BBAW - Interview!

Book Blogger 

Appreciation Week

Day 2

The BBAW Interview Swap is always one of the most popular events because it gives us a chance to get to know each other in depth. If you didn't sign up, there are questions to use as an self-interview!

Big welcome to Shu of Lit Snob


1. How long have you been blogging and why did you start?

I started blogging about 8 months ago. myfriendamy got me started because we spent so much time talking about what we read that she suggested I start a book blog.

2. What do you hope to get out of book blogging?

Mostly, I love meeting other people who love books as much as I do. To me book blogging is an avenue to share my passion for books without driving my family crazy.

3. Do you have an all time favorite book? Top Ten?

There are so many great books out there. I really love Jane Eyre and On the Road by Jack Kerouac, but my all time favorite would have to be Visions of Cody by Jack Kerouac. The language in that book is so beautiful. Reading it is an experience in and of itself.

4. What are your favorite genres?

I don't have a favorite genre. I like general and young adult fiction.

5. What genre would you never read?

I don't like erotica even though I had the misfortune of reading 50 shades of grey. I also am not a huge fan of mystery, but I generally never say never

6. Tell us about your family and what you do when your not reading?

I'm in my second year of grad school and I'm a mother of 3. So when I'm not reading I'm taking care of my family and working on my research project. I was an English Teacher for 10 years before I went back to get my MA.

Busy Lady!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

BBAW - Appreciation

Book Blogger 

Appreciation Week

Day 1

Appreciation! There are no awards this year, but it can still be hard to navigate the huge universe of book blogging. Share with your readers some of the blogs you enjoy reading daily and why.

My far right column has three widgets for blog links. I don't show all of them anymore because of the huge number so when I'm online, I check through the ones that were updated most recently.

I love reading The Betty and Boo Chronicles. Melissa doesn't update everyday and not everything is about books but she is a joy and I love reading about her children.

I enjoy ebooks almost as much as print, Pixel of Ink is my go to place for free kindle books.

Sheila at Book Journey does the It's Monday, What are you Reading? meme. She's also active with a f2f book club, bike riding and charities.

Another favorite is Pasadena Daily Photo. Petrea is a photographer, among other things, and posts a daily photo. Most are in and around Pasadena, California. She has also published a short story and is working on a novel.

I also read The Hungry Runner Girl. Janae is a runner and new Mom. She's super fun to read. She and her husband recently moved so Billy could attend Law school.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Interview with Carrie of Books and Movies

Interview Swap

Carrie of Books and Movies is a wonder! Her blog started out all about books and movies but has branched out to include family and school. Carrie is a homeschooling mother of four, ages 9, 11 12 & 14. Her blog says "I love to buy books, borrow books, shelve books, list books, smell books, hold books, catalog books, talk about books, trade books, and – of course – read books!" I was able to ask five questions, and of course, I thought of better ones after I sent the email.

Question 1: If you see the movie first, will you read/listen to the book?

I used to be a stickler for reading the book first before I saw a movie, but have found that I actually like doing it the other way around - I'm less disappointed. For instance, I read Eragon aloud to my son, Noah, and then we rented the movie. We HATED it - they changed so much, gave hardly any story time to one of our favorite characters, and completely destroyed the ending. With Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, we saw the movie first and liked it. Then I read the book aloud to my boys and we all agreed the book was better, but it didn't ruin our enjoyment of the movie. So, that was a long answer to a short question, wasn't it? So my answer is, yes, I will still pick up the book after seeing movie. :)

Question 2: What are your top ten favorite authors? {side note: I hate this question so I don't know why I asked it but I love her answer and plan to borrow it later ;) }

Okay, I have to be honest and tell you that questions like this make me break out in a sweat! :) Only ten? As soon as I start thinking of names, I start worrying that I will miss someone. So instead of over-analyzing this question and poring over my review database, I'm simply going to give you the top ten that come to mind right now. They would be different if I answered tomorrow. Or even five minutes from now.

Jane Austen, Connie Willis, Leon Uris, Lisa Samson, John Shors, Nick Hornby, Laurie R. King, Anna Quindlen, Wendell Berry, Billy Collins

Question 3: If you were to become a book (Fahrenheit 451), which would you choose?

