Harvee Lau from Book Dilettante

Today please welcome Harvee, who blogs at Book Dilettante http://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/.    

What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?

My first title was Book Bird Dog, to reflect my interests in reading, birdwatching, having a pet. I changed the name to Book Dilettante to avoid confusion with Bird Dog, for those people looking for hunting dogs or books on birds. 

 
How long have you been blogging?

Since 2007.


  Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?

I started out reviewing mostly mystery novels and expanded to other genres, including women's fiction. Now I review almost all genres, except for horror, sci-fi, serial killer crime novels, vampires, and books with extreme violence.


  What genres do you write about most, and why?

Mysteries, because I love a good puzzle.
Literary fiction, because I enjoy good writing.
Historical novels, because I'm interested in the past and how it affects the present.
Women's fiction because I like to read women's points of view.

  What's your earliest memory of reading?

The comics in the newspaper.
Books I found in our bookcase- a picture book on silk worms and the making of silk; a picture book on Gawain and the Green Knight; an illustrated book of dance steps.
Later on, Nancy Drew books.

  What was the first book you read over and over, or the book you've reread the most?

The books I read over and over as a child were the ones I mentioned above. I have reread Gone With the Wind and Rebecca several times.

  Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Oh, no. Never. Unless it's a paperback for a difficult class you are taking or teaching.

  What's your favorite place to read?

Somewhere next to a window.

  Do you have any reading accessories you can't do without?

A bookmark or two.

  Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

not nearly long enough.

  My TBR pile is...

outrageous.

  What's a book that's changed your life?

The Nancy Drew books.

  One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?

Some people have a hard time with Haruki Murakami's books. I like them all.

  To DNF or not to DNF?

Do Not Finish if the book is too badly written or plotted or too violent, or not at all your genre.

  What's one book that intimidates you?

The Stephen King horror novels.


  If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?

Back to Stratford-on-Avon, the home of the Bard.

  How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?

Gardening and birdwatching are some of my other interests.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway was made into a great movie a long time ago.

  What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Bibliophile By The Sea
• Dolce Bellezza
• Peeking Between the Pages

  What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)

Eclectic reader.



 Thank you for joining us today, Harvee! Remember to check out Harvee's blog, Book Dilettante, and leave a comment or question.