When I asked my son Peter to write a guest post for my blog, I honestly expected him to answer with an outright “No!”. Instead, he surprised me and he wrote up his answers in a matter of minutes – and I only had to veto one! When he was little, I would read him Berkeley Breathed’s Edward Fudwupper Fibbed Big which is a really funny story about the consequences of a kid who lies – a bit like Hilaire Belloc’s fabulous Matilda Who Told Such Dreadful Lies. He was always enthralled by this book. His eyes wide and excited, so I kept borrowing it and reading it to him. Many years later, when he was 15, I went to the library and borrowed it again to read to my 7 year old nephew. Peter saw the book and was aghast and said “You are not reading that! I hated that book when I was little. I thought you read it to me as a warning to not be a bad kid”! I guess my skillz in reader responses assessment isn’t  as well honed as I thought.

MEA CULPA!

Peter

Son of blogger

Can you describe yourself?

Caucasian male adolescent, 5’10, cobalt blue eyes, dark, blond, wavy hair, moderately pale complexion.

 

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

I spend at least 30 minutes every day reading Australia’s oldest newspaper, The Betoota Advocate.

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

I always enjoy reading the bios on people’s Tinder accounts. Brings me so much joy.

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

Surprise deaths are always a thumbs up in my book. Nice li’l twist. Haven’t read enough books to have a favourite storyline unfortunately.

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

I never go to public libraries in case I bump into my mum or one of her friends and have to engage in smalltalk. BIG fan of Western Sydney University Library. Conveniently located and a good escape from the harsh Parramatta climate.

Do you RUI*. If so, what?

Sometimes I do my uni readings after a pint or five.

 

Do you have a favourite reading spot? 

Against the window of a train. I find it strangely comfortable.

Toilet reading: 

Other _________ Usually where I watch the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It’s my Colbert time.

 

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

It depends if I like the characters participating in the happily ever after. If not then I’m all for them dying or having a miserable ever after.

What would you give up reading for**?    

Like a piece of gum. Not an avid reader.

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

Nope. Romance heroes should drive sexy cars. Crime heroes ride motorcycles and superheroes don’t need ANY car.