For this month’s column, Monroe Public Library Youth Services Coordinator Andrea Schmitz talked to Bella Purcell, age 9, who regularly visits the library with her mom and brother. Andrea and Bella talked about her reading habits and what she’s interested in right now — Harry Potter.

What are you reading right now?

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, book 3. 

Oh, you still have a lot of good stuff to read. What’s your favorite book?

Well, Harry Potter is my favorite book right now. I love it.

I feel that way, too. It’s hard to think about other books when you’re in the middle of a really good one. I think I know the answer to this question, but do you have a favorite series?

It starts with an H, and ends with a Y. Wait, no, it ends with an R.

Harry Potter? 

Yes, It’s my favorite series. We actually made a Harry Potter room in our house, where we keep all the books and movies. 

The movies are awesome, but you’re going to love the books. What other kinds of books do you like to read?

I like fairy tale books. I like Little Red Riding Hood. When I was younger, my favorite book was Rapunzel. My dad would read it to me. 

Fairy tales are so much fun. Do you read with your family a lot? Or your friends?

Sometimes we read as a family. I’ve read out loud to my brother, my dad, my mom, my friend, my dog, and my cat. Also, we listen to audiobooks in the car together. Sometimes, we make up stories and tell them for fun. One time, I made up a story called “Ninja Goldilocks and the Three Wolves.” 

Did Goldilocks get the wolves?

The three wolves were actually nice. The bad person in the story was the evil raccoon. 

Oh, I like that. Do you like to listen to audiobooks?

Mostly, I prefer to read paper books instead of listening to them or reading on a tablet.

Do you and your mom, or you and a friend, ever read the same book at the same time?

Once, my mom and I read Rump at the same time (a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin). I read the Owl Diaries series with a friend in second grade. Another series I like is called Animal Inn.

Do you have your own books?

Oh, I own a lot of books. I have two bookcases full of them in my room. 

Do you have your own library card?

Of course.

Is that important to you?

I have my own library card so I don’t have to go to my mom every time I need to check out a book. I’ll just have it in my pocket. It’s ready. I keep the full size one, and my mom has the little one on her keychain.

Let’s say you had finished the Harry Potter series and you didn’t have anything else to read? Where would you go to find out about new books?

Sometimes I ask my mom what kind of books she likes to read, and sometimes I’ll go to the library and ask a librarian what books they would recommend.

I should show you something on our website, a database called NoveList. You can type in the name of a book that you liked, and it will recommend other books that are similar. Do you ever get stuck for things to read?

Yes, sometimes.

Did you ever read a book that was too easy or too hard?

Yes, both. But I still loved it.

I think that’s the sign of a good reader, because people who enjoy reading aren’t really picky about what they read. Let’s play Would You Rather: Would you rather only reread books from now on, or never be able to reread any books?

I would just reread books.

Would you rather have to read the last chapter of every book before starting, or would you rather never get to read the last chapter of a book?

I would pick to never get to read the last chapter of a book.

Interesting. Would you rather live in the world of Harry Potter, or have a new Harry Potter series to read?

I would want a new Harry Potter series to read!

Where do you like to read?

My favorite spot to read is on my bed, because I read there all the time, and I’m relaxed and comfortable there. I have to be sitting up, with my pillow behind me, and the blankets just right.

What makes you want to read, and why do you enjoy reading?

Books are amazing and awesome, and they make me happy. If I was bored, I could just go in my room and I have a book. I like reading because it’s quiet, and it’s easy for me to do. I could be frustrated, and just go and calm down, and it’s really awesome.

— Cover to Cover is provided by the Monroe Public Library and is published the fourth Wednesday of the month.