This post is part of our Guest Picks series, featuring members of our library community sharing their favorite books and movies.
Born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, I am a retired military warrant officer, serving 27 years in the United States Army. My family consists of a charming husband, handsome twin boys, a beautiful daughter, and two energetic grandsons. I presently work for the Department of Defense and own a small business, which provides a number of financial services. Additionally, I am a licensed real estate agent associated with the CTI Real Estate firm. I hold an associate’s degree in graphic design, a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management, and a master’s in organizational management.
I have had an interest in art, history, reading, and culture for over 30 years. I am a member of the Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary and Social Club. This book club has chapters all over the United States, and we not only read books but also participate in community service programs as well. I’ve been a collector of miniature dolls for over 10 years. I use my miniature collection to design historical exhibits for various venues. One of my exhibits ("For Love of Liberty") was in Fredericksburg’s downtown library last year. My newest interest is Civil War reenacting. I am a member of the 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops, the Women of the American Civil War group, and a board member of the John J. Wright Educational and Cultural Center Museum.
I joined the museum board in September 2014 and, as a newly appointed board member, I think that I have brought creative ideas that relate to the museum’s community cultural and educational venue. My roles at the museum are that of researcher and exhibitor for the museum’s collection. All of the exhibits include related books on the topics. My research interests include local artists, as well as African American and military studies, with an emphasis on the Civil War. This is why I love libraries. The things you can learn there and the information that you find are breathtaking at times.
Though I read many books online these days, there is nothing like the smell and touch of a book in hand, which is why my house is full of them. The accessibility of meeting rooms in the library has been helpful to me and my various groups over the years, so not only can I get a good read but a free place to meet as well. There are many other things that I have attended at the local libraries, from meeting authors to the showing of the Civil War movie (The Spy Within) in which I had the pleasure of being a part of. I say that rather than acting because truly I am no actor, but the opportunity to ACT like I was acting in it was very exciting and rewarding.
The book I’m presently reading is The Wide Circumference of Love, by Marita Golden. This one is close to my heart because my father, who lives with me, exhibits the early stages of Alzheimer’s and has been diagnosed with it. Nothing like the gentleman in the start of the book, but it’s still frightening to imagine what’s to come and very hard to see someone who was once strong as an ox need help getting down the stairs or having to put his seat belt on for him in the car. This one was a book club choice, else I don’t think I would have selected it on my own because I really don’t want to know what may lie ahead for my father.
One of my favorite books of all time is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See, The history of binding feet was fascinating and unbelievable. It goes to show that women of all cultures have been going through extremes for centuries to perfect beauty.
Some of my other favorite reads include:
