Featured #Bookstagrammer Abbigail Kriebs!

Give a warm welcome to Abbigail Kriebs, author, photographer, blogger, and bibliophile! You can find Abbigail on Instagram as @abbigailkriebs.

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Tell us about yourself! Where do you work/play? What books do you like to read? Do you have any non-bookish hobbies? Any pets? What's your one great ambition?

Hi, I'm Abbigail. I'm a Midwestern gal who somehow became a city-dweller in Madison, WI. My day job is in advertising & marketing, but in my spare time you can find me at Inkwells & Images, writing about books, photography, and writing. I love literary fiction - recent swoons include Sea Creatures by Susanna Daniel & The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I also love a good love story, anything where the Midwest is a major character, and I admit that every now and again I just want to be entertained. I have a husband and he has two cats, so I guess that means I also have two cats: Zipper and Thumper. Great ambition? I'm slowly, slooooowly writing my first novel. But sometimes, my big ambition is to spend time outside while the sun is still shining. Having a desk job can create some funky ambitious cravings.

How did you get started blogging on IG? How long ago?

I don't blog primarily on IG - I often share photos related to blog posts, or that fill in the gaps between posts on my site. Often, I find IG is the perfect place to spell out a lyrical thought that just doesn't need to be longer than a sentence or two. I started posting on IG in 2013, sharing photos and not realizing then that it would become my favorite platform and where I get so many book and restaurant recommendations.

What do you like about IG in comparison to other platforms or more traditional blogging?

I love that it's quick. And also that it seems to be a collection of the most beautiful images on the web. Scrolling through my feed is a relaxing, enjoyably task - not something that has to be done or that clutters my life.

Do you have favorite filters or settings you like to use? Is there a particular reason you use them?

I adore "crema" - as a photographer, this one feels the closest to capturing light on film. And it also reminds me of coffee, which is kind of a win-win for this coffee-sipping gal.

What are some tips you would give someone who was thinking of joining IG or had just joined?

Do it! It's lovely, first. Second: it's a wonderful place to meet people. Make sure to not only use hashtags but to click on those hashtags and connect with others. I've made actual, in real life friends doing this - and I'm not a super user or anything like that.

Third: don't auto-post all your Instagrams to your other social platforms. From a marketing standpoint, you should treat each platform uniquely and tailor your content its own attributes. If I follow someone on multiple platforms and see the same content over and over again in both places, I will likely unfollow them on one of the platforms. There needs to be an incentive to connect online in multiple places, or we are merely just adding to the internet clutter.

Hashtags: What are some of your favorites? Do you have any "rules" when it comes to using hashtags?

I like to capitalize the words in my hashtags to make them a little easier to follow. This doesn't always happen, of course.

Some favorites: #AmReading #Midwestival #AmWriting #BeMadison #Collaboreating

What are some NON-bookish things you love posting?

Food & travel. I love capturing the simple moments of life - my cats chirping at birds, the ice collecting on the windows in January. The little memories that you would otherwise miss while on vacation.

What are some things that surprised you about IG?

How much I would enjoy following absolute strangers! I'm stalking what they read, watching them raise their children, and even stealing destination ideas from people around the world that I have never and may never meet - and it all feels so personal.

What's one place, person, or thing you think has appeared most often in your photos?

My dining room table. It's a lovely wood grain cut on the diagonal that my husband made, and it makes the perfect backdrop for all sorts of things: fancy cups of coffee, new books, chocolate malted milkshakes. It adds enough interest to be beautiful, but not so much that it distracts from the subject of the photo.

Selfies: Yes or meh?

I am worst selfie taker. I have tried and tried, and they just never turn out. I'm going to blame it on the fact that I am only 5'1" tall, so maybe my arms just aren't long enough to take flattering photos?!?

They say a picture's worth 1000 words. What story does your Instagram feed tell about you? Do you think it's accurate?

Back in 2013 when I had only been on IG for a few months, I wrote a random note in my journal:

The seven photos currently in my Instagram profile accurately describe my life:
quiet country spaces, food, books, baked goods (more food), coffee, stickers, and writing (and more coffee).
I make my picture-taking self proud.

