Feature Friday: Shauna from I Love to Read and Review Books

Hi everyone and welcome to Feature Friday.

I’m doing something a little different with my feature today. Shauna from I Love to Read and Review Books and I are doing a blog swap. I’m interviewing Shauna here, and you can learn 10 Fun Fact about Me by bouncing over to her blog. But before you do that, stick around and get to know Shauna.

I’ve been following I Love to Read and Review Books for some time now. Shauna’s reviews are always helpful and she has a ton of giveaways. Just check out her sidebar to see all the amazing prizes you can win.

Please help me welcome Shauna.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Shauna: For me it was a line-upon-line process. I first started with a Facebook group about my family history. Then I learned about blogging so I did a blog about my family history. After that my friend encouraged me to post reviews of the books I was reading on GoodReads. And because I already loved blogging I added a blog for my book reviews.

Cherie: I like how your blogging experience grew into reviewing books. How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Shauna: I wanted my name to literally say what I do. SO...I love to read and review books. And I love emoticons so I added the " :)" to the end. And there you have it...I Love to Read and Review Books :)

Cherie: What is your favorite part about blogging?

Shauna: The authors I get to meet and correspond with AND my followers. My blog wouldn't be what it is without all of them!

Cherie: So true! What type of books do you enjoy?

Shauna: I read and enjoy a wide variety of genres.

Cherie: How many books do you read in a year?

Shauna: I really do "love to read" and so I read A LOT. Now that I have my blog I read even more than ever before. Last year I actually kept track and I read 280 books. This year I have already read 113. We will see if I can beat last years total.

Cherie: That’s amazing! Has blogging about books become a 'job' for you or is it still fun?

Shauna: I get asked this question a lot. Sometimes I take on more books than I really should in a given month and sometimes life gets a little busy with other things...so my family has to be patient as I try to meet all the "deadlines". But over all I am at a point where I read what I want to read and when I want to read it...so it is still REALLY FUN!

Cherie: That’s awesome. When you love to do something, it should never feel like a job. Do you read the whole book or do you skim parts of it?

Shauna: I choose to read every word often including the front and back of the book, the jacket flaps, the acknowledgments, the introduction, etc. I want to be able to stand by the book and not have any surprise words or scenes show up that I didn’t preview. This takes time, but I feel I owe it to the author and my followers.

Cherie: I’m sure that’s one reason your reviews are so helpful to readers. I know I enjoy them. Do you ever give negative reviews?

Shauna: I have chosen to only post positive reviews. If I start a book and find that it just isn't for me I will simply not review it on my blog.

Try to answer the following questions in five words or less:

Cherie: If you start a book that isn't grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down?

Shauna: A couple of chapters.

Cherie: Secret crush?

Shauna: My husband of 32 years started out as a secret crush.

Cherie: If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be?

Shauna: Hawaii..I LOVE it there.

Cherie: Are you a morning person or an evening person?

Shauna: Morning all the way.

Cherie: Favorite place to read?

Shauna: Curled up on the couch.

Cherie: Do you have any hobbies besides reading and family history?

Shauna: Crocheting.

Cherie: Favorite color?

Shauna: Purple.

Cherie: Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?

Shauna: I am loving ebooks...didn't think I would.

Cherie: Have you written a book yourself or are you planning to in the future?

Shauna: I am only a blogger, not a book author.

Cherie: Do you read the comments on your blog?

Shauna: Yes and I try to answer them too.

Cherie: What advice would you give to new bloggers?

Shauna: Just start posting.

Shauna, thanks for being here with us today!

Connect with Shauna

I Love to Read and Review Books Blog

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Don't forget to bounce over to Shauna's blog to learn 10 Fun Fact about Me.

Feature Friday: Becky from Becky's Barmy Book Blog

Welcome to Feature Friday, a place to get to know the person behind the blog.

Becky’s Barmy Book Blog is a wonderful place to stop by if you’re looking for something new to read. Her reviews are well thought out and honest. She’s recently started the meme Thursday’sThoughts where she discusses different topics with her followers, so be sure to check it out. Plus, she has this really cute Hedgehog that always makes me smile. That’s him below.

