Armchair BEA Introduction

For the last three years i have been involved with Armchair BEA and although I am a couple of days behind, I am still jumping on board because it rocks, as with last year we were asked to answer five questions in our introduction posts, here are mine:

you can find the list of Questions HERE

1. Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.

Coopernook mountain looking towards  Taree
and forster. 

As most of my readers know, I blog from Australia, A small town pretty much smack bam in the middle of  Sydney and Brisbane called Taree. There isnt really any thing interesting about Taree, but there are so many amazing thins sourrunding it. 30 minutes away you can watch dolphins play each and every day, Ten minutes away you can climb a massive moutain and see any thing with in 50kms, its breath taking, then 20 mins away you can find Harrington and Crowdy Head, which are just amazing, I cant even put it in to words. 

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?

Crowdy Head

I have participated in ABEA before, and I LOVE IT!! As most people know, BEA is held in NYC and being a 25yo student from Australia, I cant just up and go to New York every June, its just not cool, ABEA gives us location-ally challenged people a chance to share in the networking that BEA does and it also helps us find a lot great friends. 

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

I am Currently reading Katie Mcgarry's Dare you to, I love Katie Mcgarry, and cant get enough of this book when it's released you should all get it and read it straight away.
My favorite book in 2013 so far is Scent of Magic by Maria V Snyder. 

4. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you?

 

What some people might not know about me is two days before New Year 2012 I was admitted to hospital, I was diagnosed with Meningitis and Septicemia, I'm not telling you this to get pity or what ever, I am telling you this because as a person who appreciates networking and knows the value of online relationships I wanted you to know why i havent been around. While I was released on January 4th I wasnt cleared of the diseases until March, and on top of the study I launched in to in February I have been struggling to find the energy to sit down and blog, I know it's not that hard of a job, but it was something that got scratched off for a while, but I am hoping to be back and getting regular posts out now I have found much of my strength has returned. 

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

Bitten By Booklust: Blair from Bitten By Booklust is one of my best friends.  We didnt actually meet through our blogs though, we met through Nanowrimo, and bonded over pretty much everything and struggle if we go a day with out talking to each other, I love this girl!!

Book'd Out:  Shelly-Rae is also an book blogger from Taree, she is always so nice to me when we run in to each other, I love the content she posts and learn a lot from her

The Rest Is Still Unwritten: I only spoke to this girl once at Harlequin Summit, she was so sweet and I love the content she posts. 

 

Best of 2012 (so Far)

So ArmchairBEA day two, and here we tell of out best reads of 2012 so far,

Well 2012 as been amazingly busy for me so far, i have mostly been enjoying the Morganville Vampire series By Rachael Caine, I read have read book 4,5 and 6 as well as Pretty in Black by Rae Hachton and Chaels luck by Mirelle Chester but my favorite books for 2012 so far are:





CoComing in at number three is: Unbreakable Love by Angela Carling, i was so impressed by this novel and Angela's still-developing-already-great-going-to-be-remarkable writing style, it was amazing, Check Out my review and Read it now!






Coming in at Numro Duo is Shut Up by Anne Tibbets, super amazing story that i havent reviewed yet but you should trust me and read it, most of you could read it in your armchair (bea) in an hour. so. . . . dont wait.


and my number one book for this year is For The Love of Scott by Jo Hamilton, oh my gosh this is the most breath taking book, it's non fiction, but its important, i can not say enough things or translat in to enough other languages to tell you how important it is to read this book. (Read Review)

Armchair BEA Intro

Armchair BEA time guys, here is day ones post, they asked us to answer some questions heres mine, enjoy and play

