I'm heading off on vacation tomorrow. My husband's normally dormant gypsy genes have apparently taken him over because he's decided to "meander" our way to Oregon. Normally our trips are planned out well ahead of time, but this trip he's suggesting we flip coins to determine the routes we take there and back. Spontaneity scares me, so we'll see how it goes :) As long as we get there, I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, we're heading to The Columbia River Gorge, one of the most beautiful places on Earth (in my humble, totally unbiased opinion) for a reunion with my parents, siblings and their families. Since we are spread all over the globe (my husband jokes that this is how we all get along so well - 1 is in Saudi Arabia, 1 in Guam, 2 in California, 1 in Maine, me in Arizona and my parents live in Washington State), we don't get to see each other very often. It will be fun, not to mention a nice diversion from packing. My (long and belabored) point is that I won't be around for a week or so. I hope you can survive not hearing from me for that long :)

Of course, the most important items to consider while packing for a trip are books. Even though I never read in the car (I'm notorious for getting carsick even on straightaways), and I may not have much time for reading while actually on vacation, I'm still bringing along a couple of books. You just never know when you might have the opportunity to sneak in a few chapters, ya know? I'm nothing if not optimistic. So, I'm taking The Eye, The Ear, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer and The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw. I'm enjoying both books, and hope to have time to finish and review them both before I have to unplug my computer and move. We'll see how it goes ...

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In the meantime, I saw this meme over at Dani's blog and thought it looked fun:

Do you remember how you developed a love of reading? Not really, no. My mom says I taught myself to read before I entered kindergarten, and I haven't stopped reading since. I simply don't remember a time when I did not love books. It helps that I came from a bookish household. Both my parents are big readers, so my childhood home has always featured heavily-laden bookshelves. I'm sure, also, that my parents read to us, although I don't remember any specifics (except for our daily scripture study at 5 a.m. - yes, Mormons ARE crazy).

What are some books you loved as a child? I adored The Berenstain Bears as a young child. As I got older, I remember loving all books involving Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Ingalls Family and The Boxcar Children. I also loved Choose Your Own Adventure novels and (as much as I hate to admit it) Sweet Valley High books.

What is your favorite genre? I guess I would have to say women's fiction, although I love historical fiction, mystery, suspense, cultural fiction, biographies and self-help/inspirational books. In recent years, I've also become a big fan of sci-fi/fantasy, especially that written for young adults.

Do you have a favorite novel? Just one? Gasp! No way, although I love Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Peace Like A River by Leif Enger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

Where do you usually read? I read everywhere I can - in bed, on my living room couch, while on vacation, whenever I'm in a waiting room, on airplanes, etc. I probably read most often at my kitchen table while eating lunch. This is because I purposely feed my kids first, then send them off for naps/quiet times, so that I can enjoy a leisurely lunch. Because my husband doesn't generally come home from work at lunchtime, I have this nice, quiet time to eat and read - two of my favorite things to do :)

When do you usually read? That's easy - anytime I can!

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time? Yes and no. I always have a main read, which is what I mostly concentrate on, and I usually have a book stashed in my master bathroom. My secondary read gets pretty neglected, though, eventually ending up under a pile of Popular Science and Men's Health magazines (my husband's, obviously). I guess this means that (1) I'm not getting enough fiber in my diet, or (2) My 3-year-old potty buddy monopolizes all my bathroom reading time!

Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? Not in a different place, no, but I definitely read NF more slowly than I do fiction.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out from the library? I don't borrow many books; I'm usually the one people borrow from! I actually buy most of my books, although I check tons out from the library, too. These days, I get mounds of free books from authors, publishers, publicists and blog giveaways. Gotta love those freebies!

Do you keep most of the books you buy? Actually, no. I only keep the ones I really like and am not embarrassed to have on my shelves. Remembering how often I grabbed books off my parents' shelves, I try not to keep any that I wouldn't want my kids reading. If I have books I don't want to keep, I either donate them to the library or put them up on Bookmooch.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? My kids love The Berenstain Bears books just like I did when I was little. We also enjoyed reading Charlotte's Web together - twice. Other than that, it's mostly them sharing their favorites with me!

What are you reading now? I finished an ARC of The Questory of Root Karbunkulus by Kamilla Reid this morning. Now, I'm reading The Hungry Ocean by Linda Greenlaw; The Eye, The Ear, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer is my bathroom read.

Do you keep a TBR list? Absolutely. It's an alphabetized, color-coded thing of beauty!

What's next? Linda Greenlaw's fiction books, Slipknot and Fisherman's Bend, plus a whole lotta review and challenge books.

What books would you like to re-read? You know, I'm not a big re-reader. There are just too many books out there I want to read for the first time. If I had to choose one, it would probably be Gone With the Wind.

Who are your favorite authors? I have tons, but these are a few whose books I consistently enjoy: Kathy Reichs, Adriana Trigiani, Joanne Harris, Jodi Picoult, Leif Enger, Maeve Binchy, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, etc., etc.

I'm always fascinated by other bloggers' reading habits, so let me know if you do this one on your blog.

Okay, I have to quit stalling and start packing. See ya next week ...