Featured Blogger: Lory from The Emerald City Book Review

Today please welcome Lory, 

who blogs at The Emerald City Book Review.

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

Many years ago, when I was teaching elementary school and living in the Seattle area, I produced a few issues of a newsletter about children's books. I called it The Emerald City Book Review, a nod to Seattle's nickname and to my own origins as a reader in the Land of Oz. When I decided to start a book blog, I named it in honor of my original publication (even though it's not exclusively about children's books, and I no longer live in Seattle). I gave it the subtitle "A Reader's Journey" -- because to me reading really is a wonderful adventure.

How long have you been blogging?

Just over a year.

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

It's completely based on my personal reading tastes, which are rather whimsical and will vary with the season and my mood. I hope that's not too confusing for readers, but I want it to have a personal touch.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

In my first year I wrote a lot of reviews of classic fiction and children's books, but that might change at any moment.

What's one book you think everyone should read?

If I forced everyone to read one book, some of them would hate it and me, which would be very distressing. But I wish more people would try Diana Wynne Jones. She's absolutely brilliant (if you are not allergic to fantasy).

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

I don't write in books any more, though I did plenty of underlining and highlighting when I was in school.

What's your favorite place to read or blog?

Right now (February in New Hampshire), a cozy chair by a roaring fire, or else I'd love to be whisked off to a hammock between two palm trees on a balmy beach.

What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?

Be honest and true to yourself. Don't be afraid to reach out. If you're not enjoying it, it's not worth it.

Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?

Both! I am definitely swayed by appearance and I'm a sucker for beautifully produced books. I also love to discover new books and authors through readers I know and trust. Blogs are great for that.

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

The Fault in Our Stars -- I hated the characters, the story, the writing style, the whole terrible pretentious package. I did finish it for some reason, however.

To DNF or not to DNF?

I used to try to finish books that were not working for me, just to give them a chance, but I've decided life is too short for that.

What's one book that intimidates you?

War and Peace.

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

Real: Yorkshire, England
Imaginary: Narnia

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

I sing in a small a capella choir, which at least gets me out of the house once a week. I'm also a spinner and knitter, though I go through definite crafty and non-crafty phases. Cooking and baking are part of my day job, but I enjoy those as well. I also love hiking in the mountains with my husband and son.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

Some of my favorites include The Wizard of Oz, A Room with a View, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Princess Bride, and Much Ado About Nothing.

What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?

Ten Favorite Illustrators at Behold the Stars
Cover trends at River City Reading
Charlotte vs. Emily debate at Vulpes Libris

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Thank you for joining us today, Lory! Remember to check out Lory's blog, The Emerald City Book Review, and leave a comment or question.

Monika from A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall

Today please welcome Monika, who blogs at A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall.



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

It's from "Television" by Roald Dahl:

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,Go throw your TV set away,And in its place you can installA lovely bookshelf on the wall.

(http://allpoetry.com/poem/8503169-Television-by-Roald_Dahl)

How long have you been blogging?

I just started book blogging in January of this year. I've been blogging off and on in some form or fashion for quite a while (since the early days of Xanga so, almost 13 years!).

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

I think my blog is unique because I don't shy away from including titles specific to my career (music). I figure a musician/music teacher somewhere out there may come across the review and find it helpful.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

My earliest memory of reading is snuggling up on the couch with my mom, as she read to me (often from "Little Visits with God"). I can hear how funny her voice sounded as I listened to it with my ear against her collarbone. I remember how cozy and loved I felt, and I can still see the soft, yellow glow from the lamp beside us.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Hell to the no! That's something I love about my Nook - I can "write" in books guilt-free!

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

now filled with children's books, but otherwise fairly sparse now that I've moved almost exclusively to e-books. My music room, however... the bookshelves in there are scary!

To DNF or not to DNF?

I will definitely DNF a book after giving it a fair shot. I always give it my best try first, though, sometimes even putting it aside and coming back in hopes that it was simply bad timing.

What's one book that intimidates you?

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. It's definitely on my bucket list!

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

Here in the US: Walnut Grove, Minnesota (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Overseas: Amsterdam (Anne Frank)

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

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, Monika! Remember to check out 's blog, A Lovely Bookshelf on the Wall, and leave a comment or question.

Becca from Lost in Books

Today we welcome one of the co-creators of Book Bloggers International, Becca of Lost in Books!  She is actually the one who brainstormed this brilliant idea and worked with Tasha and Tif to see it through to reality.

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I blog at Lost in Books, where I have been blogging since 2009.  I also began Book Bloggers Do It Better, a discussion community on Google + exclusively for book bloggers (or both authors who are also book bloggers) this year.  I have been very humbled by its popularity and growth and I have learned so much from everyone.


Lost in Books is an eclectic blog, as I am an eclectic reader. One look at my Goodreads categories and you will see that much.  I read pretty much everything, although I most often find myself reading fantasy/paranormal, YA, mysteries, and world literature.  I am very big into world literature and world cultures fascinate me.  So much so, in fact, that I have a bi-weekly feature called Take Me Away Saturday in which I highlight a country or culture from around the world and share fiction, nonfiction, and children's books that give a glimpse into them. 

I love the book blogging community.  I have met some very cool people thanks to blogging, which is one of the inspirations for creating Book Bloggers International.  I wanted a place where book bloggers (and anyone else interested) could easily find each other and get to know each other better.  I discussed my rough idea with Tasha and Tif and they loved it. Then they each came up with their own amazing ideas for it and BBI was born.  They are awesome and I am extremely lucky to be running BBI with them, as well as to call them my friends. 