Who are you?
I am The Book Mystress aka Monique.
How long have you been blogging?
A little more then a year.
Why did you get into blogging?
I wanted to read more and blogged helped me keep track of what i was reading.
What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
My Favorite book that i have read so far in 2012 would have to be 'Shut up' by Anne Tibbits.
Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you?
 I love animals, my heart and soul are my pets.
 What is your favorite feature on your blog?
 I love Author Interviews and strangly enough, Reviews, i mean it's why i am here right?
Where do you see your blog in five years?
Bigger and Better, I just want my blog to keep growing at the steady pace it is.
Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
My post called 5 Things I heart That are not books i love it and read back on it often
If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?
Lisa Schroeder, she rocks
What literary location would you most like to visit?
Not too sure about this one, probably - and no i'm not a twilight fan- but Forks, i love the forrests and every thing out there its really pretty,
What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?
 Every one is  so lovely and not afraid to lend a helping hand, in other comms i have been a part of there has always been little nieches but the blogging comm is like one huge nieche where every one gets along, I must add i do love it when i see other Aussie's with blogs makes me :D
Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?
  not sure, to see less people bloggiing for free books that eirks me, need to blog for the love of it not the free of it.
Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging?
My Reading tastes have defintatly grown, but i still love most of the same genre's i did when i started blogging.

Out and About - 1

So i have come up with this little idea where i will share some interesting things i have seen around the web, i'll try to do a few a post once a week, i am hoping it kind of works as a word of mouth thing and get the word out about things that is going on on places that maybe you have looked over this week, feel free to join in, leave a link in the comments if you choose too!

1- Book'd out Before and After   over at Book'd out Shelley-Rae shares her opinion on prologues and epilogues and also asks us to share out opinion in her comments, go over and check what my self and other readers had to say.

2- In My Mailbox & Why I'm not having one Alright so i do realize i am a little bit behind on this issue and i am not going to get in to it, i can get views on my blog with out dipping in to the controversy of un-creative bloggers who bring a bad name to the rest of the bookish people. Over at Nyx Book Reviews she posted about IMM the popular weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, Like Many Nyx is choosing to boycott the Meme. At first i was like why should we suffer? TSS did something wrong but IMM and DAC brings a curtain amount of traffic to our blog, which obviously we would be DEAD with out, I was stating this on Twitter when Nyx told me about this post in her blog that links to some new meme's started in place of IMM, so stop over and check them out.



3- ArmchairBEA  BOOK EXPO AMERICA. . . . is in AMERICA and i am in AUSTRALIA sooo i am not going!!! . . . BUT there has been a creation that was created some time that a participated in last year and it was totally AWESOME its Called Armchair BEA which we can all participate in weather we are going to BEA in NYC or not. I love it last year, it was lots of fun, cant wait til it kicks off sign ups are now open. woot go and sign up.




Cool People on Twitter.

carlyle Labuschagne                          Celine                                     Sarah Madden

Like-able-things On Facebook.

Paranormal Book Club                     Guardian                                  Willow Cross

Blogigng about Blogging,

• Today is the day of the Book Blogger Convention, so  in conjunction with that event Armchair BEA will also put the focus on the “blog” portion of “book blog.” 

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• How do you utilize social networking in relation to your blog? 

• What may be the pros and cons of doing so?I believe i use social media fairly well. There are alot of people using social medias wrong when it comes to networking themselves, I have one person on my Twitter (@thebookmystress) who just spam their blog and their books, i personally only post when i have posted a entry. other then that i just try to talk to people be friendly help other bloggers out when they need it and i feel it has helped my build some reforms with other bloggers some times they may not even realize i have a blog then i may do a tweet about it they are more inclined to read it like that rather then if i just spam *follow The Book Mystress  on blogspot*.

• Share some of your favorite blogging technical tips.

•  I Dont know if i have any, i wish i knew how to make my blog roll roll, if that makes sense. oh, and no matter how pretty your blog looks on the "editpost" page it will always look different on the blog haha.

• Create a "rule list" of things you should and shouldn't be doing on a book blog. 

• Should: 

• Be yourself, 

• Be confident with what your doing, 

• Comment often, 

• comment meaningfully. 

• Shouldnt: 

• Spam The social networks, 

• be annoying,

•  be mean, 

• be rude, 

• Dont comment just to promote your blog, bloggers are a community, which means every one works together to help each other.

