Today Zombie Girl is here. Want an interview? Email me, princessashley9@gmail.com
When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging about a year ago with a crafty/arts blog, but switched my attention to that of book blogging in May. Basically, I was in need of some new reading material, but didn't know what there was. See, I'm one of those people who gets to the bookstore and just stares at the display with a look of glee and mild confusion on their face. If I don't have a game plan going in, I get totally overwhelmed by all the possibilities. My sister introduced me to book blogging, and for that I am eternally grateful. :)
Who is your favorite author and why?
At this very moment... Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games series is the most fantastically amazing thing I've read since Harry Potter (I use HP as a mental baseline for reviewing books). The world is just so complete and the characters are probably the best I've ever read, but my favorite, favorite thing about the series is that you don't passively read it, you live it! I felt like my fate was tied up with Katniss' and I could not put it down! Tied for second place right now are Derek Landy, author of the hugely funny Skulduggery Pleasant series, and Kelley Armstrong, author of one of my fave zombie series The Darkest Powers.
What bloggers inspire you?
Dahlia of Dahlia's Eclectic Mind for helping me out behind the scenes, Orchid of The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia for being so faultlessly generous, Amy from The Park Avenue Princess because she's a sweet heart and helped promote my blog, Allysa Kirk (and the whole Kirk clan) from Teens Read and Write because they always have something nice to say and are frequent commentors, Kristi of The Story Siren because she handles herself and her blog so professionally but is still really nice and willing to promote other bloggers, Sarah of Sarah's {random} Musings because she really reaches out to others through blogging, Taschima Cullen from Bloody Bookaholic because she was the first to call me Zombie Girrrl, Sandy of Pirate Penguin Reads because she keeps me in the loop, and Velvet of vvb32 reads because she hosted Zombie Week and is one of my best blog buddies. This is just the short list; there are a lot of other inspirational bloggers out there.
What book is most like your life?
Great question! I have no idea! Just kidding. My life is most like that of Stephanie Edgely from Skulduggery Pleasant, except I'm not twelve-years-old, I don't live in Ireland, I've never met a talking skeleton, I have no magical talents, I don't wear black, and I don't have a dead rich uncle, but I do have a taken name! Rivers Jubilee. ^-^
As a child what book did you love?
Hop on Pop by the late, great Dr. Suess. I was very much into Dr. Suess when I was little, and I used to hound my parents and older sisters to read it to me. Finally, they got tired of it, and told me to do it myself. Consequently, it's the first book I ever read! Fun fact: Dr. Suess invented the word nerd.
Do you want to write a book? If so what’s it about?
I'd love to write a book! I'm in the primordial stages of writing a series of short stories right now about... (wait for it)... zombies! Surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so.
Anything unique about you or your blog? A few things, actually. On my blog, I frequently use footnotes as a means of keeping my posts on point as I do tend to digress, I rate book with on a scale of 1 to 5 zombies (as opposed to stars or whatnot), and I rate books not only on how much I enjoyed them, but also on their content like movies. As for something unique about myself, my three favorite shows are Glee, It's On With Alexa Chung, and The Golden Girls and my two favorite foods are s'mores and roasted brocoli (just not tegother).
Where should a line be drawn between YA and Adult books?
Sex. Personally, I hate smut in my books, which is why I stick to YA. I've tried some adult books, and they were great as far the story and characters went, but I had to skip over pages at a time because of sex scenes. That's not the only reason why I think that's where the line should be drawn. I think that premarital sex would be much less of a problem if it weren't so prevalent in teen marketed media. It's flaunted on TV and in movies, and splattered across the pages of our books. Authors have a hard road to walk in this respect, because on one hand, they want their books to be real, so they include sex; on the other hand they need to be responsible advocates for the youth so they shouldn't glamorize it. I see it as a circle; some teens have sex, so authors write about it to keep their material relatable, teens read that sex is a normal past-time for their set so they do it (and I'm not tossing every "teen" into this. I know that not everyone is so impressionable that just reading about a "cool" character will make up their mind about what to do in these situations. I'm generalizing for simplity's sake.), so authors write about it to keep their material relatable, and so on. Some authors, though, handle this predicament beautifully by writing about, not just sex, but the consequences. They tell kids that it isn't just an activity. It can change your life in ways that you'd never have expected, and I'm not just talking pregnancy or STDs, I'm not even talking about the social repercussions of it, but the emotional impact it can have on a young person who thought they were ready, or that they were in love, but weren't. And even if they were "ready", it's still a huge step and should never be looked at through the lens of popular culture. It all comes back to that age old argument that if, "It's in their everyday lives it's okay to put it in their books/shows/movies." Authors and media producers need to take responsibility for their products and realize that they are the makers of our culture. Art doesn't always imitate life, often it's the reverse. Books should at least have a content rating similar to movies. That would even help stem the growing issue of book banning, if people were fully aware before they ever cracked the spine what they were in for.
