{"id":932,"date":"2007-10-17T02:05:31","date_gmt":"2007-10-17T08:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=932"},"modified":"2007-10-17T10:55:28","modified_gmt":"2007-10-17T16:55:28","slug":"seven-impossible-interviews-49-jackie-parker-the-interactive-reader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=932","title":{"rendered":"Seven Impossible Interviews Before Breakfast #49: Jackie Parker, the Interactive Reader"},"content":{"rendered":"

{Note: Please see the post below for today’s Robert’s Snow schedule!}<\/em><\/font><\/p>\n

Hey, all. We’re kicking it old-skool here at 7-Imp by posting a straight-up blogger interview, something we haven’t done in almost a month. We’re extra-pleased that our comeback interview features Jackie Parker of Interactive Reader<\/strong><\/a>. In keeping with the nostalgia theme, here’s…<\/p>\n

***Seven Reasons Jackie ROCKS!***<\/center><\/strong><\/p>\n

1* Her book reviews. You can count on her for pithy, outspoken commentary on mostly-YA-but-occasionally-adult novels, like this one<\/strong><\/a> about Jack Gantos’s novel The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs<\/em> (that almost makes Eisha want to read it even though the premise is so very very wrong<\/em>).<\/p>\n

2* She’s funny. Wicked funny. We tried to find specific examples from her blog that were extra-hilarious, but it’s too hard to choose. Seriously, she’s always<\/em> funny. So just read anything<\/strong><\/a> at random. Go on, we’ll wait…<\/p>\n

3* She’s a joiner. She’s a Postergirl for Reader Girlz<\/strong><\/a>, participated in this year’s Summer Blog Blast Tour<\/strong><\/a>, and is both a Category Organizer and Nominating Panelist for this year’s Cybil Awards (check out her bio<\/strong><\/a> at the Cybils blog).<\/p>\n

4* Eisha is actually serving with\/under her on the YA Fiction Nominating Panel, and has been very impressed with her communicativeness, her not-bossiness, and her mad Google Doc skillz.<\/p>\n

5* She’s a librarian. So are we. ‘Nuff said.<\/p>\n

6* This non-review<\/strong><\/a> of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows<\/em>. Brilliant, and somehow so much more entertaining than a real review.<\/p>\n

7* She sent a baby picture! You know how we love that! And just LOOK at the SWEETNESS!! Look at her precious little PIGTAILS in those little white BOWS! And that adorable little shy smile on her ADORABLE LITTLE FACE!!! OOH, PUNKIN POOKIE BEAR!!! Not to mention the inherent nostalgia that picture conjures in us, since probably everyone born between 1968 – 1982 was photographed on that very same lump of rust-brown shag carpet. It makes us feel like throwing a big ol’ tantrum just looking<\/em> at it.<\/p>\n

Here’s what Jackie had to say for herself when we asked about special features on Interactive Reader:<\/p>\n

No features. Close as you get is a vague rehashing of the book group<\/strong><\/a> I run for adults once a month at the library. It’s almost the only time you’ll find non-youth books reviewed on the blog. It’s almost the only time I read adult books. I am a poster girl for Reader Girlz<\/strong><\/a>, though, which means I, and the other girls (Little Willow<\/a>, Miss Erin<\/a>, Jen Robinson<\/a>, and Alexia<\/a><\/strong>), help choose the titles the online community talks about each month. I don’t know how I got so lucky as to be involved with that; working with LW last year in the Cybils and a chance meeting<\/a><\/strong> at ALA Midwinter in Seattle with Justina Chen Headley<\/a><\/strong>, is the best I can come up with. Other than that, I try to participate in the SSFABKIDLIT (we really ought to come up with a real name for that) stuff as much as possible.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And the title – aren’t you wondering about the title? What does “Interactive Reader” mean, you ask?<\/p>\n

It was mostly my friend Dan<\/a><\/strong>. I’ve known him since junior high and he and his roommates (all dear friends themselves) watch A LOT of sports. I would want to hang out, but since their idea of fun was often to sit in front of the tv and watch game after game, I would bring a book. Or three. Dan began to notice that he could always tell what was going on in the book based on my reactions (laughing, grimacing, edge of seat, napping, etc), and a name was born. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We had a great time getting to know Jackie a little better, and we hope you’ll feel the same. Enjoy the awesomeness that is Jackie Parker!<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What do you do for a living? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I’s a librarian. I also edit (probably badly after interacting with Amazing Anne<\/strong><\/a> in regards to the Cybils<\/strong><\/a> blog<\/strong><\/a>) the Washington Library Association’s Children and Youth Services Newsletter (CAYAS<\/strong><\/a>). I just sent out my first newsletter this Fall. It’s way too much work, so now I’m trying to convince them it should be a blog instead. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>How long have you been blogging? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I started blogging on December 7, 2005, so just shy of two years.<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>Why did you start blogging? Why do you continue to do it? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I knew that I would soon be leaving the only place I had ever lived and I wanted to have something to keep me connected to everyone in Michigan that wanted to stay connected to me. Most people do this with MySpace or FaceBook. I, apparently, like to create extra work for myself. I also started because I was beginning to forget some of the books I read, and I figured it would strengthen my Reader’s Advisory skillz (RA skillz: the thing librarians do to magically figure out the books you didn’t know you wanted to read) if I started a reading journal. At the same time, I loved talking about books with the people I was moving away from, and I wanted something to continue that dialogue. I don’t think that many of the people who read it in the beginning do anymore, since I’ve largely stopped posting about personal stuff. I didn’t delete any of it, though, so you can still laugh at my attempts at bowling<\/strong><\/a> and walking<\/strong><\/a>, if you must. I still do it largely because I’ve found a community and virtual friends that have become really surprisingly important to me. The kidlitosphere is doing fascinating things that I want to be a part of, so no matter how much I sometimes don’t want to write, the payoff is so much bigger than the pain. <\/p>\n

