What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
Purple = Favorite Color
Owl = Favorite Animal
Reviews = Blog Purpose
How long have you been blogging?
I really didn't pick up blogging until the April 2014 Dewey Read A Thon. I'd done a few failed blogs previously (baking, my own short stories), but it wasn't until I found the online book community that I was able to find my voice.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
My blog is 90% book reviews. The remaining reviews are for games, puzzles and recipes.
When I do write book reviews, I tend to focus on how the book made me feel. If the book energized me, you will read that in the review. If I just couldn't connect to the book at all, you will pick up on that. I don't bash books, no matter how much I dislike them. I say what aspects of the book left me unsatisfied and offer constructive criticism on improvements.
As a result of this, you won't read any spoilers in my reviews and very few quotes.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
My favorite genres are, essentially, everything except Romance and Historical Fiction. Everything else is fair game. I'm more likely to read science fiction or dystopian books but that's probably because those were the books that really got me into reading.
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 hate, hate, HATE, writing bad reviews. I've had to do one for a guest review already and I STILL feel bad about it. But I suck it up and always be honest. Critiquing is one thing, I never bash the author. And that's the thought I hold on to when I write the bad reviews.
What's one book you think everyone should read?
This is a tough one because there are so many books that I've wanted to scream at people "YOU NEED TO READ THIS!"
The most recent one would be Grim Hearts by J.D. Fitzegerald. The longest lasting one would probably be Beowulf.
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
Hell yes! Well, let me temper that with "situation dependent". For some books, it really helps me out when I'm going back, looking for important plot points. For other books, they are far to precious (or borrowed) for me to want to besmirch. For other books, it's already been done for me (Thanks S!).
What's your favorite place to read or blog?
I don't really have a "favorite place". I have a small apartment. But I do have a favorite time. I love to read/blog while watching the sun come up with a cup of coffee in my hand :)
Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
Big doesn't always equal evil. Then again, I don't work for them. I think they are successful. But they are, to me, still working on finding the balance between successful and good. I don't see them becoming Wal Mart, but again, I don't work for them.
Book shelfie time! Take a "shelfie" of your bookshelves and share it with us.
Unfortunately, because of the smallness of my apartment, all my books are in totes....
What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
1-Follow up on comments made on your blog.
2-Be nice, and people will help you out.
3-Read what you love.
Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Before I got into blogging, yes, I judged by the cover. Now that I'm in the book blogging world, I go more by the lover. It's really a matter of knowing more people to make recommendations.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
And my brain goes to Twilight. I was told by a friend who had loaned me several books already that I would LOVE Twilight. Ultimately I thought it was "meh". But once it started showing up everywhere, it became annoying. Especially when the Twilight lovers started assuming that I loved it because I love books.
To DNF or not to DNF?
If it's for a guest review, I'll always finish. If it's for personal reading, sometimes I just have to give up.
What's one book that intimidates you?
War and Peace. Either that or a philosophy book I had to read for a class that was so terribly dense that I have forgotten its name...possibly for my own sanity.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
Xanth. I'd LOVE to go for a swim in a wellspring.
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
It depends on my mood. Sometimes I bake, sometimes I do jigsaw puzzles, sometimes I play video games.
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
Least Favorite: Either Beowulf 3D (adapted from Beowulf) or Troy (adapted from the Illiad). I still cannot think of either of these movies without becoming enraged. It took every ounce of strength I had NOT to throw something at the screen when they were playing. If I think too much on them, I may vomit!
What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Fallacious Fat by Bibliognome
Book View: Missing May by The Book Monsters
Review: 9 Years Gone by Chris Culver (thriller) by Daily Mayo
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
The All-Rounder
Your responses showed you fitting into three different personalities:
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 and eagerly await the next in the series.
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.
For once a personality quiz that is so true :)
Thank you for joining us today, Rachel! Remember to check out Rachel's blog, Purple Owl Reviews, and leave a comment or question below!
