Armchair BEA – Introductions and Classics

Armchair BEA visitors

Out of breath Sam joined Charlotte and Cedric for breakfast in the cosy breakfast room of the inn opposite the conference venue.  “Where have you been,” Charlotte asked munching on a daffodil bulb.

Smiling Sam presented a piece of paper to Charlotte. When she stretched out to take it from Sam, he laughingly pulled back and gave Cedric the week’s program.

Between bites of food, chewing and swallowing, they discussed the questionnaire. Staring at the questions Cedric suggested, “Perhaps we should divide the questions in three groups to think about and then we can reconvene later to discuss them.“ Nodding their heads, the other two agreed. With their specific questions in hand, each found a cosy spot to study and work through their list of questions.

 

Introduction

The morning went by quickly. The moles settled in their armchairs, with snacks close by. Cedric had his scribing tools ready and preparation of the introductions began.

Where are you from?

“I’ll begin,” Charlotte volunteered, “One of the questions is where we come from. Do you remember when The Four Faces visited us?”

“Wow,” The Four Faces reacted in astonishment. The double doors opened into a large hall covered in red velvet, with pillows lying on the carpets, and more pillows stacked against the walls. Beautiful violin music was playing softly in the background. Everywhere, moles were sitting on their own, reading, or in groups, chatting. Some even looked as if they were discussing very serious subjects.

“This is our Reading Room, where we relax” Madison the Mole explained, “Come, let us have some lunch, and then I will show you around.” (Excerpt from The Four Faces)

“I miss the Reading Room,” Cedric mused, “Where is the piece of red carpet we brought with?” Sam hastily fetched his backpack and began searching.

“Ah, here it is.” Sam spread the red velvet carpet in front of the armchair. “Now it feels more like home.”

 

Who would you like to have dinner with?

Sam popped a nut into his mouth. “I have an interesting question. Which author or character would you like to have dinner with?”

“Sam, you are always thinking about food,” Charlotte giggled, “So, who would it be?”

“Definitely not with The Wolf. I shudder to think of him.”

Cedric whispered, “Yes, he would probably eat us for dinner.”

“I know. I would love to have dinner with the people in the forest. Remember when Eagle told us about the bright, colourful meals they ate? Yes, my answer is the Forest People.”

 

Participating in Armchair BEA

“What about you Cedric? What question would you like to answer,” Charlotte asked.

Cedric, peered at Charlotte over his reading glasses, “I would like to answer the question about whether we have previously participated in the Armchair BEA and what drew us to the event?”

Sam mumbled, “Always the serious questions.”

“What did you say, Sam?”

“Nothing important Cedric, please continue.

“My answer would be that in the history of the mole community nobody has ever attended an Armchair BEA.”

“And we were drawn to it because of the adventure,” Sam interrupted.

Frowning with disapproval at Sam, Cedric continued. “The time has passed where we have to protect the library in secret. Now we are the stewards of the different library rooms. Madison the Mole and Hadison the Mole want to extend our library. There is a new wing being built…”

“I didn’t know that. Did you know about it, Sam?”

“I saw the construction workers but I thought they were repairing and doing maintenance.

“Please tell us more Cedric,” Charlotte asked eagerly.

“The new wing will house great Christian fiction. That is the main reason we are here. Actually there are two reasons. The first is to find those jewels in Christian fiction.”

“And the second?”

“Sam, stop interrupting me, so that I can tell you. The second reason is more diplomatic of nature. It has come to our attention that in other places there are also people who have the love for books like we do. We are here to meet and set up new relationships with book-lovers and bloggers from places outside the kingdom.”

“And how are we going to carry out that in such a short time?” Sam inquired sitting on the edge of the armchair.

“That is why we are attending the Armchair BEA. We are going to do it here, from our armchairs.”

“Fantastic, I like that idea.” Sam settled back in the armchair and popped another nut into his mouth.

 

Your reading taste

“Here is another interesting question. Have your reading taste changed?”

Sam quickly swallowed the nut. “Charlotte, can I answer that question?”

“Sure.”

“My reading taste has not changed, but my taste is expanding. I am participating in this conference with an open mind. I am sure I will find interesting books displayed that aren’t the genres I normally read.”

“I would also like to expand my reading horizons,” Cedric replied.

 

Favorite book for 2013

“Our last question is: What is your favourite book you have read so far in 2013?”

Sam: “The Four Faces”

Charlotte: “Does that count Cedric? I think, you should be more objective, and name a book that doesn’t contain chapters written about us. My favourite book so far is White written by Ted Dekker.  What about you Cedric?”

Cedric: “I think it would be one of the fantasy novels; perhaps A Cast of stones or King.”

Sam: “Great we have answered 5 questions, and I’m hungry. Let’s have lunch.”

 

Genre: Classics

After lunch Cedric called a meeting.

“I would like us to make a list of classic literature that we would recommend to someone to read.”

With pen and notebook ready, Cedric made a list of classics they have read and would read again.

List of classic books we like and recommend:

Anna Karenina by Loy Tolstoy
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodr Dostoyevsky
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolken
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) by C.S. Lewis

Satisfied, Cedric put his pen down. “The list is not complete, but will do for now.”

 

Armchair BEA Posts

Journey to Armchair BEA
Introductions and Classics

 

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