Paula and I first met on Twitter in 2009 where we were constantly in publishing and book tweeting conversations. We finally met a few years later and found that we get on in person as well as we get on online. We are both in the library industry, but like ships that pass in the night, we have yet to work together as librarians. Maybe sometime in the future that too will come.

Paula Grunseit

Librarian and author

Can you describe yourself?

Paula is a librarian/reviewer/writer/editor who likes to read a bit of everything. Genre bias really makes her cross.

What is your main reading medium (books, blogs, games, news, etc) and how much time do you spend reading a week?

Physical books, online news, literary and other magazines (I prefer the physical items not the e-versions although then there’s my storage issues), selected Google alerts related to libraries, publishing, various online newsletter subs eg from my writers’ centre memberships, libraries, other library and writing – related things that land in my Inbox, Twitter feed and links from Twitter. Not as much time as I’d like to. I’d like to spend less time managing my inboxes!

What or who is your joyful reading (guilty or otherwise) pleasure?

A recent example is after spending more than two years reading/researching World War 1 material for the book I was co-writing, I just had to binge-read Kylie Scott’s Play series. Then it was straight on to Dirty – the first in her Dive Bar series. Can’t wait to read the rest! I don’t feel guilty – it was a lovely relief after all that doom and gloom.

Do you have a favourite storyline or plot? And do you have one you will not read?

I can’t stand unresolved plots – ones that leave the reader hanging with the choice of various options for what happened at the end. I guess I like neat endings! I read a lot of crime so it’s particularly vital for me in that genre. I also love books that shatter me – yes I’m in therapy.

Why do you/don’t you use a public library?

I’m a librarian and have worked in the industry for more than 20 years. Of course I love all libraries including the public variety where I’ve been working for several years. It’s like being in a candy shop.

I borrow far more books than I can possibly read but I can’t help myself. This doesn’t stop me from buying books as well. Culling the home library isn’t easy!

Do you RUI*. If so, what?

I prefer to be focussed when I’m reading so not really although I do read poetry when I can’t sleep (I’m kind of an insomniac) so that’s a similar state.

Do you have a favourite reading spot?

Outside is lovely – the park. I also have a gorgeous reading nook on my balcony – thanks to my mum who bought me the seat for a birthday and to my aunty for the comfy cushions.

Toilet reading: 

Rarely – maybe a text message but it’s a place I think is for bodily business. Once done, I’m outta there.

Romance fiction of the Happily Ever After (not the love tragedy) kind – are you a Lover or a Hater and why?

I have to say after reading Kylie Scott’s Play, even though I inhaled the books, I felt depressed because it’s all so HEA which is so not my reality and has never really been so.

I do love to indulge in fairytales though so I will keep reading HEA interspersed with my other harsh reality reads.

What would you give up reading for**?

Probably very good hanky panky.

Can a romance/crime/super/etc hero be the driver of a hatchback?

I’m not sure I understand the nuances of this question but as I am looking for an urban cowboy, I’m not sure his ride of choice would be a hatchback so maybe not. I’m open to education on this one though as I realise studies have been done!

Paula’s first (co-authored) book, Postings from the Front: The City of Botany Bay and World War I, was published in 2016 while she was working as a local history librarian. She blogs at Wordsville (www.paulagrunseit.com)