Lydia, The Overweight Bookshelf
1. Who or what inspired you to blog? Why? Forget the Lone Ranger, I was the lone reader. Throughout my childhood I was proud (and still am) of my classification as the quintessential bookworm. What bothered me was that I didn’t have anyone with whom I could share and discuss the books I was reading. I had so much pent up excitement with no outlet through which to expel it-until I discovered book blogs.
2. How long have you been blogging? I started out as a lifestyle blogger in 2007. In effect, it was a trial to find my blogging “voice” and niche. In 2010 I decided to move my book reviews (the majority of my posts) over to a subject-specific blog tailored for book addicts like myself. And so, The Overweight Bookshelf was born.
3. What do you find most enjoyable about blogging? Book blogging is all about building relationships through books-whether it is with readers, bloggers, authors, or publishers. The book blogging community has allowed me to meet amazing people from around the world, who I consider my friends.
4. What is your favorite genre of book to blog about? My favourite book genre is inspirational fiction. I adore inspirational fiction because it ministers, encourages, provokes, and draws readers to a closer intimacy with God. The purpose of inspirational fiction is the not solely to entertain, but to interact with readers through insightful writing and an inherent message of hope.
5. You are going on a long trip and are only allowed to take one book. What would it be and why? This will sound terribly cliché but it is true-my Bible. Books are my travel companions and I cannot think of a better travel companion than the Word of God. It doesn’t matter how many times I read a particular verse or chapter because it always speaks to me in a different way. The Bible has something for everyone-the adventurer, the philosopher, the romantic, the theologian, the historian, and the searcher.
6. You have the privilege of dining with any book character you wish. Who would it be and why?
I am going to be completely indulgent and humour the hopeful romantic in me and say....any of Ronie Kendig’s leading men. LOL
7. What would you serve at the dinner with #6?
8. What is one of your biggest bookish pet peeves? I have two-one related to books and the other to book blogging. Firstly, cookie-cutter plotlines annoy me to no end. Having a plot that is inspired by the classics-such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice-is perfectly alright. However, if the adaption doesn’t bring something new to the table, than, in my mind, it is intellectual plagiarism. Creativity needs to be celebrated.
7. What would you serve at the dinner with #6?
8. What is one of your biggest bookish pet peeves? I have two-one related to books and the other to book blogging. Firstly, cookie-cutter plotlines annoy me to no end. Having a plot that is inspired by the classics-such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice-is perfectly alright. However, if the adaption doesn’t bring something new to the table, than, in my mind, it is intellectual plagiarism. Creativity needs to be celebrated.
Secondly, a book review should not be a summary of every high and low point of the plot. If your review needs the tagline “Approach with caution,” then it is not truly a review. You are risking the reader’s enjoyment and disrespecting the author’s hard work.
Okay, rant over.
9. Favorite author? Anyone I have every given a rating of 9 or 10 on my book scale.
10. E-reader or physical book in your hands? I am undeniably a lover of the physical book-the cracking sound the binding makes when you open a new book, the musty smell of a well loved novel, the little notes made in the margins of particularly thought-provoking page, the dog eared corners of works in progress, how beautiful they look lined up on shelves or stacked on bedside tables. But, I have recently succumbed to the e-reader craze out of necessity. I infamously (at least in my family) filled a carry-on rolling suitcase during one of my extended trips visiting my parents and nearly wrenched my arm out of its sockets lifting that sucker into the overhead compartment. My Kindle is quite convenient when I travel, and I love that I can download books instantly. However, there are certain authors that I have to have a hard copy of their books. My bookshelves would not look complete without a physical copy of their newest release.
