#FictionFriday: Books and Cakes and Zombies

Welcome to  #FictionFriday, where we ask Yeovil College staff to share their thoughts, opinions and just plain random tastes in books.
Each staff member selects questions to answer from a finely honed and crafted selection, designed to entertain and educate us about their reading lives.

 

Robyn (right, pictured with fellow LRC staff member April Cursons) promoting Health and Wellbeing resources at Fresher's Fayre 2017.


Today we're talking to Robyn Murgatroyd, who is our resident Learning Centre Assistant, book charmer and sunny heart of the library. An English and History graduate from our own University Centre, Robyn is also an animal lover and environmentalist - and an excellent baker. She also didn't choose a Hogwarts House - but YC_Reading feels intuitively that she would be Hufflepuff.

Here are Robyn's choices...


What's the first book you remember reading, or being read?

"Squirrel Nutkin, by Beatrix Potter."

Name one book or author that you really can't stand!

"Thomas Hardy - I LOVE classic literature, but he's just too depressing. And wordy."

Which book would you love to be in or live inside its world?

"Stardust (by Neil Gaiman - we have both paperback and graphic novel versions in the LRC, dear readers) The magic sounds lovely!"

Which literary character would you want to date, and why?

"Edward Cullen in the "Twilight" series (by Stephanie Meyer) - or Captain Wentworth from "Persuasion" (by Jane Austen) - I can't decide!"

What's the most over-rated book?

"Fifty Shades of Grey. I've never read it personally, but have heard it's overrated."

 What's your favourite book adaptation in film or TV?

"Pride and Prejudice - every time! I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies too!"

Would you read the book before watching an adaptation, and does it matter?"Generally speaking, yes - but I have done it the other way around. I think reading first allows you to imagine characters."
Who is the best villain in a novel?

"George Wickham - Pride and Prejudice."

What's your favourite children's book?

"Beatrix Potter - all of them! Because I love animals!!"

Who's your favourite cartoon character?

"Merriweather in Disney's Sleeping Beauty. She's sassy but lovely!"

 Who would play you in a film of your life?

"Margot Robbie (who played Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad and can currently be seen in "Goodbye Christopher Robin") just because she's my new favourite actress!

If you were to describe yourself as a type of cake, what would it be?

 "Chocolate fudge cake - over-indulgent, a bit gooey, a "hug in a cake."

Where is your favourite place to read?

"In my special blue reading chair on the balcony in my conservatory. I can look out into the garden, the cat usually sits with me and I have my mini table for the chamomile tea and cake - bliss!"

Thanks Robyn! If you're now also feeling the need for chamomile tea and cake, you're also a secret Twilight fan - or you'd like to comment (nicely) below, log in with your Google account and join the conversation.


Alternatively, you can always tweet us at @YC_Reading using the hashtag #FictionFriday with what you think of choices! And Happy Fiction Friday!