Saturday, February 15, 2014

BB Love-A-Thon 2014: Get to Know Me


Woohoo! It's Saturday, February 15, which means it's time for the 2014 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon hosted by Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books and Katelyn @ Kate's Tales of Books and Bands
The Love-A-Thon is meant to spread the love for book blogs and their bloggers, and is a way to discover new blogs or rediscover old favorites. I'll be participating in a series of mini posts today and Sunday, so check back periodically for those! I also hope to discover some great book blogs this weekend, so if you have a blog you'd like to share with me, please feel free to link in the comments!

First up is a series of interview questions from Alexa and Katelyn themselves.


1. How did you come up with your blog name?
When I first started book blogging over on tumblr, I wanted to come up with a blog name that really encompassed what reading meant to me. Life in the Pages seemed like the perfect name because so much of my life has been spent literally flipping through thousands of pages of books. I've also always kind of liked the idea of living through books--when I read, it's like I'm going on an adventure, or experiencing an alternative life.

2. What genre/subject matter do you read and review most on your blog?
I'd say that about 85% of what I read is YA fiction, which, as you all know, can encompass so many genres. I started out loving paranormal romance and that still makes up the bulk of what I read. But I also love dystopian, fantasy, and contemporary, or "real life," YA. As you can see, I haven't done much reviewing on my blog yet, mostly because after finishing a book it takes me a while to process my thoughts and then regurgitate those thoughts onto paper (or a Word document) in a way that is vaguely coherent and interesting. When I really love a book I go through a period of time after finishing it when my only thoughts are something like word vomit: "ASDFGHJKL;OMGILOVETHISBOOK!" It takes time for me to come down off my book high and think seriously about the reasons why I loved a particular book.

3. Name the 3 books you're excited for in 2014!
Inland by Kat Rosenfield, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, and Prisoner of Night and Fog by Anne Blankman.

4. Where in the world are you blogging from?
Indiana in the US! Go Hoosiers! :)

5. Tell us -- how did you get into blogging in the first place?
Well, if we're going back to the true beginning, I started out blogging on Xanga in middle school (anyone out there remember Xanga?). When I was in the eighth grade I was obsessed with anime and manga, but didn't have any RL friends who shared my enthusiasm. So, I turned to the magical world of the internet and got into roleplaying, which I loved because it gave me the chance to practice my writing and talk to other kids who loved manga as much as I did. At some point (though I can't quite remember when) I made the switch to LiveJournal, and then, as my LJ friends began to move over to tumblr, I ended up blogging there. Once I started gaining more and more followers, I decided I wanted to create a more "official" blog, where I could do more than just reblog posts and also where I could more easily communicate with my blog audience (it really helps to have a comments section!).

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

My initial reaction to this question is always:


My main hobby in life is and always has been reading, and all my subsequent hobbies are pretty much related to it in some way, like sorting my books into different lists on GoodReads, or reorganizing my bookshelves, or going to the library, or finding new bookshops to explore, or, of course, book blogging! Rare is the moment that I'm not reading or doing something book-related. But…in an effort not to sound entirely boring, I've racked my brain and come up with a few other hobbies. I love to knit, even though I'm not particularly skilled at it. I love watching movies (probably my second favorite thing to do after reading). I also love coloring in those really fancy art coloring books--the ones with really intricate kaleidoscope patterns or optical illusions. Sometimes I do logic puzzles and fill-it-ins. OH, and tumbling (tumblring?)! I lied. That's actually my second most favorite hobby after reading. I am so hopelessly addicted to tumblr. 

7. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which books would you bring with you?
My complete Harry Potter and Twilight collections.

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?

Edward Cullen



Duh.

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?

Oh, man! I have so many favorite songs that it's hard to pick…but the one song that always energizes me and makes me happy is "Young Blood" by The Naked and Famous. It's one of those songs that you want to listen to full blast in your car in the summertime with the windows rolled down, singing your heart out. It just makes me want to live and do something amazing.




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

I have a feeling that turning my favorite movies into books would only end in disappointment for me. I've tried reading a few movie tie-in novels in the past and I hate to say this but they are never good. I prefer movies based on books. At the moment, I would pick Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus (which has such beautiful imagery), Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone (because I can't get enough paranormal romance), and Gail Carriger's Soulless (which, done right, could be totally kick-ass and hilarious).

20 comments:

  1. Great interview.
    I want to let you know that you are not the only one who enjoys coloring. I usually don't mention this at all, because people always make fun of me. "24 years old and still coloring." Whatever. Power to both of us!
    - Elizabeth @ Redhead Reader

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    1. YES! Oh my gosh I am so happy to hear you say that! I really debated whether or not I should put that out there, because it is kind of awkward to admit that I'm 23 and still like to color, haha. But it's so fun! And kind of relaxing, in a way.

