we just haven’t done it yet.  I hope one day that we can get our act together!  Amy is awesome and a die hard Twilight fan!  And I’m wondering if I can use another explanation point!  I love Amy’s comments.  So here’s a few of them before turning to the interview.

On book accidents and ruining books:

I can’t remember accidents caused while reading and walking. I guess I don’t do that a lot. However, I was walking up the stairs in Jr. High and tripped, dropped my textbook, and it slipped under the railing and hit an upperclassman on the head on its way to the lower level. I was just a little 7th grader and so embarrassed. That is the only notable book accident I’ve caused.

My boy has destroyed board books. He’s ripped the spines apart on them and it is hard to tape those back together. He also ripped up this expensive play a sound Thomas book I bought him. He loved it, but I don’t know why he repeatedly ripped it up. Even after I used packing tape to tape together pages, he would rip them up again. He was determined to ruin that one. It just breaks your heart doesn’t it?

On the perfect day off:

If I could do anything on my day off, no limitations, I would take a flight to a secluded beach on Hawaii, sit on a comfy chair reading a book and pigging out on goodies. Of course, I wouldn’t gain any weight or get sunburned, because that would not be in accordance with a perfect day off.

On what is beautiful:

I am a mom, and I have felt that moving away feeling twice now. The first time was when I first moved to a small town away from all my family and friends. That is where I started out as a mother, and it seemed very lonely at first. Fortunately, I found some really terrific friends down there. After 4 years there, we moved back home. Now I am reconnecting with my best friend from High School, which is great, but I miss my group of friends from Beaver so much.

Sometimes I wish I could be both places at once. I often feel lonely up here among my family. That sounds strange doesn’t it?Sometimes I look at pictures from High School and College and think I looked pretty good back then. It is quite funny, because I know at the time I probably thought I was not good looking enough or thin enough. Boy, I should have appreciated it more back then. I guess the lesson in all is just to appreciate how you look, because you really can’t do too much to improve in that way. What you can improve is your attitude and how you treat others.

Maw Books:  So Amy, tell us about yourself!  What do you want us to know?

Amy: I’m a stay at home mom. I lead a very exciting life of temper tantrums, roughhousing, fighting and driving kids to and from pre-school. I usually lose every battle of course. I have one little boy who just turned 4. I also watch my sister’s kids ages 5 and 4. I do have a bachelor’s degree in English. I don’t have a clue what I’ll ever use it for, but I am proud to have it. My husband is a high school music teacher. He teaches band, orchestra and guitar. He’s a pretty busy guy, and is trying to get into school for his Masters right now.

My favorite hobbies are watching movies, playing games with the family and reading. I also enjoy cross-stitch when I get the time, and hiking. My favorite place to hike is Bryce Canyon, because I love the view. I have also hiked to the top of Mt. Timpanogos, and that was quite the climb.

Maw Books:  I lead that exciting life of kids as well.  It’s hard stuff!  Especially when they are literally jumping off the walls.  It looks like you have a lot of experience with that!  What is your earliest reading memory?  And what were you like as a young reader?

Amy: We had a book called On Cherry Street by Odile Ousley and David H. Russell. It was my mom’s book, and I wish I knew if she still had it. It is a collectible now. I remember reading that and also Cat on the Mat, and Fun with Dick and Jane by Scott Foresman. I can’t find the version of Cat on the Mat that we had. I think the author is Alison Fenton. It had a blue cover. Has anyone else read that one? I believe I have always loved reading. I remember reading The Babysitter’s Club books over and over until they fell apart.

Maw Books:  Oh yes.  I was a Babysitter’s Club fan as well.  I felt so cool reading those books.  What do you enjoy about reading?  What is it that keeps you reaching for that next book?

Amy: I guess I just love getting to know characters and wondering what it would be like to be in that world or situation. I especially love fantasy and romance. I guess there is that part of me that wishes I could be a witch at Hogwarts, or a Dragon Rider, or Mr. Darcy’s true love. What keeps me reaching for the next book? – there’s always another adventure to go on.

Maw Books:  You are a Twilight enthusiast.  Tell us about what turned you on to Stephenie Meyer and what do you enjoy about her books?

Amy: A good friend told me I had to read it, so of course I did. From the moment I opened the book I couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. The story just sucked me right in and refuses to let me go. I guess I can relate myself to Bella. She has that “every girl” quality. Stephenie just has a way of telling a good story. I hope she continues writing.

Maw Books:  What’s your reaction to the Midnight Sun draft being posted online?

Amy: I felt really bad for Stephenie. Then I was mad at the person who spoiled it, because that was the point Stephenie put the whole thing on hold. I wasn’t going to read the draft at all, but after quite some time I caved. I am just weak. If Stephenie hadn’t given the go ahead I wouldn’t have read it.

Maw Books:  And who do you like better – Edward or Jacob?

Amy: I love Edward 99% and Jacob 1%. I don’t like being cold, so being with a werewolf would be tempting, but I guess I could just become a vampire and it wouldn’t matter. I really am crazy right?

Maw Books:  I despise the cold, I’m with you there.  You are really active on Goodreads.  How long have you been on Goodreads and what do you like the most about it?

Amy: I have been on Goodreads since April 2008. I like to keep track of books I’ve read. It is also a handy place to jot down the books I want to read. Recently I found out you can enter to win books. Publishers give out ARC’s in hopes readers will post reviews. I won a book already. I was really excited!

Maw Books:  What are the genres that you enjoy reading and why?

