Today please welcome Deborah, who blogs at Book Barmy.
What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
BARMY: British • informal
1. marked by spirited enjoyment
2. informal or slang term for mentally irregular Origin late 15th century
I am "barmy" about books, want to be surrounded by them, want to read everything, love all things bookish.
How long have you been blogging?
Just starting out.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I'm trying to capture the pure delight of reading a book and then talking about it.
My reviews are informal and chatty.
I hope to make other bookish friends through my blog and share reading experiences.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
Fiction and literature are my main reading, I adore being swept into a story, falling in deep into the characters, and experience different time periods and settings.
I'm a sucker for epistolary novels and anything based on diaries real or imagined, must be the voyeur in me.
In the same vein, I read memoirs - as a way to step into someone's life and view it through their eyes.
I'm a anglophile and will read anything British or based in the UK.
Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?
I've started to received advance reading copies both hard-copy and electronic.
I feel the pressure to read and review those books.
My policy is I will read and review only what I want. Even if I request an ARC, and find I just can't get into the book, I won't feel obligated to read it!
What's one book you think everyone should read?
Helene Hanff's 84 Charing Cross Road
A book about the love of books and literature. Letters between a bookseller in London and a play writer in NYC - what's not to love? One of my favorites.
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
Very lightly in pencil - especially if I'm passing the book on to a specific friend or family member. Special passages that have meaning to both of us.
What's your favorite place to read or blog?
My reading nook (aka my happy place).
Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
I believe getting books into peoples hands and hearts is key - no matter the method - libraries, independent bookstores, big box stores, and Amazon all have their proper place and can survive together.
See my local independent bookstore - Green Apple - editorial in The Atlantic (http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/64252-don-t-ask.html)
I must admit Amazon's treatment of Hatchette was very shabby and left a bad taste in my mouth.
What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
I'm an avid follower of many book blogs and when the blogger's personal voice comes through in his/her reviews - the more I enjoy it!
Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Oh yes, it's shallow but I often choose books by their cover. The Hundred Foot Journey, The Goldfinch, Louise Penny's books - all beautiful covers.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
Time and Again, by Jack Finney.
I have foisted this wonderful time travel novel on many people and few have responded with the delight I had hoped.
To DNF or not to DNF?
DNF - I give a book 50 to 75 pages audition, sometimes less. Life is too short and there are so many excellent books awaiting me.
What's one book that intimidates you?
Les Misérables - always wanted to read it, have tried many times and my eyes glaze over.
Maybe with time.
I am proud to say I finally read The Odyssey a few years ago after many attempts.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
Hay on Wye, Wales UK
Their literature festival is in May/June every year - some year I will go.
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
I'm early-retired. So I am fortunate to have the time for my hobbies. I grow old/heritage roses (bred before 1864), have a small vegetable garden, love music of all sorts, entertaining, cooking, and traveling with my husband.
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Great book - horrid film adaptation.
What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Cornflower Books
My Porch
The Age of Uncertainty
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
The All Arounder
Thank you for joining us today, Deborah! Remember to check out 's blog, Book Barmy, and leave a comment or question.
What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
BARMY: British • informal
1. marked by spirited enjoyment
2. informal or slang term for mentally irregular Origin late 15th century
I am "barmy" about books, want to be surrounded by them, want to read everything, love all things bookish.
How long have you been blogging?
Just starting out.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I'm trying to capture the pure delight of reading a book and then talking about it.
My reviews are informal and chatty.
I hope to make other bookish friends through my blog and share reading experiences.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
Fiction and literature are my main reading, I adore being swept into a story, falling in deep into the characters, and experience different time periods and settings.
I'm a sucker for epistolary novels and anything based on diaries real or imagined, must be the voyeur in me.
In the same vein, I read memoirs - as a way to step into someone's life and view it through their eyes.
I'm a anglophile and will read anything British or based in the UK.
Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?
I've started to received advance reading copies both hard-copy and electronic.
I feel the pressure to read and review those books.
My policy is I will read and review only what I want. Even if I request an ARC, and find I just can't get into the book, I won't feel obligated to read it!
What's one book you think everyone should read?
Helene Hanff's 84 Charing Cross Road
A book about the love of books and literature. Letters between a bookseller in London and a play writer in NYC - what's not to love? One of my favorites.
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
Very lightly in pencil - especially if I'm passing the book on to a specific friend or family member. Special passages that have meaning to both of us.
What's your favorite place to read or blog?
My reading nook (aka my happy place).
Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
I believe getting books into peoples hands and hearts is key - no matter the method - libraries, independent bookstores, big box stores, and Amazon all have their proper place and can survive together.
See my local independent bookstore - Green Apple - editorial in The Atlantic (http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/64252-don-t-ask.html)
I must admit Amazon's treatment of Hatchette was very shabby and left a bad taste in my mouth.
What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
I'm an avid follower of many book blogs and when the blogger's personal voice comes through in his/her reviews - the more I enjoy it!
Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Oh yes, it's shallow but I often choose books by their cover. The Hundred Foot Journey, The Goldfinch, Louise Penny's books - all beautiful covers.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
Time and Again, by Jack Finney.
I have foisted this wonderful time travel novel on many people and few have responded with the delight I had hoped.
To DNF or not to DNF?
DNF - I give a book 50 to 75 pages audition, sometimes less. Life is too short and there are so many excellent books awaiting me.
What's one book that intimidates you?
Les Misérables - always wanted to read it, have tried many times and my eyes glaze over.
Maybe with time.
I am proud to say I finally read The Odyssey a few years ago after many attempts.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
Hay on Wye, Wales UK
Their literature festival is in May/June every year - some year I will go.
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
I'm early-retired. So I am fortunate to have the time for my hobbies. I grow old/heritage roses (bred before 1864), have a small vegetable garden, love music of all sorts, entertaining, cooking, and traveling with my husband.
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Great book - horrid film adaptation.
What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Cornflower Books
My Porch
The Age of Uncertainty
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
The All Arounder
Thank you for joining us today, Deborah! Remember to check out 's blog, Book Barmy, and leave a comment or question.
Welcome to the community! I am big on DNF'ing books, too. Life's too short for books that don't capture you within 100 pages! Too many books out there!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, and welcome to the book blogging community!!
ReplyDelete