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Eisha and I set a little blog goal for the new year: We wanted to take some time to get to know some of our favorite bloggers out there, especially since we’ve only been blogging since July ’06. For my part, I’ll often stumble upon little tidbits of information about a blog or blogger and find myself rather amazed — such as, so-and-so has only been blogging for about a year?<\/em> when I assumed they’d been doing it forever. I remember reading somewhere that so-and-so was a professor when I had assumed she was a librarian. Or I’ll see a blogger’s picture and think about how I imagined them looking totally different. You get the picture . . . <\/p>\nSo, we thought, why not do some informative and<\/em> fun interviews? We’re going to start by interviewing ourselves in order to set the tone. But then watch out . . . We’ll be coming after you, begging for an interview if you can stand it. We’ll hit our favorite blogs, and we have quite the<\/em> list. We promise not to ask things like “chocolate or vanilla ice cream?” or “Disney or Warner Brothers?” {shudder} like in those email forwards you sometimes get. In fact, we’re throwing in the Actors Studio Pivot Questionnaire, ’cause we think it’s so fun.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We will be asking you to prettyplease send a picture of yourself to attach to your interview. If you don\u2019t want it in cyberspace on our blog, we will totally understand<\/em>. So, here we are then: Eisha and Jules. The first photo is us from about four years ago, I suppose. Not a terribly recent photo then, but we’re basically the same. The black and white photo is us when we were but wee college folk; we’ve been friends that<\/em> long. Photo credit: Eisha’s husband, but he wasn’t her husband at the time. They were but just a newly-formed couple. Aw. Anyway, that was taken probably about ten years ago, and we’re lying on a stage, worshipping all-things-theatre, it seems. Jules on the left, Eisha on the right in each one. <\/p>\n Okay, enough of that. We hope when we ask for your interview, you’ll share a photo, too, but ain’t no thang if you don’t. So, here goes our interview, and if we visit your blog and like it, pay special attention to the questions, as we’ll be asking if you’d like to share your responses one day soon. Thanks in advance for playing! We promise not to make you cry \u00e0 la Barbara Walters with our questions if you promise not to get all Tom Cruise don’t-be-so-glib-you-don’t-know<\/em>-the-history-of-blogs<\/a><\/strong> on us. <\/p>\n What do you do for a living? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: I’m the Children’s\/YA Librarian for a public library branch in Massachusetts, where I’ve worked for about 3 1\/2 years. Until pretty recently I was also a part-time Reference Desk Assistant at a college library.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: I was a sign language interpreter and then a children\u2019s librarian. Most recently, I put both undergrad and grad degrees to work by being the Librarian at the Tennessee School for the Deaf<\/a><\/strong>. Now I\u2019m a stay-at-home mom, though I\u2019ve made it clear elsewhere on this blog that I have always disliked that phrase, as it makes it sound like I\u2019m tethered to the kitchen table. I will return to librarianship soon, and I very, very<\/em> much want to go for a doctorate in children\u2019s literature one day. <\/p>\n {Addendum: Ooops! I’m adding here — after the fact — that I do very part-time contract work for a wonderful, very family-friendly company just outside of Boston, lest anyone think I sit around all day watching <\/em>Sesame Street or eating bon-bons. I’m very lucky, for when you try to find work you can do from home, it’s usually a pyramid-scheme. But a friend put my name forward for this job. And, well, I owe her big-time, ’cause working for this company is wonderful and I don’t have to go find child-care to do it. It’s not librarianship, but I don’t care right now . . . There. I’m done now}<\/em>.<\/p>\n How long have you been blogging?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha and Jules<\/strong>: Since July 2006.<\/p>\n Why did you start blogging? Why do you continue to do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Well, I started because Jules talked me into it. Sorta. I mean, she suggested to me, after one of our many email conversations about books we were reading\/had read\/wanted to read, that I should start a book review blog, but at the time I found the idea overwhelming. But the more the thought of it simmered on my back burner, the better it sounded, and then I thought, “Yeah, blogging about books on my own would be overwhelming, but what if I got Julie to do it with me?” And history was made.<\/p>\n I continue to do it for the same reason I started – I just love to read, and I love to talk about what I’ve read. What I love about working in a public library is being able to talk to people who have the same enthusiasm for books that I do, and to be able to match readers with “just the right book.” And talking to Jules about books that we’ve both read always brings a new dimension to the book for me, makes me look at it in a different way.<\/p>\n One perk of the blog that I didn’t really expect was the feeling that we’ve become a part of a very welcoming, enthusiastic, book-loving community of bloggers. To be perfectly honest, I had no idea there were so many book blogs out there, and it’s been a wonderful discovery. It has totally changed how I find out about books, how I choose what I’m going to read next, how I think about what I’m reading… it’s totally amazing.