As it is the second Saturday of the month, a member of my bookgroup is sharing today’s shallows. Fiona and I met at bookgroup, and at first, that was our only contact – she was this lovely woman who would talk about women in politics in her reading choices. This kinda intimidated me as she seemed so über intelligent to me as politics is not my forté but I also learnt that she did English Folk dancing, with all those flowers and bells so at the same time, I was not intimidated but just thrilled that someone I knew personally could do the steps I read about in E.J. Oxenham’s Abbey books. Then, several years into knowing each other, Fiona invited me to join her to see a show at the Sydney Opera House. This was the first time we did anything at all together outside of bookgroup. I don’t remember what or who we went to see – but I do recall our dinner conversation beforehand and I always think that it cemented our friendship. Our theme for today’s bookgroup was Friends and I love that Fiona brought a friend along, rather than a bringing along a book that she had read. An excellent contribution!

Fiona from Bookgroup

Tweets @fifiramous

Can you describe yourself?

Fiona is a bit of a wannabe girly swot, who has a healthy capacity to be distracted by conversation (doesn’t need to be deep, but meaningful is good), food and singing – all improved with good company.

She works in higher ed management, and has a study addiction that she is hoping to kick in the next 12/18 months.

She is pictured here with one of her bookshelves at home. When she was a librarian at school, she managed to keep shelves more tidy.

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

Mainly online – mix of work, study and news/social media. Lots. Tend to still read my fiction in hard copy – but at the moment, that’s an on low frequency.

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

As my book club buddies know, the answer to that question is Jeffrey Archer – but for his writing, not his politics. But read across biographies/autobiographies and commentary/analysis – across the political spectrum. Once upon a time, I wrote an Honours thesis on the role of prime ministerial wives in Australian political culture.

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

So, not a surprise that I like my political fiction – whether set in UK, USA, Australia or elsewhere and a bit of a romance thread is ok. Selective dabbles in sci-fi, but fantasy has never really taken off for me.

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

At the moment, I mainly access University libraries, but am a member of my local library and always have been wherever I lived. Recently though I tend to read more fiction when on holidays, which is a mix of tablet reads and books I can leave behind/pass on.

Do you RUI*. If so, what?

Reading can be done whenever eyes are open, so I imagine so…..

Do you have a favourite reading spot?

With an engrossing novel, in bed on a rainy winters morning.

Toilet reading:

Who doesn’t read the back of toilet doors ? Would be great to have a non-germ scenario screen you could scroll with your eyes. Kind of what I want for reading in the bath too.

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

Happily is fine, but not universally. But 80% at least of happily I’d be happy with.

What would you give up reading for**?

Nothing really – can’t imagine thinking without reading being a part of it.

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

Sure, why not. The car doesn’t maketh the man or woman.