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  2. I would TOTALLY bring the entire Harry Potter series with me to a deserted island, which I said in my interview too. Also, coloring is totally awesome! I love coloring in coloring books; it's actually a good stress reliever for me. Plus I can pretend to be artistic ;)

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    1. Harry Potter is an absolute must have! Every time I read the books I discover something new--which makes it hard to get bored with them.

      Exactly! Coloring can be very therapeutic. And I have absolutely no artistic talent whatsoever when it comes to drawing, but boy can I color! Haha!

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  3. I used to love logic puzzles; I'd spend all day just doing puzzles in my little workbook my mom had bought me! Haha

    I also still love to colour, although it usually only happens when my god daughter comes over to visit.

    I love how you described your blog name, and the feeling of being swept up in a story so that you feel like you're going on an adventure - it's so true!

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    1. I love them but sometimes they can be so frustrating! It usually takes me a couple tries to get them right.

      Okay, I am seriously feeling so much better knowing that I'm not the only adult who still likes coloring, haha!

      Thanks! :)

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  4. OMG XANGA! I had the most emo xanga everrr hahaha. It was terrible. So glad I deleted it. Young Blood is one of my favorite songs too! You totally captured the perfect setting for listening to it...I can't wait for summer so I can drive with the windows down listening to awesome music.

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    1. Haha, yeah, mine was pretty embarrassing, too. But then I was fourteen or fifteen when I started it, so of course it's cringeworthy to me now.

      Isn't it a great song? And I'm with you--can't wait for the first warm summer day so I can listen to it in my car.

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  5. Haha, that's my reaction to those pesky hobby questions too. Reading and TV.

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    1. I always panic when people ask me that question because I feel like, "oh no, they're going to think I'm so boring!" haha

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  6. Soulless would make a fantastic movie! I'm addicted to tumblr, too. Luckily I get to do it for work!

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    1. I've already cast Gemma Arterton and Richard Armitage as Alexia and Lord Macon in my head. :)

      You get to do tumblr. For work. WHAT? I'm jealous.

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  7. Eeeep, we have the same songs!!!! This is meant to be ;) So nice to meet another awesome book blogger and fellow YA lover!

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    1. Yay!! It really is a great song! :)

      Aww, it's so nice to meet you, too! I just checked out your blog and I love it!

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  8. Oh yes, your blog name is perfect for a booknerd. =)

    I still need to write so many reviews exactly because of what you said about thinking about all the reasons I loved a certain book. I find it hard to express all my love for a book in a review sometimes.

    I totally tried out blogging on Tumblr before I started doing it for real.

    I love the cover of Inland by Kat Rosenfield and I'm so excited for it!

    I'm so addicted to it myself and just want to reblog all the things.

    Yes to Harry Potter! Once a Potterhead, always a Potterhead.

    I just listened to The Naked and Famous' Young Blood and I'm addicted. Gaaah, it is an awesome song!

    I cannot wait to start reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone series soon!

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    1. Thanks! :D And yeah, it's hard! When I really love a book, I don't even know where to begin explaining all the reasons why.

      I've had my personal tumblr for about two years now I think and I got an e-mail from the site about a month ago saying I had liked 10,000 posts. I'm beginning to think I may need to reevaluate my priorities, lol. It's just so addicting!

      Awesome! I've converted you into a Naked and Famous fan! :D

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  9. I'm 35 and I like coloring too! I liked knitting but it took so long to make things. Try loom knitting! It is fun, easier and faster! And YAY to The Night Circus! I love that book!!

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    1. I'll have to try that sometime! I used to have a knitting loom but never learned how to use it.

      Yay, another Night Circus fan! I really hope we get a movie someday!

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  10. Your answer in Q6 is exactly like mine! Made me laugh. :) The Night Circus would make a gorgeous movie - the book was so magical!

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    1. Haha! Yeah, whenever I get asked that question my mind just goes blank and I can't think of anything besides reading. Yes! The imagery in it was so beautiful; reading it was almost like watching a movie in my head. I remember reading an article when the book first came out that said David Heyman (the producer of the Harry Potter movies) was wanting to turn it into a film and I thought, oh my gosh, if the movie people behind HP got behind The Night Circus, it would be so awesome!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I read every single one and they brighten my day. While I may not be able to respond to all comments, I do make an effort to visit your blogs if you include a link! :)