Tuesday, September 14, 2010

BBAW Interview Swap


As part of the BBAW events I get the opportunity to interview Amy from My Friend Amy. I was rather excited because this week was all her idea and she deserves lots of recognition for such a great idea!

1. As the brains behind Book Blogger Appreciation Week, what has it come to mean to you? Has it changed how you look at the blogging community?

BBAW has always been a labor of love for me. I am genuinely thrilled there's a group of such amazing, intelligent, thoughtful people who take time out of their lives to write about books. I love the way book blogging allows us to create community around books as well as discover new ones. I am still amazed by this.

Yes it has changed the way I view the community in that I realized it's truly a community. Which means that the first year I went into it all naive and honeymoon-ish and was quickly reminded that real flesh and blood individuals write book blogs. And even though I have the best of intentions with BBAW, I will at times hurt people feelings without meaning to or cause them to feel marginalized when that is the opposite of my goal. It's something that I've really had to keep in mind every year. I hope that most bloggers know the very last thing I want to do is make them feel any less than appreciated--which they are--deeply.

2. What are some books that you are particularly interested in buying when they come out?

I really like YA paranormal and dystopian. These are the kinds of books I end up spending more money on than others. I really rely on recommendations for other purchases, or trusted authors.

3. If you had to pick three, what were your favourite reads of the year?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins was the most powerful read for me.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Sacredness of Questioning Everything by David Dark

4. You get a chance to guest star on one of your favourite tv shows. Which show would it be and what would your character be doing?

Um, I would totally guest star on The Vampire Diaries and I would be seducing Damon naturally! :P

5. Is there a book you have read in the last couple years that you would love to see made into a movie? If so, any thoughts on the casting?

You know, I would really like to see Hate List by Jennifer Brown made into a move-- it felt very cinematic while I was reading it. However, I have no idea on casting, I'm terrible at that!

6. Earlier this year I talked about childhood and books that you feel have influenced you as a result of reading them back then. Do you have a book that you feel influenced who you are today?

You know, I'm puzzling over this question. I think the Little House books framed what I think of as family and survival, the BFG taught me all not all monsters are bad, and the Best Christmas Pageant Ever made me realize that beauty is for everyone. But that's not a great answer is it? These were all books my mom read out loud to me.

7. On Historical Tapestry a few people have been posting about their 'Books of a Lifetime'. If you were to make a list off the top of your head spanning your life so far, what would you choose to include?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Silence by Shusaku Endo
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers
Nothing but Ghosts by Beth Kephart
The Baby-sitters Club by Ann M. Martin
Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

8. Have you discovered any new blogs this year that you believe deserve more attention?

I really love Jason Gignac's blog Moored at Sea. He blogs sporadically but he's one of the most insightful writers out there I think. Another blog I really love is Sarah Clarkson's Thoroughly Alive. Sarah has an amazing gift for words and a deep and abiding love for story.

9. If people could know just one thing about you, what would it be?

That I do my best.

10. We have been discussing another buddy review. Any thoughts on what book you want to read for it?

I thought we were going to do The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters! (ha ha ha! Oops! We are! Don't mind me... lol)

23 comments:

  1. Great interview! I enjoyed reading Amy's answers! Yes, I'd love to see Hate List made into a movie because I thought that was both powerful and thought-provoking!

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  2. Oh Amy, you're wonderful my dear!!!! Seriously, what you do for this community is incredible and mind blowing, really. You do so much more than your best. I'm surprised you can even stand at the end of the day :p I'd be exhausted!! LOL. *hugs* Loved y'alls interviews you two!!

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  3. The body of this post is showing up so dark I can't read it.

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  4. Oh I love that question about other blogs! And not just because it was Jason's blog mentioned. :D

    You do a wonderful job with all this BBAW stuff Amy! And personally, I thought your childhood influence answer was perfect.

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  5. Melody: I apparently really need to read the Hate List.

    Chris: I agree with you entirely!

    Jeanne: ugh, I am so sorry about that. I scheduled it and am just reading it myself now. I fixed it, though. Apologies!

    Amanda: I really liked her childhood influence answer, too!

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  6. What a great interview; insightful questions, lovely answers.

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  7. Thanks for fixing it; I loved finding out more about Amy! Um, should I mention that the BBAW link goes to Moored at Sea rather than this post?

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  8. Great interview. I loved to know more about Amy!

    Here is my BBAW: Interview post!

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  9. Word Lily: Thanks!

    Jeanne: *sigh* I am having an off day... lol Well, at least people will read Jason's blog today. ha ha!

    gautami tripathy: Thanks!

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  10. Great to hear more about Amy, though not surprised she would want to seduce Damon... ;) I'm happy to see that you really loved Gone With the Wind too!

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  11. Nice interview! I love the question about books from childhood that have influenced who you are today. Good stuff - thanks for sharing!

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  12. Great interview, good to find out a little more about Amy.

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  13. Nice, informative interview!

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  14. Love the interviews. Glad Amy started the BBAW.

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  15. It's obvious that Amy does her best - she's such a big part of this community because of it.

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  16. Yay Amy! I would have to say Amy is THE most influential blogger I know. :)

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  17. Wonderful interview, Kelly. And fun to learn some new things about Amy. What I love about Amy is how genuine she is. And wow--how varied her book lists are!

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  18. Anonymous6:42 PM

    Amy's best is pretty damn great!

    And I love question #4...that's just a perfect question to ask her!

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  19. softdrink: I thought question 4 was a good question! I am glad people approved!

    Trish: I love how genuine Amy is, too. I was very excited I got to be the one to interview her. :)

    Care: I would have to agree!

    Chrystal: Thanks!

    bermudaonion: I hope she never thinks that people don't think she is doing her best...

    Miz Tipsy: Thanks!

    jenclair: Thanks!

    Darren: Yeah, it is fun to learn more about people. :)

    celi.a: I really liked that question when it popped into my head. I thought it was a bit different.

    Amy: I really need to read Gone With the Wind!

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  20. +JMJ+

    Yay for Jane Eyre! =D That would be on my list, too. Jane's circumstances could not be more different from mine, and yet sometimes I reread certain passages and think, "That's my life!!!"

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  21. What an awesome interview, ladies!!! And Amy--your best is pretty damn good...and we're all so lucky to have you!

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  22. I enjoyed learning more about Amy -- you asked some good questions!

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