I've thought about this question before after seeing it on various blogs - and reading Fahrenheit 451, of course - and I think I would choose Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset. It's a little-known classic that deserves to be read, and I think all of the other "major" classics would already be taken.

Question 4: You have quite an impressive list of book bloggers. Can you tell us which ones you HAVE to visit?

Another question to induce a panic attack! Again, I'm going to answer with the first ones that pop into my head, so assume that my answer would be different on another day.

You've Gotta Read This - Sandy shares my love of audiobooks and Viggo Mortensen.

The Written World - Kelly and I have done some buddy reads that produced great discussions, and we have an online friendship that goes beyond books.

My Friend Amy - I love Amy's heart.

1330v - Vasilly reminds me that I'm never too old for picture books - and she challenges me to read outside my comfort zone.

Musings of a Bookish Kitty - Wendy writes terrific reviews, but she also writes long, chatty posts that I love reading.

Mental Multivitamin - Melissa makes me think - and helps me stay passionate about the joys and benefits of home education.

GalleySmith - Michelle feeds my love of YA lit.

Caribousmom - Wendy often reviews books that are outside of my normal sphere, and I am never disappointed when I read a book she recommends.

Unfinished Person - Bryan makes me laugh, and shares my love of television as well as books.

Question 5. You read like I do, we both ignore the house but I don't have four kids, let alone homeschooling. What's your secret? Besides not playing the games on Facebook.

I don't really have a secret, other than taking every single opportunity I can to snatch a few minutes for reading. I also am fortunate enough to be a fast reader - and I almost double my reading time using audiobooks. And, yes, I do often ignore the housework! :)

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

What do you mean BBAW is over???

I haven't been to see everyone yet!

I guess it is time to do dishes... maybe go grocery shopping... and my back is sore from sitting here typing all night, every night... then there's this book I saw on a blog and WON - it arrived Thursday.... and ten books at the library...

There is still time to enter my BBAW contests so check out the link up top. This really isn't good-bye, just let me take a real life break so my family knows I'm still around :-) then back to my regularly scheduled blog life!

Monday: Mailbox Monday and What are you Reading?
Tuesday: Teaser Tuesday and sometimes Where are you?
Wednesday: "Waiting On" Wed., A-Z Wed., and Wishful Wed.
Thursday: Introducing... and sometimes Tuesday Thingers (on Thursday)
Friday: Friday Finds
Saturday: Quote it Sat

and somewhere in all that, reviews get posted!

Wow, it looks like a lot when it's all laid out like that.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Amy and all who helped, blogged, hosted a giveaway or donated items and just tore their hair out over my, ahem, stupid questions. And to the wonderful blogging community. It has been a wonderful week. Now that I know where you are, I'll stop by.

Thank you to all my followers, I hit 60 and am thinking about what can of party I can throw when I hit 100! I hope I always have something to say worth hearing.

back later, nap time ;-) - Happy Reading,
Gina

BBAW Goals

Hopefully this week you’ve been visiting a bunch of new book blogs and maybe noticing some things about them you’d like to try yourself. Or maybe you’ve just had some ideas for improvements to your blog you’d like to put into place or new ideas for content. But there’s also probably something you really love about your blog, too, something you’re really proud of. It’s time to show off! Tell us and this is really important, in 50 words or less what you love best about your blog! And then in 50 words or less where you want your blog to be by the next BBAW! Ready? GO!

I love my clean, simple lines and that I'm still evolving.

One year? I want more, more, more! More consistency. More reviews. More giveaways. More friends! Maybe fewer challenges *blush* I'd like to be blogging as much next year as I am now. Maybe some bling, a third column and a dedicated .com (bookdragonslair.com). More time to visit you!

BBAW the tbr shelf

I saw this on Melissa's blog at The Betty and Boo Chronicles but haven't seen it at the BBAW's site. She did a fantastic job with this assignment, you should check it out.


Scorch and friends playing under the watchful eye of his Dad....

Not exactly my "shelf" because my books a scattered around but these are books I hope to read THIS YEAR as well as a couple for challenges that go into 2010. The center group are my review books. I've got to do one a week and so far, so good.

