Blogger Fame Interview: Melissa from Mel's Books and Info!

Blogger Fame is a meme that features a blogger once a week. I currently have a lot of entries, once it clears up, I'll add the link to join again.

Today's celebrity is . . .

Melissa from Mel's Books and Info!

"I am usually the one taking the pictures it is rare to find me in one--here is one of me with my nose in a book as usual!"

Name: Melissa

Age: 33

Location: Indiana

Blog Name: Mel's Books and Info

Twitter: @wheems01

1) Melissa, what inspired you to start your blog, Mel's Books and Info?

M: I actually started blogging because I wanted to start a blog for my library, but I wanted it to look like I knew what I was doing. So I created a personal blog first. That way if I made mistakes it only reflected on me, not my employer. As I started to research the blogs out there and to develop my own I discovered that I really enjoyed blogging. I loved what I was doing and I loved sharing my thoughts on books with others who were interested. It was like finding a place where I belonged.

2) What is the best and worst part about blogging?

M: The best part about blogging is sharing my thoughts with others who appreciate and love books as much as I do. I love hearing feed back from readers who share their opinions on the books I am reading. I think the worst part of blogging, or the hardest part of blogging for me is coming up with topics and ideas for new posts. I am always reading a book but keeping the content interesting can be difficult at times.

3) Which is your favorite genre to review?

M: I love fantasy and it is easily my favorite genre to read and review.

4) What are your top five favorite books of all time?

M: Only five? That's tough.

1. In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce (Song of the Lioness Quartet bk. 2--I read this book before I read book 1)

2. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

3. Sabriel by Garth Nix (Actually I love this entire series so any of the books would be great)

4. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

5. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

5) Who is your favorite author? If you had the chance to meet them, what would you say?

M: My favorite author is Tamora Pierce and I did actually get to meet her. I was starstruck. I have loved her books since I was in middle school and had always wanted to meet her. A few years ago she came to a library in central Indiana and I took the day off just so I could travel there to hear her speak and actually meet her. What did I say? "Um, uh, I love your books!" Did I mention that I am terribly shy?!

6) Do you have any quirks while you write your reviews?

M: No quirks, unless you count writing them in my head first. I have a weird habit of composing in my head. I will walk around for days with paragraphs and sentences in my head with details I plan to put in my reviews or whatever it is I am writing. Sometimes I actually remember to include them, sometimes I completely forget what it was I wanted to say. I have started carrying note cards with me! :)

7) If you could make a fictional story come alive, which would you pick and why?

M: I would love to live in the world of Tortall that Tamora Pierce created. I loved her characters and would love to meet them. If I could make them come alive it would be great!

8) Currently, which book cover(s) are you lusting over?

M: I love the covers of Desires of the Dead (simple but tasteful and mysterious) and I really enjoyed seeing the new cover for Supernaturally.

9) Which type five blogs do you continually visit?

M: I am a blogger who lurks, so while you don't often see me comment, I am there reading your posts. I would say the 5 that I have to visit would be:

1. Yours (La Femme Readers)--I live by your Tantalizing Future YA Releases feature. (Eleni: Aww - thank you sweets, I'm glad you enjoy them. xoxo)

2. Presenting Lenore

3. Cleverly Inked

4. Super Librarian

5. Persnickety Snark

10) If you had to give advice to a newcomer, what would you tell them about blogging?

M: Take it one step at a time. Keep at it and make friends. This can be a lot of fun.

Random Questions:

• If you could save one book from the destruction of all books, which would it be? YIKES! That's a hard one. Would I be selfish if I said my copy of In the Hand of the Goddess by Pierce?
• Favorite guilty pleasure? I know they aren't YA, but I love Christina Skye's Draycotte Abbey romances! I am also developing a fondness for Karen Moning's Darkfever--I haven't finished it yet, but I think I might be picking up a few more in the near future.
• Favorite bookstore to shop in? I love Barnes and Noble
• Judge book by cover or summary? Both. I admit that covers are often what catch my eye, but if the summary doesn't sell it, I won't buy it.
• Favorite TV show? Who Do You Think You Are?--I love the history aspect and Castle--Nathan Fillion (need I say more)
• Which book do you recommend we all read? That's a hard one because not every book is for everyone. I think I will pass on that one! :)
• Describe yourself in three words? Mother, Librarian, Reader
• Favorite character you'd love to have babies with? I think I will pass on this one too.... ;)

*Where The Blog Magic Happens*

"I share a computer with my husband, and often our son plays while we type--hence the mess. To be honest most of my planning, plotting, and posting is done in my head or on paper long before I type."

"The last two pics are of my personal library. That was the one thing I really wanted to have when we bought our house--a room for my books. It now shares space with my husband and son's train table, but hey, I still have all my shelves."

Thank you Melissa for this fun interview!

I absolutely loved your room of bookshelves! :)

Make sure you visit her blog:

Mel's Books and Info