BBAW: BBAW Blogger Interview Swap – Christina of Reading Thru The Night

I would like to welcome Christina of Reading Thru The Night to my blog today!  She is my BBAW interview partner.  You can see her interview of me over at Reading Thru The Night.

1. I see that you’re a teacher.  This particularly intrigues me as I’m an ex-teacher myself.  What do you teach?

7th Grade, Advanced Language Arts.

2. Oh, so you’re all about books and words in your job!  Does being a teacher effect what you read or how you blog at all?

In part, teaching does encourage me to read some books that I normally wouldn’t have, like the Sunshine State books.  Generally, the books that are on the middle grade lists aren’t ones that I normally would pick up.  But because I give book talks and in the past we’ve participated in the Battle of the Books (where the students choose the year’s winner) I move pass my judgement.  In most cases, I’m glad that I did.  I’ve read some really cool books because of the list (i.e. The Red Kayak, Kingdom Keepers, Hurt Go Happy).

I still read my own personal books and review those.  My blog represents my outside interests equally.

3. When and why did you start “Reading Thru The Night”?

I found the book blogging community by accident about a year and a half ago.  Once I found one book blog it opened the door for many.  Man was I surprised and stoked.  I lurked for a few months.  I’m the type of person that gets into something, jumps head in, gets a bit obsessive and then moves on.  I didn’t really want to start a blog if I didn’t think I could follow through with it, you know?  Then, being about as original as possible, I decided to blog in January of 09 after committing (again) to read 100 books in a year.

4. What has been the most rewarding experience of blogging?

I know everyone says the community, and it’s true, that’s a big part of it. Everyone and I mean every-ONE has been so positive and kind.  Plus I’ve gotten in the habit of looking to see what my book buddies are reading, you know?  I mean, all of it’s so great.  But the best experience is what the community of bloggers has led me to.  I’ve found so many cool new books.  Books that I would never have checked out had it not been mentioned by another blogger who I dug.  Oh gosh, and I would have never known about Bookmooch.  Wow.  What was my life life before then?  Or LibraryThing?  There’s just too much good bookie stuff out there for a book-nerd like myself!  Who knows if I would have found it on my own!

5. What is the best book you’ve discovered because of book blogs?

I can’t really narrow it down by a book because really it’s the genre of graphic novels.  I was SUCH a snob.  Really.  I would see manga or a GN and roll my eyes.  I’ve raved so many times on my blog about how Persepolis changed my mind…and I wouldn’t have read Persepolis if I wasn’t doing a joint reading with Madeleine’s Book and Photo Blog and I wouldn’t have done the joint reading if it wasn’t for Things Mean Alot.  Ya see? Bookies leading me into new territory.  :D  So, since Persepolis, I went on a graphic novel spree back in June and my opinion on the merit of comics has changed drastically.  There are so many good ones out there!

6. Favorite genres?  Authors?  Best book since you’ve started blogging?

I think that I’m one of the weirdest readers ever.  I can read two nutrition books followed by a vampire book followed by a couple of young adult which then might lead me into literary fiction.  Seriously.  I look back on my monthly lists over the past year and a half and cannot figure out any rhyme or reason.  Part of me wishes I could be more consistent.  You know I love how blogs advertise “YA blog” or “Historical Fiction Hot Spot”… *shrug*  It’s just never going to be me.  Blame it on being a Gemini?

Favorite authors, huh?  Let’s see…this always gets me in trouble right?  I feel like I’m on the hot seat, lol, and in my dramatic mind I picture those actors who accept emmys and they’re rattling off all the people to thank and as they’re walking down the stairs they think to themselves ‘who’d I forget?’.  Ok. So let’s see.  Some forever favorites would include: Tom Robbins, John Irving, Judy Blume, Jodi Piccoult, Laurie Halse Anderson, Neil Gaiman.  Okay.  Who’d I forget?

Best book since blogging huh?  Another tough one.  Each month goes by and I think to myself, “Yes, that’s it! That’s my number one book.”  But I’m going to say that it’s probably We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver.  It’s one of those books that just really makes the audience feel uncomfortable.  Second runner up might be The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale.  Her dialogue in that book was absolutely amazing.

Most disappointing book?  The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.  It was my first book this year.  I was soooo excited to read it and then it was a total letdown.  Maybe my expectations were set too high?  Everyone else seemed to love it.  What’d I miss?!?

Thanks Christine!