• I am sure there is more but i will leave this for another post

• What are your tips for balance life and blogging? 

• This one is hard for me, cause i dont generally have a life, but when life does come around it comes first. I agree that people shouldnt spend their life in front of the computer, i dont, but i have a mother who i look after alot, we are forever going places and when i am not helping her out i am generally online, so i cant answer this question

• What genre do you blog about and why? 

• I pretty much blog what ever Genre i feel like, its usually either paranormal romance or litrary fiction, YA, why because that is what i like and this is my blog lol. 

• How do you keep your blog fresh and interesting to your readers & yourself? I update my layout alot, I just blog as i go, i sometimes include posts that have nothing to do with books, and memes, i really like memes they help alot. I think as we learn more about our selfs, books and our blogs it kind of keeps out words and minds fres, 

• There are quite a few book blogging events out there. Which are your favorites and why? How do they affect your blog directly? Like memes? My Favorite memes are: 

• Booking Through Thursday, it helps my mind work  lol

•  In my Mailbox, it is good exposure for my blog to be on that linky (selfish but true)

• and top ten tuesday because its fun

Nurturing Relationships

ArmchairBEA is some thing that all of us unfortinate enough to not be able to get to BEA. check out all the info HERE

Today's topic is Nurturing Relations ships.


So headquaters asked us to speak about the friendlys we had thanks to blogging.
I love all my Aussie friends that blog about books. they are just, amazing, Kylie, Lisa, Iris, just to name a couple are some pretty awesome ones that come to mind.
When my blog first started getting more then two viewers a day i was looking for tips on how to make my blog better i ended up emailing Elani of La Famme Readers. She told me to be my self, and i have been doing that, and to be completely honest, My blog has taken of since.
I have always been a loyal person who does alot for other people. I have been putting that in to my blog and have found that helps alot too.
I am not a very old blog so i dont have a lot of bookish friends. I do practicably whore my name out though. Not in the bad way. I pretty much spend most of my night going around commenting on other peoples blogs. I try to read and leave the most honest comments that i can, I often wonder how other blogger view me.
There are alot  of blogs and bloggers i think i connect with and i frequent those blogs.
I feel like i get along with Bookish Bloggers and Authors better then i get along with most people.
I love bookish people, i wish i knew more of them personally, as a REALLY introverted person i really appreciate how friendly and supportive bloggers are.
So i think the book blogging community is just generally nurturing, and my life would definetaly be different with out it.