So yes - I think my feed accurately described my life, then and now.

What are some tips you'd give people for photographing their books?

Choose neat backgrounds! Don't always opt for the sky or your lap: look for neat textures, or places that complement the subject of the book. I recently bought two memoirs, both dealing with life spent on farms. The perfect backdrop? Fresh green grass, of course!

If you could add/remove one thing in Instagram, what would it be?

I sometimes wish that hyperlinks worked on the platform - I know they're not working keeps it less cluttered with ads, but at the same time it would be nice to click through to a longer article when a post necessitated it.

How do you integrate IG with your blog? Or do you?

Yes and no. I often post a preview image on IG and then direct people to my blog. Otherwise, I'll use similar hashtags, or end up using photos that I took on Instagram to feature in blogs later on.

Blogging's more fun with friends! Who are three people on IG you think are must-follows?

• @BenjaminHole runs a family farm on the Isle of Purbeck, England, and his photos are phenomenal.
• @JoshuaHaroldson is a freelance photographer in the Midwest and his Instagrams are always stunning.
• @AustinKleon, author & artist, posts blackout poems everyday, and also has book recommendations that are always worth taking.

What are four of your best or favorite photos/videos that you've posted in the past year?

Books to read:

Best way to soothe the ache of a recently tortured pair of eyebrows? A walk down the street to the local bookstore. Excited to dive into these rural-life inspired gems, one by Madison local @graciefoxwell and her dad, the other by the perennially witty @sneezingcow.

A photo posted by Abbigail Kriebs (@abbigailekriebs) on Jun 16, 2015 at 7:30pm PDT

Coffee to drink, words to edit:

Another #slowmorning with the manuscript. #writing #editing #coffee

A photo posted by Abbigail Kriebs (@abbigailekriebs) on Feb 8, 2015 at 4:23am PST

The current bedside stack:

The current stack of new to me books I'm tackling this year. #BookProj2015 #amreading #stacksofbooks #books

A photo posted by Abbigail Kriebs (@abbigailekriebs) on Jan 17, 2015 at 10:29am PST

My husband and I, on a normal night in cold Wisconsin:

Date night footwear in #Wisconsin.

A photo posted by Abbigail Kriebs (@abbigailekriebs) on Jan 15, 2015 at 6:09pm PST

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Thanks for sharing your tips and pics, Abbigail! Be sure to check Abbigail out on Instagram, as well as Twitter @abbigailkriebs.

Having an Age of License with Lucy Knisley

Give a big howdy to Chris from Chrisbookarama, here to talk about An Age of License by the writer who turned her into a graphic novel reader, Lucy Knisley. Find out what Chris thinks about Knisley's latest!

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I was introduced to the work of Lucy Knisley, and graphic novels, several years ago when I read French Milk. I absolutely fell in love with the genre and Lucy’s style in particular. Lucy ate her way through Paris while soaking up the sights with her Mom. It was delightful and touching. French Milk made me a Graphic Novel Convert. Last year, I bought Relish and thoroughly enjoyed Lucy’s stories of her food loving family and her travels around the world sampling each country’s delicious dishes.

What I love most about the graphic novels of Lucy Knisley is how I can live vicariously through her books. Travel, food, youthful enthusiasm, her books have all of these. In An Age of License, Lucy chronicles her book tour trip through Europe. First, a comic convention in Norway, romance with a new guy in Sweden, a visit with friends in Germany, and finally meeting up with her Mom in France. To be young and free! To have those kinds of opportunities! Lucy’s travel itinerary is one I’d like to follow myself.

The title of the book, An Age of License, comes from a conversation with one of the people she meets on her travels. He claims that is it “the time when you’re young and experimenting with your lives and careers.” While Lucy is experimenting, she’s also struggling to decide what path her life should take, much like the themes in French Milk. She still has career growing pains and romantic woes. She is having an Age of Licence but she is worried about the future and the next phase of her life.


