Armchair BEA is an online networking event for bloggers who will not be attending Book Expo America (BEA) at the Javits Center in New York this week (June 4 - 8, 2012). This virtual convention is hosted by a terrific team of book bloggers.
The Armchair BEA Blog Team
Be sure to stop by Armchair BEA to register and to participate in the various activities, including interviews, discussions, giveaways, and more. The goal of this event is to help promote a sense of community between book bloggers. Please allow me to introduce myself: I hope I'm not too late to post this Armchair BEA interview. I've chosen five questions, and have tried to keep my answers brief.
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's Susan, but I go by "Suko", which is my user name (a combo of my first and last names). I started this site four years ago because I was intrigued by the idea of having a blog, even though I knew next to nothing about blogging. I chose books as a focus because I was excited about the books I was reading, and I thought that such a focus would be neither too narrow nor too wide.
2) What are you currently reading?
3) What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?
I really enjoy conducting and posting my exclusive author interviews. In this way, I've become acquainted with many authors, and have learned more about their work and the writing process. Each author has been friendly, gracious, and professional. I felt very fortunate the first time an author--best-selling author Kate Jacobs--agreed to do an interview with me, in November of 2008. That launched my collection of interviews, which I've organized as an Author Interviews page.
4) Where do you see your blog in five years?
Hmm. . . let me consult my crystal ball. Seriously, though, I'm not sure what the future holds for this site. That's a great question! Of course, I wouldn't mind if this blog became much more popular. I don't know where the future of book blogging (or any type of blogging) is headed, but I'll hopefully be a part of it.
5) What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?
I appreciate the supportive community of book bloggers. While our tastes in books vary widely, the book bloggers I've met online are courteous and caring, and they introduce me to a cornucopia of tempting books. They also host reading challenges that entice me to read genres I'd probably not choose otherwise. I've expanded my reading due to Savvy Verse & Wit and Diary of an Eccentric's War Through the Generations challenge, Dolce Bellezza's Japanese Literature challenge, and The Reading Life's Irish Quarter short story challenge. I've opened up to more great reading as a result, and have learned about other times and cultures in the process.
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Faith Hope and Cherrytea!
Many congrats! I hope you enjoy this book, which is about profound and prolific creativity at a later stage of life. The pictures of Mary Delany's exquisite work in this book may entice you to see the paper mosaicks in person.
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Appearing on random Tuesdays, Really Random Tuesday is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of. If you're inspired by this idea, feel free to copy the button and use it on your own blog. Please leave a link in the comments if you’re participating and I'll add it to this post. Thanks for reading!
Posts
Nice to meet you. I do love author interviews BUT only of the ones I have read or that are on my Wishlist, it is hard to keep up with so many.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy BEA week.
Hi, Marce. I've "met" you before--you have a great blog! I agree, it's hard to read all of the author interviews (or guest posts) out there; I wouldn't ever attempt that feat! But I enjoy interviewing authors, and consider them to be one of my blog's best features.
DeleteThanks for mentioning War Through the Generations!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a pleasure knowing you through the blogs. Blogging really has broadened my reading horizons, and the best part has been "meeting" people who love to read as much as I do!
You really do a great job with the interviews. It's nice to learn a little more about the person behind the book.
Anna, thank you for your kind words. Your book blog is a favorite of mine!
DeleteHi Susan! Finally have some time to say hi and check out what everyone's been reading.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the BEA. Not participating this time but maybe next.
TTFN
Natalie :0)
Natalie, good to hear from you again! :)
DeleteWHat a lovely introduction post, Susan!
ReplyDeletehappy to meet 'more' of you :)
and delited to receive this winning message! TY very MUCH!
i will be watching the post with anticipation...
You're very welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog.
DeleteAlways nice to learn a little more about the person behind the blogs I visit.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I so wish I could have gone to BEA this year.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI'm not a blogger of any kind but wanted to say thank you to those of you who do, and who keep expanding my tbr list beyond my lifetime.
I enjoy hearing about the challenges and sometimes try to fit in a couple new books that I wouldn't have read normally.
Congrats to FaithHopeCherrytea!
I watched the opening speech of BEA on the streaming video and was delighted to see the success of a former blogger turned author. Great idea to have an Armchair BEA. I hope you will still be blogging in five years with many readers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the details of this event.
ReplyDeleteGreat questions and answers, I especially enjoyed number 4.
I've enjoyed reading all these interviews and geting to know everyone better. And I've found myself reading more and different types of books due to book blogging. It really expands your reading horizons.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that though you don't necessarily know where you'll be in five years (who does?!) you din't plan on disappearing. And thanks for the mention of the JLC6 which can only be a success from participants like you. It is a wonderful world we co-exist in, isn't it? Love this happy place for bibliophiles.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! I think these interviews are really interesting. I love to know the people behind the blog. :)
ReplyDeleteNew to your blog!
Steph @ Stepping Out of the Page
Great post Suko. BEA sounds like fun, its nice that there is an armchair version. I enjoyed reading your answers! It's true, book blogging opens reading horizons.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have the time or energy to participate in this event, but it was fun reading yours and the other participants post....thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteDropping by to say hello.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that our War Through the Generations challenge has expanded your reading. Happy reading week.
ReplyDeleteSerena, I didn't realize this challenge was co-hosted. I've added your blog to the post--I like to give credit where it's due! Thanks for stopping by. I've just read and reviewed a new WW II book. :)
DeleteI like the idea behind the armchair BEA. I've wanted to attend the real thing for years. . . hopefully one of these days!
ReplyDeleteI love how supportive the book blog community is as well! Things like Armchair BEA remind me of this and help to remind me why I love to be considered a book blogger :)
ReplyDelete