Okay, I’ve rambled enough. Let’s meet Becky.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Becky: I had been following a few blogs and always liked the idea, but ultimately I was looking for a way of keeping a record of all the books I read. I had odd notebooks with lists of books in but from the titles only I couldn’t remember much about these books, so I decided to set up a blog. That way I could write a little summary and review of each book and keep track of everything I read. It was purely for me, but as I started to gain more followers I realized it was also an excellent way to network with other bloggers and readers.

Cherie: How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Becky: I love alliteration, always have. My name is obviously Becky and it was a Book Blog but ‘Becky’s Book Blog’ seemed a bit boring. So I started playing with other words beginning with B like ‘Brilliant’ but that sounded like I was a bit full of myself, I tried a mixture of words, but I then thought of Barmy – people often tell me I’m a bit mad so I thought that would be perfect.

I didn’t realize that Barmy wasn’t a universal word though and have had quite a few questions as to what it means. So to make it clear Barmy means mad, quirky, unusual.

Cherie: You know, right when I saw barmy I knew you were from the UK. J What type of books do you enjoy?

Becky: I am quite open with my tastes but I mostly read YA, especially Paranormal and Dystopian books. Hunger Games, Divergent and Morganville Vampires are my favourites. But I also like some Contemporary, Katie McGarry and Sarah Dessen are fabulous for that. But I also enjoy Fantasy and Adventure. As long as it’s not super creepy scary or rude I’ll read it.

Cherie: Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why?

Becky: I just had a discussion post about this on my blog. 99% of the time I love it when my favourite books are made into films, but they have to be done really well and be quite faithful to the books. Harry Potter and Hunger Games for example – all expertly done. It just gives you another way of immersing yourself into the story, and bringing those characters you love to life.

But I do get quite nervous when films of my favourite books are announced just in case they ruin it, like Eragon – they destroyed that movie!

Cherie: I saw that post, and I couldn’t agree with you more! If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

Becky: I would love to be Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She is a lot like me anyway, but she isn’t afraid to be herself and doesn’t care what others think of her – I would love that freedom of thought to just be myself. She also does some truly kick butt magic and has a really good attitude. Plus she gets to go to Hogwarts! 

Cherie: Luna is a great character. Try to answer the following questions in five words or less:

If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down?

100 pages

Who’s your favorite book mom?

Molly Weasley from Harry Potter

Who’s your favorite book dad?

Desmond Edgley from Skulduggery Pleasant

Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.)

At the moment – no one

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I thought I did

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself?

Yes

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy?

Good guy but still mischievous

What’s the first thing you notice about a guy?

Eyes or smile

If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be?

America, especially Disneyworld Florida

Are you a morning person or an evening person?

Evening

Favorite author?

Too hard to pick one

Favorite place to read?

Anywhere and Everywhere!

What book are you the most excited to read?

Right now – The One by Kiera Cass

Do you have any hobbies?

I do, apart from reading – Trampolining, Jujitsu, Ballroom Dancing and High Board Diving.

What movie would make a great book?

Miss Congeniality – Hilarious!

It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from?

No thanks - Jumping out of cakes is creepy!

Thanks so much for being on my blog!

Connect with Becky from Becky’s Barmy Book Blog

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Feature Friday: Amber from Me, My Shelf and I

Hi everyone, and welcome to Feature Friday!

Today, I have Amber from Me, My Shelf and I with me. After the interview, be sure to check out her blog.

Please help me welcome Amber.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books? 

Amber: In 2010 my good friend Jen (who co-runs Fictitious Delicious Book Blog now) bet me I couldn't read 104 books in 2011. I started blogging to track my books, because I wanted something more fun and personalized than Goodreads. After a few months I realized that not only were people coming to the blog and reading what I had to say (WHAT!?) but also that there was a huge community of book bloggers out there. So I gave the blog a face lift, and changed the name from The 104 in 365 (speak the numbers) to Me, My Shelf and I and the rest is history!

Cherie: For those of you who are curious, Amber read 116 books that year, I asked. =) How did you come up with the name for your blog? 

Amber: Oh man, I must have spent 3 weeks trying to come up with something catchy and clever whose URL wasn't already taken. Me, My Shelf and I came to me just as I was about to give up for good and stick with my old name. Just POOF and there it was. 

Cherie: I like Me, My Shelf and I better than the other. It’s catchy. What’s your favorite part about blogging? 

Amber: The relationships I have built with authors and bloggers. I found my very best friends because of blogging!

