Michelle from The True Book Addict

Please welcome Michelle, who blogs at The True Book Addict. Michelle's blog is know for Cat Thursdays and historical fiction reviews.

Questions:


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

I started out on MySpace as The Book Addict. When I started my blog, I used it, but soon found out that there was another blog with that name. I wracked my brain and true book addict popped into my head. I thought, "That makes sense since I am "true" to books, after all." The rest is history!



*How long have you been blogging?

Four years (in August)



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

Well, I guess it's unique partly because I'm constantly changing the background. I haven't jumped on the bandwagon of getting a custom design because 1) I can't afford it and 2) I like change too much and I know I will get tired of having the same design. I had a different header for the first few years of blogging and I just redesigned it last year. I will probably change it again in a few years. Who knows. Not sure if that makes me unique, but I feel unique at times. *wink* I guess my blog is unique too because I speak my mind. I really don't post too many opinion pieces, but when I do, I'm honest and straightforward.



*What genres do you write about most, and why?

I made the decision to make historical fiction the focus of The True Book Addict a few years ago. I still review classics and some literary fiction, but I branched out in 2010 with a horror/speculative fiction blog to help me maintain my focus on historical fiction at The True Book Addict. I think anyone who visits my blog will see it's obvious that history is my passion. Historical fiction gives me the chance to visit distant lands and envision historical figures the way they might have been. Although some historical fiction may not be completely accurate, in the end,it's the story that captivates me.



*What's your earliest memory of reading?

Can I say in the womb? LOL Seriously though, I remember endless hours of reading the Little Golden Books and those little square books they used to sell at the grocery stores. My mom would never let us get a toy or candy (well, sometimes), but she always let us get books. I had a favorite one. It was called Peppermint...about a little abandoned kitty. I must have been about three or four because I named my first cat after one of the kittens in that book, Caramel Drop. Of course, I also remember hours of reading Sara Crewe and Little Women and then later getting into fantasy, like the Prydain Chronicles and the Wizard of Oz books.



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

The book I've reread the most is Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice...four times. Rice is my favorite author and I know it seems funny for me to say that because of my love for historical fiction, but anyone who has read Rice's books knows that she is a meticulous researcher and many of her books feature historical elements. I really love all of her books, especially the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches, but Queen of the Damned is my favorite book of all time.



*Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Hell to the no! I might condone in self-help books, but I draw the line everywhere else.



*What's your favorite place to read?

In my room, in my comfy armchair with my feet propped up on my huge footstool.



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

My glasses...and book marks, of course!



*Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

loaded with a collection of 3000+ books. No, I am NOT a hoarder!



*My TBR pile is...

see above



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

Wuthering Heights. Am I the only one who thinks Heathcliff is incredibly romantic? Guess I just love the tortured hero.



*To DNF or not to DNF?

Now that I have so much to read, I have a general rule of 50 to 100 pages. If it's not grabbing me by then, it's outta there. I like most books though so this doesn't happen very often.



*What's one book that intimidates you?

War and Peace by Tolstoy



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

England. After recently reading Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell, it has renewed my interest in visiting London and touring the streets that were Whitechapel and surrounding in Victorian times.



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

I watch an incredible amount of television, but really only at night. And I read during the commercials. I also love movies almost as much as books...almost.



*What's your favorite (or least-favorite) book to movie adaptation?

The Silence of the Lambs because it was SO much like the book.



*What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Wordsmithonia
• Lit and Life
• Between the Covers

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

"All-Rounder

Your responses showed you fitting equally into all four reading personalities:

Involved Reader: You don't just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase - discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you'd like - so you're very particular about the books you choose.
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors."




Thank you for joining us today, Michelle! Remember to check out Michelle's blog, The True Book Addict (http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/), and leave a comment or question.