Obsession (for Bunnies!!!)

Obsession. We all have one. Some of us have many, purchased in bulk from Calvin Klein, because you can never have too much of a scent that blends the “botanics, spices, and rare woods” that capture the…

Wait, no.

Sorry. Wrong sort of obsession. I’ve just been reminded that we’re talking about the other kind of obsession this week. That makes sense, given that we’re celebrating the release of Kevan Atteberry’s Bunnies!!!

This ebullient new book invites us to share in the delight of an adorable monster’s fascination with and enthusiasm for everyone’s favorite long-eared forest creature. In keeping with the joyful energy that Kevan captures so perfectly, I asked some EMUs to sound off on their own personal obsessions. Here’s a compilation of what the gang had to say about the things that trigger an over-the-top level of excitement in each of them:

Carole Gerber: My obsession is nearly always an adult novel or nonfiction book that I loved and devoured. Most recently, I read “Descent” by Tim Johnston in one long afternoon and evening. It’s a wonderful thriller and took my mind off being “grounded” at home on crutches as I recover from foot surgery. The only downside to becoming obsessed with a book is that I am always slightly annoyed at myself for reading it so quickly!

Christine Olson Hayes: I go crazy for flea markets and 1980s TV shows. Nothing like a little bargain hunting and cheesy television to brighten up your day!

Janet Fox: Mine would have to be Star Trek. I fell in love with the first series when it aired, followed TNG, and then exposed my son at an early age, which has resulted in a Star Trek mutual obsession – except that at age 23 he has now way surpassed me. Still, it’s fun to share those subtle references with him.

Laurie Thompson: Here’s a laundry list of my various and sundry obsessions: sea salt dark chocolate caramels; furry four-legged animals; birds, especially crows and hawks; pajamas; and, of course, BOOKS!

Maria Gianferrari: I have two obsessions. The first is hawks (red-tails in particular). I love scanning highway lampposts and trees while driving to see them perch-hunting (and it’s the subject of one of my upcoming books). My other obsession is dogs, or maybe Doggies!!!

Megan Morrison: I get Declan-level excited about lots of things, but today I want to shout ebulliently about BioWare video games! They’re role-playing games, and they’re excellent fun. Epic fantasy and sci-fi settings, great characters, compelling romances, and fantastic dialogue. If these games were BUNNIES!!!, I’d chase them around the woods all day and very likely frighten them with my ferocious glee.

Mylisa Larsen: KAYAKS!!! I don’t know what it is about those little right-down-in-the-water boats that makes my heart go pitter-patter but oh, I love them. 

Penny Parker Klostermann: My personal BUNNIES is Peeps! The sugar-coated, marshmallow, pink and yellow chicks and BUNNIES! It’s such an obsession that all my family and friends give me packs-a-plenty to devour around Easter. I’m a connoisseur of sorts. I only want pink or yellow. I don’t think the other colors are authentic. And I do yell PEEPS!!! when they appear in stores for Easter!

Rebecca Van Slyke: Besides the obvious DARK CHOCOLATE!!! and BOOKS!!!, I love POPCORN!!! and PENNIES!!! I seem to find a lot of pennies on the ground. I started saving it in a jar. When the jar is full, I donate it to a charity.

Susan Vaught: I get a bit stupid for anything that reminds me of my favorite science fiction or fantasy books, especially Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, and the Dark is Rising. Yes, yes, I know, this screams GEEEEEEEEEK. I embrace my inner geek. I can’t help it. Elf, dwarf, hobbit, wizard, phaser, Millenium Falcon, some tall, dark and 1000 year old guy booming, “The Dark! The Dark is riiiiiiising!”–I’m there.

Tamara Smith: I have a few notable obsessions, things that send my heart racing, my mind thinking irrational thoughts, my muscles burning. Chocolate is one of them. So is peanut butter. And anything about the late actor River Phoenix. (Sigh.) But what comes to mind vividly right now is not an obsession of mine, but my newest son’s. Jafeth is OBSESSED with lights. Flashlights, candles, stars, the moon, lamps, ceiling lights and light switches. If he spots any of these his eyes (pardon the word) light up and he points and jumps. “La luz, la luz, la luz,” he chants. He will then (if it is a light switch) flip it on and off about fifty times, or he will then (if it is the moon) stare at it for fifty seconds, or he will then (if it is a flashlight) take it apart into fifty pieces. And while you need a little patience to ride the experience (and a strong heart that can withstand the strobe-like effect), it is tough not to be swept up in his enthusiasm. Lights are pretty cool, right? 

And, finally, my own personal obsession is pretty easy to identify. I believe that there is one true musical god, and that his name is Bruce Springsteen. Which works out fine, except for the nagging worry that when I die—regardless of how I’ve lived my life, good or bad—my immortal soul just might end up in Jersey (that’s a joke—no offense to readers who reside in the beautiful Garden State!).

Check back in tomorrow for another post celebrating the release of Bunnies!!! And remember, Kevan will be giving away two signed copies of the book this week. Leave a comment on this post or any others this week for a chance to win!