I’m so excited to have Lindsey Mead here today for “The Books of My Life.” I’m a big fan of Lindsey’s blog, A Design So Vast, where I revel in the magic of her words. Her writing is exquisite. I discovered Lindsey the same way I found Aidan Donnelley Rowley, from reading her essay that was part of the Huffington Post series, “This is Childhood.” Lindsey is a very talented writer – I cannot adequately describe her lyrical style, but her essays about the passage of time evoke such emotions in me that I have stop and reread, because – wow! And her use of imagery, well again, wow. In one of her essays she used a cross country running metaphor to describe her daughter’s growing up and away from her childhood. As the mother of a cross country runner, it pierced my heart. I urge you check out her blog.
Lindsey is a Boston girl (yay!) and a lover of books. She reads obsessively like I do, although our tastes are a little different. Still, her book reviews and recommendations have inspired me to up my game both as a reviewer and a reader. I have ventured outside my reading comfort zone more than once, based on one of her suggestions. Without further ado – here’ is Lindsay’s interview.
♦
What was your favorite book as a child?
A Wrinkle in Time, hands down. I also loved Bridge to Terabithia, Island of the Blue Dolphins, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler.
What was your favorite book that you read for school?
I was deeply moved by a series of very different books in college: Hamlet, Paradise Lost, a series of Victorian novels, 20th century poems. The fact that such varied books all impacted me so much tells me a lot about having been at a fertile moment in my life, open to learning and impressions and great writing of all kinds.
What’s a book that really cemented you as a writer?
Probably all the Annie Dillard I read in college. Hers is one of the voices that is at the bedrock of what I aspire to do as a writer, what I hear in my head, how I live my life.
Is there a book that you’ve read over and over again?
I’ve read Crossing to Safety four times, and the Harry Potter series 1-6 three times each (I read the whole series alone, then the whole series aloud with Grace, and now Whit and I are on 6).
What’s a classic you’re embarrassed to say you’ve never read?
Moby Dick. As I Lay Dying. The Divine Comedy. I finally read Frankenstein this year, because I’d so long wanted to, and I’m glad I did. It was wonderful (though it’s a much easier book to decide to read than Moby Dick, of course!)
What’s a book you’ve pretended to read?
I did not even pretend to read The Goldfinch. I just didn’t want to, for some reason I can’t really articulate.
What’s a book you consider grossly over-rated?
I don’t think it’s over-rated, but I had trouble getting into the Ferrante series. In fact, I put the first book down after about 50 pages. I suspect the problem is me and not the books, though, since there’s been such consistent and rapturous acclaim.
What’s a recent book you wish you’d written?
Catastrophic Happiness, by Catherine Newman. It’s not even out yet (April 2016) but every single word of this book fell into somewhere deep and inchoate inside of me. She makes me laugh and she makes me cry, often on the same page. Catherine is everything I aspire to be as a writer, and she captures the bittersweet heart of parenting in a way nobody else out there does.
What’s a favorite movie adaptation of a book you loved? Worst adaptation of a book you loved?
I see so few movies this is hard! I think the Harry Potter movies were done really well. I did not love the made-for-TV movie version of A Wrinkle in Time and am delighted that they’re working on a new feature film of it.
The books I read to my children:
Harry Potter. The Golden Compass. They loved Frindle by Andrew Clements. Too many picture books to name, but three very favorites are Space Boy (Leo Landry) and Roxaboxen (Alice McLerran), and Miss Rumphius (Barbara Cooney).
What was an illicit book you had to read in secret as a child?
I don’t remember reading in secret. I remember my parents letting me do a book report on The Cider House Rules in 6th grade and my teacher being pretty scandalized by that.
What’s a book people might be surprised to learn that you loved?
I love legal thrillers. David Baldacci, Michael Connelley, Linda Fairstein
If there were only one genre that you could read for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fiction (memoir and poetry are up there, but if forced, I’d pick novels)
Is there a book you’ve given multiple times as a gift?
Gratitude (Oliver Sacks), Devotion (Dani Shapiro), The Gift of an Ordinary Day (Katrina Kenison)
What was the last book that made you laugh out loud, and what was the last one that made you cry?
Laugh: Yes Please by Amy Poehler Cry: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
What are you reading now?
Untangled by Lisa Damour
Books or eReader?
Books. Always.
Do you keep your books or pass them on?
I return them to the library! If I loved a book and want to keep it or write in it, I buy a copy and keep it.
Do you have a favorite place to read?
In my bed, without question.
Do you have a favorite bookstore?
I love Porter Square Books, an independent bookstore near my house.
Thank you Lindsey! I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve never heard of Crossing to Safety, but it’s now on my “to read” list. Would you believe I’ve yet to read Harry Potter (I know)? And I have all the books. My fifteen year old was not interested and my daughter started the first one, but didn’t like it. I’m hoping my youngest will get the Potter bug, so we can read them together. I loved Hamlet, it’s probably my favorite Shakespeare play. Interestingly, many people whom I’ve interviewed for this series couldn’t get through The Goldfinch (myself included). I looked up Catastrophic Happiness on Goodreads and pre-ordered it. It sounds fantastic! I love that you love legal thrillers (I don’t know why, but it made me smile to read that). I, too, laughed while reading Amy Poehler’s book, but I will not even attempt to read When Breath Becomes Air. I don’t think I could handle it. Finally, The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenision is a book I read based on your blog and I loved it! I highly recommend.
You can follow Lindsey by clicking on these links:
Lindsey’s Blog – A Design So Vast
Please leave Lindsey a comment! On a personal note I miss you (my loyal LKM readers) all terribly – and I promise an original Allie blog is coming soon! If tyou’re interested in participating in the “Books of My Life” series, please email me.
