BEA: Introduction

Posted May 27, 2013 by Whitney in Event / 14 Comments

Armchair BEA officially starts tomorrow and as a premature kick-off I’m posting my personal introduction.
1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 
I live in a small town in Illinois with my two cats (one being on my lap at the moment) and obviously love to read but I also love I Love Lucy, she is my tv equivalent of Jane Austen.  I could talk about her visit to the Brown Derby and meeting William Holden from sunrise to sunset.
I use to own a holiday inspired gift shop, Retropolitan, opened from 2006 – 2009 until the economy went bust. Who is going to buy a Santa Claus in July when life is so uncertain? Anyway, after we were all closed up and things had settled down I had some free time on my hands and decided to start a book blog, sharing my love of literature.  My occupation now, is via an Etsy account shared with my mom.  We compensate for each others lack of computer skills and together make a good team.
2. Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?
This will be my first time, and no one forgets their first correct?  I’m very excited to be participating even if it is only from my armchair.  In fact that may be better as it can all be done in my PJs.

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

I’m almost done with Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight.  It has been hailed as this year’s Gone Girl and I couldn’t agree more.  It goes at a slow steady pace and if I wasn’t so into cleanliness, would skip personal hygiene for.  The best book I’ve read (so far) in 2013 is The Dinner by Herman Koch another steady well paced thriller of two teens heinous act.  These two novels have created a need to read more mysteries

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

  • Juju @ Tales of Whimsy:  First as I have boasted several times she created my beautiful header, which brings me to my first point she is extremely creative with her posts, thoughts on life and lives up to the name of her blog — whimsy
  • As the Crowe Flies and Reads:  I love her writing style, thinking it is clever and witty and always has an interesting take on the books she reviews.
  • Felicia @ The Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog: Felicia writes clever reviews and while I don’t partake, I love her Top Off Tuesday posts.
  • Cat @ Tell Me a Story: Simple reviews but to the point (which I love) they are also well written and insightful.
  • Jen @ The Introverted Reader: Jan composes honest well structured reviews and adds way too many books to my tbr.
  • Samantha McNulty @ The Little Munchkin Reader: She claims that her reviews comes out in gooble de gook, but I beg to differ thinking they are very coherent and well put together.
  • Debz @ Debz Bookshelf: I love reading her reviews/thoughts on fairy tales
  • Michelle @ The True Book Addict: I love her events and insights.
5. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

Firstly, the blogs I listed above but also the community in general, I have yet to come across a book blogger who is unwilling to lend a helping hand or is anything but kind, showed through comments and encouragement for changes/thoughts on my blog.  Also, just the fact that I have an outlet to express my thoughts on books and that anyone is nice enough to read and comment on a post I wrote means a lot too. 

14 responses to “BEA: Introduction”

  2. Michelle Miller

    Wow! I didn't know that about your gift shop. If I lived near you, I would have been your best customer. I guess we all know that I love Christmas!

    Thanks so much for mentioning me as a favorite blog. I'm touched. Nothing means more than knowing that people like and appreciate what I do so thanks from the bottom of my heart.

    I elected to not participate in A. BEA this year because I'm trying to do what my client calls "ditch overwhelm" and I am getting quite overwhelmed these days. I hope you enjoy your first one. It is a fun event. Maybe next year I'll be back at a place where I feel I can join in.

    Reply
    • Whitney

      Thank you! It was an experience, and met some interesting people (dealing with the public is always an adventure) We did have a x-mas corner up all year which made the store very festive. Although, our closing was the right move. My partner and I were able to enjoy a less-stressful life.

      It was my pleasure to mention you. When someone has as wonderful a blog as you, they deserve to be acknowledged.

      Being overwelled is a horrible feeling! I hope that comes to a close soon! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  4. West Virginia Red

    Sorry about your shop but glad it gave to time to blog. I really enjoyed Gone Girl so I will have to look up Kimberly McCreight's book. I love day one of ABEA. So many new people to meet.

    Reply
    • First Impressions

      Closing was bittersweet, but at the end of the day it was the right move. If you loved Gone Girl I think you'll like Reconstructing Amelia as I thought the pacing was very similar.

      I've enjoyed day one as well, I'm a bit behind on my commenting but I promise to stop by and say hi.

      Reply
  5. LLM

    Hi Whitney,
    Welcome to Armchair BEA! I read Reconstructing Amelia and loved it. I hope you enjoy ABEA – it is certainly nice to be able to sit in a comfy chair in sweats or pj's while participating.

    LLM – ABookGeek

    Reply
  7. Jany

    It's my first time participating in this as well! I'm trying to participate in everything, and I have to say it's a great way to meat new people (:

    Reply
  8. Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader

    Any book that causes you to consider skipping personal hygiene is a winner!

    Isn't this community the best? So welcoming and wonderful.

    It's nice to meet a fellow Midwestern blogger. I've bumped into quite a few during this event 🙂

    Happy ABEA!

    Reply

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