wrapped up in books

Kate of Tales of Books and Bands and Alexa of Alexa Loves Books are hosting a book blog love-a-thon, which is a chance to “catch up” with other bloggers and discover new book blogs, complete with fun challenges and some giveaways. I really enjoy being a part of the book blogging community, and one of my goals this year was to participate more, so this is a great opportunity to do that!

The first component is an introductory interview, and I chose the pre-set questions. If you’re a regular or casual reader, I hope this isn’t boring or annoying. If you’re stopping by as part of the weekend blogging extravaganza, hello!

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

It’s a Belle & Sebastian song.

2. What genre/subject matter do you read and review most on your blog?

I review a lot of YA, because I work with teens in the library and purchase young adult materials. I also am responsible for the graphic novel collection for adults and teens, so I review those as well.

Personally, I have eclectic reading tastes, so sometimes I read and review nonfiction and adult fiction as well. I like everything from urban fantasy to feminist theory. Really.

I read books out of professional curiosity as well as for fun, so while my reviews make my personal opinions clear, I am always reading with a critical eye to gauge what type of reader might like a book, even if I don’t.

I often write about working in a library, too. So I don’t *just* review books. I like to share fun programs or readers’ advisory resources that are sometimes also of interest to non-librarian people. Sometimes I write about art, movies, and music. Pictures of my cats, Spike and Angel, crop of as well.

3. Name the 3 books you’re excited for in 2014!

• Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor
• Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers
• The as yet untitled third book in the Raven Cycle series by Maggie Stiefvater

4. Where in the world are you blogging from?

LFK. Birthplace of basketball and the Winchester brothers. Otherwise known as Lawrence, Kansas.

5. Tell us — how did you get into blogging in the first place?

After my first round of grad school, Mister BS took his first teaching job in a tiny, rural town and we lived there for a year. The internet became the only way I could socialize with like-minded people.

I got seriously involved in fandom, and started writing a fandom blog and sharing fanfiction and writing about pop culture stuff. Then, I branched out and started what would become this blog.

When I realized my actual job could be talking about books with people all day, I started taking it seriously. So book blogging is a huge part of what led me to my career as a librarian.

6. Apart from reading, what other hobbies/interests do you have?

These days it seems very little of my time is devoted to anything besides books and libraries! Between work, library school, and blogging, I’m pretty ‘booked’. (Can puns be an interest? And I do love irony).

I also write fiction (no longer fanfiction, alas, but I write stories that one day might be novels). I’m seriously into wine (or as seriously as you can be when you’re a librarian married to a teacher and not exactly independently wealthy).

When I hang out with my friends, we go to coffeeshops or dive townie bars. Sometimes we play Risk or Dr. Mario or Fluxx or Cards Against Humanity. Often we watch documentaries. We drink whiskey or tequila. Lawrence is always having cool events. There’s a monthly art exhibit downtown, Nerd Nite (cool nerdy lecture and booze), and Film Church (classic movies with a sermon and booze). There is more fun to be had than time in the week.

I also like vegetarian cooking. I share recipes with a friend at our food blog, molly & morgan. When I have time I do crafty things like scrapbooking and photography.

I know. I lead a thrilling life, I tell you.

7. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which books would you bring with you?

I feel like I’d give a different answer to this on any given day. So today I choose:

• The Collected Poems of Federico Garcia Lorca
• Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
• The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris

8. If you were stuck in some dangerous situation (like a fire, a sinking ship, a warzone), which book boy or girl would you want to come and save you?

I don’t know. I try to stay away from dangerous situations. And if it’s my story and I get to make it up, I’d probably want to do the saving.

9. You’re attending a party with your friends. Suddenly, the DJ changes the song and it’s YOUR song – what song would that be?

Hmmm. If it’s me and my girls, it’s definitely Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll.” If it’s just me, it’s my karaoke song — Radiohead’s “Creep.”

10. What 3 movies would you love to have your favorite author write into books, or vice versa?

Um, I’m doing books to movies because movie novelizations are not my thing and like every movie I see is based on a book. I’d love to see American Gods made into a TV show (so sad it looks like the HBO series isn’t happening). I’m also dying for a Daughter of Smoke and Bone movie (seriously, if shit like I, Frankenstein can get made, why the hell is there not a DoSaB movie yet? I know this one might actually happen, but until I’ve got popcorn and Milk Duds in my hand and am ready to watch…) I’d like to see Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller or Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley adapted to the big screen, too.

So, if you’re new to the blog, hi! And if you are regular visitor and read to the end, I hope you were amused. The book bloggers love-a-thon is going on all weekend, so in between judging forensics and teen book club at the library, I’ll be exploring new blogs and catching up on posts from favorite blogs I’ve missed. I didn’t participate in every challenge, but I have a few extra posts going up this weekend. Happy reading and happy blogging!