Armchair BEA: Introduction

I can't believe it's already been a year since the last Armchair BEA. Where has the time gone?

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

So, today is all about introductions, so I won't bore you with any more chitchat, but give you my answers right away.


1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself! Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Hi, I am the mom of an amazing four year old boy. Technically, I've been blogging for almost a year and a half now, though it's been more sporadic than anything else over the last six months or so due to some personal issues.

2. Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year?

Yes, I participated last year and absolutely loved it, which is why I am joining in again this year. I discovered so many amazing blogs and I, especially, loved all the awesome twitter parties. I'm a little bit anti-social when it comes to twitter and all that. I'm way too shy to just start a conversation with anyone really, so having those parties and being able to just chime in and not feeling stupid about it, was a lot of fun. I'm really looking forward to those again this year.

3. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?

I'm still reading BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia. It's pretty good, though at times a bit slow.

There are two books I've read this year that I absolutely loved. The first one was released in 2012 and is VELVETEEN by Daniel Marks. I had been wanting to read it for months and then stumbled across it while searching through my local library's ebooks. Of course, I had to borrow it right away and devoured it in only a couple of days. The whole idea with purgatory and the way Daniel Marks described everything, was simply fascinating to me. I'm still hoping that there might be a sequel. This book also helped me get out of my reading funk which is yet another reason why I loved it so much and would recommend it to anyone who would listen to me.

The other book is WITH ALL MY SOUL by Rachel Vincent. This was a bittersweet read for me. I was excited and terrified at the same time when I picked it up to read. It's the last book in her Soul Screamers series and since it's one of my all-time favorite series, I was really sad it was going to end. I've also found the premise of her books surrounding bean sidhes, reapers, and hellions to be absolutely fascinating and unique. I adore her story telling. Plus, Tod Hudson is my favorite fictional character EVER! :)

4. Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s)!

First of, there's Fiktshun. It was the first book blog I ever came across. The design is absolutely gorgeous and Rachel's voice draws me in every time. Her reviews are amazing and I can never get enough of her "rambling" posts. She is also a very genuine person who is always willing to help you.

Another blog I love is Cuddlebuggery. I love their unique and hilarious voices. There never seems to be a dull moment, and their author interviews are epic. They don't shy away from negative reviews either - they say exactly what they think.

Other blogs I follow regularly are BookPics (love you, Alba girl!), YA Sisterhood, Parajunkee's View, and Two Chicks On Books.

5. What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Definitely The Shire or Rivendell from J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT and THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. Both places seem so beautiful and peaceful. I could just wonder around and enjoy the nature. :)

What about you? Is it your first time participating in Armchair BEA? What do you like most about it? Do you have any questions for me? I'd love to hear from you! Happy reading, everyone!

Armchair BEA: Introductions First

Design credit: Emily of Emily's Reading Room

I am so very proud to be partaking in this year's Armchair BEA. I still remember last year when I just discovered book blogs and how awesome they are. Armchair BEA kept popping up almost everywhere, but I didn't know what it was all about. It's a year later, I have my own blog now and am a teeny tiny bit smarter when it comes to Armchair BEA. The whole concept is amazing and I just had to join in on the fun.

But enough with the rambling, on to the introduction part of this post. Here are my five questions and answers:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

My name is Ina and I am the very proud mommy of a 3 1/2 year old boy. I love anything to do with books, music, and movies.
I have been blogging for almost five months now and the main reason I started is fiktshun's Soul Screamers Reading Challenge. I had been thinking of MAYBE starting my own blog someday, but I guess I needed that extra kick in the butt. When I first heard of the SSRC and that it would include writing down your reviews and/or thoughts about the books, I thought what better time to start blogging could there possibly be. So, yes, you have Rachel from fiktshun to blame for that.

2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

UK cover

US cover

I just started reading Execution by Alexander Gordon Smith which is the fifth and final book in the Escape from Furnace series. The US version won't be released until November, but I have the UK version because I just can't wait another five months to find out how everything is going to end. I am very excited but also extremely scared...

3. What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

I would LOVE to visit The Shire and Rivendell from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. If it's anything like they portrayed in the movies, I would be in heaven. I just imagine it being so incredibly beautiful. Plus, meeting a few hobbits and elves wouldn't be too bad either. I love nature, so this would be the perfect place for me to be.

4. If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

Oh my, I would give almost anything to have dinner with none other than Tod Hudson, Grim Reaper from Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series. He is by far my favorite fictional character. He is funny, caring, dangerous - he is a reaper after all - incredibly infuriating at times, but also very loyal to our heroine Kaylee Cavanaugh. So, yes, what wouldn't I do to just be able to look into his mesmerizing blue eyes...sigh...
On a side note, only three weeks from tomorrow until Before I Wake is released!!! 



As far as authors go, it would be a tie between Stephen King and James Patterson. I have admired both their work for many, many ears, and would love to pick their brains about writing. Plus, I would love to know just how the mind of someone works who is responsible for some of the scariest books out there.

5. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

My favorite part about this community is meeting like-minded book fanatics. I am a little bit shy so I haven't met THAT many new people yet, but the ones I did get to know are amazing. I love interacting with them and hearing about new books. I know for a fact that if it wasn't for other bloggers, my reading pile would only consist of about ten or twenty books at most, instead of going on to 400.

*****

So, I guess this is it for my introduction, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask me anything. I am very excited to take part in this year's Armchair BEA and look forward to meeting other bloggers.