Now, a few fun facts about me:

• I can sing.
• I'm learning how to knit and I suck at it so far.
• I am borderline obsessed with Egyptology.
• I sketch.
• In addition to loving world lit, I also love ethnic food- Indian, Thai, Japanese, Greek, Egyptian, Caribbean, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Mexican, Ethiopian.  I'm making myself hungry now.
• I've been practicing yoga since 2002.  I don't do crazy contortionist things, but I keep myself flexible.
• I wish I could get paid to read!

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Thank you Becca for bringing us Book Bloggers International.  Please share any comments or questions you may have with her below.

Danielle of There's A Book

Please welcome Danielle, who blogs at There's a Book. Danielle''s blog is known for her outstanding children's book reviews, featuring star reviewers Turkeybird and Littlebug!

NAME OF MY BOOK BLOG(S): 
There’s A Book. I’m also a co-founder of both Armchair BEA and Brazen Reads. 

I HAVE BEEN BLOGGING SINCE: 
My book blog started back in September 2009, but I’ve been blogging elsewhere for years. 

GENRES COVERED MOST ON MY BLOG: 
I primarily review children’s books from picture books through middle grade and young adult, but I’ve been known to review a parenting book here & there. My picture book reviews are also done with a short review from one of my two kiddos who read the book as well. 

MY EARLIEST MEMORY OF READING: 
My first real bookish love was for the book Socks by Beverly Cleary. I’ve read it more times than I can remember and when I was about nine it went everywhere with me. My favorite place to read Socks was actually in the car on weekend car rides my dad insisted we go on. I loved it! 

FIRST BOOK I READ OVER AND OVER: 
This would definitely be Socks again. Like I said, I honestly can’t remember how many times I read it, I adored that kitty so much. 

MY FAVORITE PLACE TO READ: 
Anywhere quiet if I’m reading by myself, which doesn’t happen all that often because usually I am reading with two kiddos on my lap or next to me. That would be my favorite place to read, picture books of course. When I’m reading alone it’s usually on my comfy couch or in bed. 

MY MUST-HAVE READING ACCESSORIES: 
My book light (because I usually read late into the night) and if I’m reading during the day I have to have chocolate. I know! I am one of those people who eats while reading. I’m careful though! 

MY BOOKSHELVES ARE: 
Mostly taken over by picture books, which is just fine with me. I’ve got one large tall book case in my living room that has three full shelves of picture books with the top two shelves filled with my signed books (some pbs, but mostly YA and adult fiction). In my bedroom though I have two large bookshelves for review books that I’ve separated by release dates and genres because I try to be organized even if it doesn’t always work. 

MY TBR LIST/PILE IS: 
Out of control. Really. My husband’s favorite thing to tell me is that he’d like to build an addition to our house out of all the books I own, not for, but out of them. What can I say? I love to read and you can never have enough books to pick up at any moment. 

A BOOK THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN SOME WAY: 
Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood by Karen Maezen Miller. Surprising or not, motherhood wasn’t something I always dreamed of being a part of. In fact, for a number of years doctors told me I’d never have children. Miller’s book came into my life when I needed to be reassured and find a way to be okay with just being the mom & person I am. It’s a profound book and one I give to just about every mother or soon-to-be mother I know. 

A BOOK I LIKE THAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS TO READ:
Dangerous Neighbors by Beth Kephart. This isn’t so much one that others don’t like, but one that I wish more people knew about. Beth is one of my all-time favorite authors and this is probably my favorite of her books. It’s beautiful and there are moments in it that make your heart soar. Love this book. 

A BOOK I DON’T LIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE: 
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. Yes, I admit it, I hated this book. I tried everything to like it. First I started by reading it and couldn’t get into after about one hundred pages. Then I tried the audio version and had my husband giving me the strangest looks as I listened to the cussing and strange phrases that kept popping up. Eventually I just gave up and decided I’d forever be at odds with this generally adored title. 

A BOOK THAT INTIMIDATES ME: 
I’m going to get a lot of flak for this admission I think, but I’ll just get it out there. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

IF I COULD GO TO ANY LITERARY DESTINATION I WOULD CHOOSE: 
Narnia. Who wouldn’t choose this? If it were possible, I’d go in a heartbeat.

MY FAVORITE NON-BOOKISH ACTIVITY: 
Movies and/or TV. I’m a huge BBC Sherlock fan and I’ve been known to go a bit crazy over Benedict Cumberbatch, much to my hubby’s chagrin. But anything in the sci-fi, fantasy, horror or related genres are things I can be found to watch. 

MY FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION: 
My favorite book to movie would have to be the last two movies for the final book in the Harry Potter series. It’s not spot on and you can’t really compare reading it over watching it, but in this case I think they did an excellent job. Who didn’t want to see the scene where Hagrid carries Harry out of the Forbidden Forest? Not to mention when Harry walked into the forest?! Loved it. 

MY BOOK BLOG STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD BECAUSE: 
I hate answering these types of questions. I’m just not a braggy type of girl. But if I had to say something it would be what others have told me in the past that it’s my passion that stands out. I have a passion for children’s literature. No, it’s more of an intense need to get the right books into the hands of children (and those who love children’s books) everywhere. I love sharing comprehensive and hopefully articulate reviews of incredible children’s books in such a way that others understand how I feel about them and in turn want to pick them up and read them. 

MY MUST-READ BLOGS (PLEASE LIMIT TO 3): 
Tales of Whimsy 
Once Upon a Story 
Bunbury in the Stacks

Thank you for joining us today, Danielle! Remember to check out Danielle's blog, There's A Book, and leave a comment or question.  Other ways to keep up with Danielle include:

Twitter (@the1stdaughter)  

Facebook

Goodreads

Pinterest

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