Upclose view. All except one were books I said yes too. One was sent with no note! I don't know if it was a thank you for a previous review or a please review me request. Watch for the reviews and maybe a giveaway or two. There is book jewelry on a couple that I've already started.


These are just close up shots of the rest in case you were interested. I don't know if you can read the titles or not. I wish I had noticed the gold dragon covers the cat on Homer's Odyssey.

I may not get them all read (I actually have 42 that must be read for challenges!) this year but I'll be happy if the review books are read/reviewed and enough others are read to complete a couple of challenges.

What does your shelf look like?

Happy Reading,
Gina

BBAW Thanks for telling me about....

Can you believe it’s already Day 4 of BBAW? Where has the time gone? Well hopefully you’ve discovered plenty of new book blogs to clog up your RSS feed readers and introduce you to more marvelous books throughout the year! But let’s talk about that book you know, the one you discovered only because you read about it on a book blog and then you realized you couldn’t live without it! And then you read it and you loved it so hard! Tell us about it and about the blogger (or bloggers!) that introduced the book to you!

There were several books I picked up only because they fit into a challenge "read a romance book with a 'G' author" but I'd have to say the first book I read specifically by recommendation is..... Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. I wasn't sure of it so I checked it out of the library. Read it. Loved it. Bought the the next as a Kindle book. Then the next....I now own all but the first in the series as ebooks and can carry them with me wherever I go. :-)

Thank you J. Kaye of J.Kaye's Book Blog.

BBAW Reading Habits

Today’s it’s all about the creativity. We have this fabulous reading meme for you below and all you have to do? Pick ONE or answer them all in as few words as possible! Be creative, have fun, stand out! That’s all! smile


Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?
If I snack.... veggies, chips, cereal. Fruit doesn't work unless it's grapes. - okay, great. Now I'm hungry!


Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you?
Horrifies me! I've started using sticky notes to help remember stuff for reviews. I do write in study/textbook kind of books.


How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears?
Dog-ears? no, no, no. flat bookmark ;-) My reading book has a metal hook marking my page right now....it is very cute, I'll get a picture later....


Laying the book flat open?
shudder, I very rarely do this.


Fiction, Non-fiction, or both?
both now, but mostly fiction.


Hard copy or audiobooks?
hard copy or ebooks


Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point?
You put your books down? End of chapters are best. Sometimes I have to put the bookmark in and then stop as soon as I get to it without turning the page.


If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?
no, I can usually guess by context


What are you currently reading?
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much. huh, just one?


What is the last book you bought?
Does it count that I'm getting it today? The Lost Symbol. Otherwise Homer's Odyssey.


Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I can have several going at once but usually concentrate more on one of them.


Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?
Anytime, any place. As long as I'm comfortable.


Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?
either but I like to start at the beginning of a series.


Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over?
mostly whatever I'm reading at the moment or just finished.


How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?)
I try for authors together or like-minded books

Bibliofreak's BBAW Giveaway

J.T. at Bibliofreak has the coolest giveaway going on. There are FIVE packs of prizes–one to give away every day. All the stuff is book related and most has been purchased at a library gift shop. It's all flat so it's mailable and the contest is open internationally.

Bookmarks, scrabble earrings, a Seattle Library pencil, coasters, a book club journal. Just to name a few - click over and check it out!

Woo Hoo - an IREX iLiad!

Oh man, I've been wanting one of these and had to settle for something else! I have more ebooks as pdf or HTML than I do Palm but I'd gladly set aside my Touch so I could take ALL of my other books with me. There are so many great things about this eReader but the two I love are compatibility and expansion.

Compatibility
File formats supported : PDF / HTML / TXT / JPG / BMP/ PNG / PRC (Mobipocket) FOUR files that I have books in that I can't take on my current eReader.

expansion
Expandable via USB, MMC or CF cards. USB? like a memory stick? Do you have any idea how many books I can get on one of those, they go up to gigabytes now!



I had a palm until it died but I loved that I could have books on a memory card. The Kindle did too but I hated it. Now I own a Touch and there is no expansion. None. Not possible. No. Way. sigh

The best part of the Kindle was the instant shopping. IREX HAS IT TOO!!! Plus there's notes and doodling. You've got to love this machine!

