Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Leah @ Leah’s Thoughts

Leah @ Leah’s Thoughts is a relatively new blog to me. One day, through that magical place called Twitter, I saw a tweet about Leah interviewing Erika Robuck. Since I think Erika is adorable- I checked out the interview, then the blog. Leah’s Thoughts is not about just books- it’s more of a mix of things- but, it’s definitely a cute and AWESOME blog!

Bloggers made of AWESOME: Leah @ Leah’s Thoughts

Leah- when did you begin blogging?

I started blogging in December 2009. It was my New Year’s goal to write more and blogging was my strategy.

Leah- your blog is a mixture of things. Books . Cooking. Crafts. Did you consider starting another blog at one point so that you could have blogs focused on 1 thing? Or do you like having a blog with multiple subjects?

I like having a blog that reflects who I am, which is a mixture of someone who loves writing, reading, cooking, crafting, and spending time with my family. I think the variety keeps the content fresh and my readers seem to respond to that, which is why I think they continue coming back. I have considered starting another blog for my writing and marketing business, which would focus on writing and social media for business. But that’s a project for another day!

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I love how blogging has opened up new books and made authors more accessible to lay readers. I have found so many great books and writers just from reading other blogs. Truth be told, that’s how I find most of my books these days. I love that this new blogging world gives authors/writers a chance to market their work to readers when they are not getting the same marketing support from publishers they did in the past. I also love how supportive the blogging/author community seems to be. Writers are genuinely touched and happy to promote their books on blogs. And now I can actually converse with my favorite writers through blogs and afterwards on social media.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

When I’m not blogging or reading (or reading other blogs!), I am usually spending time with my 5-year-old daughter, Sophie. I also like to cook and bake. And when I’m not doing all those things, I’m working on my writing and marketing business.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I have not read Pride and Prejudice! This isn’t so much of a concession, but more of a rule. If I don’t like a book – or cannot get engaged with the story in the first 25 pages – I stop reading. Life is too short to read a bad book. And I have a HUGE stack that needs reading.

Do you have a #literarycrush? (One of mine is Peeta from the Hunger Games)

I haven’t read Hunger Games either! Shameful, I know. I don’t have crushes so much as there are characters I admire. I always find myself thinking of Jo March from Little Women. I so respect her strength and courage to move beyond what is comfortable and take a chance in life.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

I have Khaled Hosseini’s new book (And the Mountains Echoed) in my TBR stack. I loved his other two books. I am also dying to read Jeannette Walls’ The Silver Star.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

That’s a tough question because I’ve read some really good ones! I really liked Julie Kibler’s Calling Me Home. I just finished The Outcast, by Jolina Petersheim, who is a phenomenal blogger. We’ve been following each other’s blogs for years, so it’s really exciting to see her publish her first novel. And it was really good too!

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

My husband and I say that our ideal vacation is going away to a beach house or cabin to just read books. Lucky for me, I’m married to a fellow bookworm too. The next three books on my list are: The Snow Child (Eowyn Ivey), Sisters (Nancy Jensen), and The Other Typist (Suzanne Rindell). Of course, there are dozens more waiting when those are done!

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

I’m still a tree book lover. I love the feel of actual paper and a book in my hands. And since I’m on the computer all day working, I like to turn off the electronics to enjoy my books.

If you could have dinner with a collection of characters from books you’ve read- what characters would you pick? And why?

I would love to have dinner with the March sisters (Little Women) or watch one of their plays. I’ve always been partial to that book because I’m one of four sisters as well. But I have to admit that walking the halls of Hogwarts with Harry, Ron and Hermione makes me pretty excited too.

*If you enjoyed reading about Leah- check out her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Bloggers made of AWESOME: Allison @ The Book Wheel

Today, I have Allison @ The Book Wheel as my featured Bloggers made of AWESOME. Why do I like Allison’s blog? She features books that I may not know much about and her posts are always informative!

After reading the interview, I hope you’ll find Allison @ The Book Wheel as interesting as I do!

