Harvee Lau from Book Dilettante

Today please welcome Harvee, who blogs at Book Dilettante http://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/.    

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

My first title was Book Bird Dog, to reflect my interests in reading, birdwatching, having a pet. I changed the name to Book Dilettante to avoid confusion with Bird Dog, for those people looking for hunting dogs or books on birds. 

 
How long have you been blogging?

Since 2007.


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

I started out reviewing mostly mystery novels and expanded to other genres, including women's fiction. Now I review almost all genres, except for horror, sci-fi, serial killer crime novels, vampires, and books with extreme violence.


  What genres do you write about most, and why?

Mysteries, because I love a good puzzle.
Literary fiction, because I enjoy good writing.
Historical novels, because I'm interested in the past and how it affects the present.
Women's fiction because I like to read women's points of view.

  What's your earliest memory of reading?

The comics in the newspaper.
Books I found in our bookcase- a picture book on silk worms and the making of silk; a picture book on Gawain and the Green Knight; an illustrated book of dance steps.
Later on, Nancy Drew books.

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

The books I read over and over as a child were the ones I mentioned above. I have reread Gone With the Wind and Rebecca several times.

  Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Oh, no. Never. Unless it's a paperback for a difficult class you are taking or teaching.

  What's your favorite place to read?

Somewhere next to a window.

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

A bookmark or two.

  Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

not nearly long enough.

  My TBR pile is...

outrageous.

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

The Nancy Drew books.

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

Some people have a hard time with Haruki Murakami's books. I like them all.

  To DNF or not to DNF?

Do Not Finish if the book is too badly written or plotted or too violent, or not at all your genre.

  What's one book that intimidates you?

The Stephen King horror novels.


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

Back to Stratford-on-Avon, the home of the Bard.

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

Gardening and birdwatching are some of my other interests.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway was made into a great movie a long time ago.

  What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Bibliophile By The Sea
• Dolce Bellezza
• Peeking Between the Pages

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

Eclectic reader.



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

Tanya from Mom's Small Victories

Please welcome Tanya, who blogs at Mom's Small Victories. Tanya's blog is known for a mixture of book reviews and recipe reviews.  She's also super nice and fun to talk to. :)


Questions:

1.      NAME OF MY BOOK BLOG(S):  Mom's Small Victories 

2.      I HAVE BEEN BLOGGING SINCE: 2011 on my old blog, 2012 on this blog

3.      GENRES COVERED MOST ON MY BLOG:  Contemporary Fiction, Classics, World Fiction, Historical Fiction but I read a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction.

4.      MY EARLIEST MEMORY OF READING:  I don't really have one from childhood. I became an avid reader as an adult.  I read the book Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda and was so enthralled and moved by it, that I wanted to find more books I enjoyed as much as that one.  That sparked my obsession with books over the past couple of years.

5.      FIRST BOOK I READ OVER AND OVER:  I don't typically read books more than once, there are too many great books I haven't read even once yet! 

6.      THE BOOK I HAVE RE-READ THE MOST TIMES:  If I did re-read book, I would totally re-read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey and Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain.

7.      MY FAVORITE PLACE TO READ:  Tucked in my comfy bed.  

8.      MY MUST-HAVE READING ACCESSORIES:  My Kindle.

9.      MY BOOKSHELVES ARE:  The one in my room is full of books I need to read and we won't even start on the Kindle books that I don't even realize I have.  I am obsessed with collecting books! 

10.   MY TBR LIST/PILE IS:  way too long, I'm a sucker and can't say no to good books.

11.   A BOOK THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN SOME WAY:  I wrote a whole post about that during Armchair BEA, the books that earned my Thanks for Changing my Life Awards. On the top, The Book Thief. I was captivated by Death, the narrator, and it made me question what Death really might be like.

12.   A BOOK I LIKE THAT NO ONE ELSE SEEMS TO:  I don't really have one.

13.   A BOOK I DON’T LIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE:  Twilight. I know don't shoot me. I just felt it moved too slowly with unnecessary long....dramatic...pauses.  I watched the movie but couldn't get through the first book.

14.   A BOOK THAT INTIMIDATES ME:  Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett even though it's on my Classics Club list.

15.   IF I COULD GO TO ANY LITERARY DESTINATION I WOULD CHOOSE:  A previous blogger had mentioned but I totally would choose it too...Hogwarts!

16.   MY FAVORITE NON-BOOKISH ACTIVITY:  cooking, watching movies, going to the park or pool with my kids

17.   MY FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION:  I usually don't both read the book and watch a movie, I feel like it detracts from my enjoyment of either the book or the movie when it doesn't live up to my expectations.  The only one I have read the book and watched the movie was The Hunger Games and I didn't care for the movie.

