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BBAW 2011: Blogger Interview with Alysa of everead

BBAW 2011: Blogger Interview with Alysa of everead post image

The BBAW Interview Swaps are some of my favorite things to read during Book Blogger Appreciation Week. In 2010 I interviewed Donna of Holocaust Resources and in 2009 I met Michelle of GalleySmith during the interviews.

This year I interviewed another new-t0-me blogger, Alysa at everead. Although it looks like we read pretty different books, Alysa did just recently post a review of Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, a book I also read and reviewed awhile back.

For the interview, Alysa and I decided to come up with a list of common questions and both answer them. So if you head over to her blog today, you’ll see my answers. Below is what Alysa had to say!

How long have you been blogging?

I started blogging in June 2007.

Why do you blog?

I blog because I love the social side of reading — it’s not enough for me to love a book, I have to talk about it with other people. Simply put, I can’t shut up about books! The first blogs that interested me were author blogs and review blogs, so blogging felt like a natural way to run my mouth about books.

If you could meet any author, which one would you want to meet and why?

Ooh, I don’t know! I’ve already met my favorite living author, Shannon Hale, many times. Maybe Gene Stratton-Porter. No wait. Jane Austen? Ok c’mon let’s be practical, they’re dead. It would be awesome to meet J.K. Rowling. But I have no idea what we would talk about. I definitely hope to meet Laini Taylor someday, since she already feels like a friend.

Where is your favorite place to read?

In the waiting room. When I was pregnant last year, books transformed the time that I spent sitting in the clinic from an annoyance to a luxury. Plus whatever book I brought in gave me and the doc more to talk about than my body. More than once I had to ask the front desk if I missed my name, since I was so absorbed in my reading.

What is one challenge you frequently face when blogging? How have you tried to overcome it?

Fitting blogging into my schedule. Though, as a full time mom, my schedule is very flexible, it is also very full. I’ve got two boys, ages 1 and 3, who keep me busy from morning till night. Once they’re in bed, blogging is only one of the million things that I didn’t get to during the day. I combat this by jotting down blogging ideas during the day. If I’ve got a little slip of paper with a starter on it, I am much more likely to 1. remember to blog, 2. feel like I have something worthwhile to blog about, and 3. think of blogging as fun.

What is one book you wish everyone would read?

The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale. I credit this retelling of a Grimm fairy tale with turning me back on to reading.

If you were stuck on a desert island, what three books would you want with you?

  • A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter, because it would remind me to pull myself up by my bootstraps, and help me embrace the native fauna.
  • Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt, because I love it and want to study it in depth. So crisp! Not a word wasted.
  • Lastly, one of the 21 fully intact originals of The Gutenberg Bible. Those (big) babies are worth 25-35 million. Even if nobody’s looking for me, someone’s gonna be missing the book.
Ok, I laughed out loud at that last answer. What a smart woman, grabbing one of the world’s most valuable books as collateral to get off the island. In any case, if you’re curious about my answer, head on over to Alysa’s blog to check them out!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Meg September 13, 2011, 9:01 am

    Ha! Alysa’s final answer is definitely awesome. (And Kim, we’re such journalist-buddies — we asked very similar final questions.) I’ve heard good things about The Goose Girl and have enjoyed other works by Shannon Hale, so I think that one needs a spot on my wishlist!

  • Rebecca Reid September 13, 2011, 9:40 am

    I loved reading in the waiting room when I was expecting my first too! I now remember when I last read those books becuase I remember sitting and waiting 🙂 And I too love the Gutenberg Bible answer. That is so smart!

  • Stephanie September 13, 2011, 9:46 am

    That made me laugh that Alysa would be so into her book in the waiting room that she was unsure as to whether or not they called her name!

  • Andi September 13, 2011, 12:02 pm

    Great Q&A, ladies!

  • bermudaonion (Kathy) September 13, 2011, 12:35 pm

    I admire all the young moms who manage to squeeze blogging into their days.

  • Erin September 13, 2011, 12:54 pm

    Love that last answer…perfect! I enjoyed “meeting” Alysa, who is a new-to-me blogger as well.

  • Amy September 13, 2011, 1:50 pm

    LOL I also love that last answer. So smart, I’ve never considered something like that. lol

  • Trisha September 13, 2011, 6:46 pm

    I love that last answer! I have to admit that’s the first time I’ve read a response designed to get you off that island! I love it.

  • Julie @ Read Handed September 13, 2011, 7:59 pm

    Haha. Hilarious. Great interview!

  • Alysa September 13, 2011, 9:08 pm

    Aw, I’m blushing. 😀 Be sure to check out Kim’s half of the interview — I finally posted it! Sorry it took me so long! I guess I need to try the trick she mentions for overcoming blogging challenges…