Interview with Allison @ The Book Wheel

Allison- when did you begin blogging?

I started blogging on and off in January 2011, but I didn’t start book blogging until July of 2012.

How did you come up with the name The Book Wheel?

I named my blog The Book Wheel for so many reasons! Wheels never end and revolve. My love for books is constant, never ending and my entire world revolves around books. Or, you could say that books make the world go ’round. Or, that books make my world go ’round. Or, that the wheel of invention is dependent on books. Or, that books propel us forward. Or, that knowledge depends on a never ending supply of information. Or, that books provide never-ending knowledge. Or, that the supply of books is never ending. Like I said, there are a lot of reasons!

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

Yes and no. I know that this is probably not the reality of it, but I seem to only meet readers or non-readers. I rarely meet anyone who enjoys reading sometimes. So for those who read regularly, I think that book blogs are a tremendous help in finding the next best thing because the reader is getting advice from an unpaid source (we assume). I don’t know that blogs are very instrumental in helping the sometimes reader, though, because they probably don’t spend much time online researching books and/or reading reviews.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

There are things other than blogging and reading?! Let’s see. I work full-time, have a literary and digital consulting company, and am starting my Master of Public Policy program in the Fall, so reading and blogging may be my only hobbies pretty soon. But, I’m also married to an incredible man and we have two fantastic dogs. We are big fans of hopping in the SUV and heading out on mini road trips. We recently moved to Colorado and love driving into the mountains at random to see where we end up. Most recently, we trekked it 7 hours to the Badlands to watch the sun rise, which was pretty amazing. Oh, and I watch an abnormal amount of Law & Order and L&O SVU. Some may call it an addiction.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I may or may not have read a few Jackie Collins books in my day. I also may or may not have a signed photo of her.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I know this is cliché, but I love Mr. Darcy. I think this is because I adore Colin Firth and they are one in the same for me. I also recently read A Room With a View so George Is on the list now, too!

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg and The Know-It-All by AJ Jacobs.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

Oh! This is such a hard question because I have read so many fantastic books. I’m going to cheat and pick one fiction and one based on a true story! My fiction is Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold and the other is The Rebellion of Miss Lucy Ann Lobdell by William Klaber.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

Whatever I have on my list! The only book that I must have is Where the Red Fern Grows and I read it every summer, so I suppose that I’d bring that one. But when it comes to vacations, I’m an equal opportunist.

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

There was a time when I was torn to pieces over getting a Kindle, but then I had surgery and was bedridden for weeks on end and the Kindle saved me from absolute boredom! Now I’m a big fan of the e-reader and have a Kindle and an iPad mini. I still buy paper books when it’s an author that I love, a limited edition, or if I’m attending the signing (I don’t understand ‘e-book signings’), but I love my e-readers.

*If you want to know more about Allison @ The Book Wheel– check out her blog! And join me in congratulating Allison- last Wednesday, July 24, was her 1 year anniversary as a blogger! Also- looks like the NYT got the memo about how AWESOME Allison @ The Book Wheel is before I could post this! Check out her FANTASTIC NYT news here!

Allison can also be found on Facebook and Twitter!

Bloggers Who Are Made Of AWESOME: Kristin @ Always With a Book

This week’s Made of AWESOME blogger is Kristin @ Always With a Book. Kristin and I are both members of She Reads, read cozy mysteries and are fans of Twitter book-ish talk! Read on for more of what makes Kristin made of AWESOME.

Bloggers Made Of AWESOME: Kristin @ Always With a Book

Kristin- when did you begin blogging?

I started my blog back in February of 2010.

How did you come up with the name Always With a Book?

I always have a book with me wherever I go and so I thought that would be the perfect name for my blog.

