This year I will be blogging once again from Virtual Booth #221b for Armchair BEA 2013.
Yes, that is a Sidney Paget illustration of Holmes in an armchair, with his ever faithful companion Watson in one as well. But on to the introduction…
– Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
I am a writer, photographer, critic, and aspiring woman of letters. I have been writing book reviews for almost 4 years now, but I wrote film reviews prior to that. I sort of fell into book blogging by accident. Someone I followed on Twitter made a comment about it and I responded. Well, once I found out that people would send me books as long as I wrote about them. Reading and writing and books!
– Where in the world are you blogging from?
I am in the beautiful Savannah, Georgia, USA. It was founded in 1733 by Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe, a British subject. At its inception, both alcohol and lawyers were banned from Savannah. Today we have plenty of both. In our lovely historic district, people are welcome to carry a “traveler”, an alcohol beverage in a to-go cup. I’ve been here for nearly 10 years now and I haven’t tired of it. We have ancient oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss, beautiful squares and parks, several blocks of historic homes and buildings and a truly friendly atmosphere.
– What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?
I’m currently reading The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black by E.B. Hudspeth. It’s a beautiful book that has compiled the letters, notes and drawings of a (mad) scientist. The favorite thing I’ve read recently is The Honey Thief by Najaf Mazari and Robert Hillman. It weaves ancient tales into modern day, like an Arabian Nights for this generation.
– Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).
One of my favorites is Futility Closet: An Idler’s Miscellany of Compendious Amusements. It’s a rolling blog of random bits of cool info, illusions, archaic words, art and puzzles. I also like Design with Spine, a sort of cabinet of curiosity online. And when I am feeling crafty I like to see what is up at Just Something I Made.
– Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
As for a book review, I want everyone to read my post on The Accused by Joyce Carol Oates. One of my favorite film reviews was for a little-known movie called Glorious 39. I also like my series of found photos.
Now, on to the Classics…
Some that have always stuck with me, and I would recommend to all readers:
- The Woman In White, The Moonstone and Armadale by Wilkie Collins.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- All the Sherlock stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Anything, but especially Jeeves & Wooster, by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Count of Monte Cristo (unabridged) by Alexandre Dumas
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
I think everyone should read the unabridged version of Monte Cristo. It’s just amazing with so many sub-plots and side stories. Yes, it’s lengthy but you still won’t want it to be over.
Check back later in the week for some fun giveaways, too!