Lucy does realize that her life is privileged. She has had the opportunity to travel, partly through her work. She also has a variety of friends with amazing jobs whose homes she can stay. She addresses these privileges here unlike in her other books. It always surprised me at how much she could travel.

Obviously, I enjoy her books because her life is so different from my own. I wasn’t able to afford to travel at Lucy’s age. She tries out new things, food...men. She’s is very talented, and makes a living with her art. As she says, “It’s not wrong to travel and love and to be silly and lucky, or to even make work about it.” Maybe my own Age of License is behind me, if I ever had such a thing, but I think I can learn something from Lucy’s books. I can take chances, be optimistic, and curious about the world. Her books make me want to take my own adventures, cultivate my own international experiences.

If you have a lust for travel and a love of good food, you won’t be disappointed by Lucy Knisley’s graphic novels.

Now Featuring Deborah from Book Barmy!

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.

Featuring Sarah from Sarah's Book Shelves

Today please welcome Sarah Dickinson, who blogs at Sarah's Book Shelves.

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

I no longer have "book shelves" in the physical sense. Years ago, my husband decided my volume of books was overwhelming (especially since we lived in a small NYC apartment at the time) and presented me with a deal/threat: "you either buy a Kindle to stop this train or I'm giving away every single book you own".

Obviously, I chose to save my existing book collection by buying the Kindle and it worked because I haven't bought another hard copy book since. My blog is the virtual substitute for my book shelves and is now my "happy place".

How long have you been blogging?

Just over 2 years

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

I'm coming at this solely as an avid reader. I've never worked in the book business and am not affiliated in any way with publishers, authors, publicists, etc.

My reviews are honest reflections of my opinion of the book and I'm not afraid to post critical reviews. I think differing opinions add to the breadth of the discussion, especially about heavily hyped books. I also think it's important for my blog readers to get a good sense of my taste in books and books I didn't like contribute to that.

I realize this is a controversial issue and the fact that I will post critical reviews does not mean I don't respect or value authors. I have tremendous respect for anyone who is able to publish a book and absolutely believe we, as bloggers/reviewers, have the much easier job. For these reasons, I try to be respectful and very clear about the reasons I didn't like a book. I also believe that reading is a matter of taste and there is room for a variety of opinions.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I write about what I like to read...which is mostly contemporary fiction, with some general nonfiction, historical fiction, memoirs, sports books, and cooking/food books thrown in.

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

Growing up, I loved The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I remember reading it over and over and being enchanted by the secrets behind that tall gate.

Now that I have my blog, I rarely re-read books because there are so many great books out there that I feel like I'll never get a chance to read them all! But, the two "adult" books I've re-read are The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy (because I could read him writing about paint drying) and The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille (because the main character, John Sutter, is salty and hilarious).

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Hell to the no! Back when I read actual books (rather than ebooks), I had strict rules for anyone borrowing a book from me: no dog earring, no breaking the spine, no dropping it in the sand (or water), and NO WRITING IN IT!

Now Amazon has thoughtfully allowed me to highlight and make notes without ruining paper books! So, thank you for that!

What's your favorite place to read?

Anywhere I can get a few free minutes! During my kids' nap times, while stretching at the gym, waiting in lines, on trains...but, given the choice, my favorite place to read is on the beach.

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

My Kindle, hands down. I was anti-Kindle for awhile until my husband forced me to buy one to stop my alarmingly growing book collection in its tracks (see the story behind my blog's name). I've never looked back...

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

in an alarming number of packing boxes in my basement. We're in a rental house and I'm waiting until we get somewhere permanent with lots of built-in bookshelves to unpack them. Despite my love for my Kindle, I do still love being surrounded by shelves full of books...and I love nosing around other people's bookshelves. It helps me determine if he/she is a kindred spirit!

My TBR pile is...

actually a spreadsheet, is hundreds (196 to be exact) of books long, and growing every day. I'll never make a dent in it...there are far too many great books out there!

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

I didn't like The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and it seems the rest of the world did! The main character (Cecilia) is one of those mothers that terrify me and it annoyed me to be in her head for 400 pages.

