Today please welcome Amanda,
who blogs at Maestra Amanda's World.
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What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
My first teaching job was teaching bilingual pre-k outside of Chicago. All my students called me "Maestra Amanda" (in Spanish, "maestra" means teacher). I really liked it and wanted to keep it going, especially since I wanted to blog about books that I could use in my classroom / books for younger children.
Funny story though---my friend thought that I had named it after the "Maesters" in the Game of Thrones series! I had no idea what he was talking about since I hadn't read the books yet (I have now, so no worries).
How long have you been blogging?
I *think* it will be 4 years in January.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I started out blogging about just books that I've read that I can see being used in the classroom. But, over the years, I've found myself wanting to talk about more---classroom ideas, technology, the dogs, my life, that I felt I needed to just combine it all into one blog.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
Childrens/MG/YA ---many reasons!
1. I am an elementary school teacher, so I want to keep current and make sure I'm making great suggestions to my students.
2. I'm a member of the Virginia Reader's Choice book selection committee (for elementary readers)
3. I LIKE THEM!
What's your earliest memory of reading?
Wanting to be like my dad and taking a newspaper into the bathroom with me!
What was the first book you read over and over, or the book you've reread the most?
I remember loving the Berenstein Bears series as a child, and I know I made my mom read that to me a lot! But the first book that I really REALLY remember rereading is THE WILD HUNT by Elizabeth Chadwick. I was 14ish and just wildly in love with English history and romance books in general, that I'd check it out from the library, read it, drop it off, and then a week later check it out again. I must have read that book 20 times! Shoot, I kind of want to download it to my kindle now....
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
Um, no thank you.
1. It's graffiti
2. It's rude.
3. Usually, you're wrong.
4. I don't care.
What's your favorite place to read?
Either my bed or my couch.
Do you have any reading accessories you can't do without?
I am coming around to reading on my ipad (kindle app), but I just love having a hard copy.
Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...
messy.
My TBR pile is...
HUGE.
What's a book that's changed your life?
Professionally, THE BOOK WHISPERER by Donalyn Miller.
Personally, I really don't know. I feel like every book I read changes just a little part of me---whether it be teaching me something, giving me a different perspective about something, or taking me to a whole new place.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
Anything Jane Austin. I'm not a "classics" fan. I think she's long winded and boring.
To DNF or not to DNF?
DNF. Ain't nobody got time for that.
What's one book that intimidates you?
THE HOBBIT.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
Hogwarts, duh.
But also, Redwall and possibly Westeros (but I'd totally need sword fighting lessons first).
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
I watch a LOT of tv! I also like to bake, take photographs, travel, and do crafts, like knitting (scarves, fingerless mittens & can coozies only) and making cards (Stampin' Up).
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I HATED the ANGELS & DEMONS and THE DA VINCI CODE book to movie adaptations. But I think that the one that is the worst is the Percy Jackson movies. Hollywood just changed too much. PJ was almost a totally different story by the time the movie was over.
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX was like that, too.
Don't get me started. Grrr....
What are 3 of your must-read blogs?
Andi's ABCs
Nerdy Book Club
Teach Mentor Texts
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
The 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.
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Thank you for joining us today, Amanda!
Remember to check out Amanda's blog, Maestra Amanda's World,
and leave a comment or question.
Hey, fellow Virginian! My first teaching job was also in a bilingual school and I love the "graffiti" comment about writing in books!
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I laughed so hard at your earliest reading memory!! And, I loved your answer to writing in books!
ReplyDeleteI have only read one Austen so far and I honesty don't understand the hype. I was rather annoyed by Mr. Darcy and I'm not sure I want to read any more. But seriously, you've got to read The Hobbit! I love, love, love that book (though the LOTR series is one that can understandably be intimidating and it took me forever to read)!