10 From 100- A Profile of Canadian Book Challenge participant PEROGYO

John's Preamble: Over the years of running the Canadian Book Challenge, I've been taken aback by the number of people outside of our borders who have taken on the challenge. We've had people from South Korea, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and India to name but a few. In the case of Perogyo, a Canadian who now resides in Japan, her interest in the challenge perhaps comes as no mystery. Raising her kids in Japan, she looked to the challenge initially to reconnect with her roots and to ensure her children are connected to that part of their heritage. She focuses heavily, but not entirely, on Canadian picture books. And now, let's found out even more about her!

10 FROM 100

1. What is an unusual talent you have?

I can peel a banana with my toes. You probably won't want to eat afterwards, however.

2. What is a sport you wish you were better at?

Soccer! I spent most of my time as a soccer player in my youth picking flowers. Now it's the family hobby and I just can't keep up. I can do some great soccer chants at least though!

3. A place or event in your current hometown that you’re embarrassed to say you have not seen.

I've never been to the Umbrella Burning Festival. I need to recitify that.
http://japan-photo.jnto.go.jp/eng/photo_detail.php?PI=130017

4. You’ve just won a trip to another province or territory. Where do you go?

Nova Scotia!! I would eat my weight in seafood, look at beautiful scenery, and crash a ceilidh.

5. A fictional place you wish you could visit

Three Pines, Quebec, from Louise Penny's mystery series.

6. Preferred superpower: invisibility, ability to fly, or time travel?

Time travel would be awesome.

7. Who is your favourite Canadian author?

Kyo Maclear. I love her children's books and adult books, and she always makes me think.

8. Name a blog or blogger you’ve discovered (other than the Book Mine Set!) through the Canadian Book Challenge.

This is probably my favourite part of the Canadian Book Challenge, finding new blog friends! There are so many I love to read, but I have a soft spot for Melwyk (http://indextrious.blogspot.ca/) who cheered me on during the first Readathon I participated in, in 2011.

9. What are your thoughts on “Books for Boys”?

I think the necessity of books for boys stems in a way from deep-seated misogyny. Why in the world can girls read books about boys and boys not read books with girl protagonists. It also speaks to the cover issue- even if a woman writes a serious literary fiction she is at risk of getting a flower and hearts cover which, sadly, men would be ashamed to pick up. The fact that women as talented as JK Rowling need to use initials instead of their names says to me we haven't moved on that far from the times of George Eliot.

But we can't fix this problem without fixing society, but we can try to make both boys and girls empathetic to the plight of the opposite sex, partially through books, regardless of cover images.

10. Name a politician whose life you’d like to read about in a graphic historical novel and why.

I'd like to say Audrey McLaughlin because she is one of the kindest politicians I've ever met, and also her autobiography was written in 1992 while she was still the first female leader of a sitting political party, so there is a lot left unsaid.
But really, the buffoon Rob Ford and his antics are absolutely perfect for a satirical graphic novel.