To DNF or not to DNF?

Depends on the book, but usually I finish. I will especially finish a book if it's popular, even if I don't like it. I want to be able to write about it and add a differing opinion to the discussion.

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

Panem from The Hunger Games out of curiosity to experience the crazy world Suzanne Collins created. And, West Egg from The Great Gatsby for the luxury and mystique.

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

I spend most of my time taking care of my three year old son and one year old daughter, but when I have some free time I love running, playing tennis, going to the beach, cooking (and eating!), and the Summer Olympics.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

I'm one of those people that thinks the book is always better than the movie.

But, the TV show adaptation of Friday Night Lights (based on the book by H.G. Bissinger and the subsequent movie adaptation) blew away the book and the movie. In my opinion, it's the best show that's ever been on television and the most realistic portrayal of high school and marriage I've ever seen. And, don't get me started on Tim Riggins (and, Coach Taylor, for that matter)!

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• River City Reading
• The Novel Life
• Words for Worms

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

The All-Rounder



Thank you for joining us today, Sarah! Remember to check out Sarah's blog, Sarah's Book Shelves, and leave a comment or question.

Featuring Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness

Today please welcome Kim, 

who blogs at Sophisticated Dorkiness.

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

The name of my blog, Sophisticated Dorkiness, comes from a conversation I had with a friend in college. This friend had really good taste in music compared to my, comparably, dorky favorites. He told me that it's ok to have dorky tastes in some areas as long as you can be sophisticated in others. I like to think of "sophisticated dorkiness" as loving both high-brow and low-brow things and not being ashamed of either. 

How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging for six years, since May 2008. 

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

Even though I love to read a variety of genres, my blog has become known for reviews and writing about nonfiction. I love having that niche because it helps me focus on what books to write about and on what books to accept for review.

I recently started a feature called the Nonfiction Recommendation Engine where I offer personalized recommendations to readers. I think that feature has been really popular. 

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I write primarily about nonfiction, but I also love to do reviews of graphic novels, audio books, and literary fiction. 

What's your earliest memory of reading?

I've always been a fast reader, so when I was a kid I used to check out huge stacks of books from the library. Eventually, I started picking out books based on how fat they were. That's how I ended up reading Little Women when I was very young and all of the Michael Crichton books when I was in middle school. 

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

I've read Frankenstein four or five times for different classes in high school and college. 

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Depends? I use to write in books in college all the time, but I do it less now... I'm not sure why. I love seeing my marginalia in old books, so maybe I should start again!

What's your favorite place to read?

If it's nice, I love to be outside with a book. Otherwise, I love curling up on my couch with a mug of tea and my cat, Hannah. 

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

I tend to take notes in a Google Doc that I access with my cell phone, but if that's not available scribble on the Post-It note I'm using for a bookmark. 

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

very full, but very specifically organized. 

My TBR pile is...

out of control!

What's a book that's changed your life?

The book that made me finally understand how amazing, deep and complicated that literature could be was Heart of Darkness, which I read for the first time when I was a junior in high school. 

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

I have a soft spot for Robinson Crusoe by Daniel DeFoe. It's not very good and really weird, but I spent a lot of time picking it apart for my senior paper in college and so it's weirdness has endeared it to me. 

To DNF or not to DNF?

I'm coming around to Camp DNF, but it's been a slow transition. 

What's one book that intimidates you?

I don't have a specific book, but two authors who scare me a bit are Haruki Murakami and Toni Morrison. I think I'm worried I won't be smart enough to "get" their writing. 

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

Hogwarts!

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

I try to do some crafting -- cross stitch and crocheting -- and cooking when I have time. I also like to watch television. 

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

I hated the adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I thought it was really awful. 

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

The 3R's Blog
Write Meg!
Estella's Revenge

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

The Exacting Eclectic Reader

Your responses showed you fitting into two different groups - the exacting reader and the eclectic reader.

The expression 'so many books, so little time!' sums up your life. 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.

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, Kim! 