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: I never ever in one skerjillion years thought I’d blog. “Blog” made me think of 35-year-old losers who never got out and were living in their mom’s basement, ranting and raving maniacally online about politics. But then, selfishly, I wanted to hear Eisha\u2019s thoughts on her current reads, and she talked me into us both<\/em> doing it. Also, because I spend my days with two young children incapable of abstract thought, and I like the mental exercise I get when trying to best articulate why a book worked or didn\u2019t work for me. I also want to stay involved, particularly in children\u2019s lit, for an eventual return to work one day. Finally, I would wither up and die without literature. <\/p>\n Which blog or site would you take to the prom to show off and you love it so much you could marry it?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Ooh, so many to choose from. I think Fuse #8<\/a><\/strong> is of course the pinnacle, not only because she’s so smart and funny and has such good taste, but geez, the sheer volume of how much she posts is so unfathomable to me. I am in awe. But I also adore MotherReader<\/a><\/strong>, Chicken Spaghetti<\/a><\/strong>, Big A little a<\/a><\/strong>, the Brookeshelf<\/a><\/strong>… the list goes on and on. It’s funny, I haven’t found an adult-book blog that keeps me checking in as often as the kid-lit ones do.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Ditto to what Eisha said. I\u2019ll add, though, that I have a fondness for the blogs\/sites of smart-mamas-who-read, such as Literary Mama<\/a><\/strong>, Mother Talk<\/a><\/strong>, and Reading Moms<\/a><\/strong> (the latter I just discovered thanks to Book Buds<\/a><\/strong>, another blog of a smart-mama-who-reads, Anne Boles Levy). I also enjoy reading the blogs of mamas (or papas) who talk about children\u2019s lit and who manage to do it with a professional-yet-personal touch (it\u2019s a fine line) — without going on and on, for instance, about the minutiae of their child\u2019s life. <\/p>\n What are your other favorite things to do, other than reading and blogging?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: I love movies, and listening to music. I kinda like cooking but I won’t pretend I’m any good at it – I think what I really like is eating. Hanging out with friends, of course. Going to plays. I like hiking and going to the beach, but I haven’t done much of either lately. Until recently I’ve had almost no free time at all, but now that I’ve finished my degree I’m looking forward to trying to remember what I used to do for fun.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Honestly, I rather resent anything that takes time away from reading, other than my family and friends. Too much to read, not enough time (except I gotsa have my music, too). Actually, I love theatre with a passion and used to frequent plays a great deal, but it\u2019s harder now with two young children. I, particularly, like a good children\u2019s play that doesn\u2019t condescend to the young ones, and I once co-founded and co-administrated a children\u2019s theatre for the deaf. <\/p>\n What’s in heavy rotation on your stereo\/ipod lately?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: I’ve been listening to Kasabian’s<\/a><\/strong> new album, Empire<\/em>, quite a bit. Also Wilco’s<\/a><\/strong> live album, Kicking Television<\/em>, Spoon’s<\/a><\/strong> Gimme Fiction<\/em>, plus all things White Stripes<\/a><\/strong>, Black Keys<\/a><\/strong>, Camper Van Beethoven<\/a><\/strong> and Beastie Boys<\/a><\/strong>. When I’m trying to write, though, I tend to favor stuff without a lot of words, so Massive Attack’s<\/a><\/strong> 100th Window<\/em>, the Lost in Translation<\/em> soundtrack, Possible Music: from the films [etc.] of Hal Hartley<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, and Dave Brubeck’s<\/a><\/strong> Time Further Out<\/em> were getting a lot of play while I was churning out those last few papers for school.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: At this current moment, the CD player is filled with children\u2019s CDs, since I have two wee ones. I have an obsession with world lullabies and with finding children\u2019s music that makes one not want to gag \u2013 there are three Ellipsis Arts<\/a><\/strong> lullaby CDs in there (Mediterranean, Latin, and Celtic lullabies), Lead Belly Sings for Children<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (thanks to the fabulous Smithsonian Folkways<\/a><\/strong>), and Elizabeth Mitchell\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> latest wonder for children (and I don’t mean the new actress on “Lost”). <\/p>\n When they\u2019re not in there, we\u2019ve been listening to Tom Waits\u2019<\/a><\/strong> newest, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, & Bastards<\/em>; Sam Phillips\u2019<\/a><\/strong> A Boot and a Shoe<\/em> (in anticipation of her \u201907 release); the many Black Keys<\/a><\/strong> CDs Eisha gave me; Beck\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> latest CD, The Information<\/em>; Neko Case\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> Fox Confessor Brings the Flood<\/em>; and I\u2019m re-discovering the perfect Real Time<\/em> by Tim O\u2019Brien and Darrell Scott<\/a><\/strong>. Gomez<\/a><\/strong>, Louis Armstrong, and classical piano (preferably, Chopin) are always good, too. Gotta have variety. <\/p>\n If you could have three (living) authors over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/strong> <\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: You know, the trick here is not just to pick my very favorite authors, but to choose the ones who would actually be as interesting to talk to as they are to read. For example, I suspect that Don Delillo, who is a total favorite of mine, would have very little to say to me, and might not be all that fun to talk to anyway. I mean, I’d want authors who would provide conversation that was smart and<\/em> funny. So, I’m thinking: Haven Kimmel<\/a><\/strong>, Jon Scieszka, and Neil Gaiman<\/a><\/strong>. Which sounds surreal, but I think it could be a blast. Wanna come?