Showing posts with label Blogger Interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogger Interview. Show all posts
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Blogger Interview
Today Jessica from http://eatsleepdanceread.blogspot.com/ is here to chat. Want an interview? Email me at princessashley9@gmail.com
When and why did you start blogging?
My first official post was on April 19, 2009, but I had been reviewing books that I read in a binder for about six months prior to that. I started blogging because I love reading and I don't have many friends that read. I wanted a way to talk about all of these amazing books that I was reading, and my friends didn't want to listen. I think Em's Bookshelf was the first blog I discovered, and I just read and read for about an hour. ( the web address for that is http://emsbookshelf.blogspot.com/ )
Who is your favorite author and why?
That's hard and not. I love a lot of authors but if I had to pick one, Kate Brian. I love the Private series! I stole Megan Meede's Guide to the McGowan Boy's and I loved it so much that I had to read more by her. So I picked up Private and a couple weeks later I had all of the books in the series read and on my bookshelf. I can't wait for the 11th book to come out *squeel*
What book is most like your life?
My life is pretty boring, sadly. I wish that my life mirrored a book like in the Bard Academy books, by Cara Lockwood. I wish that my life was like the books Secrets of my Hollywood Life, by Jen Calonita. Besides reading I love to dance and act. And in some ways my life is like Kaitlin's, I deal with boys, friends, and the mean girls.
Secret fictional crush?
I think a lot of people want a guy like Edward Cullen. I do too but I also like Alex and Paco from Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles. Both of them are so sweet and caring even though their supposed to be the tough guys in a gang.
Have you ever met any authors face to face? Who?
I've met a couple children authors at school but I can't remember their names. The only other author I've met is Scott Westerfeld. I met him in middle school and almost had a heart attack. He came to my school and I got Specials signed. I was obsessed with the Uglies series at the time and I was jumping out of my seat when he gave his speech. My friends, who again don't read as much as I do, thought I was nuts.
What author would you want to write a collaborative book with? Why?
Of course Kate Brian, but also Simone Elkeles. I loved Perfect Chemistry and it's my favorite stand alone novel. I can't write novels, I've tried, so our book might not turn out as one of their best works. I'm happy just reading their amazing stories.
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
It wasn't assigned but my teacher almost made me read it because she knew how much I loved reading, Where the Red Fern Grows. I read it in fifth grade and I can remember exactly where I was when I started bawling. I loved the heart and compassion in the story. So not assigned but pretty close. But I also liked To Kill a Mocking Bird, that was a really well put together mystery.
Where should a line be drawn between YA and Adult books?
I really don't think that their has to be a line drawn. I think that teens should read adult books and adults should read YA books. I have a friend who wont read YA because she thinks that it is all mushy and she just doesn't like any of the books that she has tried in YA and she's happy reading adult books. My mom reads my books all the time. She actually makes me request YA books at the library for her so that she can keep up with what I'm reading. She read a book that I was reading and ended up reading the whole series while I didn't even finish the first book. So really I think what ever your interest is go for it!
When and why did you start blogging?
My first official post was on April 19, 2009, but I had been reviewing books that I read in a binder for about six months prior to that. I started blogging because I love reading and I don't have many friends that read. I wanted a way to talk about all of these amazing books that I was reading, and my friends didn't want to listen. I think Em's Bookshelf was the first blog I discovered, and I just read and read for about an hour. ( the web address for that is http://emsbookshelf.blogspot.com/ )
Who is your favorite author and why?
That's hard and not. I love a lot of authors but if I had to pick one, Kate Brian. I love the Private series! I stole Megan Meede's Guide to the McGowan Boy's and I loved it so much that I had to read more by her. So I picked up Private and a couple weeks later I had all of the books in the series read and on my bookshelf. I can't wait for the 11th book to come out *squeel*
What book is most like your life?
My life is pretty boring, sadly. I wish that my life mirrored a book like in the Bard Academy books, by Cara Lockwood. I wish that my life was like the books Secrets of my Hollywood Life, by Jen Calonita. Besides reading I love to dance and act. And in some ways my life is like Kaitlin's, I deal with boys, friends, and the mean girls.
Secret fictional crush?