Remember to check out Kim's blog, Sophisticated Dorkiness, 

and leave a comment or question.

Featuring Violet of Booksatvioletcrush

Today please welcome Violet, 

who blogs at Booksatvioletcrush.

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

Honestly it doesn't mean anything. I just started the blog for fun and I was sure I was going to delete it after a couple of days. That was in 2007 and here I am. A few bloggers might know me from violetcrush.wordpress.com. I recently decided to self-host but I kept violetcrush since it was associated with me for a long time.

How long have you been blogging?

Since 2007. Initially I posted about anything and everything but eventually bookish things started to creep in as reading was and is a huge part of my life. Today, I still occasionally blog about my personal life but it's mostly about books.

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

hmmm...I don't know. I guess people who read my blog would be able to answer that better. But I do read a lot of different genre's from memoirs to Young Adult. 

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I read a lot of different genres but if I have to narrow it down I would say romance, YA and memoirs. The previous two I read whenever I need a quick or a light read. The later I read because I love to experience what kind of lives other people lead, even if it's through pages.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

Interestingly I never read when I was a child. My first book was a 10 page children's story which my father bought for us. That was the first and last book my parents ever bought. But somehow I turned into a bookworm. 

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

I would say My Girl by Patricia Hermes which also has a movie made on it which I haven't seen till date. I borrowed this book from my friend and I read it at least 5 times before returning it to him. I remember I cried a lot too...every single time.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Definitely yes. I feel books are meant to be read, bookmarked, written on and dog-eared. I call it getting every ounce of knowledge, pleasure, information or whatever else you want from it.

What's your favorite place to read?

I would say in the bus while commuting to work. Since I work full time I don't get a lot of time to read, so that 45 min in the bus is my reading time.

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

None. A bookmark maybe but then I just dog-ear it if I can't find one.

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

the best decor in my house. Since we rent our house, I can't have too many bookshelves. I make do with whatever I have but even a small bookshelf overflowing with books looks beautiful.

My TBR pile is...

something I don't want to think about. Let's do it 'one book at a time.'

What's a book that's changed your life?

hmmm...I always have no answer to this question. I guess all the books I've read over the course of time have changed me in some way or the other. Although I can't really give you one name.

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

The Blue Notebook. I hated that book, I gave it one star. Everyone seems to have loved it.

To DNF or not to DNF?

Sometimes you don't really have a choice. If I feel guilty I just have to look at my TBR pile once. There are too many good books out there to waste time on one that isn't for you.

What's one book that intimidates you?

All classics I guess. 

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

I would go to Green Gables.

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

I love dancing. I do kathak which is a classical Indian dance. I love watching movies, documentaries. I love listening to music. I love cycling, going on a trek. And traveling. 

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

Twilight? I think.

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

The All-Rounder

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, Violet! 

Remember to check out Violet's blog, Booksatvioletcrush, 

and leave a comment or question.

Featuring Melinda Ott of West Metro Mommy Reads

Today please welcome Melinda Ott, 

who blogs at West Metro Mommy Reads.

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

Well, first of all, my blog started out as something else...sort of a lifestyle/Mommy blog. So, West Metro Mommy = West of; Metro = Portland, Oregon; Mommy = well, that should be pretty self-explanatory.

I had been blogging for a while and then realized that I really just wanted to focus on books, so I added "Reads" onto the end to make it a bit more legit and here I am!

How long have you been blogging?

I just went back to my very first blog (which is in virtual limbo land, having not been updated in YEARS), and my first EVER blog post was March 22, 2006. So, do the math.

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

You know what makes my blog unique? It is the only book blog out there that is written by ME! How's that for an answer?

Honestly, I can't say that there is anything unusual about my blog....I like to read and I like to write about what I read.

I do also host the weekly meme "Saturday Snapshot" because, well, I have delusions of being a photographer.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

Uh...I'm guessing here....

Historical Fiction - My degree is in History and, well, I love it.

Literary Fiction - Which, in my definition, is book club fodder.

