BBAW: The Interview Swap

This year I got the honor of interviewing a blogger that was brand new to me, Honey of Coffeespoons.  Just by perusing her blog over the last few days I have to tell you I really like her taste in books.  I'm looking forward to getting to know her and her blog better over the years.  So with no more chatter from me, I present Honey in her own words.  By the way, I know we would both love it if after reading this interview you went over to her site and said hi.  Of course you are more than welcome to read her interview with me while you are there.

1. What got you into reading? Have you been a book lover all your life or did it happen later on?

My mom got me into reading. I like to tell the story of how, when I was 3 years old, my mom brought me to a mall, and she told me she was going to buy me a book. I remember that clearly, even if I was that young, because it struck me that my mom seemed so happy and excited to get me this thing called a "book." I remember I had no idea what a book was, but I thought, "If mommy's so excited about it, it must be great!" So she bought me copies of Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. And every night thereafter, she'd read me one of those books. Or at least, every night she wasn't at duty in the hospital, which was more often than I liked. Anyway, I've been into books ever since.:)

2. What inspired you to start your own blog? What do you like the most about blogging?

Well, I joined this online book group at Shelfari called Flips Flipping Pages in 2008. Back then, I just wanted to talk about books with people who were willing to talk about books. Then it got to the point that talking didn't seem to be enough, that I had to write about it. (Oh, also, I was immensely bored with the job I had then.) So, I started a blog, mostly for me. First it started out as a way to document my reading goals. Then it became about the need to do something creative, like write, because, I learned, one way to survive in a job that bored you is having a creative outlet. Then, it became the need to know the community better. I think these three things are what I love about blogging. (Sorry I can't name just one!) I love book blogging because I talk about what I love. I love it because it allows me to do something creative for me alone. And I love blogging because of the people I've met through it, some of whom have become my friends in the real world.:)

3. What book has most influenced the way you see life and your role in it?

Gosh, this book changes depending on what phase I am in my life, I think. I always say that my favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, because when I first read it, it floored me. And I had to stop at all those great quotable quotes to just really think about it. Like, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." I took that and still take that to heart. Or Scout's quote about reading: "Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing." I mean, it's not a life changer, but it sure echoes a truth I believe in.

But since we take different roles at different parts of our lives, books that influence me change, too. One of the books that made a great impact on me was Blind Assassin. Just the thought of a woman who battles both little and big things in very small ways was something that began to resonate with me very much.

4. Has your taste in books changed as you've gotten older? What genres did you enjoy earlier in life and what genres do you read now?

Oh yes, indeedy. I used to read a lot of trashy bestsellers when I was in high school (read: Sidney Sheldon, Judith Krantz, Danielle Steele, romance novels). My apologies to those who like these books. I used to like them. But now, I don't. I tried rereading them, and lost patience. Then, when an old boyfriend gave me a Piers Anthony Xanth series, I got into a sci-fi/fantasy phase, which lasted till college. After my sci-fi/fantasy phase, I got into a classics phase, till I finished college. Then, strangely, I only started liking Young Adult lit when I started working already. Now, I read a mixture of all those other genres that I liked. Generally now, I read contemporary lit and young adult, but I also like a fast-paced bestseller or a good mystery, or even a vampire novel. And fantasy, and science-fiction. And I'm trying out non-fic, too. So, yes, I'm an eclectic reader.

5. What authors can you never get enough of? If they are current authors do you reread their older books while waiting for new releases?

I love Jane Austen. I used to reread Pride and Prejudice every year. I guess I should start doing that again, huh? But I don't like any of the Jane Austen inspired books. As for current authors, I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman and Jasper Fforde. I think they're the only authors I really follow. I've read all of Fforde's books and Gaiman's trade books. Not all of Gaiman's graphic novels, though, because they cost a bit here. Anyway, I hardly reread, except for a few authors, like Austen or, um, Shakespeare. (Kind of embarrassing, but yes, I'm a fan.) Oh wait! Charlaine Harris, but only her Southern Vampire mysteries and her Harper Connelly books. If these authors don't come out with new releases, I'm ok. There are lots of other books on my Mt. TBR.:)

6. How much of your day do you get to devote to reading? Do you get to read whenever you want to or do you have to make time for it?

Oh, gosh. You know, last year, I read and read and read. I quit that job I was bored in and got a job that fits the kind of schedule I wanted, so I had the time I wanted to read. Now, because that new job has suddenly become more hectic (in a good way), I don't get to read as much per day. Actually, I do read a lot, because my job requires me to, and I like the stuff that I read. But, I guess, since I have to read more now at work, sometimes when I get home, I just want to turn on the TV and surf through the channels. I don't spend as much time on leisure reading as I did last year. But I guess that's ok. I honestly find the stuff I read for work fun.

7. What is your favorite book that you may be embarrassed by?

Twilight. Hah! Actually, Twilight isn't my favorite book, but I did truly enjoy reading it, because it was just a delicious romance. And, after reading the last part of your question, this book immediately popped into my head. I know a lot of people hated it, but, what can I say? I was tickled by the love story. So, when friends find out that I liked Twilight, they look at me weird, and I know I dropped in their estimation a tad, but hey--I figure if we can't like what we like, what's the point in reading?

8. Other than reading, what do you do for fun? Are you a adventure seeker or do you like something a little closer to home?

Ooh, I like reading. Hahahaha! Gosh, I'm such a one-trick pony. Actually, for fun, I like eating. There, I said it. Sometimes, I like eating better than reading. I like going out and finding hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve good food and are affordable. And then, I bring my family there and tell my friends about it. Also, I love hanging out with my kids. I've two beautiful children, aged 6 and 5. It doesn't matter how rough my day has been: I go home, and I play with them, and I think, "What the heck was I bothered about?"

9. Tell use some little know factoids about yourself.

In college, I majored in Electrical and Electronics Engineering till I was in my fourth year. And then I had an epiphany. I realized my passion was literature. And teaching. So, I shifted courses and went into education. Spent 2 additional years in college, but I never looked back.

I hate roaches. I hate them, I hate them, I hate them.

I love cakes. I love them, I love them, I love them.

I used to know the entire libretto of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon. Oh, and I also memorized all the songs in Disney's Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Why? Just cause.

I would like to thank Honey for her time and encourage everyone to go and tell her hi!