Amy: I’ve said romance and fantasy. I also enjoy historical fiction. I find those pretty fascinating, because I can learn some history in a fun way. I always struggled in my history classes. I’ve also been reading more classics lately. My personal goal was to read one classic a month. I love 19th and 20th century British lit. They are usually good stories with clean content.

Maw Books:  What’s the last book you read, the book you are reading now and the book that you are going to read next?

Amy: I just finished My Brother, the Robot by Bonny Becker (your suggestion). I am currently reading What to Read When by Pam Allyn. It is a reading guide for children’s books from birth to age 10. That is the book I won from Goodreads. Next up is The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center (also your suggestion – you have a lot of influence on my life).

Maw Books: Ahhh.  And I must admit, I need to post these interviews faster, because you’ve already moved on to more books!  Do you have a favorite author who you rush out to buy their newest book?

Amy: If Rowling or Meyer write more I will definitely buy those. I also love Shannon Hale, and I’m so excited for her upcoming adult novel. I’ll probably buy that one.

Maw Books:  I’m going to read Hale’s new one as well.  Where are the ARC’s when need them?!  So, where is your favorite place to read?

Amy: I like to be anywhere warm. My favorite places are in bed or in the tub. Outside in the summertime is another choice – if the kids aren’t fighting for my attention.

Maw Books:  Man, with this weather, it feels like it’s never going to get warm.  Do you have any favorite snacks to munch on while you read?  Care to share the recipe?

Amy: I like to eat chocolate and junk food for sure. I’m not big on baking, but these cookies are really good. They are high fiber, but you can’t taste a difference.

Pumkin Oatmeal Cookies
3 Cups (20 oz can) cooked pumpkin, mashed
3 Cups brown sugar
3/4 Cup butter, softened
3/4 Cup canola oil
4 Cups whole-wheat flour
4 Cups rolled oats
1 Tbs. baking powder
1 Tbs. baking soda
1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix pumpkin, sugar, butter, and oil well. Add dry ingredients an chocolate chips. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Makes 11 dozen 2 inch cookies.

Maw Books:  Would you believe I still have a pumpkin sitting in the garage from the fall?  What are your favorite books to read with your little boy?  And do you have any reading traditions to keep him excited about reading?

Amy: I will read any book he gets excited about. Recently we’ve been reading Hey Mr. Choo-Choo Where are you Going? by Susan Wickberg and Yumi Heo, and Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown Smash! Crash! The kids have me reading those over and over. They also love Leslie Petricelli’s Quiet Loud and No No Yes Yes.

I’ve been working hard to read to the kids every day. My son likes to read in my bed with me.

Maw Books:  No No Yes Yes is what my little boy got in his Easter basket last year!  I love her! You write book reviews at a collaborative review blog called The Joy of Reading.  How long have you been writing reviews there and what do you enjoy about it?

Amy: I’ve only been on that blog for a few months now. I enjoy it, because I am just a contributor and not in charge of the whole enchilada. Also, I am hoping for increased readership since there are so many contributors.

Maw Books:  What’s your favorite review that you’ve written?

Amy: I think my favorite so far is my review of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Maw Books:  How long have you been blogging at Amy’s Haiku Haven?  And when did you start writing haiku’s and what do you enjoy about them?

Amy: It looks like February 2008 was my first post. The funny thing is I started that blog as a way to mess with html code. If I messed with that blog until I figured it out, I could change the code on my private blog. So I guess I just decided to keep the haiku blog. I am pretty lazy with it though. I don’t think that many people read it anyway so it is mostly for me. I like haiku’s, because they are short. They can also be challenging though. Trying to fit your thoughts into a set amount of syllables is pretty tough sometimes. Mine tend to match my mood of the day.

Maw Books:  You also enjoy writing poetry.  Would you mind sharing one of your favorite poems you’ve written with us?

Amy: Oh no, I am really embarrassed about those. I don’t think I’m a very good poet. I actually have most of my poems in a folder, but I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find them. There are two boxes of folders buried under a mountain of baby stuff in the back room. They are probably in there. I’ve got a few on my haiku page though.

Maw Books:  Ha, ha!  I did find the couple on your haiku blog.  Can we say Star Wars?  You played in the marching band in high school and also play the piano.  Tell us more about your musical talents.

Amy:  Yes, I did 4 years of marching band in H.S. and 4 years at the University of Utah. That is where I met my husband. I know I’m such a band geek! I play the Baritone/Euphonium (that’s a mini sized tuba for you non-band geeks). I played the Trombone a little too, but I wasn’t that great at it. I am also proficient on the Kazoo. It’s got such a lovely sound. I play piano in church from time to time.

Maw Books:  If you had a free day with no responsibilities with unlimited funds and means and your only charge was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

Amy: My first thought was to go to an amusement park like Six Flags, but only if I didn’t have to wait in line. I also thought about having dinner with Hugh Jackman. Maybe I’ll do both. If I had an entire week I’d go on a Hawaiian cruise.

Maw Books:  All excellent choices!  I do love my amusement parks.  You desperately wish you knew how to…

Amy: There are too many things I wish I could do. I’m going to say see the future. Yeah, I’d be like Alice Cullen or something.

Maw Books:  What’s the one thing that you wish people knew about you but you don’t brag about.

Amy: I just feel so dreadfully ordinary. Sometimes I can be really silly; my friends don’t know what to think of me. Most people don’t know that about me, because I’m generally shy and quiet. Once I get to know people better I am more relaxed.

Maw Books:  I’m the exact same way.

Go visit Amy at Amy’s Haiku Haven! I feel like she’s a hidden gem.  I’m thrilled that she’s such a long time commenter.  Thanks Amy for being in the spotlight today!

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