Memoirs - Because sometimes truth is more entertaining than fiction.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

Probably being read to as a child. Strangely, I didn't enjoy reading myself until I was a tween/early teen. Not sure why that is....

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

I try to read "The Scarlet Letter" every year. I fell in love with it when I read it in High School and I find something new every time I read it.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Yes, unless it is a borrowed book. Then, it's just rude.

What's your favorite place to read?

My favorite place = By a window

My usual place = on the toilet.

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

Hmmm....

Well, I have several bookmarks--necessary since I tend to have several books going at once.

I also rely heavily on a spreadsheet I created to handle my review schedule and my TBR list.

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

buckling under the weight and very dusty.

My TBR pile is...

on a table next to my bed.

What's a book that's changed your life?

One of the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary was the first book I willingly read on my own and enjoyed.

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

One of my favorite books is the "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones. I've discussed it in a couple of book clubs and it always seems like I'm the only person who liked it.

I also hated "Eat, Pray, Love." Go ahead, judge me.

To DNF or not to DNF?

I'm all for DNF-ing. I mean, there are too many good books to read to waste time on the bad ones.

That being said, it is very hard for me to actually DNF a book. I've done it a couple of times, but I always feel like I'm letting myself down when I do.

What's one book that intimidates you?

"Bring Up the Bodies" by Hilary Mantel. I read "Wolf Hall" and enjoyed it but it took me for-freakin'-ever to finish. I want to read "Bring up the Bodies," but I just don't know if I have it in me to tackle another Mantel book.

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

Green Gables on Prince Edward Island.

I would also add all the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites, but this sounds more like a "dream list" question and I'll actually be visiting many of the LIW places this summer.

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

I have young kids, so my free time is usually spent with them.

I try not to watch too much television, but I have a handful of shows that I quite enjoy--Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy, and Grimm.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

My favorite would probably be Mary Poppins because the movie is such an improvement on the book (Yes, I saw "Saving Mr. Banks"...I get it, but I still didn't like the literary Mary Poppins).

My least favorite--and this should be EVERYONE'S least favorite--is the Demi Moore version of "The Scarlet Letter" (shudder!)

What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

The Relentless Reader  
S. Krishna's Books
Peppermint Ph.D.

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

I'm an "All-Rounder."

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Thank you for joining us today, Melinda! 

Remember to check out Melinda's blog, West Metro Mommy Reads, 

and leave a comment or question.

Featuring Kristen of BookNAround

Today please welcome Kristen, who blogs at BookNAround.

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

I quit working a lot of years ago now to stay home with my kids but quickly discovered that stay-at-home mom is a complete misnomer. Even now that my kids are older and much more independent (one's even driving!!), I still find myself out and about, or booking around, much more than I ever expected. Plus I like plays on words so it seemed perfect.

How long have you been blogging?

6 1/2 years now.

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

The blog is mostly book reviews although occasionally I throw in posts from my chaotic life. Sometimes I might even over-share. But even in my book reviews, I try to incorporate a little about me, to make it personal. Oh, and I'm appallingly long-winded. :-)

What genres do you write about most, and why?

Fiction of all types because that's what I've always read the most of in my reading life. Now that I do reviews as well as writing up books I've chosen on my own, review books are pretty heavily weighted to fiction as well, or at least those that are offered to me are.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

I was three and I ran downstairs to read my mom The B Book by Stan and Jan Berenstain. She was on the phone talking to someone (and she can talk for hours given half a chance) and she thought I'd just memorized the book so she sort of waved me off. Stubborn even then, I read it to her anyway. I'm not sure if it was then or later that she realized I actually was reading and not just parroting memorized words.

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

I've had several through the years. As a peanut I read The B Book over and over obsessively (and I still have a copy). As a child, I went back through The Fabulous Flight by Robert Lawson again and again (and I still have my copy). As a young teen, read and re-read Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman weeping all the while (and I still have my copy). And as an adult, I have gone back to Pride and Prejudice many times because it is so perfectly balanced between social criticism and romance. And yes, I still have my copy.

Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Are you trying to cause me to have a stroke? Never!