18.   MY BOOK BLOG STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD BECAUSE:  For now, I focus on what I want to read and completing challenges.  I am an avid library reader so the books I review are often free and easily accessible.  I also cover other topics on my blog including reviewing recipes my family enjoys and positive ways to deal with my chronic illness.  

19.   MY MUST-READ BLOGS:  For books: Love at First Book (www.loveatfirstbook.com), The Relentless Reader (www.therelentlessreader.blogspot.com), and The Book Wheel (www.thebookwheelblog.com)

20.   MY READING PERSONALITY (http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/) IS: well cool..but I could've told you I am very "eclectic" when it comes to what I read/enjoy.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Tanya!

Remember to check out Tanya's blog, Mom's Small Victories, and leave a comment or question for her below!

Tips for Dealing with Blogging Block

In Telling Lies for Fun and Profit, Lawrence Block wrote, "...when I want to write and can’t write I find myself possessed of murderous rage." I don't believe in forcing yourself to blog when you don't feel like it, because this is a hobby. It's supposed to be fun. But what about when you really do want to blog but have no idea what to blog about? So frustrating! Here are a few strategies I've collected:

1. Plan ahead—I don't know about you, but my desk is littered with note cards that have ideas and notes scribbled randomly all over them. I also have notes on my phone, most of which are completely obscure even to me. For example, "Someone shows up demanding heroine save her true love whom she's never met re: Grimm." I have no idea which episode of Grimm I was referencing there, but interesting idea. Or, "The polis—people outside aren't human. Anna Karenina." Hmmm, I know I wrote that in my Ancient Greek class but I have no idea what Anna Karenina has to do with it. Still, it might fit into another idea I have in the future. Some of these ideas I'll write about when I have time, some I won't, but when you're searching for a topic it's always good to have a list of ideas somewhere to go back to.
2. Read through some of your old posts—You can also go through your blog history and see if there are any posts you can expand on or update. Maybe you'll notice a theme or trend in your reading that you hadn't before, or you've been neglecting one of your features.
3. Read through other blogs—Another great place for inspiration is other blogs! Naturally I don't mean stealing their content, but maybe you can curate a list of favorite posts by topic, or create a wish list of books or bookish things. You can also respond to others' posts: do you agree with a top ten list (answer: no, no one ever agrees with lists)? What would you have chosen instead? Did a certain article about a topic you care about go far enough? And so on.
4. Random topic generators—If you're REALLY desperate or just feeling lucky, you can try a random topic generator. There's a ton of these all over the intertubes. A few I've come across are
   
   • Big Huge Thesaurus http://words.bighugelabs.com/blog.php
   • Blog Tap http://www.blogtap.net/blogtopicgenerator/
   • Writing Exercises http://www.writingexercises.co.uk/subjectgenerator.php
   • and Blog Post Idea Generator http://www.generatorland.com/glgenerator.aspx?id=122
5. Go off topic—Sometimes you're just not in the mood to blog about books. So blog about something else! It may feel like cheating, but per Murphy's Law these posts usually end up being the most popular. The most popular post on my blog is the one where I basically just collected a bunch of pictures of Christopher Gorham shirtless, no joke.

Those are my strategies, but I'm sure you have your own! Share them in the comments.

Melanie from Fang-Freakin-Tastic Book Reviews

Today please welcome Melanie, who blogs at Fang-Freakin-Tastic Book Reviews http://fangfreakintasticreviews.com.

Questions:


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

I love all things Paranormal, but Vampires are my favorite.



What genres do you write about most, and why?

Mainly Paranormal because that is what interests me the most.



What's your earliest memory of reading?

When I was a kid I had a book called "Socks for Supper". I remember reading it with my parents almost every day.



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

"Socks for Supper"



Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

oh no no no



What's your favorite place to read?

In bed



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

a random piece of paper or something to use as a book mark.



Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

Way too small.



My TBR pile is...

Way too long!



To DNF or not to DNF?

I try to always finish, so it's rare for me not to. It's like I'm waiting for the author to turn things around somehow.



What's one book that intimidates you?

the Lord of the Rings Trilogy



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

Sang. From Delilah S. Dawson's Wicked as They Come series.



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

I like to fish. Mainly because I can read and fish at the same time.



What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Little Read Riding Hood
• Parajunkee

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

Apparently I fit equally into all 4 of the reading personalities. lol




Thank you for joining us today, Melanie! Remember to check out Melanie's blog, Fang-Freakin-Tastic Book Reviews, and leave a comment or question.

Rebecca from Algonquin Side Table

Today please welcome Rebecca, who blogs at Algonquin Side Table, http://www.algonquinsidetable.com.

