Last year I went to BEA and it was like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and the fashion closet in Devil Wears Prada all rolled into one- excitement and activity beyond belief.
Unfortunately, living on the opposite coast means it’s a bit expensive to go every year and while I love reading and blogging it’s not bringing in the big bucks. I was surprised and delighted to find Armchair BEA, a super organization that allows all of us who can’t actually get to the show to participate vicariously. The show doesn’t start until Thursday but we’ve been given the chance to introduce ourselves by answering five questions- so here goes!
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? Where in the world are you blogging from?
My name is Catherine and in July I will have been book blogging for two years (who’d have thunk it?!). I got into blogging after I lost my library job and found a year of looking for work to be so negative I decided I needed to follow my passion which has been (and still is) reading. I currently live in Seattle.
Describe your blog in just one sentence.
My blog is a reflection of my reading style and my desire to share my love of books.
You can find me at:
What genre do you read the most?
Just one?! This is harsh! I’ll say literary fiction because I tend to love the writing almost more than the story if that makes sense. Ut still, I love me some good chick-lit and historical fiction!
I love to read because:
It’s the best form of escape and entertainment.
What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like?
What was your favorite book read last year?
Again, choosing just one is almost impossible because it was such a great year for fiction! I’ll go with a small book that didn’t get too much notice but haunted me- The Night Rainbow, a debut novel by Claire King
What’s your favorite book so far this year?
The Headmaster’s Wife because it took my initial judgment and shattered it by the end of the novel.
That’s all for now- look forward to visiting with you all as the week goes on!
Thanks for the link, Catherine.
Oh, I love that reading space!
I’m totally looking forward to reading The Headmaster’s Wife at some point – I’ve heard so many great things about it. Hope you have a great Armchair BEA week!
Ohhhh that reading space! All the photos people have been choosing have been amazing. That one is incredible, looks so relaxing!
I recently downloaded The Headmaster’s Wife…can’t wait to read it!
I would love to go to BEA again, but haven’t gone since 2008, when it was in LA. Like you, I’m on the opposite coast. Love your illustration of how you felt going to NY BEA.
BTW…love Seattle; have been there a number of times, and each time, I want to move there…LOL.
That is a wonderful reading spot!
Here’s MY ARMCHAIR BEA POST
thanks, nice to know you a bit more
I’m with you on appreciating the writing more than story. Are those your actual shelves??
Oh no, Kelly, I wish!! Built-in bookcases are an elusive dream for me.
I’d love to go back to BEA someday – it’s totally like being a kid in a candy shop, except the kids are grown-up and the candy is books. LOL! I live in Pennsylvania and it’s a seriously costly outing, so I can’t imagine how much people like you who live across the country must have to spend to go.
I picked up a copy of The Night Rainbow for my Kindle when it was on sale without having heard any recommendations, which is very unlike me. Good to hear it was a good choice! =D
I’ll be heading to BEA for the first time this year. I’ve heard it’s a bit overwhelming so I might need Armchair BEA if it all gets to be too much. 🙂
How exciting- enjoy!
I would love that reading space…beautiful! 😀 See you in Chicago 2016!
Hi Catherine, nice to meet you! This is my first year participating in Armchair BEA. I haven’t read any of the books you mentioned, but my blog mostly focuses on YA.
OMG – I want that reading space with the surrounding shelves!!!
Great intro! That’s really cool that you were able to go to BEA last year. I’d love to go there one of these days 😉 lol, choosing one genre was also difficult for me–I ended up going with three 😀
Day 1 @ my blog
I thought you’d been blogging for a lot longer than that. You have a very professional and established feel to your blog. (Something I try to emulate!). Hopefully we’ll meet up at the BEA one of these years.
You were so lucky to actually go to BEA! I’ve only been armchairing it for years now. Love those shelves!
Great intro, Catherine! And I TOTALLY want that reading space you pulled. Beautiful!
I liked that you picked a book that wasn’t well-known, but personally touched you as you fave book for last year. I’ll check it out!
Your ideal reading space looks delightful! I want to go to there!
Me too but I have no idea where it is! I guess I need to build a home.
That is a very nice space for reading!