Armchair BEA 2014, Day One: Introductions


It's that time again...

Armchair BEA! The e-con of sorts that accompanies festivities for Book Expo America, the huge book trade convention that takes place in New York City. 

Armchair BEA is to begin just a tad earlier to get everyone revved up for festivities. So without further ado, let's start with introductions (where would my manners be otherwise?):



Introductions

What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year?  

Here's the thing: 2013 (and even 2012) were personally somewhat turbulent times reading-wise, so the pool from which to select a top title is limited. That said, the book that made me really sit up, made me loathe to leave it was The Duchess War by Courtney Milan. This year, I really enjoye Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase. I now understand why it's near or at the top of many people's best-of-historical-romance lists.

What is your favorite blogging resource?  

Oh, without a doubt, Goodreads. What would I do without it? I'm still quite put out that Amazon acquired it (yeah I know, I own a Kindle! lol But I felt GR might've lost some of the entrepreneurial soul it had by being consumed by the great corporate beast that is AMZ. Remember the crazy censorship crackdown of 2013? yeah. that.)

Spread the love by naming your favorite blogs/bloggers (doesn’t necessarily have to be book blogs/bloggers).  

A few fab blogs I love are Parajunkee's View, the ladies at Badass Book Reviews, the folks over at All Things Urban Fantasy, and ExLibris.

One blog that I had long loved is About Happy Books. The blog's mistress, Sabrina, hails from Germany and is as bright and sweet as the happy books she writes about. She is a true book lover, and I have to bow down to someone who buys far more than she receives gratis, especially given that she reads a few hundred a year (nothing wrong with getting ARCs and review copies. but I know she doesn't buy idly!). A couple months ago Sabrina announced that she was going to take a step back from active blogging (and man, do I ever understand her difficult decision), but I still reference her reviews.


Share your favorite book or reading related quote.  

“The first time I read an excellent work, it is to me just as if I gained a new friend; and when I read over a book I have perused before, it resembles the meeting of an old one.”      ― James Goldsmith

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why?  

The first two are easy: my two favorite books, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card and Pride and Prejudice. Both are books that have always affected me deeply when I've read them, so they'd be great for breaking up the monotony of my little deserted island.

As for the third... Do anthologies /collections count? :-) If so, I'd say a good robust science fiction anthology. Or no, maybe like a single-volume collection of the Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Prydain series. Something that would allow me to escape into a large and fully realized world, to really get to know its cast of characters.

When it comes to desert island scenarios, I can get so pragmatic as to suck the fun out of the pondering. So my non book items would perhaps include a windup flashlight, a portable de-desalinization thingie (which almost certainly doesn't exist, but hey neither does the reality of the scenario! Lol), and a Swiss Army knife.

(Told ya. Snore! ^_^)

And though I'm burying the question somewhat:

Describe your blog in just one sentence.  

Nothing fancy or official, just a place to gush/vent/ponder occasionally about books and the act of reading.


14 comments:

  1. Nice to meet you! I like urban fantasy, but don't end up reading that much of it. I like your two favorite books! I've listened to a lot of Orson Scott Card's books on audio.

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    1. It'd be really interesting to hear Card's books on audio! I can't imagine what it would sound like to hear Bean's likely small and very childish voice speak with such intelligence. Wow. I take it they're good then? Gonna give them a try!

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  2. Your blog is gorgeous and omg I love the header banner! It's fab! I also love the quote you shared. I'm going to bookmark that one.

    Ashley (Closed the Cover)

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    1. Thank you, Ashley! The designer who made it is amazing. She seemed to not mind my abundance of love for the color purple. :-)

      Indeed, that quote just sums up so well that we really do have friendships with books. They're like friends, family. Sounds weird to say it, but it makes total sense, methinks.

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  3. That is a great quote! There is something so exciting about a new book and comforting about a beloved re-read.

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    1. Thanks, Lindsey! Truly, it's so great that a good book can sometimes get even better with time and rereading.

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  4. I'd never thought about my reading in the way your quote describes, but I found myself nodding as I read it. Pretty spot on.

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    1. Hi Mark! Seems so strange to think of anthropomorphizing books, but sometimes it's so apt. There are times when just about nothing is as wise or comforting or understanding as a good book.

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  5. Great intro! I agree, GoodReads has been such a major resource when it comes to blogging, I reckon book blogging would be a much different experience without it.

    - Lianne @ caffeinatedlife.net

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  6. One of my favorite book bloggers is Parajunkee as well! Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

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  7. yes, what would we do without Goodreads??
    I LOVE your blog background!

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  8. I love Goodreads!! :) And great non-book things you would take with you...so practical lol! :)

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  9. LOL, I love how pragmatic you got when you were thinking about desert island supplies. I decided to bring a genie. Because, you know. That's completely reasonable!

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  10. Love that quote! Great to meet you!

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