The Book Mystress, xx

Interview with Yvann from Reading Fueled by Tea

armchairBEA book expo America from your click here for more info

1. What is the best thing about London?
It’s so London-y. I cycle past St Paul’s Cathedral every morning and it never fails to take my breath
away. I ended up cycling past Buckingham Palace and around Trafalgar Square last night simply
because they were on my route. Cab drivers call me “luv” and tourists stop me for directions. I can go
out to the theatre whenever I want and know that short of Broadway, this is the best selection of
theatre in the world. The whole city stopped for the Royal Wedding last month and cynic though I
was until the last minute, there is something astounding about 2 million people celebrating with
simply joy the happy wedding day of two complete strangers. In Hamburg everyone is formal but
warm once you get past the efficiency. In Sydney everyone’s laid back. In Oxford, everyone’s a
genius. I love all of these cities but London is unique.
2. How do you choose what book to review next?
Sometimes, it’s the first one off the shelf. Sometimes my cousin who lives in the spare room (called
The Resident Cousin on my blog) gets to my books first and insists I read them right now.
3. Explain your blog layout why did you choose that layout?
I had a very colourful, widget-crammed layout over at Typepad, but I thought it looked a bit childish
and I am trying to make my blog more professional. So I migrated to Wordpress and tried to make it
look cleaner. One column on the sidebar bugged me though so I settled for two.
4. Sunday Salon or IMM?
Sunday Salon. I like In My Mailbox, but my influxes of books are too irregular for a weekly feature. I
like that Sunday Salon is chatty and people talk about their week in general. Now if IMM was about
the crazy things that turn up in my email mailbox…
5. Describe or put a photo of your book shelves/cases?
One standard IKEA issue Billy bookcase, in beech colour. Completely packed full, double-stacked,
books on top, books slid in between the top of the books on a shelf and the shelf above, a little pile
to the side of the bookcase… plus a few on my desk and one by the bed and a little pile at the door
waiting to go out. Until I have the dream house and library, The Physicist (my lovely husband) has
told me I may have one bookcase and one only. This might seem harsh until you realise there are
over 300 books in that one book case and I’ve read about 3% of them because I tend to get rid of
books again after I’ve read them. When he points out that I acquire books at 5 times the rate at
which I read (and I’ve read almost 40 books this year), I think he has a point.
6. Have You Ever Been To Australia?
Many, many times! Just got back from there last week.
7. Favorite thing about Book Blogging?
I started blogging because I wanted to record my thoughts about what I read. That was a year when
I read maybe 10 novels. I have read nearly 40 already this year and my love of reading has come
flooding back. The slight pressure to have something to post is enough to make me think of reading
as something I have to do, rather than a waste of time. Any excuse 
8. Least Favorite thing about Book Blogging?
I always feel like I’m missing out. My Google Reader fluctuates between 0-1000, depending on
whether I had a clear-out that week, and I know that there are so many great blogs out there that I’ll
never get to! It makes me a bit sad.


THIS OR THAT
Asia or Africa? – I love Asian food so will have to say Asia.
Ketchup or mustard? – Ketchup. Mustard is vile.
Cats or dogs? – Cats – I have two geriatric kitties at my parents’ house.
Outside or inside? – Outside in the sun, inside in a storm
Shower or bath? – Shower. Bath is just sitting in a warm puddle.
Pants or shorts? – Pants. Shorts for playing sport, but I have cyclist’s thighs and shorts are
not always flattering!
High heels or flats? – High heels. I love being tall.
Long hair or shaved? – Long hair, my nickname at school was frequently Rapunzel.
Break or tear apart? – I don’t know – in what context? I’m going with break. It sounds
more decisive.
Gas or electricity? – Gas to cook with – so much easier to adjust the heat. Electricity for
everything else – it’s greener.
Hot dog or hamburger? – Neither. Steak sandwich with cheese, bacon, onions and
mushrooms. No salad; salad’s for rabbits.
Lettuce or spinach? – Spinach. See above.
Aluminum or plastic? – Plastic usually. Unless we’re talking about aeroplanes.
Sex in the City or Melrose Place? – Never watched either. SITC film was awful. I prefer
West Wing, The Mentalist, How I Met Your Mother or The Big Bang Theory.
Brad Pitt or George Clooney? – Pitt has the facial structure of a monkey and I find it
deeply unnerving. Can I pick James McAvoy instead please (including gorgeous Scottish
accent)
Police Academy or Robocop? Never watched either. I’m an aspiring (and failing) nerd
though so I’ll go with Robocop.


This lady is a classic, how cool are some of those answers? hell yeah!!

Interview with Terry of Spades high

ABEA is awesome little thing that i am paticipating in for the week it is for people who cant get to BEA click here for all the info

Today's third interview is with Terry of Spades high

1. What is the most you have ever lost gambling?
- probably 7 oreos… I don’t really gamble, unless you consider using Doritos chips, candy and oreos as gambling when playing cards with my husband. =)
2. Have you ever been to Huntington Beach? (my dream destination)
- no I haven’t, sadly I haven’t traveled much. Thank goodness for the Internet!!
3. Best Thing about America?
- Free speech, free religion, and the food portion of Fast Food Restaurants… Did you see how big a small drink is in McDonalds!? It’s the size of a medium! LoL
4. Did you watch/enjoy the Royal wedding?
- I’m not really much for T.V. and when I do, it’s usually cartoons (18mo son) or TV Series. I watch the news scarcely.
5. Favorite thing about blogging?
- Meeting new people… Everyone is so creative, and it’s a great way of meeting new people from the comfort of your own home.
6. least favorite thing about blogging?
- Never enough time to do everything and you risk the tendency of technical problems.
7. describe or send a photo of your bookshelves/cases