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I definitely think book blogs are helping readers find out about good books – I know even for myself, I’ve heard about many good books from my fellow bloggers.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

I work part-time for Literacy Volunteers where I am a trainer and data manager. I also enjoy crocheting. I’ve been making tons of baby blankets lately for all my new nieces (3 this year alone!) and am actually toying with starting my own little side business for this.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I’m a huge James Patterson fan. I buy most of his books in hardcover so they can go on my JP shelf. I read his Alex Cross series; his Michael Bennett series; his Women’s Murder Club series; his Private series and most of his stand-alone books.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I guess it would be Joe Morelli from Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams; The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley; Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand; All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue; Hunting Eve by Iris Johansen; Silencing Eve by Iris Johansen; and The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

This is a tough one…I’d say it’s a toss up between The House Girl by Tara Conklin and The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

If I was leaving this week – the books would be A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams; All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue; and Second Honeymoon by James Patterson

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

I do the physical book, but I read both, print and e-versions.

You are given a 50 dollar gift certificate to a book store. Do you take time looking through the store or do you know exactly what books you want?

I take the time looking through the store. One of the things I love to do is walk into different book stores to see what books they have spotlighted – I find it’s different in each store and love seeing what everyone thinks is “the book” to read.

*If you liked Kristin’s interview- check her blog out- Always With a Book!

Bloggers Who Are Made Of AWESOME: Jaime @ Bookmagnet

Jaime B blogs as Bookmagnet- her blog is pretty fabulous- or better yet, AWESOME. Bookmagnet gets the best interviews- her posts are something else.

Jaime @ Bookmagnet- Bloggers Made of AWESOME

Jaime- when did you begin blogging?

I had to go look at my archives to answer this question! I actually began blogging about books in 2009. I can’t believe it’s been that long. The way I read, review books, and blog has changed since then. It’s much more serious and in-depth now. When I first started, I don’t think many people even know what blogging was. It was so new.

How did you come up with the name Bookmagnet?

I do remember this! I joined Twitter in 2009 and was trying to figure out a cute and interesting user name. Since I love the beach, I tried to get something like aquatic like agua or beach girl, but everything I came up with was already taken. Then, suddenly, I had an epiphany: I’ll talk about books. What would a good name be for that? It hit me—bookmagnet. And it was available, to my delight.

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

I think bloggers today wear many hats, and that’s a good thing. We’re not only bloggers and reviewers but we let fellow readers know what to read. We tell them what’s bad, what’s good, and what’s great. We get the word out. We’re big promoters. What’s more—publishers and authors are noticing. Think about how many novels come out every week? It’s inevitable a few worthy books fly under the radar. We have to recognize those novels that are still gems; they just may have escaped notice.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

I love going to the beach, I love swimming, I love my dogs. I collect signed books, old postcards, vintage perfume bottles, and art.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

Okay, here’s a shocker. I read all of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

Jay Gatsby, without a second thought.

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2013?

I’m looking forward to Margaret Atwood’s third book in her MaddAddam trilogy titled MaddAddam, Amy Tan’s The Valley of Amazement, Janice Clark’s The Rathbones, James McBride’s The Good Lord Bird and a whole slew of others. So many of the year’s biggest books are released in the fall.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read (so far!) in 2013?

The one that managed to capture my heart and not let it go has been Julie Wu’s The Third Son.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

Beatriz Williams’ A Hundred Summers; Karen Brown’s The Longings of Wayward Girls, and Liza Klaussmann’s Tigers in Red Weather

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

I read a lot of galleys on my Kindle, but I also read hard copies. If I read a galley of a book or if I purchase a book on my Kindle and end up loving it, I purchase a signed copy at my favorite indie bookstores—Lemuria Books in Jackson, MS; Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA; and Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C.

You are a member of She Reads- an organization that helps women find great books. What is the experience like- helping authors get the word out about books and connecting women with great books?

I love She Reads. To be part of a wonderful community of female bloggers, all of whom are intelligent and driven and bookish, is simply amazing. Men authors tend to get more press and praise for their“serious” fiction, and I think that’s a tragedy. Women are writing important stories, too, and She Reads helps showcase that. And bravo to them!

*Liked Jaime @ Bookmagnet? Thought she was made of AWESOME? Check out her blog, Bookmagnet’s Blog