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| My mom (left), my aunt (right), and I (middle) attending SFB 2010 |
Back in college, I first majored in Social Work, then switched my major to English because, well, I loved to read. I received a degree in English: Language & Literature after taking courses such as Japanese Fiction and Southern Literature at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Putting my English degree to good use, I taught high school English for three years. Unsure then that education was my calling, I entered the mental health field as a child case manager for the next three years. I learned a lot about the world and adolescents during my time in social work, which helps me in my current vocation.
As of August 2010, I found myself back in the classroom, sharing my love for reading and writing with the middle school set. I'm a voracious reader of an eclectic mix of things -- southern literature, chick lit, mysteries & thrillers, memoirs, foodie writings. In addition to a degree in English, I also have a minor in Women's Studies, so it stands to reason that I'm highly interested in both women's history and female authors.
My time is spent teaching, reading, lesson planning, reading, spending time with family and friends, and... reading. Okay, that's what I used to do, anyway. I got married in January 2012, I am a stepmother to a handsome, clever eleven-year-old, and we added baby Ava to our family last October. She is the light of all of our lives, and she rules the roost. In short, most of the reading I do occurs while pumping at school, while driving (the Audible app for iPhone), or after she is fast asleep. My book count has gone way down since last fall, but my quality of life has gone up!
I started this blog, A Worn Path, on December 31, 2008. It didn't start as a book blog -- in the beginning there were posts about any number of things, from movies to restaurants to music. In July 2009 I decided to give up the premise of a regular old blog and devote myself wholeheartedly to writing about the books I was reading. Along the way, I've learned a lot (and still have a whole lot to learn). I've been blessed through the blog to develop relationships with some wonderful authors and publishing companies. I love to read and share what I'm reading with others.
Why the name? As I mentioned above, I am a reader of southern literature. The photo at the top of this page was taken on the steps of Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville, as my mom, my aunt, and I made our annual trip to the Southern Festival of Books. Raised in the south and educated here, I have a love for all things southern, especially books. Eudora Welty was a great southern writer whose short story "A Worn Path" made an impression upon me when I read it in college. The old tag line for my blog stated that I was "devouring books and information in order to find 'such a thing in the world' that would last 'the whole enduring time'" -- two quotes from Welty's short story that I find particularly beautiful. And so I suppose I am, as I believe words are our most powerful and long-lasting tool.
Look around A Worn Path to discover books both recently released and older, as well. I'm confident you'll find something worthwhile on each trip back, as things
As always, happy reading!
Joanna
Photo Credits: The beautiful "worn path" photo that appears at the top of the blog and throughout the blog via link images was taken by my wonderful brother, Carson McNeal. All rights to the photo belong to him. He has very graciuosly allowed me to use it in my blog header. He took the photo on our family's farm in the hills of Tennessee.
