Armchair BEA 2015 - Introduction Questions - Arianna

Armchair BEA 2015 Introduction Questions Arianna

Hi, gang! Well, the BEA is upon us, and that means things are getting going with Armchair BEA, as well! Amber & I are on-site correspondents again this year, so we'll be sharing any fun content we come across to bring the experience back to those at home. For now, though, it's time for the annual Introduction Questions: (Some of these we answered last year, so I will try not to repeat myself.) Why do you love reading and blogging? Well, because I love reading, and blogging gives me a venue through which to connect with a huge audience and emote about the books I love (and hate, I suppose). I love the ability to bond with someone halfway around the world who also loves the same author or the same incredible moment from a book. Books are such a common ground, and have been for centuries. The fact that we can pick up pages written by a long-dead poet and have shared experiences about the words through both time and space? Incredible. What does diversity mean to you? Diversity is open-mindedness, the willingness (and choice) to learn about others - be it their background, their culture, their ideals - wherever they are coming from. To not stick to the same old thing, even if that thing is the limit of your comfort zone. Sometimes you end up loving that book you never thought you'd connect with. What book are you reading right now? Book? As in, singular? Yeah, no. That almost never happens. But the one I am currently most focused on is Seveneves by Neal Stephenson, my favorite author. (I am hoping to see him at BEA this year, in fact!) While I always love his books, this latest one is really much stronger than a few of his past endeavors, so I can't put it down. What book are you most looking forward to reading this summer? Probably Felicia Day's, because hearts. There are quite a few that I cannot think of off the top of my head, actually (too early, not enough coffee), but I've pre-ordered that one, so it is clear I am ready to read it! If you were stranded on  deserted island, what author would you want to bring with you? Why? Oh, so many, but I might have to return to Neal Stephenson with this answer. The man knows so much about so much. He could probably figure out how to keep us alive, and more importantly, also build a spaceship that could get us off the island. (I say spaceship and not boat because, well, spaceships are awesome, but this is an example of the above & beyond the man comprehends and can share with us plebians.) I wish I could take a shelfie! I am not at home, but I definitely will upon our return. For now, I will leave you with this shot of us from the Staten Island Ferry yesterday afternoon:

ArmchairBEA Introductions ~ AmberBug

ArmchairBEA Introductions ~ AmberBug

Pick 5 questions from those listed below: 1) Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from? 2) Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online. 3) What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ . 4) What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year? 5) What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? (Pinterest encouraged!) 6) What is your favorite blogging resource? 7) Spread the love by naming your favorite blogs/bloggers (doesn't necessarily have to be book blogs/bloggers). 8) Share your favorite book or reading related quote. 9) If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why? 10) What book would you love to see as a movie?

Dear Reader, Hi Everyone, AmberBug from ShelfNotes here. I’m so excited to be sharing my blogging self with Armchair BEA this year. Not only will I be going to BookExpo this year but I’ll be blogging all about it and posting it on Armchair BEA, stay tuned! One of the things that makes ShelfNotes so different is the wide variety of reviews we offer. Between the two of us (Arianna and Amber) we cover everything from Graphic Novels, Teen Lit, Historical Fictions, Literary, Non Fiction, and everything in between! Coming soon, we’ll be working on reviewing cookbooks (I don’t want to give it all away but it’ll be super fun).  So without further ado, I give you my Armchair BEA Introduction: What genre do you read most? Literary Fiction, I suppose but my taste is pretty eclectic. I try to mix things up throughout the year. For example, if I just read a “horror” book, I would usually steer clear from that genre for the next couple books. I like the “freshness” this creates and it makes it so that a topic never seems hashed out over and over again. I have trouble reading more than one book in a series unless the book rates about 4 stars, and even then I’ll wait to read the next one and space it between a few books. Part 1: If you were stranded on a deserted Island, what 3 books would you bring & why? -Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - One of my favorites, and on the plus side… the book is really long! -Moby Dick by Herman Melville - Haven’t read this yet (yes, I know!) and what better time to tackle a book of this magnitude (and setting)! -The Stranger Next Door by Amélia Northomb - Another book I adore but I would love to go over this book with a fine tooth comb. Part 2: What 3 non-book items would you bring & why? -My Cat, Richard Dean Anderson (also known as MacGyver). He is the best cat ever and would be able to hunt down some smaller animals to eat, and maybe even figure out a way to get off the island.  -My boyfriend (does that make me cruel?)  -My mind keeps going back to books… so books, that’s my final answer. What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year? Last year? “The World According to Garp” by John Irving.  This year, so far? “Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood.  Share your favorite book or reading related quote. If you don’t like reading, you’re doing it wrong. Not quite sure who said this but I love the quote anyways. The quote is actually highlighted on our bookmark/business cards. What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? -My favorite space is outside on my porch on a nice day.  -My ideal is at Fishers Island, on THAT porch on a nice day. Happy Reading, AmberBug