What's your favorite place to read?

In front of a fire crackling away in the fireplace at the lake cottage that has been in my family for almost 100 years. Barring that, I'll be boring and say snuggled into the sagging end of the couch.

Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

bowed under the weight of my treasures.

My TBR pile is...

more like Mount Everest than a mere pile.

What's a book that's changed your life?

They all do to one extent or another, right? That's why we read. But I think that James Michener's Hawaii, which I read when I was 12, was really the first big book that showed me how addictive a fictional world could be, sucking you in for days and making you not care to rejoin the real world until after the last page was turned.

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

I have a surprising number really. I tend to be the curmudgeon at my book club. One of these days they're going to kick me to the curb for my grumpiness.

To DNF or not to DNF?

I'm obsessive compulsive. Finishing is a must.

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

I play tennis several times a week and I used to run and need to get back into that. I also did needlepoint for a long time and scrapbooked and quilted for a while but it's been too long to claim those as ongoing hobbies at this point. Mostly all of my non-reading time lately is still book-related.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

I thought Age of Innocence was very well done. And of course, how can you not mention the BBC's Pride and Prejudice?!

What are 3 of your must-read blog posts?

Sunday Salon: The New Year Edition
Sunday Salon: Books my native habitat
Sunday Salon: Themed Reading

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Thank you for joining us today, Kristen! 

Remember to check out Kristen's blog, BookNAround, 

and leave a comment or question.

Book Blogging and Giving Back

Please welcome Ashley LaMar, founder and manager of Closed the Cover. Today Ashley has a great post about how she uses book blogging to give back to charities that support literacy. Welcome, Ashley!

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When I first started book blogging (in 2010 under a different blog name) I didn’t have any eReader device so I could only accept paperback ARC’s and novels for review. It didn’t take long before my home was overrun with books! I knew a lot of bloggers would run giveaways for the books they had read but I wanted to do something else. I ultimately connected with a few local organizations (Friends of the Library, the prison library in the neighboring county, and youth programs) and developed a donation list. I donated specific genres to each place as my piles became too large to manage (prison libraries won’t accept books with violence, crime, sex or language and obviously youth programs have equally strict requirements). The system worked out great and I felt good about what I was doing. I was reading ARC’s and other novels, reviewing them and promoting them online then sharing the literary love with organizations that needed books. It was a win-win…until my husband bought me an iPad and I converted from my old site to Closed the Cover.

Once I was able to read eBooks the requests for eBook ARC’s started to outnumber the physical books. I didn’t mind but I felt guilty that I was no longer able to be charitable and donate books to places that I had built relationships with over the last year. I struggled with a way to fix the situation when one day an idea hit me “Wham!” right in the face. For years I have been a strong supporter of a literacy charity called, “Room to Read”; I could ramble incessantly about them and how incredible they are but instead I’ll just encourage you to check them out at http://www.roomtoread.org/. I ultimately decided on a new set of book review submission rules: physical copies of books are accepted for review at no charge however authors, publishers, publicists, must understand that the book will most likely be donated to charity after review and eBook copies are accepted for review but require a minimum of a $5 donation to the literacy charity, Room to Read. My thought process was that either way books were being shared, authors were gaining reviews and publicity, and charities and organizations were being supported. I was a wee bit apprehensive when I first implemented the new policies; concerned that authors may be offended or irritated by the request for a donation. It has been my policy for over two years now and I have not heard a single complaint from anyone. I have received a lot of eBook submissions, raised over $700 ($400 so far in 2013), and heard a lot of positive feedback from people who support the idea.

