Armchair BEA: Introductions!

It's time for Armchair BEA! That's where those of us at home can enjoy some bookish/blogging fun just like those who are attending the actual BEA event in New York! Some day I may actually go and experience what seems like an intense week of all things bookish, but for now, I'll have fun connecting here online instead.

We'll be doing things all week related to BEA. For a complete run down of the things planned, check out this post on the main website.

Today's task is to introduce ourselves. Wow, I feel like I've talked about myself so much lately! There's really nothing left to tell! But in the chance that someone new comes to visit this week and hasn't heard my whole blogging life story already, here goes:


Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

Mostly, I'm a mom. My kids are making my crazy by growing up. In fact, this week, kid #3 is graduatiing from high school. I have two that are already in college and off on their own adventures. And only one left that will be hanging out with me for a few more years. And I myself, still feel about 17 years old, or so.

I've been blogging here for just over six years now. I started because I wanted to connect with he people from my Yahoo book groups who were all started to blog too and posting challenge lists and all sorts of other fun bookish things. I had thought about doing a blog for years, but was nervous. Then I started a personal one the year before, but it wasn't long before it all morphed into a book one... with personal added now and then.

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

I'm blogging from Utah where we have an amazing amount of local famous authors. (Some of the most famous: Shannon Hale, Brandon Sanderson, James Dashner, Ally Condie, Rick Walton, etc.) This means we have lots of author events, and lots of bloggers that participate  The real life bookish community here is pretty cool and lots of fun.

As far as my actually physical space in the state.. I live pretty much within walking distance of a most awesome mountain canyon, at the foot of a mountain called Timpanogos after an Indian legend. I love this mountain more than words can say.

The mountain

The canyon

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? 

I've been here since the beginning. I love it because it's one of the best fun ways to connect with other bloggers and make new friends.

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

This week I've started Beautiful Ruins, Paris (the new Rutherford one) and Hood. None of them are really grabbing me yet.

I don't know what my favorite book so far this year has been. Maybe The World's Strongest Librarian, or Through the Ever Night, or Quintana of Charyn... I don't know!

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

Maybe you don't know that I played the clarinet for the BYU marching band for three years.  And the first year that I was in this band, was the year our team became the national champs. It was a very exciting game.

So much fun! 

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read? 

One of my favorites is when I talked about how author signings are pretty scary when you are shy. I have gotten over some of this since writing that post, but its still a bit scary!

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 

Markus Zusak of course. Who else is there? :) I doubt I'd be eating much though.

There are so many characters I'd love to meet, I don't even know where to start!

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why? 

Prince Edward Island.... this one has always topped the list for real life locations anyway.

As for made up ones? Rivendell I think.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

I just love that, though we are all different, we all have a huge passion for books and reading and that it's fun to find so many people who you can talk with that share this craziness.

Happy Armchair BEA everyone!