Maureen Johnson (photo by Anthony Two Moons)7-Imp: <\/strong>Which blog or site would you take to the prom to show off and you love it so much you could marry it? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I think Maureen Johnson’s<\/strong><\/a>. Mostly because I would surely be having too much fun to remember that I was, yet again, dateless. *grin* <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What are your other favorite things to do, other than reading and blogging? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I like geocaching<\/strong><\/a> and letterboxing<\/strong><\/a>, although I don’t do that as much as I used to. I love trying out new restaurants, especially new dishes. I recently fell in love with malai kofta<\/strong><\/a>, and I plan on trying Moraccan next (anyone have a favorite Moroccan dish I should try?). I do like to cook for people. I love museums and travel – I try to get to at least one new place every year (2007 was Key West with my bff Sarah. We talked about stalking Meg Cabot<\/strong><\/a>, but didn’t go through with it.). In January, I plan to take up sewing with the machine my mother has promised me for Christmas. I want to make skirts. Otherwise, I watch A LOT of movies. My Netflix queue is currently at 488. It never seems to dip much below that (wanna be my Netflix friend?). <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I was the fourth person in my extended family to get my Master’s in Library Science. My mom, my aunt, my cousin. My favorite uncle works for Barnes & Nobles, too. We’re a bit bookish. <\/p>\n

Jon McLaughlin7-Imp: <\/strong>What’s in heavy rotation on your stereo\/iPod lately? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I actually tend to listen to iTunes on Party Shuffle – so it’s random, but not entirely uncontrolled. That said, I recently watched Shut Up and Sing<\/em><\/strong><\/a> so I’m listening to that Dixie Chicks<\/strong><\/a> album a lot again. Also, the soundtrack to Wicked<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, and I can’t get Regina Spektor’s<\/strong><\/a> songs out of my head. I’m also liking Eric Hutchinson<\/strong><\/a>, Mika<\/strong><\/a> and Jon McLaughlin<\/strong><\/a>. This could be a never ending answer, so I’ll just stop now. <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>If you could have three (living) authors over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>First, I’m a tea snob, so I’d be serving one of the… David Sedaris (photo by Robert Banks)let me count… yes, 18 types of tea I have (Man. I am SO not allowed to buy more tea.). Otherwise, it’d be white rather than red wine. <\/p>\n

Ok, David Sedaris<\/strong><\/a>, definitely. But from there, where do you go? Authors you think you’d actually be friends with? Ones you may already sorta be friends with? But, then what would the point be, if it’s something that could actually happen. I’m not really a girl with idols, so… ergh. Brent Hartinger<\/strong><\/a>. Laurie Halse Anderson<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n

The Pivot Questionnaire:<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What is your favorite word? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>Yeah. This changes almost weekly. At the moment it is “Syncategorematic.” Super fun to say.<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What is your least favorite word? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>“Sneaked.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>Honesty. <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What turns you off? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>Pretension.<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What is your favorite curse word? (optional) <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>“Fuck.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What sound or noise do you love? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>A live symphony.<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What sound or noise do you hate? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>Cars. Those effing dirt bikes down the street. My neighbor’s kickboxing. <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>I wouldn’t mind teaching a course in Teen Lit someday.<\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>What profession would you not like to do? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong>Sales. It’s soul-sucking. Anything where the goal is making money rather than providing a service to better humanity. Um, what was I saying about pretension? Right. <\/p>\n

7-Imp: <\/strong>If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? <\/p>\n

Jac: <\/strong><\/p>\n

God: <\/strong>Welcome to Heaven!
\nMe: <\/strong>Dude. Really? Awesome!
\nGod: <\/strong>Yes.
\nMe: <\/strong>How’s Mom doing with the Geneology? I bet it’s a bit easier from this end. Where is she?
\nGod: <\/strong>All of your loved ones are down the hall to the right. They have cake.
\nMe: <\/strong>Seriously? Cool. Hey, is there a library around here? Are there, like, cloud couches?
\nGod: <\/strong>If you want one, it will be there. The library is down the hall to the right. With the cake.
\nMe: <\/strong>Score. Hey, where’s Peter? I thought he was the official greeter.
\nGod: <\/strong>He’s on a cake break.
\nMe: <\/strong>Rock on, God, nice of you to step in for him. I’m going to get some cake. See ya!
\nGod: <\/strong>Hey…
\nMe: <\/strong>Yeah?
\nGod: <\/strong>Would you.. maybe bring me a piece when you get a chance?
\nMe: <\/strong>Sure thing, God. And hey, thanks. For everything. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

{Note: Please see the post below for today’s Robert’s Snow schedule!} Hey, all. We’re kicking it old-skool here at 7-Imp by posting a straight-up blogger interview, something we haven’t done in almost a month. We’re extra-pleased that our comeback interview features Jackie Parker of Interactive Reader. In keeping with the nostalgia theme, here’s… ***Seven Reasons […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-interviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=932"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/932\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}