Day two of Book Blogger Appreciation Week involves learning about some of the people behind each blog. I was paired with Cari of Cari’s Book Blog. I asked her a lot of questions, from what are her pet peeves, to the highs and lows of being a book blogger. This is what I’ve found out.

OK, the obligatory tell us about your blog question first. For people who don’t follow your blog (yet), what can they expect from Cari’s Book Blog?
I would like to think I’m not your typical blogger who does meme’s. I review books, I share what I’m reading at the time, post pictures from events I have attended, and host giveaways. One of my favorite things to do is interviews, because as a fan I want to know more about the author. There are no set rules to what my blog is, because it changes depending on who I am at that moment in time.

What book are you reading right now, and what drew you to it?
I normally only read one book and listen to one audio, but right now I’m listening to one book and reading three. The audio is The Book of Blood and Shadows by Robin Wasserman and narrated by Emily Janice Card. I heard about this from Maureen Johnson when she was in town promoting The Name of the Star.

For my bed time read: I started A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, because I love the HBO show so I really should read the books, but I’m a little intimidated by the 700 pages!

For my lunch time book: I’m reading Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry this one was sent to me by a publicity company and I went to see Melissa Marr at Murder by the Book and she mentioned it.

I also need to finish Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton. I started the book last month and I’m half way done so I’m hoping to finish it in a weekend.

One of the first things that impressed me about your blog is the space reserved for your signed book shelf! I love it! How did that collection start?

Thank you! That picture is so outdated that my signed books have now taken over a second small shelf that holds about 100 books. A little over three years ago, I discovered that authors went on tour and that you could go and have your books signed! I’m lucky to live in Houston, TX, where we have great indie bookstores that bring events. I slowly started going to any and every event I could find and when an author I love doesn’t come to town I order from other indie bookstores and have them shipped.

Still on the signed books – I see a lot of copies of certain books. I am all for multiple copies (especially for books I love – I want the new covers). What’s the book you have the most copies of (and why that book)?
That would be any book by Maggie Stiefvater. I should explain I love hardcover copies so I have all of those. I also have the advance readers copies signed and a few paperbacks from the UK and US.  I might also have a few extras that I lend to people.

Your living space is on fire, and you have only enough time to grab 5 books and escape! What five books would you grab?
Ah yeah I would just about die. I think I’m pretty realistic and know that everything can be replaced but if I had to make a choice I would say:

• Signed Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (everyone must read this)
• Daughter of Smoke and Bone (signed advance readers copy)
• Paperback Shiver that Maggie Stiefvater doodled in
• The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting (signed first edition again everyone must read this)
• Geektastic signed by Cassandra Clare, John Green, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith, David Levithan, Scott Westerfield, Sara Zarr, Holly Black, and Hope Larson.

You’ve been blogging since 2009 – a few years now. What’s the best thing about being a book blogger for you? What’s the worst?
Book blogging has opened so many doors for me. I had no idea that book blogging was even a thing and from it I got a job at an indie bookstore and I have made so many friends. I’ve been able to help debut authors by giving them a place to promote their books. I’m not your typical blogger who works with publishers so I always feel like I fly under the radar.

The worst is trying to stay positive when so much drama has surrounded the book blogging community. I think there will always be people who will try and bring you down but I just have to remember to put the blinders on and keep focused on my own blog and do it because I love it.

Do you have any bookish pet peeves?
Ah this is a tough one. I would say that if I lend someone a book I want it back in the exact condition and for it to be returned promptly.

Tell us 4 random things about you that people may not know.
This is really hard because I’m a very public person. I spill my guts on social media and I’m always at book events where a lot of people know me.

• My favorite place to be on a Friday night is at home alone with books, tv, or organizing my closet.
• I once took a picture of David Levithan’s butt. Ok so I was trying to take a picture of him signing a wall at the bookstore and I couldn’t get a clear shot. I promised him to never post it online!
• I worry that people judge my grammar.
• If you don’t follow me on twitter then you might not know I love fashion. I wear dresses almost every day to work and then to book events because I go straight from work.

