about Claire
Claire likes books. A lot. She is taking a career break
to go back to University to become a qualified Librarian, so when not reading and listening to fiction, you’ll find her buried under text books.
Claire loves books, so it comes as no surprise that she studied English and World Literature at University way back when. What is a surprise, though, is that it took 16 years of hard labour and interesting experiences in an industry completely unrelated to books before she did something about it. Claire is now studying for her MSc Information Science Library Management to become a qualified librarian. She’s volunteered at a local museum library and got to sniff some very old, very beautiful books there. She’s also been an online cataloger, but there were no books to sniff doing that. She sits on the local Information Professionals committee as their student rep. She has a job, but it’s not related to books… yet! At home, Claire can be found buried under textbooks or trying to read whilst also being a climbing frame or foot rest for her young son as her husband hands her tea, he’s canny like that. If out and about, you won’t be able to grab her attention as she’ll have an audiobook in her ears while she is no doubt trying to find a bookshop to claim sanctuary amongst the shelves or retrieve a source of caffeine. More likely both. Claire joined Fictional Hangover in 2019 after Amanda sent her a text begging, pleading and groveling (this may be an exaggeration) to be her new cohost. To say it was an unexpected surprise over her morning coffee would be an understatement, she’s never looked back since.
You can find her on social media, probably with books or tea, by using these buttons.
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A Semi-Interesting Q&A
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What were you like in school?
Total swot. I had a core friend group and was most definitely not a popular kid due to the bullying over my weight. I tried to project confidence but I really wasn’t.
What were your favorite and worst subjects and why?
English, history and geography. Practically speaking I understood them, it wasn’t a struggle in class but I also really enjoyed them. I loved the information and discussions, the teachers were really good and engaged us in the subjects.
What’s a pet peeve of yours?
Crumbs in the butter. I feel irrational levels of fury when I see them sitting there being all crumby and out of place. Most especially when I’m the one to have put them there.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Milk only in both. I don’t mind black either. And no microwave shall come anywhere near my cup.
What is your snack of choice?
Cheese.
Can you cook? What’s your go-to meal?
I can cook and I can bake. I love doing both. I don’t really have a go-to meal, I think it’s because I always cook from scratch and don’t use ready meals or from the jar.
What is your current favorite book and why?
This is a terrible question, there are so many! Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a longtime favourite, The Pioneer by Bridget Tyler is a recent sci-fi love, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is a recent favourite of magic and whimsy.
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Who’s your favorite author?
I love so many and for different reasons! Gail Carriger, Bridget Tyler, Jackson Ford, Neil Gaiman, Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, Molly Harper.
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Is there a book you’ve read multiple times? Why do you keep going back to it?
Yes. Too many to list here. I love a re-read and if I’m listening to an audiobook for the show I’ll be reading something for myself and vice versa.
What are your top 5 favorite films?
This is hard and changes. I won’t cheat and give an honourable mention list though it's killing me not to...
The Princess Bride, Clue, Jurassic Park, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Young Frankenstein
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What’s your favorite Disney movie?
Tangled if it's animation, Hocus Pocus if it's live action, Bedknobs and Broomsticks if I’m putting Christmas decorations up. Yes, I know it’s not Christmassy but it’s turned into a tradition.
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Who is your favorite superhero?
DC is Wonder Woman, Marvel is Captain Marvel.
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What’s your go-to movie genre?
I always joke that it's a daft alien action movie. Netflix has yet to set this as a category.
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Who is someone you know that you deeply admire? Have you let them know that you feel this way?
Gail Carriger. Yes, it’s evidenced on the show twice and I made a complete dork of myself both times.
What's your favorite physical attribute about yourself?
Probably my hair.
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What was your most recent Netflix binge?
RuPaul’s Drag Race
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If you could do anything for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Work with books.
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Where is the worst smelling place you’ve been?
I don’t really recall, I remember there used to be a brewery in the city centre I grew up in and the smell of hops could be very strong and very memorable. I hated the smell but know people who love it and remember it fondly.
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What are some of your favorite games to play?
Ticket to Ride, Obsession, Stone Age, Arkham Horror, Star Realms, Dinosaur Island, Star Trek Five Year Journey, Star Wars Outer Rim, Lords of Waterdeep, Unfair, Charterstone.
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Where’s your favorite place to nap?
The sofa, with random TV on in the background and a blanket.
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What’s your idea of a great party?
Good friends, good food, good drinks. Probably a movie or table top. The people are the important thing.
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What are you hilariously bad at?
Accents. I refer you to the show and Patreon videos...
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What do you geek out about?
Books, comics, movies.
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