As Closed the Cover gained more followers, increased in traffic, and expanded services I started to see a (small) profit earned from the blog site. The advertising started to raise a little bit of money (only coins per month really), Amazon affiliate purchases began to rise, my Amazon bookstore began to reflect purchases and authors were hiring me to promote their virtual tours. Once again, my guilt began to rise. I started to question how ethical it was for me to ask authors, publishers and publicists to donate to Room to Read in exchange for submitting an eBook when I was earning money (albeit very little) through other avenues and not contributing myself. It simply wasn’t the right way to operate so I changed my policies again. I have now started to donate 15% of all money raised by Closed the Cover and CTC Virtual Book Tours to Room to Read. Every year I choose a new Room to Read program (build a library, build a school, fund the Girls’ Education program, publish books in a small village’s native language, etc) to support. This year, in 2013, I chose to support the Girls’ Education program. According to Room to Read $250 will fully fund the education expenses of one girl for one year. Our goal was to raise $500 to fully fund a year of education for two girls. We have already raised $400 and are definitely on pace to hit our annual goal. It’s an incredible feeling!

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Thanks, Ashley! I just came across another charity run by Dolly Parton called Imagination Library, which mails books to children every month. If you know of any other charities that support literacy, share them in the comments!

Sherrey from Found Between the Covers

Today please welcome Sherrey, who blogs at Found Between the Covers!



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

That's where my parents could always find me if I had snuck off to read -- between the covers. My mom thought reading was a waste of time so I hid in my bed between the cover with a flashlight. Today I no longer have to hide, but I thought it was a bit catchy and after all it's how I remember reading as a kid.


How long have you been blogging?

Since 2006, when I retired from keeping attorneys happy almost 24/7. I love to write, and blogging was the answer to that initially. Found Between the Covers is only about a year old, but I have had other blogs over time and still do.


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

I'm not sure I consider Found Between the Covers unique. But if pressed I would say it's the number of memoirs I review. As a memoir writer, I find them interesting as well as educational from the writing perspective.


What genres do you write about most, and why?

Historical fiction, memoir and Christian fiction, because of my links to certain publishers whose interests lay in these areas as well.


What's your earliest memory of reading?

Likely my first memory of reading is linked to my first library visit. Can't remember who took, but most likely my dad because he loved books. That would have placed me in the simple chapter book category because I don't remember having much more at home than the Little Golden Books.


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

Definitely Anne of Green Gables! My dad surprised me on my 11th birthday with the first in the series and then thereafter each birthday or Christmas, I would receive the next until the series was complete. I still have all of them tucked away safely. Perhaps I should get the out and read them again.


Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

In self-help or instruction, yes. In something I might want to share or donate, no.


What's your favorite place to read?

Curled up in my recliner in the family room next to the fireplace with Maggie, our tuxedo kitty, curled up in my lap. If she beats me to the chair, then I take the overstuffed sofa on the other side of the fireplace. And I'll be found heading off to bed with a book in hand.


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

My Might-Brite book light if we're traveling! And my Kindle unless I'm reading something bound. I always said I'd never have a Kindle, but something changed.


Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

overstuffed!


My TBR pile is...

on an Excel spreadsheet for sanity's sake but also stacked around the house between my office, bedroom and family room. It isn't really stacked; it's sort of sprawling.


What's a book that's changed your life?

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway


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

Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski


To DNF or not to DNF?

Here I waffle. If I'm really not enjoying a book, it's DNF. I did this recently on a book I agreed to review for an author. I had to email and say it just wasn't working for me. The author was very understanding. I can't see wasting my time on something I can't enjoy when there are so many other books waiting for me.


What's one book that intimidates you?

Anything by Stephen King (I don't like the genre) and I am definitely intimidated by Don Quixote. I've tried -- honestly.


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

I would love to to Paris. I don't know if it is still a literary hub as it was when Ernest Hemingway wrote there, but that was a high and intense time of writing for several well known authors. For me, having read A Moveable Feast by Hemingway, I just like to see the places included in that work.


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

I'm a knitter and a quilter, and I should be a more committed domestic engineer but I'm not.


What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

Not much of a movie-goer, so I'm going to pass on this one.


What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• The Book Wheel
• Books Speak Volumes
• Relentless Reader
• Love at First Book

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

My quiz result was "All Rounder," meaning I fit equally into all four categories. Pleasantly surprising result!


Thank you for joining us today, Sherrey! Remember to check out Sherrey's blog, Found Between the Covers, and leave a comment or question.