Thank you so much for the fun interview Cari! I enjoyed meeting and learning about you. To find out what questions Cari asked me (and how I answered), you can check out her post here, and to discover even more book blogs, be sure to check out today’s BBAW event.

Day one of Book Blogger Appreciation Week is about other blogs you enjoy reading. This is a tough one because there are quite a few blogs that I follow faithfully. Quite a few. So to make things easier this year, I’m going to take a page from Angie’s book and highlight two blogs that I discovered this year.

The first blog I have to highlight is Bunbury in the Stacks. We just so happened to meet online and followed each other on twitter since we seem to have an overlap in bookish taste (especially with YA Fantasy), only to find out that we shared a mutual friend in real life (who couldn’t figure out how we knew each other when he saw us talking on twitter). We have since used this mutual friend as a book mule to pass books along (it is the source of much glee that there are book mules in my life). Heidi also writes the most excellent reviews with these perfect gems of insight that have me pausing and wishing I had thought of that when I run into them. You should check out her blog, and check out the guest post she did for Seven Days for Sevenwaters today, too (it is lovely and perfect).

This next blog is one I found through Bunbury, and that’s Books Take You Places (I think they were fellow students of the library arts and are in the same graduating class – but don’t quote me on that?). Alyssa is also a friend on twitter, and she strikes me as one of those people who is genuinely enthusiastic when she talks to you. You can tell. She writes thoughtful reviews (I am a fan of those) of YA where she discusses major elements of the story like character and plot, but most importantly she explains how they affected her. I can always tell from her review what her personal reaction was and I love that she doesn’t hold back on explaining her emotions when reading a book.

Go check these two out if you haven’t already. I don’t think they have nearly as many followers as they should!

Day three of BBAW, and the topic of the day is Unexpected Treasure:

Book bloggers can be some of the most influential people around!  Today we invite you to share with us a book or genre you tried due to the influence of another blogger.  What made you cave in to try something new and what was the experience like?

Well, this is something that happens a lot. Sitting here I can name many books of the top of my head that I was alerted to the existence of because of a blogger. Often it’s multiple bloggers talking about a book that has me going:

The Lady Julia Grey mysteries by Deanna Raybourn:

Angie from Angieville was the one that stood out as a recommender of this series (she devoted more than one post related to it), but I also saw good things on The Thrillionth Page, The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader, and Persephone Reads (all people with excellent taste). I really need to read Silent on the Moor so I can move on to my eARC of Dark Road to Darjeeling already.

The Outback Stars by Sandra McDonald

I love the mix of science fiction with a military feel and a dash of romance (between an officer and a non-officer ranked below her) in this book, and I have calico_reaction to thank for it. I like her taste when it comes to the SFR. We both seem to like good world-building and not necessarily a lot of romance. Anyway, this book was a treasure and has a very memorable kiss in it. I ended up not liking the follow up as much, probably because it moves away from a military setting and starts becoming more fantastical, but the final book is still on my to-read list.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan:

This one went on my radar because of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, and then it was reaffirmed by Dear Author. OK, this was a couple of years ago, but I still count it as one that was sort of on my radar because I’d stumbled upon David Levithan’s books a couple of years before, liked them, but didn’t pay attention to when new ones where coming out. The reviews helped me remember and look for this book.

And just for fun, here are books I have my eye on and want to read because of bloggers:

Jane by April Lindner:

Culprits: Tempting Persephone, Angieville

Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal:

Culprit: The Book Pushers

Native Star by M. K. Hobson

Culprit: Calico_reaction guest blogging for Dreams & Speculation

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken:

Culprits: Chachic’s Book Nook, Book Harbinger, Angieville, Brook Reviews, The Book Smugglers

Plain Kate by Erin Bow:

Culprits: I think The Book Smugglers and Fantasy Cafe (I can’t find the posts)

Cold Magic by Kate Elliot:

Culpit: Lurv a la Mode (with a very enthused post)

OK, that’s probably enough for now..