Related Posts:
The Books of My Life: Aidan Donnelley Rowley
The Books of My Life: Jane Porter
This is such an honor! And I hope you start Crossing to Safety NOW … I can’t wait to hear what you think!!
I promise I will let you know!
Such a fun post. A guilty pleasure of mine is hearing that there are other people who experience not being able to connect with a book!
FOR SURE!
A guilty pleasure – and a relief! I’m always afraid to admit I don’t like a popular book, but usually find one (or more!) kindred spirits.
I am so with Lindsey and still absolutely adore the Harry Potter books and have re-read them myself and can’t wait for my girls to read them someday, too. So going to have to check out her blog now, too. Thanks for sharing her here with us today.
I’m so happy to know of another Potter fan out there. xox
You’re welcome Janine. Thanks for reading:)!
Based on her favorite books, I think we had the same childhood! Oh, those Wrinkle in Time books. They just did it for me. And Miss Rumphius is a favorite. I always draw tears from it, for some reason.
Allie – don’t see the movies before reading the Harry Potter books! I made the mistake and didn’t understand anything. They are very well done, like Lindsey says, but the books are even better.
Reading a book before seeing the movie of it is a big rule in our house. xox
I won’t – I NEVER watch the movie first. Blasphemy!
I don’t think I’ve read any of these books (except for Island of the Blue Dolphins), so thank you for the immense to-read list, Lindsey! My friends are always shocked that I haven’t read Harry Potter, and perhaps I will, one day. There are just so many books I want to read.
I miss you Allie! Hope you are doing well.
I really think Harry is the pinnacle. But I’m totally biased!
I miss you too – don’t give up on me. I’m getting my sea legs!
I love this series, Allie! It’s such fun to peek at other writers’ virtual bookshelves 🙂 Lindsey, I really enjoyed hearing about more books that you enjoy. I haven’t read The Gift of an Ordinary Day but I will now! I am an enormous Harry Potter fan, and I will always fondly remember listening to The Golden Compass (my only audio book as of yet) while walking with my restless napping first baby. Listening to Phillip Pullman read his own words was mesmerizing and I’ve always meant to read the actual books.
Thanks Dana. I’d love for you to participate – let me know if you’re willing. Only one audio book? I’m kind of an addict now, of audio books.
I suspect Ordinary Day will really speak to you. I can’t wait to hear. xox
Oh, I need to stop by here more often. I love all these wonderful suggestions on your site. Lindsey was one of the very first bloggers I noticed when I began to launch into the blogging world a year ago. I remember a post of hers called “Not that kind of mother” that really resonated with me. Something about that post still lingers within me, now a year later.
I’m so glad to hear this, Julie Jo – what an incredibly compliment. Thank you, thank you. xox
I’d love it if you stopped by more often Julie:)! And I loved “Not that kind of mother,” as well.
What a great interview! I loved checking out Lindsey’s blog. Her posts are beautiful and I look forward to reading more. And they are making A Wrinkle in Time movie?!?! Well, my Friday just got a lot better! 🙂 Thanks to you both for sharing these great insights!
Yes! Something like the producer of Frozen, who could do ANYTHING after the wild success of that movie, chose to remake A Wrinkle in Time. That part of the story alone delighted me! xox
Hey Caryn! I didn’t know they were making that movie either – I hope it’s good.
It is nice to venture out of the reading comfort zone. I’ve definitely done through book recommendations from bloggers.
I enjoyed Lindsey’s interview. My eyes got big at “6th grade” for Cider House Rules. LOL – yeah that was a scandal.
I really need to give Harry Potter a chance. I’m intrigued since she said the movies were done well. My son is at an age that it would be fun to have a book to read at the same time. He has it on his Kindle but has only used it for a word search assignment for school.
Yes, the Cider House Rules was tres scandale when I was in 6th grade. I LOVE Harry Potter. Love, love, love, love. xo
I’ve never read Moby Dick either and suspect that I never will at this point. Crossing to Safety is now on my list too. Nice to meet you, Lindsey! Hi Allie!
Crossing to Safety is SO GOOD!
What a great post, Allie! It’s amazing how the books we read can tell a story about us.
Lindsey, you have an intriguing Blog name: “A Design So Vast.” Any background story to that name choice?
Yes, it’s from a quote from Louise Erdrich: “There is no such thing as a complete lack of order, only a design so vast it appears unrepetitive up close.” I find it deeply reassuring. xox
Hey girl! It’s so true, isn’t it? And I love the question for Lindsey – and her answer (I didn’t know that:)). Did her answer help or hinder your decision process?
Definitely helped. Kind of ironic I was thinking😉
I have a writer-crush on Lindsey and is it weird that I squealed when I realized we both picked The Goldfinch?
Right back at you xoxoxo
I do too! And I thought about you when I read the answer to that question, so of course I understand the squeal:)!
I’m always so fascinated with these interviews and all I can learn through the answers… SO many amazing books and the people you choose to share us with are so well read! Adding more books to my ‘want to read’ list!
AND I am anxious to check out Lindsey’s blog. She sounds amazing…
Thanks Chris! And I’m confident that you will love Lindsey’s blog.
Allie, I’ve finally realized what your blog has done and is doing for me. (Blogging is new to me.) I’ve always loved reading, but I’m dyslexic making me very slow. However, I think I enjoy a book more simply because of the time it takes: I become more involved in the story, more familiar with the characters, more ensconced in the setting. As much as I’d like I’ll never stay up-to-date on the current reading lists so, thanks to your blog, I narrow my choices since I trust you.
Thanks Natalie! I am so sorry I didn’t call when promised. I am swamped with work. Will try again tomorrow. But SAVE lunch for me on April 3rd!
Love Lindsey, love you, love books. Perfect post!
Love you too!