Getting to Know you Thursdays with Nora St. Laurent

This Week we have Nora St Laurent visiting us for Getting to know you Thursdays.
You can read Nora's article on book clubs at http://christianfictiononlinemagazine.com/biz_bookclub.html
Thanks for stopping by Nora.




1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I run book clubs in the Atlanta, GA area, at the Christian fiction store where I work as a sales clerk by day. I’m excited to help run the ACFW On-Line Book Club each month. I enjoy meeting new people and discussing books. I also enjoy writing a monthly column for the Christian Fiction On-Line Magazine about book clubs, whatelse!!

I’m a wife and mother of three children 17, 14, and 11, my boys are in middle school and my daughter is entering her senior year of high school. Oh, wow—a Senior!! I write book reviews and enjoy author interviews on my blog website Finding Hope Through Fiction—www.psalm516.blogspot.com


2. When you were a child did you have a favorite book or books?

I have to be honest with you here, I’d rather do anything on the planet than read up until I started working in the book store!! Reading and I didn’t get along—it was hard & painful.

I lived up north and enjoyed snow skiing, ice skating and sledding as a kid. There was too much fun to be had outside. In the summers there were trails to blaze and forts to build. Reading was a huge struggle and something to be avoided. I didn’t find out until I was 26 that I am Dyslexic—that explained all my struggles. Wish I would have found out earlier!! Oh, the pain I could have avoided.

The Two favorite books that were read to me by my teachers were The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. B. Frank Wilder and My Side of the Mountain.

3. Do you have a favorite Genre to both read and write?
I enjoy stories that really touch my heart and those that make me laugh and everything in-between. I’m really open to many different genres. I like to mix it up, it makes life interesting. I have a lot of reading to catch up on. I write non-fiction! :D

4. Did you have favorite authors growing up who have influenced you?
Again I didn’t read as a child. Not kidding! Not even Dr. Seuss. But I did enjoy reading to my children when they were growing up. I was reliving the reading childhood I didn’t have.
I only read to them out-loud if they promised not to make fun of me and all the words I said wrong and those that weren’t on the page—I tried to explain to them about being dyslexic. We had a deal! It made everything fun.
I loved reading them picture books by Dr. Seuss, Jan Brett, Max Lucado, and Liz Curtis Higgs, and lots of Christmas books. I created some good reading memories by reading to them.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A journalist – Car Racer or a Senator. Didn’t be come any of them. Go figure!!

6. Outside of reading and/or writing what do you like to do?
My daughter works at a theatre so our new favorite thing to do is go to the movies. We’ve started going to the midnight shows this summer. It’s created great memories with my kids. I enjoy quilting, playing the guitar, singing worship songs, and getting a massage a couple times a year :D

7. Do you have a place you’d love to visit or would love to visit in the future?

Wow!! I’d love to travel. I would like to go to several places in Europe like Italy, Switzerland, Greece, France; I would love to check out Australia too!! Could I stay with you??? :D (Jenny here sure come on over but wait till I have my spare room)

8. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
Wow, good question.
1. Just got acquainted with a writer, Bonnie St. John. She’s worked for the White House and won an Olympic metal for skiing. Her book is called Live Your Joy—I’d love to ask her a few question, and have her tell me some more stories of her faith walk. We’d definitely have to do lunch and talk about living our joy!! :D

2. Would like to meet Praise and Worship leader, Darlene Zschech, ask her about the songs that the Lord has given her. I’d love to sing for a while with her some worship songs. Yes, eating whatever was special in her neck of the woods? I’m game—I’ll bring my stomach medicine along—I’ll be good to eat anything!! (Jenny here again Actually we eat alot like Americans but have some cool deserts. Oh and more Lamb than beef)

3. I would love to watch Steven Spielberg make a movie, maybe go back in time and watch him create ET. Watch the master at work, maybe sit beside him, I think I’d be too nervous to eat lunch—might have to just get a smoothie. Anyway we’d be in the middle of a movie—there’d be no time for a meal.

9. Are you involved in any book clubs and if so, how are they run?
Ahh, my favorite subject! :D Yes, I’m all about book club—I think you’ve got that by now. My blog is about books and book clubs, I run three at the store I work at and also help run a book club on line.
I think the thrill for me is getting to meet the authors who have written the books I’ve read and finding out how the story came about. It’s improved my reading tremendously!
What I love about book club is the relationship I’ve developed with a very special bunch of ladies. It’s a great support group. We encourage each other. It’s been a bonus to be able to encourage the authors that visit our group as well. It’s a great combo.

10. Can you tell us about any interesting books or book you’ve read recently, would you like to comment about it?
Most definitely, I’ve read two books that had a great message and really touched my heart.
A. Never the Bride by Cheryl McBride and Rene Gutridge
Reminds me of the movie Evan Almighty and how God was talking to Evan and insisting he build an ark. In this book God is requesting the main character to give Him her love life. Many encounters with God only she can see and experience while others around her think she is a little off. Loved the message and the humor, it’s powerful.

B. June Bug by Chris Fabry—haven’t read something this deep, heartfelt and moving since Redeeming love. What greater love anyone can show than to lay down your life for another. God did that for us.

This book is a great word picture of the fathers sacrificial love for us through His son. You will also come to love the main character June Bug. She’s a precious, spirited, curious girl. Love her. You’ll love this book.

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. It’s been fun answering your questions,
Blessings to you and your readers!!