<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Maurice Sendak, Haven Kimmel<\/a><\/strong>, and Naomi Shihab Nye<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What’s one thing that not many people know about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Someone surprised me recently by saying they’d run across this<\/strong><\/a> on imdb.com, and wanted to know if it was really me. It is. I was on screen for about 45 seconds – yeah, in a clown suit – and only had a couple of lines. But hey, now I’m only 3 degrees from Kevin Bacon<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: And what a funny Bitter Clown you were for those 45 seconds, Eisha. Um, I can sing the alphabet as it appears on a keyboard. I can also tell you the story of \u201cThe Elephant\u2019s Child\u201d word-for-word as Kipling wrote it. I once told it to Jack Gantos<\/a><\/strong> and all sneaky-like inserted the phrase \u201cwicked cool\u201d into the story (a phrase he seems to like to say a lot), and I made him laugh. Making the very funny Jack Gantos laugh can make your head swell. Also, I think I\u2019m two degrees of separation away from Stephen King, as apparently my cousin plays cards and smokes cigars with him every December or something like that. Oh, and my husband was named for Blaine Runner, his great uncle and a cowboy who won the Carnegie Medal for Heroism<\/a><\/strong>. (Those are four things \u2013 sorry). <\/p>\n The Pivot Questionnaire:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n What is your favorite word?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: To listen to me talk, you’d probably think it was “awesome.” But I think I’ll say… “persnickety.” It’s a good word for a librarian to have on hand, and so much more pleasant to say and hear than “anal retentive.”<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: “daughter”<\/p>\n What is your least favorite word?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: “Pussy.” Even if you’re talking about a cat.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: “Paradigm,” all thanks to a required graduate course in which we had to debate whether information science should be conceptualized using a cognitive or physical paradigm. With all due respect to the savagely cool prof who taught the course and to The School of Information Sciences at The University of Tennessee<\/a><\/strong>, o holy crap, who cares?<\/em><\/p>\n What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: When I’m reading a book, and I just get blindsided by some incredibly gorgeous turn of phrase, and it transports me to the point that I have to put the book down for a few seconds and just relish the pure genius of the author.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Text. The written word. Words on a page that tell a story. Art. Lovely art. Put them together, and you\u2019ve got a picture book, which might be why most of my blog posts are about them. <\/p>\n What turns you off?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Bureaucracy.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: A stale thing, whether it\u2019s an idea, a piece of bread, coffee, or the way someone decorates their home or children\u2019s library.<\/p>\n What is your favorite curse word? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: I love “ass” for the versatility of combining it with other words, like stupid-ass, boring-ass, lame-ass, skanky-ass… You can make nouns (You’re a dumb-ass) and adjectives (What a crappy-ass blog) and synecdoche (That lazy-ass is still in bed) and at least one verb (Let’s haul-ass out of here)… The possibilities are endless.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: No, really. Eisha tried to convince me to share, but I\u2019m sure I\u2019d offend. My husband\u2019s known for his creative cursing in our home, and he\u2019s got some zingers that we\u2019ll just keep within these four walls, thanks very much . . . My answer should<\/em> be this: “Fiddlesticks,” because I’ve got children. But, um, it’s not. <\/p>\n What sound or noise do you love? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: The intro drum\/cowbell\/guitar combo in “Honky Tonk Women” by the Rolling Stones.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: A three-way tie \u2013- my husband\u2019s voice; the sound of my daughters doing a really<\/em> deep, belly-aching laugh; and coffee brewing.<\/p>\n What sound or noise do you hate? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Whining.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Someone blowing their nose. Loudly. <\/p>\n What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: Writing fiction. But I do occasionally attempt that, so if you want something more fantastical… photographer or dancer or guitarist.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: If we get more than one life, I hope in the next one to be an obscenely talented singer-songwriter\/musician who, preferably, has a devoted underground following and tours the world playing in small, smoky clubs. I don\u2019t need to be top-40, thanks very much. Think Patty Griffin<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n What profession would you not like to do? <\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: President.<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: Writing fiction. Yup. Just the thought of filling a novel\u2019s pages with an original narrative fills me with anxiety. I\u2019d rather be the “spectator in the gallery,” the witness and appreciator of the art \u2013 see the short Bel Canto<\/em> quote on top of this page<\/a><\/strong> of our blog. \u2018Nuf said. <\/p>\n If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/strong><\/p>\n Eisha<\/strong>: “Hey, I know things are pretty bad down there, but listen up… it’s all about to make sense.”<\/p>\n Jules<\/strong>: “Yes, they\u2019re here. They\u2019re waiting for you.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Eisha and I set a little blog goal for the new year: We wanted to take some time to get to know some of our favorite bloggers out there, especially since we’ve only been blogging since July ’06. 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