Questions:


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

The Algonquin Round Table was a regular lunch group of writers, critics, and all-around clever people (including my heart, Dorothy Parker) who met at the Algonquin Hotel, also known as The Gonk, in the 1920s.  ”Side Table” works for my kind of casual approach to reading and bibliophilia.  I was halfway through a book about female writers from the 1920s when I came up with it, needless to say.



How long have you been blogging?

Daily for almost four months.



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

I wanted to create a non-judgmental, inviting place to just be people who love books.  A place to read and talk about books that was accessible to readers who wouldn't normally read book blogs-- a combination of genres, lists, links, photos, and fun discussion that also actually *explains* things like literary awards and local events.  I'd like to think I've succeeded at that :)


What genres do you write about most, and why?

I'd like to say a little of everything, really.  I guess it's mostly contemporary literary fiction and pop non-fiction, but I also cover graphic novels, some fantasy and sci-fi, some kids' and teen books...  I don't like to get too bogged down in one genre!



What's your earliest memory of reading?

My dad would sometimes come and read me to sleep at night (ALWAYS either a Dr. Seuss or Where The Wild Things Are,) but apparently had such a soothing voice that he would drift off mid-sentence.  I remember taking Oh, The Places You'll Go! out of his sleeping hands to finish reading it myself.  Definitely not my first time reading on my own, but the first that I remember.



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

In childhood, I would reread Roald Dahl books over and over.  Lifetime most rereads? I'd say Boy and The Witches by Roald Dahl, Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, and most of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (I've read some of them upwards of a dozen times.)



What's your favorite place to read?

In a deckchair at a cottage somewhere.  Failing that incredibly specific situation, I have an overstuffed chintz armchair that I got specifically for reading in.



Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

Obsessively organized in a shelving system only I seem to understand.



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

I'm almost tempted to say Westeros (A Song Of Ice And Fire by George R R Martin) just to get a direwolf, but I expect that it wouldn't be worth it, being both a woman and poor in that context.



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

I also do some illustration, spend way too much time on the internet and money on food, and walking.  I sound like an unbelievable mega square, but I really like walking.



What's your favorite (or least-favorite) book to movie adaptation?

From a book I've read?  The 2006 Joe Wright Pride And Prejudice with Keira Knightley.  I'm not a Jane Austen fan, and I expected the movie to be too Hollywooded anyway, but I absolutely loved it.



What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Bella's Bookshelves
• The Relentless Reader
• The Worm Hole

Thank you for joining us today, Rebecca! Remember to check out Rebecca's blog, Algonquin Side Table, and leave a comment or question.

Monique from Write Note Reviews

Please welcome Monique, who blogs at Write Note Reviews.

Questions:


What is the name of your book blog?

Write Note Reviews http://writenotereviews.wordpress.com/

How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging seriously about January 2012 after I left my job as a newspaper editor. I’d been fortunate enough to review books while working in media, so I just made a few calls to my contacts and went from there. Now I review regularly for about 10 publishers in Australia.

What genres do you write about most, and why?

I review across a number of genres, but most books probably fall into the contemporary fiction, historical fiction, crime/thriller/suspense and romance categories.

What's your earliest memory of reading?

I don’t really remember not reading. I’ve always had my nose in a book. Well, nearly always! I think I inhaled books.

What was the first book you read over and over?

Probably The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Still love it!

What book have you re-read the most?

That’s hard. It’s a toss-up between Jane Eyre and Anne of Green Gables.

What's your favorite place to read?

In my new reading chair. It’s gorgeous! I picked it up at a garage sale last week and it is a beautiful French-style chair with walnut carving around the legs and arms. Other than that, anywhere I can be uninterrupted.

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

A blanket in winter. I can read without munchies … but I am partial to them, especially popcorn.

Finish the sentence:

My bookshelves are...

groaning under the weight of all my books.

My TBR pile is...

overwhelming and exciting at the same time. Is that possible?

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

I don’t think I can limit myself to one. Different books have met different needs at different times. Reading books about living in Italy have affirmed my outlook on the way I cook and live (sadly, without the actual living in Italy bit); the Bible has met spiritual needs at different times; cookbooks never fail to inspire me. All books have changed my life because they have enhanced it and allowed me to embrace my imagination and the thoughts of others.

One book you like that no one else seems to? How about a book that you dislike and everyone else seems to love?

I’ll answer these together. No specific titles are coming to mind, but the way I see it, we’re born with different tastes, desires and needs. Sometimes a book will meet a certain need for you, but doesn’t for others. Does that make it no good? No. It’s all subjective. Like a good wine, books are bound to taste different for every consumer.

What's one book that intimidates you?

Les Miserables. I have tried to read it, but have not yet succeeded.