And then there is the stylus. Stupid, I know but I really miss my stylus.

Now, a question. Is the three hour charging time each time you charge and if I plug it in can I read while it's charging?

That's all I have to say for now, click here to read about the contest and find out how you can enter.

BBAW Blogger Interview

Due to a miscommunication on my part I was privileged to interview TWO bloggers. Jessica & Melissa.


Jessica of Mountains of Books is a SAHM (25 – 30) with a wonderful husband and an adorable 9-month-old boy…that they wish would let them sleep more. There are no pets. She has been blogging since March of this year.

Jessica explains her blog title on her site.


I understand the "Mountains of Books" and I'd love to have Belle's library but why blogging?
I truly love reading, but it had been a few years since I had read regularly...your life happens (work, wedding planning, babies,etc) and I was finding I was really missing it. So, Mountains of Books was a way to put some reading goals down for myself, keep track of what I've been reading, share with others, and discover so many other great books from other book bloggers!


Do you have a favorite book?
Um...it's hard to pick. I'd usually say A Room with a View by E.M. Forster. I read it first in high school and it really left an impression on me.


Author?
Jane Austen.


Okay, you want to read every book you find but what genre do you usually reach for first?
Usually, it's the classics. It's what I started with, I mean, after Berenstain Bears and American Girl books.


Own or borrow?
Depends on the type of book. If it's something I really enjoyed, then own. If it's a quick read, like chick lit, then borrow.


Paperback or hardcover?
Either.


How do you feel about ebooks?
I'm not opposed, but I prefer to hold something.


What do you do when you aren't reading?
Take care of my son, cook, scrapbook, blog (!), and work on my Montessori studies


Have you joined any challenges?
The Everything Austen Challenge from Stephanie's Written Word


How do you feel about them?
I'm enjoying it. I had a few Austen related books on my to read list this year, so it's helping me out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melissa of The Betty and Boo Chronicles is a married 40 year-old working mom of twins, more about her family at the end. She has been blogging since August 2008.


My niece couldn't say my daughter's name Sam so for a very long time she was Ham. With that in mind, I've got to ask, is there a story behind Boo?
I wish there was some funny story, but it's just what we've always called him, ever since he was born. It fits him. I did get an email awhile ago - I'm not sure if that person still follows my blog or not - who also had a son named Boo, and his real name is the same as my son, and my husband's. Kind of freaky in that small-world-Internet way.


Why blogging? What is your favorite part of blogging?
Like many bloggers, The Betty and Boo Chronicles started just over a year ago as a way to keep relatives updated with photos, the funny things my kids say, etc. I'd thought about starting a blog for awhile, but just ... never did.

At the same time, I had been trying to figure out how to get back into writing, which I love and had missed from my days pre-kids. And then I discovered the world of book bloggers and thought it incredible that someone would even be interested in reading what I thought about books. And then I couldn't resist commenting about the Presidential election ... and it just evolved from there.


Favorite book, author, genre?
Oh, gosh ... so hard to name just one! :) Two of my all-time favorites, Lorrie Moore and Rachel Simon, both have newly-published books, so that's a great literary treat. I also loved Ursula Hegi's "Stones from the River," and several of her others (with the exception of her latest). Beth Kephart is also a favorite, and has been long before she became a blogging friend. And I also love Jay McInerney. From these, you can probably tell that my favorite genre is contemporary literary fiction.


Student of... or Profession
Let's just say that I work for a non-profit and that my job involves doing something that a lot of people say they could never do or are afraid to do. {side note: I’m guessing public speaker!}


When was the last time you were able to scrapbook? What else do you do when not reading? (besides work, twins, etc...)
My best friend and I treated ourselves to a scrapbooking weekend retreat earlier this spring, in celebration of our 40th birthdays, which are just a few days apart. It was decadent - the food, sleeping late, no kids .... We're trying to make it an annual thing. I've been digital scrapbooking for almost two years now, and since all my photos are on my computer, that's so much easier.

Aside from working, reading, writing this blog and reading other blogs, I enjoy cooking. I'm also a calligrapher - I do people's wedding invitations, so you could find me doing that on occasion.