Cherie: Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading? 

Amber: I'm not a fan of info dumping first thing in a book. Also, when a book tends to feel like several others I read all mashed into one. 

Cherie: What type of books do you enjoy? 

Amber: New Adult and Young Adult. Specifically if they have a horror or thriller theme to them. That's my favorite!

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Amber: As long as they have their own elements brought in to make it their own, then I don't mind them. 

Cherie: Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why? 

Amber: As long as the team producing tries to keep it as true to the book as possible. When something already has such a large fan base, like a book series, it's main source of viewers will be the readers and if they don't take that into account, they are setting them self up to fail from the first day. 

Cherie: That’s so true! If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

Amber: I would just like the magical ability to flit between being different characters at my leisure. There's so many amazing ones, I could never pick just one. 

Cherie: That’s a great answer! I want to steal it, but I won’t. Okay, try to answer the following questions in five words or less:

If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down? 

Amber: 50 Pages.

Cherie: Who’s your favorite book mom? 

Amber: Travis Maddox's mom in the Beautiful Disaster Series by Jamie McGuire

Cherie: Who’s your favorite  book dad? 

Amber: Charlie Swan from Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Cherie: Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.)

Amber: Not so secret: Dylan O'Brien and Jackson Rathbone

Cherie: Do you believe in love at first sight? 

Amber: You bet I do!

Cherie: Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? 

Amber: YES!!!

Cherie: Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? 

Amber: A little of both, depends on the book.

Cherie: If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? 

Amber: Tour Europe with my family. 

Cherie: Are you a morning person or an evening person? 

Amber: Evening!

Cherie: Favorite author?

Amber: Impossible to answer!

Cherie: Favorite place to read? 

Amber: Deck chair at my cabin

Cherie: What book are you the most excited to read? 

Amber: GET EVEN by Gretchen McNeil

Cherie: Are there any types of books you don’t read? 

Amber: Historical Fiction. Steampunk. Mermaids.

Cherie: Do you have any hobbies? 

Amber: Concerts. I love live music!

Cherie: What movie would make a great book? 

Amber: Titanic

Cherie: It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from?

Amber: Travis Maddox from Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
      AND
  Lucas from Easy by Tammara Webber

Thanks, Amber, for taking the time out of your busy day to be on my blog. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the blogger behind the blog.

Click here to visit Me, My Shelf, and I

Follow the links below to connect with Amber

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

Feature Friday: Miki with Lecture toute une Aventure

I recently found Miki’s blog and I’m glad I did. I’m even more thrilled that she agreed to be featured on my blog. 

For those of us who need a little help with our French, Miki’s blog translate to:

Reading an Adventure

because reading allows you to dream, discover, marvel …

I love that. J

Without further ado, let’s get to know her.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Miki: I was following several blogs and I really enjoyed the book blogging community, I admired it.  Since I have really a few people who love to read around me, I thought that I could try to share my opinion online like those I admired.

Cherie: That’s a great reason to start blogging. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Miki: When I read a book, if I really enjoy it, I get so immersed that I’m in the story. For someone who prefers to stay inside, it’s a wonderful way to escape. There are so many adventures to be lived. I wanted to show how rich a book can be and how much it can offer to the readers, reading can be fun!

It’s also a little reference to the roleplaying club I’m in “Adventures’Club”

Cherie: I’m a lot like you in that I love to get swept into new adventures. What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Miki: The community, I love how the readers/ bloggers are attentive to others and how they go on their way to help when needed. I’ve made some great friends with whom I have so much in common that gets frightening^^

Cherie: Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Miki: Not really when I start a book I have to finish it, but I won’t deliberately take a book where the character sleeps around for example.

Cherie: What type of books do you enjoy?

Miki: Urban fantasy, paranormal mostly but also some steampunk, fantasy, YA and romantic suspense (yes I do read a lot of different genres^^;;)

Cherie: Variety is always good. Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why?

Miki: No, I don’t like when they modify characters to fit the audience wishes or changes important elements. (I was so disappointed with Faramir that wasn’t a paladin anymore and wanted the ring.)

Cherie: If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

Miki: Mercy Thompson from the series by Patricia Briggs. I would love to meet the werewolves and the friendly fae. Also to speak with some ghosts, and I would have Adam to protect me which is a great bonus. Being able to shift into an animal without any pain and at will is also tempting.

