It has only taken me until December, but I have finally worn down my work friend, Kristine (K) to write to the Shallows. I have worked with many lovely library people in my life, but none have made me laugh as much as Kristine (K). She sees the funny quirks in every library moment and you can hear her laughter peal across the library – this may not be good if you are trying to do some studious studying, but it is definitely good for staff, and especially me as it makes work an especially happy place.

Kristine (K)

Library Assistant

Can you describe yourself?

Library Assistant, amateur writer and life-long student of current beau – a horse called El Rocco.

When I’m not researching my writing, dancing with my handsome Rocco or drawing circles for reindeer puppets and singing to toddlers at work, you’ll find me coiled around a salacious historical fiction novel. When the moon is just right, I’ll take on a good literary fiction shortly followed by several Scottish romances filled with moody lochs and emotionally snared Scotsmen.

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

I’m definitely a book person, audio books if I’m being truly honest. I spend so much time traveling or in my car or working with my horse that having my phone tucked in my bra is just too handy. I’m not sure Rocco enjoys listening to why Jane Grey (The Last Tudor) has to read a book to tell her how to have sex with her new husband but he’s a horsey-gentleman and chooses, wisely, to let me listen without any odd glances or naughty behaviour.

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

I have been known to raid the Amazon store for every Scottish romance ever written by absolutely ANYONE. That’s a lesson gone completely unlearned. An emergency is an emergency after all and sometimes even my local library is too far away. When I’ve had a really rough week or I’m sulking about a troubling lit fic I’ve just read, I’ll read anything with ‘scot’ written in the title, no matter how shocking the grammar or ridiculous the plot.

 

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

I do love a good romance that’s forbidden for some spectacular (or mediocre – I’m not fussed) reason. I’ve got Hungarian/Czech ancestry on one side and a big black void on the other so I’m also very partial to a good family history mystery but it usually has to include a smattering of forbidden love or romance. The exception to this is a story steeped in old folklore or superstitions. I blame my fiery redheaded beer-loving father (from unknown lineage) for this inclination. I’ll try reading anything but generally speaking, something set in our current world with a, ‘poor me, I’m getting a divorce, my best friend’s sleeping with my son and my life sucks’ plot has to be throwing pots of chocolate or gold from the pages for me to read it until then end.

 

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

Okay, confession time. I was a library monitor back in High School and then I never stepped foot in a library until I got my current job, in a library, a gorgeous library to be precise. Now I use the e-resources all the time and I love working with so many different people from every walk of life. It’s an incredible system to be a part of and I wish everyone knew how many amazing resources are at their fingertips – completely free!

Do you RUI*. If so, what?

This is one those questions where you have to stop, screw your eyebrows together in concentration and look out the window for some form of memory to flap by. I don’t think so. Unless you count social media, then of course, all the time!

Do you have a favourite reading spot?

Two spots. My first is in my little white car while I’m stuck in Sydney traffic, it passes the time so quickly and I arrive so much faster. My second spot is on my nondescript couch in my lounge room with my feet tucked up underneath me and a pillow on my lap. This usually includes my cat somewhere close, the blinds open just right so I can see across the valley and a nice lemonade or hot chocolate close by.

Toilet reading: 

ALWAYS with my phone and my audiobook going, I can’t press pause just because my earthly body needs relief! What if I miss their first kiss? What if someone rugged and handsome dies?

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

I’m a sucker for a good ending. HAPPILY EVER AFTER, yes please! I’m slightly loath to admit that I have a book tolerance of about 2 per year for something that ends without a happily ever after. You are warned!

What would you give up reading for**?

Give up reading? I don’t even comprehend those words. Perhaps, if pushed, to save my beloved animals’ lives. But they had better be bloody immortal after that!

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

Of course! I’d advise the author not to give finite details and perhaps leave to the reader’s imagination but, why not? There’s nothing wrong with arriving at their lover’s home with their toupee lost somewhere down the Thames.