How is your novel coming?
Novel? Oh, yeah, I did blog that I was writing a novel, didn't I? Well ... does a page of notes count? I do think about the story a lot, and I know, I know, I just need to get writing. I'm considering doing NaNoWriMo this year to help with that.


Own or borrow?
Borrow - from the library. I love the library.


paperback or hardcover?
If it's a book I'm buying, 99% of the time it will be paperback. But my library books are generally hardcover.


How do you feel about ebooks?
I'm intrigued. I'd like to try a Kindle. I like the idea of always having a book with me and not lugging it around in my cluttered purse. But, I'm somewhat old-fashioned in that I could never give up reading actual books.


Have you joined any challenges?
I'm hoping to complete Dewey's Books, and I had joined Just for the Love of It (?) this spring. That was only 5 books, and I think I only read 3 of them. :(


How do you feel about them? Have they pushed you to read outside your comfort zone?
I like the idea of challenges, but I also like being able to read what I want, when I want. At the same time, though, I would like to try reading more outside my comfort zone and there are challenges that I think I could have completed this year, had I joined. Next year ...


Any family/pets you'd like to share with us?
My husband is The Dean, as I refer to him in the blog, and my kids are, obviously, Betty and Boo. We just got a new cat a few weeks ago named Mrs. Douglas. That was her name at the shelter, and it actually has significance to our family, so we kept it. (Blog post about getting her - Meeting Mrs. Douglas.) I'll post a few pics of her soon.


Anything else you want to share?
Can't think of anything else! It's been fun chatting with you ... thanks for the interview!



Me again, don’t forget to stop by both of these blogs and check them out!

Share the Love

Last week was fun seeing all the shortlists and visiting some new blogs but now it’s time to make it personal.

What book blogs mean something to you? Who are your most trusted sources for recommendations, your greatest help, the blogger you turn to for a laugh or to vent? Whose writing do you admire or who introduced you to a whole new genre you didn’t know about? We want to hear all about them…because we want to know them too! Please share about the blogs we haven’t had a chance to meet via BBAW and let the party begin!

Some of the blogs I go to all the time made the list, just not where I thought they would. I need to mention one, not only do I admire J. Kaye's commitment to blogging, she's been willing to answer my (stupid) questions, helped me out of a sticky spot and since she put me on her referral list for reviews my reading has opened up in many directions. And her challenges? So much fun.

Another blogger I enjoy is Gautami at Everything distils into Reading. Not only do I like to read her blog - she's almost always the first one to visit/comment on mine and brings a smile to my face.

Now, this one isn't a "normal" book blog but I wouldn't be having near as much fun without A Novel Challenge. My hat goes off - that's a lot of work!


I have about 100 or so blogs bookmarked so I'll go back and visit but I don't make it back often enough, even when I put them in daily folders!

I just want to say an open "Thank You" to book bloggers in general, meme hosts and challenge hosts and those who come up with great events (thanks Amy). You've made my year so much fun. I have found, in my jumping around from blog to blog, that I am not alone in my desire to read and I'm more willing to purchase new authors or spread out into other genres. My pocket book is lighter but my bookshelves are overflowing with new friends, thanks to you.

BBAW New Participant Meme

I'm really glad Jenny Girl stopped by - I would have missed this!

I’ve seen some questions floating around about Book Blogger Appreciation Week, so here’s a way to learn more about it from people who participated last year!

If you were a part of BBAW last year, please answer these simple questions on your blog and drop your link into Mister Linky so that others can learn all about BBAW! Feel free to tag other bloggers to play along!
1) What was the highlight (something that happened, a post, an activity, etc.) of BBAW for you last year?
2) What is one new blog you discovered during BBAW last year?
3) What tips would you share to help others get the most out of their BBAW experience?

But wait!! We don’t want those of you who didn’t participate to feel left out, so if you didn’t participate last year, how about these questions?
1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?
2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?
3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?

Now, I didn't participate last year, wasn't blogging, so I'm thrilled Amy has new questions....

1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?

I'm meeting new people! I'm reading outside my comfort zone but I may have done that eventually but really - it's the people.

2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?

everyone has been very nice to me but when I was stuck about something or had stupid questions J. Kaye really came through for me.

3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?

How? Really, how do I do this?




now, to visit everyone else....