I think a lot of people want a guy like Edward Cullen. I do too but I also like Alex and Paco from Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles. Both of them are so sweet and caring even though their supposed to be the tough guys in a gang.
Have you ever met any authors face to face? Who?
I've met a couple children authors at school but I can't remember their names. The only other author I've met is Scott Westerfeld. I met him in middle school and almost had a heart attack. He came to my school and I got Specials signed. I was obsessed with the Uglies series at the time and I was jumping out of my seat when he gave his speech. My friends, who again don't read as much as I do, thought I was nuts.
What author would you want to write a collaborative book with? Why?
Of course Kate Brian, but also Simone Elkeles. I loved Perfect Chemistry and it's my favorite stand alone novel. I can't write novels, I've tried, so our book might not turn out as one of their best works. I'm happy just reading their amazing stories.
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
It wasn't assigned but my teacher almost made me read it because she knew how much I loved reading, Where the Red Fern Grows. I read it in fifth grade and I can remember exactly where I was when I started bawling. I loved the heart and compassion in the story. So not assigned but pretty close. But I also liked To Kill a Mocking Bird, that was a really well put together mystery.
Where should a line be drawn between YA and Adult books?
I really don't think that their has to be a line drawn. I think that teens should read adult books and adults should read YA books. I have a friend who wont read YA because she thinks that it is all mushy and she just doesn't like any of the books that she has tried in YA and she's happy reading adult books. My mom reads my books all the time. She actually makes me request YA books at the library for her so that she can keep up with what I'm reading. She read a book that I was reading and ended up reading the whole series while I didn't even finish the first book. So really I think what ever your interest is go for it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Blogger Interview
Today I am chatting with Sadako from dibblyfresh1.blogspot.com. Email me at princessashley9@gmail.com for an interview
When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging after reading Tiff's BSC blog and Troy Steele's Goosebumps blog, and also after reading a lot of Television Without Pity recaps, because I wanted to do something that funny that would make people laugh.
Who is your favorite author and why?
If I had to limit myself to one, Daphne DuMaurier (who wrote Rebecca, and a lot of other books), because she has a really great way of making you feel part of the world you're reading and because she really wraps you up in suspense. Hers are the kind of book that when you're reading them, you can't think about anything else, and that's something that I think every writer wants to hear.
What bloggers inspire you?
Troy Steele who writes the Goosebumps Blogger Beware blog because he's so funny. Fear Street's blog because those are always really hilarious as well. Nikki's Are You There Youth? It's Me Nikki because she takes me back to all the books I read as a child and still love. I also really enjoy Psyched on the Prairie and Not That Kind of Girl.
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
Usually I don't like books assigned in school but I was assigned the book Wuthering Heights freshman year of college and ended up reading it early before we got around to it. I loved the mystery of it and the disturbing atmosphere--I'm really into creepy/horror and suspense.
What is your goal with your blog?
Primarily, I want to entertain people and make them laugh. I also like when people are happy that I reminded them of some book they read years as a child and now remember it. Nostalgia is awesome.
As a child what book did you love?
I loved Harriet the Spy and the Long Secret by Louise Fitzhugh, and read those over and over again. They were one of the few books that felt really authentic to me because often YA/kids authors sugar coat things or think that making something accessible for kids means toning it down. Louise Fitzhugh wasn't afraid to tell kids the truth and she could do it while being entertaining
Anything unique about you or your blog?
My blog is unique because I don't think I have any real limitations. I snark YA literature (with a LOT of Babysitters Club recaps), but also pop culture in general, and I think my humorous slant is different from a lot of the other blogs out there. Plus, while a lot of other blogs have covered the Babysitters Club and even Caroline B. Cooney just as I have, so far I haven't seen any others that have recapped Go Ask Alice.
Where should a line be drawn between YA and Adult books?
I think that the things that appeal to young adults and adult-adults are different, and a good YA author can pinpoint that sometimes things that seem trivial (dating, etc.) to adults are really big deals. At the same time, I don't think that the line needs to be too precise beause a really good book appeals to almost everyone, in my opinion. I started reading Stephen King as a young adult, and those books felt more real to me as a teen than they do now. And sometimes I'll read a book as a kid and not realize until I'm older just how good it is (Harriet the Spy, A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver).
When and why did you start blogging?
I started blogging after reading Tiff's BSC blog and Troy Steele's Goosebumps blog, and also after reading a lot of Television Without Pity recaps, because I wanted to do something that funny that would make people laugh.
Who is your favorite author and why?