Cherie: I’m going to have to check out her books. Try to answer the following questions in five words or less. If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down? Then end

Who’s your favorite book dad? Adam Hauptman

Secret crush? Shessomaru

Do you believe in love at first sight? Attraction yes, love no (it needs time)

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? Not yet

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy?  I can’t answer

If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? USA, to attend the BEA

Are you a morning person or an evening person? neither

Favorite author? Patricia Briggs, Suzanne Johnson

Favorite place to read? My mother’s bed, by the window

Favorite classic? Quo Vadis? by Henryk Sienkiewicz / Bilbo the Hobbit by Tolkien

What book are you the most excited to read? Pirate’s alley by Suzanne johnson

Are there any types of books you don’t read? Dark Horror and LGTB

Do you have any hobbies? Crafting, creating gifts

It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from? Bones from the night huntress series by Jeaniene Frost

I want to come to your birthday party! Bones is one of my favorite characters. Do you think we can get Cat to share him?

Miki, thanks for being here today!

Connect with Miki

Lecture toute une Aventure Blog

Bloglovin - Miki | Bloglovin - Blog | Goodreads

Feature Friday: Brooke with The Cover Contessa

The Cover Contessa is a wonderful blog to visit to discover new books. From informative reviews to author interviews, you’re sure to find something you like. Today, I’m turning the tables and interviewing Brooke, the blogger behind the blog.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Brooke: When I jumped back into reading a few years back, a friend introduced me to Goodreads. I saw that many people on there were blogging about their book reviews and decided it might be nice to share that with the world. Thus, The Cover Contessa was born!

Cherie: How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Brooke: I love book covers. So I knew I wanted to use that word in the title. And I knew I wanted to portray myself as queen of books or something of that sort. But I have this thing about the word having the same first letter as cover. So I googled words that were similar to queen but starting with a C, and The Cover Contessa it was!

Cherie: I love how much thought went into the name of your blog. J What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Brooke: Everything: the books, the reviews, the authors, the publishers, the interviews, the promotions, the book blast, the blog tours, and just about anything that has to do with books!

Cherie: Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Brooke: Info-dump. I can’t stand it. I don’t want info-dump. Much of the time this comes in the form of excessive narration. I want some dialogue. I want to see the characters myself, not be told about them! Show me what’s going on, don’t tell me!

Cherie: I agree! What type of books do you enjoy?

Brooke: I read middle grade and young adult for the most part. Pretty much any sub-genre, although I’m not a huge fan of contemporary, though there are a few I like a lot. Mostly I read paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and dystopian.

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Brooke: I don’t mind it if it’s done originally. So take the idea (such as a retelling) but make sure you give me twists and turns and have it be different from any of the other stories I’ve read that might be like it. Otherwise I’m going to be bored and put it down!

Cherie: Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why?

Brooke: Sometimes. I read books before I see the movie. I understand that the entire book can’t really be captured in the movie, but I need to see the main points. And I want to see it as it is in the book, not changed because someone thinks it will make more money. I want it to stay real and true to the book. Twists that don’t happen in the book will make me mad.

Cherie: Are there any types of books you don’t read?

Brooke: I’m not much for erotica, although I have read a bit of it. And I don’t read non-fiction. I read to get away, to be taken to another world, non-fiction can’t do that for me!

Cherie: Try to answer the following questions in five words or less. If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down? 25%, then I’m done.

Who’s your favorite book mom? Clary’s mom Jocelyn from The Mortal Instruments.

Who’s your favorite  book dad? Honestly, I can’t really think of one that I love.

Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.) Not such a secret: Kellen Lutz

Do you believe in love at first sight? ABSOLUTELY!

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? I have, and now I’m married to him!

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? I would say mostly the bad guy.

What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? Eyes and voice.

If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? Australia or Hawaii

Are you a morning person or an evening person? Morning

Favorite author? Just one? Impossible! Here are some: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Katie Mcgarry, Christine Fonseca, Emi Gayle, Marissa Meyer, Lauren DeStefano, the list could go on and on!

Yeah, I know that last question wasn’t fair. Favorite place to read? Anywhere I can sit with a book or my Kindle (or even my phone)

Favorite classic? I love Shakespear. The Taming of the Shrew is my favorite.

