Wednesday, May 25, 2011

ARMCHAIR BEA: NETWORKING...INTERVIEWS


Please join me in welcoming to my blog today, Kai from Fiction State of Mind.



1. How long have you been blogging and what compelled you to start your book blog?

Ive been blogging for about 16 mths. I discoverd the blogging world through twitter. After reading a lot of blogs, notably The Story Siren and Book Chick City I realized that this was a community I could be a part of so I jumped right in!

2. On your blog, you state that you read the following genres: Ya, Horror, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Manga. Which of these is your most favorite?

That's difficult! I would have to say Horror and Fantasy are my top two genres.

3. I did notice that you read and review a lot of Manga and Graphic Novels. What draws you to them?

I grew up reading comics. Mostly Archie comics until I discovered the superhero genre after High School. My first Manga was Naruto. What I love about Manga is that any possible interest you can have is covered: Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery. I also like how Manga writers and artists take risks: characters die and don't come back and the fact that a lot of Manga ends, the course of the story is followed and then the threads are all tied up and the story is complete.

4. Who are some of your favorite authors? Do you have a number one favorite?

I have tons: Joe Hill, Neil Gaiman, Jane Austen, Frank Herber, Patricia Briggs

5. What are your top five favorite books of all time?

Another hard one!
1) Dune by Frank Herbert
2) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
3) The Books of Blood by Clive Barker
4) The Grave Yard Book Neil Gaiman
5) Watchman graphic novel Alan Moore

6. I noticed that you have read 79 books so far this year. Wow! How do you do it?

Two things attributed to my progress so far:
1) I joined over 16 challenges this year which really forced me to organize my books and become panicked to meet my goals :)

2) I attended a "SMALL" ALA event in January. It was a great event and I came home with um.. 135 books!!! I became doubly motivated to read more especially since I'm running out of space! I can't even imagine what the American Library Association's National Convention next year will bring.

7. We have something in common...loving reading challenges! Why do you love them? Which one(s) would you do every year, if they were offered?

I do really well with accountability. If I join something I complete it to the best of my ability. I also like the chance to win prizes and connect with other bloggers.


I love the challenges by Book Chick City: The Horror and Speculative Fiction and this is my first year doing The Debut Author Challenge which I'd love to do every year.

8. Do you have a large TBR list/pile? Are these books from your personal library or are they review books? Or a combination of both?

Right now my review book pile is three :) Every thing else is books I've bought, gotten from Paperback Swap or traded for. I probably have over 250 books to read.

9. Do you keep all of your books and buy books with the intention of keeping them (like I do)?

Buying a nook last June changed everything for me. With the exception of well loved books and signed books my goal is to read all the books I have and either donate or sell them. I'm going to be all e-books with the exception of illustrated novels and signed books.

10. How long do you give a book before you give up on it or do you plod on, determined to finish?

I have a hundred page rule. If it doesn't engage me by then I stop. My only Exception is review books. I work very hard to finish it even if I'm not fully engaged with it. This has made me very picky in the review requests I've taken lately. Though I always give my honest thoughts on the book.

11. What new-to-you genres or books, if any, have you discovered since starting your blog?

YA definitely. I had read a few like Harry Potter by the YA bloggers have opened me up to a whole new genre that I probably would have missed out on.

12. Are you initially struck by gorgeous covers? Have you ever bought a book solely because of its cover?

Yes Covers really effect me, even with services like Netgalley. I picked up Twilight based on the cover alone as well as The Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs.

13. What book(s) would your be most likely to recommend to others so far this year?

Enclave by Ann Aguirre, Across The Universe by Beth Revis, The Girl in the Clockwork Corset.

14. What do you like most about the book blogging community?

I would say the general support and acceptance of new bloggers on the block.

15. What is your favorite event in book blogging: read-a-thons, giveaway hops, social hops, memes...something else?

I really like readathons I really get through a lot of books. Especially the Dewey and you've hosted some great ones :)

16. Any tips on combating blogger burn-out?

Future posts have been really helpful to me. Having a t least one advance post for each week takes the pressure off. Also not pigeonholing myself into one genre really helps. So if books aren't inspiring me I can write about comics or Manga. I also try to do unique events like my upcoming Family Reading Challenge

17. Where do you see your blog in two years? Do you plan on continuing your blog indefinitely?

I would love to continue with my blog, have my readership grow and do more outreach with the publishers I buy from frequently. I love talking about books but I want to balance my blog with more interaction more comments and discussions. Ill admit I have a goal of 1,000 followers but I would give that up in place of more interaction in the form of comments and more of my thoughts reaching potential book buyers.

Thank you so much for joining us today! Everyone be sure to stop by and check out Kai's awesome blog.

I'm being interviewed today by Serena at Savvy Verse and Wit so be sure to stop by!

9 comments:

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. It means so much.

I apologize for word verification, but as soon as I changed the settings from only users with Google accounts, I started receiving a ton of spam comments...within one hour of changing the settings. The bots are on high alert apparently.

  1. Great interview, always so interesting to hear how other bloggers manage/prioritize etc, and also to learn a little about manga.

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  2. That's a lot of challenges! Good luck with them. Great interview!

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  3. I loved the Graveyard Book. I enjoy reading and reviewing manga too. I'll have to check out Naruto.

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  4. Dune would have to be one of my favorite books as well. Great interview.

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  5. Great interview. And it just reinforced the thought that I need to read Dune.

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  6. thanks so much for the great interview! Enjoy Armchair BEA

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  7. My goodness so many challenges- Wow! Great interview:) going to check you out at Selena's now!

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  8. I think I'm doing 15 challenges. I can't stop!! lol

    I interviewed Bob @ The Guilded Earlobe. Check it out? Thanks!

    Mickey @ imabookshark

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  9. Thanks for stopping by and reading about the awesome Kai! She has great taste in books, that's for sure. =O)

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