If I had to limit myself to one, Daphne DuMaurier (who wrote Rebecca, and a lot of other books), because she has a really great way of making you feel part of the world you're reading and because she really wraps you up in suspense. Hers are the kind of book that when you're reading them, you can't think about anything else, and that's something that I think every writer wants to hear.
What bloggers inspire you?
Troy Steele who writes the Goosebumps Blogger Beware blog because he's so funny. Fear Street's blog because those are always really hilarious as well. Nikki's Are You There Youth? It's Me Nikki because she takes me back to all the books I read as a child and still love. I also really enjoy Psyched on the Prairie and Not That Kind of Girl.
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
Usually I don't like books assigned in school but I was assigned the book Wuthering Heights freshman year of college and ended up reading it early before we got around to it. I loved the mystery of it and the disturbing atmosphere--I'm really into creepy/horror and suspense.
What is your goal with your blog?
Primarily, I want to entertain people and make them laugh. I also like when people are happy that I reminded them of some book they read years as a child and now remember it. Nostalgia is awesome.
As a child what book did you love?
I loved Harriet the Spy and the Long Secret by Louise Fitzhugh, and read those over and over again. They were one of the few books that felt really authentic to me because often YA/kids authors sugar coat things or think that making something accessible for kids means toning it down. Louise Fitzhugh wasn't afraid to tell kids the truth and she could do it while being entertaining
Anything unique about you or your blog?
My blog is unique because I don't think I have any real limitations. I snark YA literature (with a LOT of Babysitters Club recaps), but also pop culture in general, and I think my humorous slant is different from a lot of the other blogs out there. Plus, while a lot of other blogs have covered the Babysitters Club and even Caroline B. Cooney just as I have, so far I haven't seen any others that have recapped Go Ask Alice.
Where should a line be drawn between YA and Adult books?
I think that the things that appeal to young adults and adult-adults are different, and a good YA author can pinpoint that sometimes things that seem trivial (dating, etc.) to adults are really big deals. At the same time, I don't think that the line needs to be too precise beause a really good book appeals to almost everyone, in my opinion. I started reading Stephen King as a young adult, and those books felt more real to me as a teen than they do now. And sometimes I'll read a book as a kid and not realize until I'm older just how good it is (Harriet the Spy, A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver).
Friday, December 11, 2009
Blogger Interview
Today Ariel from http://readingrocks4me.blogspot.com/ is here for a chat. Want an interview? Email me at princessashley9@gmail.com
Who is your favorite author and why?
I have many, many, many favorite authors, but if I had to pick one, I would say Shannon Hale. She writes such epic, beautiful books that remind me how much I love to read. I aspire to be like her one day.
What bloggers inspire you?
Juju from Tales of Whimsy. Her blog is so cool, and she is such an awesome, dedicated blogger.
What book is most like your life?
Probably North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, because everyone's got dysfunction and pressure to be prettier in their life.
Secret fictional crush?
I am in love with Gale from The Hunger Games. :-P
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
Jane Eyre. It was brilliant! I was surprised by how accessible the writing was, and how much I cared about the story and the characters. While a bit tedious, it was completely worth it.
What is your goal with your blog?
I am so overwhelmed by my passion for literature that I need an outlet. Blogging provides that. By joining this community, I can absorb other reader's thoughts and share my ideas with others. With people who care. I get to talk for as long as I want about this thing that I love. The goal of my blog is to provide that, a haven for the book-obsessed.
As a child what book did you love?
Harry Potter was my first book love. My family started reading the series together when I was five, and now I've read them upwards of two dozen times. The Harry Potter world will always have a special place in my heart, and on my bookshelf. ;-)
Do you prefer single title or series books?
Most of the time I prefer single-title books. I can really appreciate an author who can pack all of that into one novel. It's nice to be able to have an epic adventure without having to wait for the next book to come out, or even having to read three books instead of one. Granted, sometimes I never want it to end, and in these cases, series are good. But my favorite thing is when an author writes a stand-alone book and then later come back and write companion books from other character's perspectives or about different things. That makes me immeasurable happy. :-)
Who is your favorite author and why?
I have many, many, many favorite authors, but if I had to pick one, I would say Shannon Hale. She writes such epic, beautiful books that remind me how much I love to read. I aspire to be like her one day.
What bloggers inspire you?
Juju from Tales of Whimsy. Her blog is so cool, and she is such an awesome, dedicated blogger.
What book is most like your life?
Probably North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, because everyone's got dysfunction and pressure to be prettier in their life.
Secret fictional crush?
I am in love with Gale from The Hunger Games. :-P
What has been your favorite school assigned book? Why?
Jane Eyre. It was brilliant! I was surprised by how accessible the writing was, and how much I cared about the story and the characters. While a bit tedious, it was completely worth it.