9. Favorite author? Anyone I have every given a rating of 9 or 10 on my book scale.
10. E-reader or physical book in your hands? I am undeniably a lover of the physical book-the cracking sound the binding makes when you open a new book, the musty smell of a well loved novel, the little notes made in the margins of particularly thought-provoking page, the dog eared corners of works in progress, how beautiful they look lined up on shelves or stacked on bedside tables. But, I have recently succumbed to the e-reader craze out of necessity. I infamously (at least in my family) filled a carry-on rolling suitcase during one of my extended trips visiting my parents and nearly wrenched my arm out of its sockets lifting that sucker into the overhead compartment. My Kindle is quite convenient when I travel, and I love that I can download books instantly. However, there are certain authors that I have to have a hard copy of their books. My bookshelves would not look complete without a physical copy of their newest release.
11. Favorite blog to read? There are too many to list, but I do have a page on my blog listing all of them.
12. What one book from the past 12 months would you most like to see made into a movie?
Lisa Bergren’s River of Times series would push all of the Twilight movies of their pedestal. Not that I’m biased or anything ;)
13. How many books do you own? Hundreds. Over the years I have had to edit down my collection by keeping only books I truly adored and would read again. I don’t believe in throwing books out; if you don’t like it, donate it.
13. How many books do you own? Hundreds. Over the years I have had to edit down my collection by keeping only books I truly adored and would read again. I don’t believe in throwing books out; if you don’t like it, donate it.
14. What do you do when you are not reading and/or blogging? Eat and sleep. Just kidding. I like to joke that I am a teacher by day and blogger by night, but I do have other hobbies. I also run a makeup and beauty blog that allows me the opportunity to attend collection releases seasonally-but that’s blogging so it doesn’t count.
On a more personal front, I come from an Italian family. Does that require more explanation? Let’s just say we like to spend time around each other eating, laughing, and being merry.
I also enjoy candlelight dinners and long walks on the beach...
15. Several high school students read my blog. What is one piece of advice you could offer to them?
16. What attracts you most to a book? That depends if I am on a spontaneous book run or not. I'm a shallow book reader. If a book doesn't look aesthetically pleasing, I am not as eager to pick it up. Sad, but true. It can be overwhelming standing in a stack of books and looking for “The One.” Otherwise, I have an ongoing “To Be Read” list that I update regularly based on suggestions from fellow readers and bloggers that I know have impeccable reading tastes. I like books that push the envelope and dare to take risks, especially in the inspirational market.
17. What book are you currently reading?
I have a few going at the same time, but I am really enjoying The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones. I love her books because they are full of Southern charm and provoking characters.
I have a few going at the same time, but I am really enjoying The First Gardener by Denise Hildreth Jones. I love her books because they are full of Southern charm and provoking characters.
18. What was the last book you read?
19. Is there a character you love to hate? Who and why?
What is it with “bad boys”?! Lisa Bergren’s Lord Greco has me twisted, confused, and intrigued.
20. Have you ever preferred a movie or tv series over a book? If so, which one(s) and why?
21. How would you plan the perfect holiday? I am only capable of sitting idle for two days maximum, so beach centered vacations and I don’t mesh well. I love taking day excursions, visiting museums and historical sites, people watching while sitting in an outdoor café, hunting through used bookstores, taking pictures of old doors...clearly I have watched too many Nora Ephron movies...
I was bitten by the travel bug and I am constantly adding to my “Future Destination” list. I actually have a file on my computer filled with places I want to see, activities I want to do, and things I want to eat all around the world.
22. What are five items on your wish list?
1. A vintage Jane Austen (preferably Sense and Sensibility)
2. A library to revival the one in Beauty and the Beast
3. Open ended tickets to fly anywhere in the world
4. Coldplay Tickets
5. My own “Happily Ever After”
23. Is there a book that you would rewrite the ending to? What book and why?
24. How many books do you read in a typical year? 100-150. I haven’t really counted until Goodreads. It sasses me when I get behind on my Reading Challenge goal.
25. Where can we stalk you?
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/overweightbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Perfectly-Imperfect-Life/149345135087297
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4230224-lydia-overweight-bookshelf?ref=header
Blog: http://overweight-bookshelf.blogspot.com/
Two of my favourite bloggers and friends in the one place :) Really enjoyed reading this interview!
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