It’s Monday, and time once again for “Interview With a Bibliophile” in which I invite some lovely bibliophiles I know to answer some questions about literary tastes, reading habits, and recommendations. This is to pique some interest among friends and family about new book finds, to stir up some thought provoking ideas, and to simply share our mutual love of the written word. If you love books, I hope you will join us and take a look.
Today I have the joy of interviewing my writing friend, Emily Malloy. We met while working together on a few collaborations at the wonderful Theology of Home. Emily is the author of the book Theology of Home IV: Arranging the Seasons. You can read more about this beautiful book here . After I read it, I dubbed her the Flower Lady, for she truly is a magical artist when it comes to the medium of flowers.
Emily’s creative career began as an apprentice who swept petals and leaves off of a flower shop floor. She eventually rose to manager, floral designer, and handler of the social media marketing for a rapidly growing floral shop in Philadelphia. She later worked as a social media specialist, recipe developer, and copywriter for the Wakefern Corporation. Her work has appeared in Elle Decor, Green Wedding Shoes, and Feast Your Eyes. Emily was also the creative lead for brand marketing and advertising for Lilies + Loaves children’s wear company. She and her husband live in rural Mississippi with their four children in a rambling old house that has been lovingly fashioned bit by bit into a home. She laughs about that now because when she first became a mom she was absolutely certain she wanted to raise “city kids”. She quickly took to the country however and so did her children, although there was a certain learning curve. Emily confesses to having a ton of amusing run-ins with her farm animals. Last summer, her Jersey cow charged her and broke her ring finger. She muses that it is just crazy how sticking out her hand didn't deflect an 800 lb cow. Just last week, her Hereford bull escaped during a thunderstorm and deluge and Emily proceeded to outrun him down the road barefoot to chase him back to the pasture. When she ran past him and circled around to face him, she realized that having another finger broken wouldn't be her only misfortune if "Mr. Bull" decided that she was in his way. Jesus heard her fervent prayers for deliverance in that moment and she lived to tell the tale.
When not chasing down bulls, Emily home schools her children, takes photographs of the flowers and trees on her property, experiments with recipes, and tries her creative hand at original and unique flower arrangements, which I can attest are gorgeous. She is an avid lover of music and has just recently gotten back into singing after an 18 year hiatus. She loves a wide variety of music, but will readily admit she cannot stand musicals. One of her most treasured memories is going on an expedition to Antarctica, where she was excited to camp one night outside the tent, under the stars - or so she thought. A winter storm blew through and it wasn’t such a starry night after all. Still, the experience was amazing and the scenery strange and beautiful.
If you would like to know more about what Emily is thinking, her personal substack is: Emily Malloy and she is also featured regularly at Theology of Home.
And now, let’s get down to books!!
What is your favorite genre of book? Why? You can have more than one.
I love non-fiction and, because I try to prioritize spiritual reading, I spend most of my time reading on the saints and theology. But I love a wide breadth of topics in non-fiction, as well, from history to biographies, and do my fair share of reading on gardening, farming, and food topics. Amusingly enough, my favorite authors, however, write fiction. Go figure!
Can you share three nature books that you have enjoyed and would recommend to our readers?
Monty Don’s books are a feast for the eyes and a wealth of knowledge. I have a collection of his books and am so happy to sit with them. Then there is Tasha Tudor’s Garden by Tovah Martin. Gahlee! Talk about a woman who got it. The Independent Farmstead by Shawn and Beth Dougherty has been incredibly helpful in making the most of our farm and I find myself continually picking it up this summer.
What five children's books would you recommend that your own children have enjoyed? What do you look for in a children's story? What don't you like in a children's story?
Every night, we read aloud as a family and it is the highlight of the day. Of all that we have read, I cannot say enough about Ralph Moody’s series Little Britches. Other stories we have loved include The Deliverance of Sister Cecilia as told to William Brinkley, The Black Fawn by Jim Kjelgaard, Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and The Spettecake Holiday by Edith Unerstaad are recent favorites.
