Utah Book Month - Blogger Interview - JESSICA @ The Bluestocking Society

    I am so excited to interview Jessca from the book blog Blue Stocking Society for the Utah Book Month celebration.   *****   1. What inspired you to help start Utah Book Month?

I’ve been involved with the Utah book blog community for years – even attending the first Utah blogger event in early 2009. And I loved the idea of Utah Author Month, when Natasha first mentioned it on her blog. Unfortunately, Natasha didn’t have the time to get it going. Then, earlier this year, Suey of It’s All About Books and I had several discussions about the best ways to foster the Utah book community. At the same time, she was having similar conversations with Emily of Emily’s Reading Room, Penelope of The Reading Fever, and Enna from Squeaky Books. So, we all got together for a couple of brainstorming questions (first online via Google docs and then in person) and came up with Utah Book Month. Utah Book Month has been even better than we even imagined, because of all of the great Utah authors and book bloggers who are participating.

2. How do you find time to read and blog?

It’s not always easy. I work part-time as an attorney and stay home with my two-year-old, in addition to all of life’s other responsibilities. But I always have a book with me, usually several. I have books on my phone, on my Kindle, and in actual printed form. And so I read whenever I have a spare moment. I also squeeze in a few extra books a month by listening to audio books in the car.



3. Do you have any other hobbies besides reading and blogging?

Um, does buying books count? Other than bookish things, I like to play the piano and organize – whether it be my book collection (a definite work in progress), an event, or pieces of family history.



4. What was your favorite childhood book (the book that made you fall in love with reading)?

There are three, really: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl, and Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White. I had always been a reader (and a voracious one at that), but I like to think I fell in love with reading when I received all three of these books in hardback for my seventh birthday. I think it was then that I realized that books can be treasures. I still have all three (rather worn) copies of those books.

 

5. Favorite book you have read as an adult?

So not a fair question. But if forced to choose just one, I think I may safely say The Book Thief. It’s a lovely, beautiful, aching book.

6. Favorite Utah Author? Book?

Again, not fair. But I’ll try. I loved Shannon Hale’s books before I even knew she was a local author. More recently discovered Utah favorites are Sara Zarr and Terry Tempest Williams. My favorite books of those three are respectively, The Goose Girl, Once was Lost, and When Women Were Birds.

7. I noticed that you read a wide range of genres (from Charlotte's Web to 50 Shades of Grey). Do you read what you want or generally try to stick within specific genres?

I kind of wander wherever I will when it comes to reading. There are some restrictions, of course. I belong to two book clubs, so that is two mandated books a month right there, plus there are review books and the like. But when left up to my own devices, I generally read whatever looks good at the moment. I buy a lot of books (and I have a Kindle), so I always have a wide variety to choose from, even in the middle of the night.

8. Why did you start blogging?

I started a personal blog in June 2007 that covered various topics. But I found that I wanted to write more and more about books and engage more in the book blog community, so I started The Bluestocking Society in January 2008. I have had ups and downs with blogging, but I don’t foresee a time when I quit interacting with other book lovers online.

 

9. Favorite music? TV show? Time of year?

Sadly, I’m not much of a music person these days, especially since I started listening to audio books in the car. But I am excited for new albums coming out by The Killers and Dave Matthews Band.

My favorite TV show of all time is the Gilmore Girls. My favorite show on the air right now is Project Runway. And probably my favorite show that is currently running is Mad Men.

My favorite time of year, hands down, is fall. I love me some pumpkins.

10. Favorite place to read?

Oh, anywhere will do, but I do love to read in bed.

11. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

London is at the top of the list at the moment. I want to see all of the bookish places I’ve read about my whole life.

 

  ******   Thanks for stopping by Jessica, it was fun to get to know you. :) You can learn more about Jessica on her blog, twitter and goodreads.   Reminder: Tonight is the Utah Book Bash, more information about the party can be found  @ Bluestocking Society.