Armchair BEA Day 4: Beyond The Blog

Armchair BEA

I don't think anyone starts a blog because they hate writing.  In fact, I would venture to say that most of us start our blogs in order to fill the need for written expression.  I, personally, haven't gotten to the point of finishing a full-fledged novel  yet but I definitely have aspirations as a writer and all-together literary person.

I've been writing almost as long as I've been reading and for me it is the most important creative outlet I have.  True, many times I look back at those old poems, short stories and diary entries and cringe,  but the truth is that at the time, they helped me get through some not so great stuff and celebrate some pretty amazing stuff.  

While I would love to be a novelist, I'm not sure that is the path I'm going to pursue in the near future.  More than anything else I want to be a teacher.  Being able to teach kids about literature and language and history is, for me, my biggest dream.   The impact that a good teacher has on the world is, I think, one of the greatest and most far-reaching things imaginable and I would to add "world-changer" to my resume.  

Armchair BEA Day 3: Networking...in real life?!

Armchair BEA

Networking is the driving force behind any successful organization.  This is especially true for fields where your success depends on keeping in touch with people in your community.  With book blogging that would be the literary community.  Obviously bloggers do a ton of networking online.  We use social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumbler to promote our blogs while also using our fellow bloggers, publishers and authors to find out what's new and relevant in the world o' books.  A lot of us tend to hind behind our computer screens and leave out and incredibly important part of networking - actual human contact.  I am a social creature by nature, but when it comes to this blog you can usually find me in a basement room like some kind of serial killer staring at a computer screen until all hours of the night.  Sure, I've only had this blog for a couple of months, and so I haven't had the opportunity to go to conventions, meet-ups, etc.  but a couple of weeks ago I was presented with a challenge and it surprised me how easy it was to get out there and actually talk to people about what I love - reading.

So here's the challenge:  Daniel Marks, author of Velveteen, had a giveaway on his YouTube channel.  He sent out signed bookmarks to 20 people and their job was to give out some of those bookmarks to local bookstores, libraries, etc. in order to promote his new book.  Then he would randomly select one person to win a signed ARC of Velveteen.  I was super excited when I won the bookmarks but then I had to actually go out and talk about the book and my blog and books in general with strangers (oh no!).  Here's the thing though, once I got to the bookstore, it was so easy!  First of all I came bearing gifts which is always good, but  more importantly I was talking to someone who worked at an indie book store.  Someone who loved reading as much as I did and wanted to talk about books.  Even though we only talked for a little while, that's one more person who knows about the blog, when she uses that bookmark or sees that book on the shelf I'll pop into her mind.  When someone brings up that book she may say "Hey a few months ago there was this crazy lady with fake mustaches (don't ask) who has this blog...".  It all sounds very simple but it really is.  The more people you talk to about your passion and your work within this community, the more people will know about it.  So don't be afraid to get out there, be weird and be seen! 

And now for your amusement my grandma and I wearing those fake mustaches I was talking about.  It was supposed to be gimmicky but just ended up being weird.  The author seemed to think it was funny though so that's a plus!

Armchair BEA Day 2: What I'm Excited For in 2012

Armchair BEA

Here's what I'm excited about in 2012:

Undead by Kirsty McKay

Zombie slaying cheerleader on a ski trip from hell?  Yes, please!  This book just looks like a lot of fun and that cover is too awesome.

Never Let You Go by Emma Carlson Berne

This book looks super unsettling and spooky.  Seriously, I would not want her after me.

The Suburban Strange by Nathan  Kotecki

     This seems like a supernatural coming of age story with some thriller mixed in.  Right up my alley.

Blind Spot by Laura Ellen

This seems sort of similar to One Moment by Kristina McBride which I just read and loved, except that in this book the main character is legally blind and the dead girl has been murdered.  Sounds like a great thriller.

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan  Vivian


Who doesn't love a good revenge novel?  This one looks great and I have to say it's probably the one I'm most excited for.

So those are the five titles I'm most looking forward to this year.  Let me know below which books you can't wait to get your hands on and make sure to link up at Armchairbea.com!

Armchair BEA day 1: Introduction

Armchair BEA Site

Okay so not all of us can go to the happiest place on Earth, BEA, but for those of us who are forced to stay home for whatever reason there is a great alternative Armchair BEA.  I'm so excited to be participating and of course things are kicking off with introductions all around, so let's get this party started!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

  I'm a hopeless bibliophile who doesn't get nearly enough sleep or social interaction lately.  I've only been blogging for a couple of months.  I had been following a few book blogs and back in April I finally decided to bite the bullet and start my own.  So far it's been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.  I've already met some great people and this community has been so incredibly welcoming it's overwhelming (hold on guys I have to go grab the Kleenex).

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

Right now I'm reading The White Queen by Philippa Gregory and I just finished One Moment by Kristina McBride, I'm trying to figure out what to read next.  Right now it's between Vampire Academy and Hush, Hush.  Thoughts? Opinions? Complaints?

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

That I fail at hyperlinking images in Blogger?  Also that I misuse question marks!

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

I really am loving all of the memes, especially the Friday memes.  It's great to see everyone's answers to bookish questions.

Where do you see your blog in five years?

Oh god, hopefully still up and running, other than that, it's a bit too soon to say.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

Although it may be everyone else's least favorite, I quite enjoy my rant about Before I Fall  by Lauren Oliver. 

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

Alison Weir, because I adore her and would follow her over a cliff.  You should go out right now and buy everything she has ever written. Long live history nerds!

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Thornfield Hall of course.  Because that's where Mr. Rochester lives...

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

I love how welcoming you all are.  No one makes me feel like a Noob even when I act like one.  Don't ever change!

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

Well it's only been a couple of months but I do find that I'm more open-minded.

Until next time guys!