8. Ever been to Australia?
- no, but I would love to!! Anyone want to buy me a ticket? ^_^

THIS Or That

Brad Pitt or George Clooney? – Brad PItt
Police Academy or Robocop? – Police Academy
Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston? – Angelina Jolie
Comedy or horror? – Comedy
Detective or documentary? – Documentary
Facts or fiction? Depends, I always want to know facts; but I love to read fiction
Books or movies? - Both, it’s hard to choose
Laptop or desktop? – Laptop
Microsoft or Apple? – Apple
Underwater or high in the sky? – High In the Sky
Peanuts or Snoopy? – Neither, im not a fan of the Peanuts and Snoopy anything
The Smurfs or Tintin? The Smurfs!!!
Roger Moore or Sean Connery – Sean Connery

Interview with Chrystal from Snowdrop Dreams

ABEA is awesome, you should paticipate click here for the info



Today second interview is of Crystal from Snowdrop Dreams

1. What is the best thing aout Canada? Good question - EVERYTHING! The beautiful landscape, the diversity of culture, the museums, the history... I could go on and on.

2. How do you get books on your ipod? (need to know) Ummm... I only load audio books on my ipod using a program the my local library uses. So I don't think I will be much help there. I use a Sony Pocket Reader for my ebooks (which comes with it's own program to load them with).

3. Why did you name your blog Snowdrop Dreams? I used to write reviews for a site that reviewed romance novels and instead of using our names we used flower names - I chose Snowdrop because it means new beginnings and hope (which I was in desperate need of at the time). Then when I ventured out on my own to review I decided I liked Snowdrop so much and that this was a dream come true - so Snowdrop Dreams of Books became my blog name. 

4. I love crafting too, I am thinking about scrapbooking any tips? Don't let others push you into spending too much money on supplies right away. Pick the things you like or are drawn to and let your gut help you design - it is your scrapbook afterall and should reflect your personality and your style. Start with a small porject first, beacuse taking on too much at once can be frustrating and make you not want to continue.

5. Describe or put a photo of your book shelves/cases (I've attached a picture for you) I have my main bookcase organized by colour. It makes me happy to look at everyday.

6. Have You Ever Been To Australia? Yes back in 2004! I had a three week trip along the Gold Coast! I loved every minute of it. Held a koala bear, fed kangaroos and a walaby. Made a scrapbook about my adventure. (I'll attach a picture of that too)

7. Favorite thing about Book Blogging? Meeting other bloggers, finding great new books from reading other book blogs and being able to be me and spread my love of books!

8. Least Favorite thing about Book Blogging? When blogger stops working. :(

THIS OR THAT

Asia or Africa? Africa

Ketchup or mustard? Mustard

Cats or dogs? CATS!

Outside or inside? Both depending on the season

Shower or bath? Bath

Pants or shorts? Pants

High heels or flats? Flats

Long hair or shaved? Long hair

Break or tear apart? Break

Gas or electricity? Electricity

Hot dog or hamburger? Hot Dog

Lettuce or spinach? Lettuce

Aluminum or plastic? Plastic

Sex in the City or Melrose Place? SATC!

Brad Pitt or George Clooney? Brad Pitt

Police Academy or Robocop? Police Academy

Small note from The Book Mystress: How AWESOME is the color coded book case? and Koalas arent Bears they are just Koalas but they are still cute all the same, thanks so much Chrystal, xx

Interview with Meaghan from a Little Bookish

ABEA continues today is day three find out all the info here

Today is interview day todays first interview is of Meaghan from Feeling A Little Bookish, enjoy!