What is your goal with your blog?
I am so overwhelmed by my passion for literature that I need an outlet. Blogging provides that. By joining this community, I can absorb other reader's thoughts and share my ideas with others. With people who care. I get to talk for as long as I want about this thing that I love. The goal of my blog is to provide that, a haven for the book-obsessed.
As a child what book did you love?
Harry Potter was my first book love. My family started reading the series together when I was five, and now I've read them upwards of two dozen times. The Harry Potter world will always have a special place in my heart, and on my bookshelf. ;-)
Do you prefer single title or series books?
Most of the time I prefer single-title books. I can really appreciate an author who can pack all of that into one novel. It's nice to be able to have an epic adventure without having to wait for the next book to come out, or even having to read three books instead of one. Granted, sometimes I never want it to end, and in these cases, series are good. But my favorite thing is when an author writes a stand-alone book and then later come back and write companion books from other character's perspectives or about different things. That makes me immeasurable happy. :-)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Blogger Interview
Sandy from http://www.piratepenguinreads.blogspot.com/ is here for an interview.
If you want interviewed email me at princessashley9@gmail DOTcom
What bloggers inspire you?
Quite a few! There are many lovely people in the book blogosphere but the ones that have really helped me have been Briana from The Book Pixie, Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic, Eli from The Tainted Poet, Kate from The Neverending Shelf and Alba from Letras Y Escenas. They've all got amazing sites.
What book is most like your life?
You know, my life is really not that interesting enough to resemble any sort of book! There’s practically no drama in my life (if you don’t count me freaking out over college) ;)
What book should be a movie? TV Show?
Hmm… I can’t say The Host because it’s already in the process of becoming a movie *squee*. I think E. Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books and Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series would be great t.v. shows. OH. Can you imagine the Vampire Academy books becoming movies??? THAT would be insane! ;D
Have you ever met any authors face to face? Who?
I met Lauren Myracle (the author of the ttyl series) this year at one of my local indie stores; she was so kind and down-to-earth! I was with a friend and while my friend easily chatted with her, I was just like, “Duuuurrrrrr.” I felt star-struck, lol!
As a child what book did you love?
I’ve read many books throughout my childhood but the one that particularly stands out is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. (if you haven’t read it, I recommend it!)
Do you want to write a book? If so what’s it about?
I do. I don’t want to say much about it….but it involves two girls, two boys and a lot of confusion! (Not to mention romance. ;D)
What book is your favorite that is currently banned?
Some books that I really enjoyed are The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez and The Giver by Lois Lowry. These are all great books and I can’t even comprehend WHY they’re banned. And don’t even get me started about Harry Potter! :/
What book should be assigned in High School?
I think everyone should read The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s an interesting dystopian story disguised as a utopia. It really makes you think :)
If you want interviewed email me at princessashley9@gmail DOTcom
What bloggers inspire you?
Quite a few! There are many lovely people in the book blogosphere but the ones that have really helped me have been Briana from The Book Pixie, Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic, Eli from The Tainted Poet, Kate from The Neverending Shelf and Alba from Letras Y Escenas. They've all got amazing sites.
What book is most like your life?
You know, my life is really not that interesting enough to resemble any sort of book! There’s practically no drama in my life (if you don’t count me freaking out over college) ;)
What book should be a movie? TV Show?
Hmm… I can’t say The Host because it’s already in the process of becoming a movie *squee*. I think E. Lockhart’s Ruby Oliver books and Megan McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series would be great t.v. shows. OH. Can you imagine the Vampire Academy books becoming movies??? THAT would be insane! ;D
Have you ever met any authors face to face? Who?
I met Lauren Myracle (the author of the ttyl series) this year at one of my local indie stores; she was so kind and down-to-earth! I was with a friend and while my friend easily chatted with her, I was just like, “Duuuurrrrrr.” I felt star-struck, lol!
As a child what book did you love?
I’ve read many books throughout my childhood but the one that particularly stands out is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. (if you haven’t read it, I recommend it!)
Do you want to write a book? If so what’s it about?
I do. I don’t want to say much about it….but it involves two girls, two boys and a lot of confusion! (Not to mention romance. ;D)
What book is your favorite that is currently banned?
Some books that I really enjoyed are The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler, Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez and The Giver by Lois Lowry. These are all great books and I can’t even comprehend WHY they’re banned. And don’t even get me started about Harry Potter! :/
What book should be assigned in High School?
I think everyone should read The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s an interesting dystopian story disguised as a utopia. It really makes you think :)
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