Come Meet Gaele, from I am, Indeed.

Today please welcome Gaele, who blogs at I am, Indeed.


What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
It's a play from 2 different quotes - the first -
"Cogito ergo sum" is a philosophical postulation from Descartes that means "I think, therefore I am."  

The other is a quote from Pietro Aretino:
"I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself."

How long have you been blogging?
I've been blogging / writing for about 10 years now - a review blog is a relatively new concept for me, and I started that in July 2012.  

Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I'm a non-genre specific reader, if a book gives me that "ooh moment" when I read the blurb or a sample, it's likely to end up on the blog.

My reviews are always geared to encourage readers and introduce new authors to the public.   

What genres do you write about most, and why?
My personal preferences are for more literary fiction titles, but I've been in a historical romance kick lately. I don't know that I have one particular genre that appears more often than another - I do participate in more tours that are romance-heavy, and I've added audiobook reviews into heavy rotation as well. 


What's your earliest memory of reading?
I was sitting on my grandmother's kitchen floor reading one of her cookbooks - when I started gathering ingredients for my favorite cookies. I was about two and a half, and from that point forward I was never without a book in my hand,


What was the first book you read over and over, or the book you've reread the most?
Anne of Green Gables - and I still read it when I need those comfort moments - along with Paddington, Charlotte's Web, Winnie the Pooh and Babar. There is something both relaxing and comforting in those titles that are so well known and remembered. 


Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
nope. I won't even bend pages, and I take the dustjackets off my hardcovers when I read them. 


What's your favorite place to read?
I have a chair that I curl up in - but I can (and do) read anywhere. 

Do you have any reading accessories you can't do without?
Depends. If I'm reading for pleasure - the book and the right lighting is enough. If I'm in my review-reading mode - I need post-it stickies or the highlight notate feature on my ereader, and a notebook and pen or my laptop handy. I don't take notes as I read, but I do highlight important pieces and I always write my rough review as soon as I've completed a book. That way I can pick up another review read and move on - then edit/polish reviews after I've read my daily quota.  


Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...
all over the house and at least 3 layers deep.


My TBR pile is...
growing daily.


What's a book that's changed your life?
probably any of the multiple titles of Thich Nhat Hanh that I have read on centering, mindfulness or finding peace. 


One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
I have never (one of my only DNF titles) been able to read Fifty Shades of Gray. The writing was, in my opinion, horrible and the plotting and characters are just meh. I've read a quantity of erotica, and much of it is far better quality. I actually returned the book to the bookshop the same day I bought it after getting through a few pages. 


To DNF or not to DNF?
I hate to DNF - there are only a small handful of books that I haven't finished. If it's something I picked up for review - I will let the author know why I didn't finish it and what the problems were. If it was something I grabbed for myself- I try to give it to a friend I know who may like it. 


What's one book that intimidates you?
Walden by Emerson. I've tried several times to get into it - but I just can't appreciate it at all. 


If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
I actually want to go to the Clava Cairns which are quite near Culloden Battlefield - one of the set-up scenes in Gabaldon's Outlander series. 


How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
I knit, embroider and sew or I cook - I love to cook and bake so I do lots of it. 


What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I was really pleased (and surprised) with the Harry Potter series. The new Wuthering Heights release was amazingly good as well. 


What are 3 of your must-read blogs?
bubbles. deux. 
The Jeep Diva
Caffeinated book reviewer 

What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
As if there was any question - I came up as the 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, Gaele!

Remember to check out Gaele's blog, I am indeed, and leave a comment or question below, too!!