BBAW : Blogger Interview

In celebration of BBAW, I am interviewing Age 30+ … A Lifetime of Books! Having never known about this blog, it was great to get to know a little information and find another bookblog. Now, for the interview:

1. How did you find out about book blogging and why did you start a book blog?

I started a blog for my book club to help remember what we’ve read together. When I turned 30, I decided to keep track of everything I’d read for a year. I decided to keep that list on a blog since I already knew how to do that. It was intended to be just for my reference, but it has turned into a very public place and I love it.

2. You seem to review all sorts of books. Any favorite titles off the top of your head?

Oh yes. The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver – The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan – The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley … and I could go on and on.

3. What’s one book you would recommend to anyone? (tween, teen, adult, etc.)

That would be The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver. It follows the story of 5 women, a mother and her four daughters, over a 40 year period. It deals with cultural expectations and clashes, relationships, authority, and so much more, plus it is beautifully written.

4. What is your favorite thing about the book blog community?

The people! I’ve met – both online and in person – some of the most wonderful people through blogging. I love that blogging breaks down cultural and economic barriers, allowing us to “meet” people we otherwise would never be in contact with.

5. As a teen, were you a reader or did your love for reading come as you got older?

I’ve been a reader since I was 4 years old. I was the kid reading by flashlight under the covers, or with a book in my desk during class. As a teen I was mostly into Fantasy but I read just about anything.

6. What was your favorite assigned reading book in high school or college?

I really enjoyed Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I recently revisited both of those and I love them just as much today as I did back then.

7. When you buy books, do you buy from retail, indie, or used bookstores?

I don’t usually buy books (I’m more of a swapper or a borrower) but when I do, I go for whatever is most convenient at the time. I’d love to patronize indies more, but the closest one is 30 miles from my house.

8. Who is your all-time favorite book character?

That is REALLY hard! After giving it some thought, I’m going to say the sorceress Polgara. She’s in The Belgariad series by David Eddings. I first read that Fantasy series in elementary school and her character has stayed with me ever since. Even now I can still remember what she looked like and a few of her characteristics.

9. If you could meet one author—alive or dead—who would you want to meet?

Jules Verne. He had a brilliant imagination and was way ahead of his time. I read a few of his books last year and completely loved them.

10. Anything else you’d like to add?

I’d like to invite any of your readers who are in the Maryland area to come out to the Baltimore Book Festival on 9/26 where I’m hosting a panel called The Book Club Toolkit. It is the perfect opportunity to meet bloggers in real life! Details are on my blog at this link: http://age30books.blogspot.com/2009/09/bbf-book-club-toolkit-part-2.html

Thanks so much for partnering with me for this interview – I had lots of fun answering your questions. :)

Thank you as well for the great answers! And I definitely recommend all of you heading over and checking out this blog!

PS. My interview can be found here.