This month's Cover to Cover interview is with innkeeper, author, farmer and eco-entrepreneur Lisa Kivirist. She grew up in Glenview, Illinois. Lisa and her husband, Jon Ivanko, used to work in advertising. They share their farm with their son Liam. Her most recent book is "Soil Sisters: A Toolkit for Women Farmers."
What are you reading now?
Right now, I am reading "Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World Class Performers" by Tim Ferris. He wrote "The Four-Hour Workweek." It's a compilation of a lot of his fantastic podcast interviews. It includes profiles and creative, interesting things about interesting people and how they create and work. Jeff Bezos on the idea of questioning assumptions, for example. You'll learn everything from what kind of mattresses they use to what angers them. I just find it really fascinating.
What else do you like to read?
I prefer non-fiction over fiction. That's what I write, so it's probably just pride and parcel. My husband and I have written four or five books on food, farming, and sustainability issues. A particular book that inspires me is "Sowing the Seeds of Victory: American Gardening Programs of World War I" by Rose Hayden-Smith. I'm drawn to people who write about what their passion is. The author is a garden historian with the University of California. She writes in such a way that you read about the past, but you immediately put things in the context of today.
Is there a character or figure from a book that you would like to be?
Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series. People have different opinions on her, but I see her as somebody who does her homework and it shows. My friend, who's on the county board, I call her "Hermione." I mean that as the nicest compliment. She goes into every meeting prepared and thoroughly researched.
What was your favorite book growing up?
I was a total "Little House on the Prairie" nerd. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably became aware of the series through the TV show first. My favorite was "Little House in the Big Woods." I read them aloud to my son when he was around 6 or 7. It was very interesting reading them again as an adult. I realized the complexity of the characters in a way I had not before. You see the pioneer spirit in Pa and Laura. He would have kept going West if he could have. I also enjoyed "Nancy Drew" books.
Tell us more about reading aloud to your son.
Liam is 15 now, but he's one of these rugrats that grew up at the library. We read to him so often. We brought him to the library all of the time when he was little. I think, particularly being in a library as a kid, that they associate reading with people and community and fun. At a young age, he started with "Harry Potter" audiobooks, and that was his ticket to reading. He just kept listening to them and one day he picked up the "Harry Potter" book. Granted, it was somewhat rote memory, but it boosted his confidence to start reading real books.
Does he ever share books with you?
Yes. He's now very much a science fiction guy. He recently got me to read "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. It's all about virtual reality and the consequences of climate change. It's very entertaining and fast paced. But it really makes you think. Steven Spielberg is directing a film version, due out next year.
Can you tell us about a book you were disappointed in?
"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo. You've got to be kidding that people actually have time to fold their socks. But it was so hyped, and I understood the general appeal. It just didn't appeal to my lifestyle. More power to those who got it. There's a lot more depth there, so I probably need to give it another shot and then clean my closet.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one book, what would it be?
A desert island cookbook wouldn't really help; I wouldn't have any ingredients. Perhaps a survivalist book. Maybe I'd want something I haven't read that would be seriously long, like "War and Peace." I need to have a good re-reading of some of the classics. There are some I've never read. I know I missed "The Catcher in the Rye" and "1984." I missed a lot of literature in high school, so I know I could go for some classics.
- Cover to Cover is provided by the Monroe Public Library and is published the fourth Wednesday of the month.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I am reading "Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World Class Performers" by Tim Ferris. He wrote "The Four-Hour Workweek." It's a compilation of a lot of his fantastic podcast interviews. It includes profiles and creative, interesting things about interesting people and how they create and work. Jeff Bezos on the idea of questioning assumptions, for example. You'll learn everything from what kind of mattresses they use to what angers them. I just find it really fascinating.
What else do you like to read?
I prefer non-fiction over fiction. That's what I write, so it's probably just pride and parcel. My husband and I have written four or five books on food, farming, and sustainability issues. A particular book that inspires me is "Sowing the Seeds of Victory: American Gardening Programs of World War I" by Rose Hayden-Smith. I'm drawn to people who write about what their passion is. The author is a garden historian with the University of California. She writes in such a way that you read about the past, but you immediately put things in the context of today.
Is there a character or figure from a book that you would like to be?
Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series. People have different opinions on her, but I see her as somebody who does her homework and it shows. My friend, who's on the county board, I call her "Hermione." I mean that as the nicest compliment. She goes into every meeting prepared and thoroughly researched.
What was your favorite book growing up?
I was a total "Little House on the Prairie" nerd. I'm embarrassed to say that I probably became aware of the series through the TV show first. My favorite was "Little House in the Big Woods." I read them aloud to my son when he was around 6 or 7. It was very interesting reading them again as an adult. I realized the complexity of the characters in a way I had not before. You see the pioneer spirit in Pa and Laura. He would have kept going West if he could have. I also enjoyed "Nancy Drew" books.
Tell us more about reading aloud to your son.
Liam is 15 now, but he's one of these rugrats that grew up at the library. We read to him so often. We brought him to the library all of the time when he was little. I think, particularly being in a library as a kid, that they associate reading with people and community and fun. At a young age, he started with "Harry Potter" audiobooks, and that was his ticket to reading. He just kept listening to them and one day he picked up the "Harry Potter" book. Granted, it was somewhat rote memory, but it boosted his confidence to start reading real books.
Does he ever share books with you?
Yes. He's now very much a science fiction guy. He recently got me to read "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline. It's all about virtual reality and the consequences of climate change. It's very entertaining and fast paced. But it really makes you think. Steven Spielberg is directing a film version, due out next year.
Can you tell us about a book you were disappointed in?
"The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondo. You've got to be kidding that people actually have time to fold their socks. But it was so hyped, and I understood the general appeal. It just didn't appeal to my lifestyle. More power to those who got it. There's a lot more depth there, so I probably need to give it another shot and then clean my closet.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one book, what would it be?
A desert island cookbook wouldn't really help; I wouldn't have any ingredients. Perhaps a survivalist book. Maybe I'd want something I haven't read that would be seriously long, like "War and Peace." I need to have a good re-reading of some of the classics. There are some I've never read. I know I missed "The Catcher in the Rye" and "1984." I missed a lot of literature in high school, so I know I could go for some classics.
- Cover to Cover is provided by the Monroe Public Library and is published the fourth Wednesday of the month.