BBAW Interview with Confessions of a Book Whore

Smirking Revenge, the blogger behind Confessions of a Book Whore, was on vacation when the BBAW interview announcements were first sent out. So, when I emailed her and sent her the questions, she wasn’t there to get them.  When she got back, she was still interested in partnering, so I had the good fortune to interview two bloggers this week.  Her blog was new to me and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her a little through her posts.  I love her blog layout and her personality.  I added her to my Google Reader, of course, and I think you’ll want to do the same.  I wish I had her moxie!

Here is my review with Smirking Revenge:

Literate Housewife: When did you first discover your love for reading?

Smirking Revenge: I think I have always been a fan of reading. I was one of those little girls who would be up in a tree reading Nancy Drew, probably in a dress, much to my mother’s chagrin. I loved the places books would take me. I wanted to be the characters or have them as my friends. For a girl with a very active and vivid imagination, books were the perfect escape. They still are.

LH: Are there any influential readers in your life?

SR: Thankfully I had two parents that really pushed that it was okay to have my nose in a book. I think I mostly got that gene from my father who also suffers from that affliction that renders one completely unable to leave a bookstore without buying something. I think between the two of us we have our own local library. My father also used to read to me as a child. Not only are they some of my fondest memories, but through him I first read ‘Call of the Wild’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

LH: Please tell me a little about your reading preferences. Have they changed over time?

SR: I tend to read more than one book at a time. There is one in my car, one by the bedside, one for the bathtub, one for work. A girl has to whittle away her TBR pile after all. I read fairly quickly when I do have time to read, but because I usually am reading more than one book it takes me a little longer than if I read one at a time. While I have my favorite genres, I try to read a little bit of everything. Of course when you have a mood, you have a mood and you are a drawn to a particular type of book.

As far as my favorite genre, I do adore urban fantasy with speculative fiction as a whole being my favorite little niche. Growing up I knew I had a bit of a biblio-addiction when I would spend three months of my allowance at the school book fair. Back then I loved Choose your Own Adventure books where I could change the story again and again, Nancy Drew and the Babysitter’s Club. As I got older I began to read the classics ‘The Three Musketeers’ being a favorite as well as anything by Christopher Pike who had my burgeoning preteen horror fan all a twitter. Then I got hooked with Emma Bull’s ‘War for the Oaks’. I had found my genre and immediately decided that for six months I should be part of the Seelie Court. I think there is something utterly fascinating about a modern day setting with a bit of the abnormal and the supernatural thrown in. It lets your imagination be as creative as it wants to be and is truly an escape from the mundane. Over time I have found that I still spend a lot of time in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy section of bookstores, but I read a lot of different things.

I am also an avid graphic novel fan and it ranges from novels like Three Shadows to the latest X-Men trade. I guess I will always be a bit of a geek at heart and my reading choices reflect that, but I don’t mind…geeks are in.

LH: What is your favorite book? Why? Is it written by your favorite author? If not, who is your favorite author?

SR: I couldn’t choose just one because the others would get jealous. However if I had to choose three books off the top of my head that I will read over and over again they would be: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Beauty by Robin McKinley and a toss up between Pride and Prejudice and The Three Musketeers. As far as a favorite author, I adore Shakespeare. Kind of a nut really.

LH: What prompted you to start your blog?

SR: I have been active on the lovely interwebs for a while now and have a few websites of my own. I have had a blog in one form or another for a decade or more and would always write about my pop culture in life, review the latest book, movie etc. But of course life gets crazy and a two week hiatus became a two year hiatus. Then a couple of years ago I discovered Shelfari and decided not only to document my year in books, but was writing reviews again. Some fellow readers suggested I started a book blog because they loved my reviews and I thought I would give it a go. Been hooked ever since. Plus the book blogging community is so wonderful. Great set of people from such varied backgrounds and places. It’s nice to be part of such a great community.

LH: Of all the reviews you have posted, which is your favorite?

SR: I can’t say I really have one. Still trying to hit my stride and format as far as my reviews go. Ask me in another year when I have more.
*smile*

LH: In what ways, if any, has blogging impacted your reading life?

SR: Well I would have never thought I would ever get ARCs from publishers. Always a lovely little treat that completely makes your day when you get those in the post. I don’t think I read more or less, but I do read more varied things based on recommendations.

LH: Do you plan out your posts each week or is your schedule more fluid?

SR: I wish I had more time to post. I am about 3 reviews behind as we speak. Anyone who can post once a day or even more than once a week and still works a full time job and has a full time life gets big shiny gold stars from me. I would like to be able to fit more time and do more things with my blog, but as of yet have not managed to get that extra few hours in my day.

LH: Have you had the opportunity to meet any other book bloggers in person?

SR: No, but I would absolutely love to. We should have a shindig. A Bookapolooza party.

LH: What are your thoughts on eReaders? Do you own one?

SR: Here is where I let my geek flag fly. Giles from Buffy once said, “Books smell… musty and rich. The knowledge gained from a computer is… it has no texture, no context. It’s there and then it’s gone. If it’s to last, then the getting of knowledge should be tangible. It should be, um… smelly.” I love computers…obviously. They are a wonderful thing as is the internet, but when it comes to my books I agree that they should be smelly. I love the way a new book smells, I love turning each page, the texture of them. As much as I love technology, my house is full of it trust me, books should remain book-y. An e-reader is oh so convenient, but I love seeing my bookshelves lined with books of every shape and size, each spine etched with a title. I love seeing my well worn books where you can tell exactly which chapter I have read over and over again or where I might have even shed a tear or two. You can’t really get that with an e-reader. Maybe I will change my mind in a few years, but somehow I doubt it.

LH: Do you have any goals for your blog over the next year?

SR: I would like to be more prolific. I would love to offer a Reader challenge, giveaways, and have an interview or two. I have a blast and love reading comments and answering them when I get them.

LH: Any words of advice for someone thinking about starting their own book blog?

SR: Just have fun. I don’t think there is really a right way or wrong way to go about it. Everybody has their own way of doing book blogs. Some do lengthy
reviews, some short. There are those who have interviews and giveaways and memes galore. There are reader challenges and discussions. I think if you love books and want to share your thoughts, do it. Enjoy yourself. We’d be happy to have you.

LH: Thanks so much! I enjoyed our interview.

All those who leave a little love here for Smirking Revenge and add her to their feed reader (if you already do, that counts), will get an extra entry in my Serial Giveaway.  At the end of your comment, indicate the set for which you’d like a second entry.  Comments must be posted by 4 PM on September 16th to earn the second entry.