I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa from Bookmark Dragon. I've recently discovred Melissa's blog, and I really like her Weekly Words posts. Melissa and I haven't met yet, but I'm hoping we'll get to see each other this weekend at the Utah Book Month Bash.
1. If you could have a story written about you, what author would you pick to write it and why?
If I could choose anyone it would probably be Jane Austen, for obvious reasons. She's the bomb. Plus, she would probably turn my life into a romantic comedy, which wouldn't make me complain one bit.
2. What is the best and worst thing about blogging?
I think the best thing is the book recommendations I get from others! Reading a book review where the reviewer is gushing their eyeballs out is just the greatest thing. Several of my favorite books were found that way, and it's one of my favorite things when someone else tells me they loved a book they read on my recommendation!
The worst thing is probably the constraints that blogging puts on my reading time! It's ironic that I sometimes resent the hours I have to spend blogging about books when I would rather be reading books instead, but there you go.
3. If you could meet any author (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Definitely J.K. Rowling. I'm a die hard Potter fan, so that one's a given.
4. What is your favorite thing about Utah?
My favorite thing about Utah is Zupas. I know that's kind of a lame answer, but I lived in Indiana for three years before moving to Utah, and I really missed it! I could eat their cranberry turkey sandwiches and cauliflower soup FOREVER.
5. What do you like to see on other blogs?
I'm open to a lot of different kinds of content, but I get really excited when I see posts that analyze book covers. Book covers are incredibly influential on readers' perceptions and expectations, and as a result, on their experience with the book, and I feel like it's rare that a cover just NAILS the feel and content of a book. So I like reading people's thoughts on covers: what works, what doesn't, what differences are made on the cover art from country to country and from decade to decade. The topic just fascinates me, and I love reading what others think!
6. A lot of people feel like the blogging world is dying. What your thoughts on that?
i sure hope not, because I just got here!! There are still hundreds of active book blogs out there, and so long as people are reading them, I think we can safely say that book blogging is alive and well!
7. What are the top 5 books that influenced your life?
Each of these books changed me in a real and profound way at one point in my life.
- The Giver by Lois Lowry
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn
- Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
8. What is your bookish pet peeve?
I really hate it when people disrespect other people's reading choices. Whether you're a sci-fi fan, or a romance fan, or a Dickens fan, or whatever else . . . I wish we would all just live and let live. I recently wrote a whole blog post on the subject, actually!
9. Do you have a bookish quirk?
I always flip to the back and read the author bio before starting a book. I just like knowing a little about who's head the story came from!
10. Who is your literature crush?
Your question assumes that I have just one crush . . . just kidding. :)
My literature crush is probably Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Phew that's one smoking Scot!
Thanks so much for letting me interview you Melissa!!
Keep in touch with Melissa
Great interview! I hadn't heard of Zupas before this post so I googled it of course. Looks good. I agree with Melissa about the time it takes to blog. I could be reading during all that time so I really had to make sure I set aside time for both.. it can be hard!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat questions and answers, ladies! Melissa, I really do hope you come to the party, because we have a lot in common. I think I will have to hit Zupas for lunch. :) And I've read and loved all of your influential books except HALF THE SKY. I will have to read it.
ReplyDeleteI love your questions, Kami. And, I loved reading Melissa's answers. I also like it when people analyze book covers. And Zupa's is the bomb (as long as you're at the right one). Thanks for letting me get to know Melissa better!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for hosting this interview, Kami! I had so much fun answering your questions. And, I am totally down for a virtual Zupas date anytime any of you want to go grab a lunch. :)
ReplyDeletePS- Angela, it cracks me up that you Googled Zupas. :)
PPS- Jessica, I highly, highly recommend Half the Sky! Do let me know if you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm still trying to clear one thing on my schedule this Saturday, but I hope I can at least stop by for a little while!
PPPS- Jenni, if you come across a post that analyzes book covers, definitely send it my way! I love those posts. :)