What book are you the most excited to read? So many to name, but right  now I’m jumping into an ARC of Cress and I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I also am looking forward to Opposition the final book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Lux series.

Do you have any hobbies? Besides reading? Um…no…LOL!

What book would make a great movie? The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer, The Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved? Oh my, people will hate me, but I’m not a lover of the Covenant Series covers. They are ok for me, but kind of boring.

It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from? Will Herondale from The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Calre.

If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why? Tessa from The Infernal Decvices, because she gets to be with Will of course!

Brooke, thanks for being here today!

Connect with Brooke at The Cover Contessa

The Cover Contessa Blog | Goodreads

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Tumblr 

Feature Friday: Sinziana from Cafebiblioart

Welcome to Feature Friday. Today, I have Sinziana from Cafabiblioart with me.

Cherie: How did you get started in blogging about books?

Sinziana: Most of my book lover friends started one and I realized that it was an easier way to keep up with the publishing world so that is why I created my own blog. It was quite strange of me to do so because I am not a natural writer nor do I tend to do what other people do. I have to say that it was the best decision I ever made.

Cherie: I’m glad you did. I enjoy stopping by your blog. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

Sinziana: I had trouble finding the right name, I tried so many and then I remembered my business plan from 11^th grade and I decided that I should use the same name I came up with years ago. I thought it was fitting since I planned to post about art, books and tea.

Cherie: What’s your favorite part about blogging?

Sinziana: My favorite part about blogging is that I get to meet new people who love the same thing that I do and also that give me feedback on my writing and advice on other matters that I post about.

Cherie: That’s one of my favorite parts, too. Do you have any pet peeves that make you want to put down the book your reading?

Sinziana: Sadly no.

Cherie: What type of books do you enjoy?

Sinziana: I enjoy reading mostly New Adult, Contemporary romance and Erotica.

Cherie: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, or retellings?

Sinziana: Honestly no. I imagine each book as real story so it makes sense that out there are many people/couples that have similar stories but their personalities make their romance unique. I love reading similar books because I get to compare the characters that come from a similar background and go through something similar. I get to learn their reaction and which is the best approach. 

Cherie: That’s a great way of looking at similar concepts. Do you like when your favorite books are made into movies, and why?

Sinziana: In a way yes, In a way no. I love seeing how another person interprets the story I loved so much, but on the other hand he or she might ruin my image. I like it better when the director makes some changes and the movies is not identical to the book. Please, don’t shoot me!

Cherie: It’s your birthday, and your friends got you a giant cake. What character do you hope pops out of your cake and what book is he/her from?

Sinziana: Ava from This Man as she probably worked with one of my neighbors and I want to her to introduce me J

Cherie: If you could choose to be any character from a book, who would it be and why?

Sinziana: I would choose Julia from Gabriel’s Inferno. I am very much like her, but she is also want I aspire to be some day.

Cherie: Try to answer the following questions in five words or less.

If you start a book that isn’t grabbing your attention, how far into the book will you read before you put it down? Last page.

Who’s your favorite book mom? Rebecca Bloomwood Brandon (Shopaholic series)

Who’s your favorite book dad? Carlisle Cullen

Secret crush? (It can be anyone real or fictional.) Jessie Ward

Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes

Have you ever experienced that head-over-heels, tingly, have-to-get-to-know-someone feeling yourself? Sadly no.

Are you drawn to the good guy or the bad guy? Unable to answer.

What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? His smile.

If you had all the money and time in the world, where would your dream vacation be? Home

Are you a morning person or an evening person? Both

Favorite author? Jodi Ellen Malpas and/or Nina Lane

Favorite place to read? Bed

Favorite classic? The Lady of the Camellias

What book are you the most excited to read? Sequels in my favorite series.

Are there any types of books you don’t read? Non-fiction. (I wish) Sadly I have to read them for school. Now seriously, I don’t read horror or science fiction.

Do you have any hobbies? Shopping, does it count? Well, I love making jewelry from beads and I also love inter design.

What movie would make a great book? I think that all the movies I liked are in fact based on books or comic books. I have no idea.

What’s the worst cover to a book that you loved? The ones from the Archers of Avalon series by Chelsea Fine.

Connect with Sinziana 

Cafebiblioart Blog | Twitter 

Facebook |Pinterest |Goodreads