We are extremely discerning with what our children read. The maxim “you are what you read” rings true. We are molded by what we consume and we only have so much time in this life, so it is important to take the time to firstly, know what our children are reading, and secondly, be sure that we approve. Stories need to convey truth, beauty, and goodness. Now, this is not to say that they need only be spiritual in nature. The overwhelming majority of children’s books we collect are secular. The questions we ask about books are whether the stories are edifying? Are they also interesting? (We are trying to enkindle the love of reading, not stifle it!). Do the characters make excuses for vice or show the reality of the fallen world? Is virtue evident? So, I suppose that highlights what we dislike in a children’s story.
Do you read poetry? Who is your favorite poet(s)? Why?
I had an extraordinary English teacher in high school who made even Robin Williams’ portrayal of John Keating in Dead Poets Society appear monotone. Because of “Uncle Mundy” (as we affectionately called him), I fell in love with poetry in 11th grade. Longfellow long-held my deep affection, but was dethroned by Gerard Manley Hopkins when I discovered him after my own conversion to Catholicism. Hopkins was an artist in the truest form. Few writers encourage their words to work as hard as he did. His words are tactile and positively magical.
What is a book (or books) you could not put down? Do you have a life changing book? One that gave you a whole new perspective you did not have previously?
Wendell Berry’s Port William Series are constant companions. I annually pick them up and work through the stories of characters that I love so dearly. Hannah Coulter, in particular, changed my life. It is the only book that I have read that viscerally took my breath away. With each rereading, my breath still catches in my chest as if it still were the first time. It perfectly articulates things deep and unspoken within my heart about life and home culture, and family.
What are your reading habits? How do you go about giving your children reading habits of their own? What advice would you give to parents of reluctant readers?
My habits change with the seasons. I read a lot more in wintertime, as the sun is scarcer in the evening. It is my favorite way to unwind. Curling up with a book in bed is the best way to calm the mind and prepare for rest.
We always make sure that we have interesting books around for our kids to read. Twice a year, we do a “book challenge” with a prize to earn at the end. Prizes have ranged from hatchets to draw knives. We tailor the challenge to each child’s reading level and seek out those edifying, engaging books that foster a love of reading. This can help break through reluctance. I have a kiddo that would rather spend his time drawing than reading, so I understand the difficulties! The book challenge has helped us to realize what he loves to read (Arthur Scott Bailey really drew him in, no pun intended) and now we can offer him books that have both wit and adventure. I do think the largest cause of reluctant readers is technology. Minimizing that within the home (or just not having it available at all) makes for great readers.
Do you have a favorite author? You can have more than one.
It goes without saying that I love Wendell Berry. The earnestness and authenticity of his voice in both fiction and non-fiction show just how beautiful life can be. And the works of Jane Austen show just how beautiful the English language can be. So, she holds a special place in my bibliophile heart as well.
Denise:
I have only, in the past couple of years, discovered Wendell Berry’s magic. I can see why he takes your breath away. ‘Visceral’ is such a good word for it!! I wish we could go on and on here, but alas we must end our interview. Thank you for all your wonderful thoughts and suggestions, Emily. I do warn you, that one of these days you are going to open the front door of your country house and there I will be on your doorstep begging for a tour! I, of course, will bring a cherry pie to sweeten the deal! Happy reading to you and your whole family!
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I do not feel inclined at this time to have a paid substack. But if we were together in a cafe discussing all these thoughts, I would not be opposed to you buying me a cup of coffee - with cream, of course. In that spirit, if any of my posts resonate with you and you feel so inclined, you can donate here: buymeacoffee.com/denise_trull
This was just so wonderful. I ordered her book on the seasons. My children are grown, but as an “old homeschooler “ so much of this just made me happy. And I discovered Wendell Berry only in recent years as well, and he has become a favorite author!
Enjoyed this, as always!