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

Also a hard question … as a child I wanted to see the Lake of Shining Waters with Anne (Anne of Green Gables), as well as Mary’s secret garden (The Secret Garden) with Dickon and Mary. These days, I’m easily swayed by all the wonderful places I read about, but the Tuscany and Umbria regions of Italy as described by Marlena de Blasi would probably be at the top of the list.

How about non-book related hobbies?

What do you do when you don't feel like reading? Cook. I love cooking feasts and treats for my family. I also enjoy writing, photography, walking and going to op shops.

What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?

Can I choose two? Chocolat and Lord of the Rings.

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

Funny that … when I started book blogging, I thought it was a pretty original idea. Not, as it turned out. Mine is ‘unique’ in that it’s my voice … other than that, I add a bookish treat idea to the end of each review – a book and a treat all in one.

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

I’m an eclectic reader, or as I say, a bit of a licorice allsorts.

Thank you for joining us today, Monique! Remember to check out 's blog, Write Note Reviews, and leave a comment or question.

Michelle from The True Book Addict

Please welcome Michelle, who blogs at The True Book Addict. Michelle's blog is know for Cat Thursdays and historical fiction reviews.

Questions:


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

I started out on MySpace as The Book Addict. When I started my blog, I used it, but soon found out that there was another blog with that name. I wracked my brain and true book addict popped into my head. I thought, "That makes sense since I am "true" to books, after all." The rest is history!



*How long have you been blogging?

Four years (in August)



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

Well, I guess it's unique partly because I'm constantly changing the background. I haven't jumped on the bandwagon of getting a custom design because 1) I can't afford it and 2) I like change too much and I know I will get tired of having the same design. I had a different header for the first few years of blogging and I just redesigned it last year. I will probably change it again in a few years. Who knows. Not sure if that makes me unique, but I feel unique at times. *wink* I guess my blog is unique too because I speak my mind. I really don't post too many opinion pieces, but when I do, I'm honest and straightforward.



*What genres do you write about most, and why?

I made the decision to make historical fiction the focus of The True Book Addict a few years ago. I still review classics and some literary fiction, but I branched out in 2010 with a horror/speculative fiction blog to help me maintain my focus on historical fiction at The True Book Addict. I think anyone who visits my blog will see it's obvious that history is my passion. Historical fiction gives me the chance to visit distant lands and envision historical figures the way they might have been. Although some historical fiction may not be completely accurate, in the end,it's the story that captivates me.



*What's your earliest memory of reading?

Can I say in the womb? LOL Seriously though, I remember endless hours of reading the Little Golden Books and those little square books they used to sell at the grocery stores. My mom would never let us get a toy or candy (well, sometimes), but she always let us get books. I had a favorite one. It was called Peppermint...about a little abandoned kitty. I must have been about three or four because I named my first cat after one of the kittens in that book, Caramel Drop. Of course, I also remember hours of reading Sara Crewe and Little Women and then later getting into fantasy, like the Prydain Chronicles and the Wizard of Oz books.



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

The book I've reread the most is Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice...four times. Rice is my favorite author and I know it seems funny for me to say that because of my love for historical fiction, but anyone who has read Rice's books knows that she is a meticulous researcher and many of her books feature historical elements. I really love all of her books, especially the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches, but Queen of the Damned is my favorite book of all time.



*Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?

Hell to the no! I might condone in self-help books, but I draw the line everywhere else.



*What's your favorite place to read?

In my room, in my comfy armchair with my feet propped up on my huge footstool.



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

My glasses...and book marks, of course!



*Finish the sentence: My bookshelves are...

loaded with a collection of 3000+ books. No, I am NOT a hoarder!



*My TBR pile is...

see above



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

Wuthering Heights. Am I the only one who thinks Heathcliff is incredibly romantic? Guess I just love the tortured hero.



*To DNF or not to DNF?

Now that I have so much to read, I have a general rule of 50 to 100 pages. If it's not grabbing me by then, it's outta there. I like most books though so this doesn't happen very often.



*What's one book that intimidates you?

War and Peace by Tolstoy



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

England. After recently reading Murder as a Fine Art by David Morrell, it has renewed my interest in visiting London and touring the streets that were Whitechapel and surrounding in Victorian times.



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

I watch an incredible amount of television, but really only at night. And I read during the commercials. I also love movies almost as much as books...almost.



*What's your favorite (or least-favorite) book to movie adaptation?

The Silence of the Lambs because it was SO much like the book.



*What are 3 of your must-read blogs?

• Wordsmithonia
• Lit and Life
• Between the Covers

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

"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."




Thank you for joining us today, Michelle! Remember to check out Michelle's blog, The True Book Addict (http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/), and leave a comment or question.