It's the second day of Book Blogger Appreciation Week and that means it's Interview Day! (Some would say that this is the best day of BBAW...and I'd tend to agree.)
Please give a warm welcome to Memory from In the Forest of Stories! Let's get to know her better, shall we? (I do hope you'll head over to her blog to see her interview with me as well!)
Tell me about your book blogging background. When did you start? Why did you start?
I started way back in September of 2008 with a blog called Stella Matutina. I was active on the LibraryThing forums then, and a bunch of the people I associated with had either started blogs or were nosing around the idea. I loved the idea of a place where I could blather on at greater length than I felt comfortable doing in an LT review, and where I could be less formal about it. My LT activity took a sharp downturn once I started getting my daily dose of bookish interaction from bloggers instead!
I blogged at Stella Matutina until early 2013, then started In the Forest of Stories in November of that year with a way more casual approach to posting.
You seem to be quite the wanderer. To where would you travel if you could go anywhere in the world ?
I'd love to go back to New Zealand. I lived there for a year, and it holds my heart. I also really, really want to explore the UK at greater length, and see the width and breadth of France, and wander Prague, and tour all the best museums of Italy. And all the manga I've read over the last year has left me well-nigh desperate to go to Japan, which I gather would be awkward given I can't read or speak Japanese.
What is one post that you really enjoyed writing?
My list of Super-Important Life Lessons From the CW is my favourite post of all my posts. It was fun to research and fun to write, and I keep it going by tweeting new and recurring #cwlessons pretty well every time I catch up on the network's offerings. The CW has so much to teach us about real life.
Is there a book you wish you could read again for the very first time?
Sort of. A few years back, I reread THE MUMMY by Anne Rice for the first time in fourteen years and only the second time total. It made me realize how much I want to read some new-to-me vintage Rice for the first time, but alas I've now read all her older books at least twice. It's been sixteen years since I've read CRY TO HEAVEN, though, so I'll have to squeeze it in this year and see if it gives me that longed-for experience.
If reading was taken off of the table what would your favorite hobby be?
In spring, summer, and fall, it'd be walking. In winter, it'd be making things.
Which science fiction/fantasy book would you recommend to someone who isn't familiar with the genre?
Robertson Davies writes the sort of fantasy one can pretend is really just general fiction with a bit of weirdness around the edges, so his Cornish Trilogy is my pick for literary fiction readers who want to slowly ease into the idea of genre.
I'm going to have to investigate SAILING TO SARANTIUM. And, yeah, you already know I think the book blogging world has to show more love for Robertson Davies. New Zealand is on my wish list ... maybe in a couple of years when my family life will allow it.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a fabulous country. I know you'll enjoy your eventual trip!
DeleteI love Memory's list of places she'd like to visit and explore. May I follow along? :-)
ReplyDeleteBut of course. :)
Deletewow. LOTS of good stuff here. Memory is just SO knowledgeable!
ReplyDeleteI blush, madame.
DeleteHi Memory! *waves*
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda! *waves back*
DeleteSuch a good interview!! Walking would be my go to hobby over reading too... That and photography!
ReplyDeleteReading With Jade
I usually take a bunch of photos on my walks, so we're in sync!
DeleteI love Italy, can't wait to go back again. I would like to travel to New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I loved your question - if you can read a book for the 1st time, I have to think about that one.
Hurray for Italy!
DeleteHi Memory! I'm taking notes on the recommendations for scifi/fantasy books. Not that I'd even consider myself that unfamiliar with the genre, but I'm always looking for new books within it.
ReplyDeleteWe think alike. :)
DeleteI just read the CW post. I am in awe.
ReplyDeleteThat post springs from seasons upon seasons of meticulous research.
DeleteI love how you've tailored your recommendations to people's existing reading interests. What a cool lady you are, Memory. Also, we should go to Prague. Can we go to Prague together?? I have always wanted to go and nobody wants to go with me. STRANGE BUT TRUE.
ReplyDeleteYES, WE MUST GO TO PRAGUE! We can pull our evil twin thing in one of the city's many fine watering holes.
DeleteI'm glad I'm not the only blogger who couldn't narrow down just one book to recommend!
ReplyDeleteIt's important to provide readers with lots of options. :)
DeleteLove this interview!! I wanna go to New Zealand. Let's gooooo.
ReplyDeleteYessss, I could show you ALL AROUND NZ!
DeleteWow, those are some great reading recommendations! Good question and a good answer :)
ReplyDelete