I'm really excited to be participating in this blogger interview!  Thanks for having me! 

1. What is the best thing about Canada?
I love Canada.  I don't know what it is exactly but it is amazing.  We have so beautiful parks and campsites.  We also have free (well paid for through taxes) healthcare which is has its ups and downs but mostly I am thankful for this.  I love Canada's education system and how there seems to be less of a gap between the rich and the poor compared to other countries (this is not to say that there isn't a gap but it seems less than other countries).  Anyhow, I can't really sum up what I love about Canada other than that it is beautiful.  If you haven't visited I suggest you do.  

2. describe your book selves or send a picture?
Here are some pictures of my bookcase.  It is set up right now to divide two rooms and I have completely filled both the front and the back of my bookcase.  It is huge and it took a long time to put together.  I have always said the best test of a relationship is to put together IKEA furniture and my fiancee and I survived that challenge twice with this shelf.  I have my shelf divided into different sections.  I have all my hard covers together, all my trade paperback books and then all my mass market paperbacks together.  I also have a huge middle grade shelf and a shelf for all my teaching materials.  

3. how close are you to your goal of 100 for the year?
Right now I am book number 53.   I haven't been able to make my target for the last two years but I think I will this year.  My reading may slow down in the summer because I am getting married in August.  I'm hoping it won't though because I have the summer off work.  

4. how do you prounounce Ottawa?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is pronounced as follows: Ott-uh-wa.  Pretty much the same way it is spelled. 

5. Ever Been to Australia?
I have never been to Australia but I have always wanted to.  It's just not in the budget right now.  I'm hoping to save up and go one year over the summer.  

6. Best book ever?
Best book ever? This is a tough one.  I have so many favourites.  I can't just pick one so I'll give you a couple of my faves.  Here they are: 
1. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood- This is the ultimate dystopian novel.  
2. This much I know is True by Wally Lamb- It is an amazing story about two brothers. 
3. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling- not much explanation needed.  
Well, I guess I gave you my top 3.  

7. any pets?
Well, I live with my in-laws right now and they have a dog who I always call my pet.  His name is Webber and he is the sweetest thing you've ever seen.  He's a weimaraner and he thinks he is a lap dog sometimes.  He is also my reading buddy; he follows me outside everytime I read on the deck and he lays there with me until I go in. 

8. Why do you blog?

I really like the network of other book lovers you meet.  I can't get enough of finding the latest book and this gives me the opportunity to write about something I have passion for.  

This or That

Eat in our out? I prefer to eat in but I must admit I get lazy sometimes and then eating out it is.  

Car or subway? In Ottawa, I say a car but in Toronto I say the subway. 

Oprah or Jerry? If I had to chose I guess Oprah although I'm not a huge fan of either. 

White or black? what about gray?  

In the country or abroad? Hmm... I love travelling but I also like being home.  So I say a balance of the two. 

Madonna or Paris Hilton? Neither... if I had to pick I guess I'd say Madonna because at least she has contributed something of substance to our culture. 

Ocean or mountains? Definitley oceans.  I love swimming and had a blast snorkeling in Barbados in February. 

Forrest or beach? Hmm.. I love camping but I also love laying out on a beach and reading.  I have to pick both. 

Ice cream or sorbet? Definitely ice cream but I do love a good gelato. 

Best of 2011. . . so far?

Alright so you already know i am participating in ABEA you know this link is where you can find out all about it and you know that i am awesome?

Today asks, what is your favorite  book of 2011 that has and/or hasnt been released yet.

Hmm i think my favorite so far has to be  Clarity by Kim Harrington.

And i can not wait to read

Die For Me by Amy Plum

which i received in the mail on monday

I have also read The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, it is devine and i will review it closer to release date.

How about you what are your picks? Comment below or leave the link to your post.

The Book Mystress, xx

Ps: i am going to do a post shortly with a link to alot of giveaways if you want your link posted please email me, or comment, or put it in twitter @thebookmystress.