Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room
Hello fellow bloggers and Armchair BEA-ers! I really wish I were in NYC right now at BEA, but since that’s not possible, I’m really excited to be participating in Armchair BEA. I remember seeing quite a few bloggers participating last year, but since I was still a relatively new blogger, I didn’t really know a whole lot about it. Today kicks off the festivities, and we're supposed to introduce ourselves by answering 5 interview questions. Here goes!
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
The short version: My name’s Marie, I’m 28, and live in Ontario, Canada. I’m an author and freelance writer - my first novel, Blue Sky Days, came out this past January. I started Ramblings of a Daydreamer in October 2010 as a place to talk about anything I wanted, and in April/May last year I turned it into a book blog after discovering the amazing world that is the book blogging community. I’ve always been an avid reader, but I don’t have many friends who enjoy reading, so book blogging has given me an outlet to talk about the books I love, showcase amazing authors, and also make bookish friends who are as passionate about the written word as I am. Book blogging has brought me a lot of pleasure over the past year, and I’ve made some terrific friends through it.
What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
Right now I’m reading three books: Darklight by Lesley Livingston (2nd book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy, about faeries), Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown (mermaids), and CelebraTORI: Unleashing Your Inner Party Planner to Entertain Family and Friends by Tori Spelling (about party planning (obviously)…’cause I host so many parties…not! I just like Tori Spelling and wanted to get ideas for ‘someday’...kinda like why I love Pinterest lol). If you want to know my favorite books of 2012 so far, you’ll have to come back tomorrow, because I’ll be dedicating a whole post to that topic!
Where do you see your blog in five years?
In five years, I’d love for Ramblings of a Daydreamer to be a well-known blog where people come to read reviews, enter tons of giveaways (giveaways are something I wish I could do more of - hopefully soon!), read author interviews and guest posts, participate in discussion posts, challenges, and fun events. I'd love to be known as one of those go-to places when you're trying to decide what to read next.
What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
My favorite part of the book blogging community is that it is a community. I love getting to talk books with people, discover new reads, and make new friends. It’s amazing to have people who really get the obsessions and agree on things like relatable characters, swoonworthy boys, books that changed your life, or even books that didn’t live up to their hype.
The only thing I’d like to see change, but that I have a feeling will get worse rather than better, is the cliques that are developing - the popular bloggers who have tons of followers, and those who possibly sell out for popularity. It’s a bit of an unsettling trend, but I don’t really think there’s anything that can be done about it. I just keep my head down, keep plugging away, try to be honest and fair, and maintain the integrity of my blog. One thing I always want to do is stay true to myself and my vision for this blog and not sell out just to gain popularity in the blogging world.
Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
They’ve changed immensely. When I discovered the world of book blogging, it was YA book blogging that really caught my attention and interest. I hadn’t read many YA books - basically Harry Potter, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Twilight - because I thought I was ‘too old’ to read books ‘for teens’. I quickly discovered that there were just as many, if not more, adults out there reading YA books as teens reading them. I met people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond who read nothing but YA. I gave it a shot, and I haven’t looked back since. I still read adult books, but the majority are definitely YA. Also, even though I’ve always had eclectic reading tastes, I was mainly a romance girl - now there’s pretty much nothing I won’t read.
If you're participating in Armchair BEA (or even if you're not) be sure to leave a comment, introduce yourself, and/or post a link to your own 'interview'. I always love making new friends and connections, and getting to learn more about the people in this amazing community!
Fun fact? You are the second blogger in a row from Ontario whose intro post I have commented on, AND I'm from Ontario too! Canadians REPRESENT :) I really love your vision for you blog in 5 years and your comment about the book blogging community!
ReplyDelete<a href="http://bookishcomforts.blogspot.ca/2012/06/armchairbea-2012-introductions.html>My introduction post :)</a>
Other travel plans and family commitments kept me from BEA. I too would rather be there.
ReplyDeleteI don't make it to this blog of yours often enough.
You mentioned the trends and cliques in blogging. I have given this mush thought lately and have decided to manage my blog to my own liking and just keep with that. I enjoy it more and those who like it will come and those who don't, well that's okay, they must have other reading preferences.
I never thought that it mattered a lot if I was popular to a particular genre of blog. I could chat in a chat room if meaningless conversation was what I seek, but I want to talk about the books that I love, the authors that I love and discover many more from blogs that can recommend me my sort of read.
I really have to plan to pop in here more often.
Love that you have a 5 year plan! Mine is pretty much more of the same!
ReplyDeleteBook blogging has changed my reading in lots of ways too, and it's all for the better!
Enjoy your Armchair BEA!
I love your point about not selling out. Some of the blogs out there write such glowing reviews about everything - just like people you can't like everyone. Some blogs out there write good reviews in exchange for free stuff - and I just don't want that.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful "meeting" you :) Armchair BEA @ the Brunette Librarian
I agree - the blogging community is incredible!!! It's like you're accepted because of the common love of books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
Here's my intro
Valerie
StuckInBooks
Hi, nice to meet you. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your goals and definitely agree with you about how tastes change after you start blogging.
Welcome to Archair BEA12 I see you are an avid reader from all of the buttons with the huge reading goals. I look forward to swinging by and viewing your picks tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHello my beautiful blogging friend {waves}
ReplyDeleteI love your answers, especially how you see your blog in 5 years time, it sounds perfect and I hope you achieve it.
x Sharon
My Introduction - http://obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/armchair-bea-introduction.html
Hi Marie, thanks for visiting my blog yesterday!
ReplyDeleteI was glad to hear that you participated in my scary read-a-thon last year. As I mentioned, I started a dedicated blog for my read-a-thons because they really are taking on a life of their own. My summer RAT is coming up in July and I will be having the FrightFall Read-a-Thon again in October. I sure hope you will join me again sometime.
I agree with you about the book blogging community. I noticed the clique-iness when I first started in 2009 and I think it has gotten worse. Like you, I try to keep my head down and keep it honest and forthright.
Enjoy the A.BEA week!
I thought I was weird for reading YA in my late 20s, but now that I am in my 30s I am comfortable with reading YA because to me it's just another genre. And it's a genre that I love! :)
ReplyDelete