I Heart Book Bloggers

Time for another interview! Today I'm lucky to have have the wonderful Page Flipper, aka Chelsea, (http://thepageflipper.blogspot.com) stopping by. So without further ado, let's get started!

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be a reviewer of books?

Sure! My name's Chelsea and I'm a raging bookaholic. This kind of answers both questions – two birds one stone, right? (Which is actually something I'd never use in regular context, considering I’m an animal-loving hippy vegetarian. Poor birds.) So, I took my bookaholism and decided to turn it into something good. A type of support group, if you will, where I can share my opinion on books with people who actually care to hear it, UNLIKE my family and friends. *cough*

2. What are your favorite and least favorite parts of being a reviewer?

I love, love, love connecting with other readers, authors, and publicists. I was my own solitary book lover until now. No one really got my love of books – and now, I know a huge group of people who are just as crazy about them as me! It’s been great. My least favorite? Hmm. Tough. I love so much of it! I guess it’d be the stress. I try not to let it get to me, but I have so many books to read! And so little time! I always feel bad when a review book has been sitting on my shelf for too long.

3. What's your process of writing a review? How do you handle it if you have more things you don't like than you like?

Hmm. I don’t really have a process. I just try and give a bit of the summary – to let readers know what the book’s about and if they’d be interested. Then I give my opinion. I try to do it in a laid-back, casual way; it’s much more fun for me to make it more of a discussion than just a review, and I hope my blog readers see it the same way! I handle the dislike/like gently. I can (almost!) always find at least one thing I like in a book – after all, agents and publishers, etc, put their money into each published because they believed in it that much. I always tell my real opinion, though.

4. Have you ever had an author write to you, upset about a review?

Not really. I’ve had authors comment or slightly defend elements in their books that I’ve written negatively about, but nothing mean. I’ve had a few pushers, though - authors who continuously ask me when I’m going to review their book. It’s understandable, especially if they personally sent me their book, but it adds more pressure! I’ve got a lot of books to read.

5. I'm curious if you finish all the books you start. Do you comment on your blog about a book you don't finish?

I usually do – like I’ve said, there’s most always something I can find enjoyable in a book. I horribly disliked THE RIFLE by Gary Paulson; it was a full book basically detailing everything about a gun, but I kept chugging along. It had some depth to it in the very end, but boy was that book a pain to read!

6. How many books would you say you read, on average, per month? Where do the majority of these books come from?

Ack. That’s hard, because I fluctuate. I usually read at least one book a week, but there’ll be other weeks when I go through one a day. But with that pesky “life” thing, and my lurvely blog, my time is usually consumed. About half of the week is also sucked into the mindless, vapid stories of chattering chicas and idols of the country (AKA – television.) I wish I could live without sleep! (note from Lisa: Hey, me too!)

7. What's one interesting thing about you that not many people know?

I like to act, and I practice in front of a mirror when no one’s looking. Dorky much? I’m way too shy to pursue it, though!

8. If you were going to order a dozen cupcakes, what flavor would you get and who would you share them with?

I was reading WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson a bit ago (amazing book, btw), and in one section they were selling pomegranate cupcakes – they actually had pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top! I’ve never tried anything as rich or crazy as that, but I’ve been craving ‘em ever since! Can you crave something you’ve never tasted? Anyway, I guess it’d only be right to share them with Laurie. I wouldn’t mind. (note from Lisa: I agree - amazing!)

9. What book(s) are you especially looking forward to in the coming months?

The first one that pops into mind is Being Nikki by Meg Cabot. I loved Airhead by her, which is the first in it’s series – such a great idea, and delivered so well. But 2009 is a great year, so this answer is endless. (note from Lisa: Hear that Debs? A great year - I couldn't agree more!)

10. If someone wants to send you a book to review, how can he/she contact you?

I have all my contact info on my blog! Just head to my blog and check out the sidebar. Aside from email, I frequent Myspace and Facebook. Totally addicted!

Thanks Chelsea - your blog is great! And so are you!!