Monday, June 4, 2012

Armchair BEA - Opening Day

Book Expo America (BEA) will be held in New York City this week.  BookExpo is the largest annual book trade show in America - "Everything key influencers need to stay up-to-date with the newest titles, emerging authors and latest industry trends." (www.bookexpoamerica.com)  Armchair BEA was founded in 2010 by a group of bloggers who couldn't attend, but didn't want to miss out.  In just two years, the event has grown to include hundreds of blogs, Twitter parties, give-aways and sponsors - including the BEA itself.  For all the details, visit the website.  This is my first year joining in and I'm excited to meet more bloggers, learn about the publishing industry, and get the inside scoop on what's new.  For day one, participants are introducing themselves.  If you have the time and inclination, check out the ArmchairBEA site and visit more book blogs.

1.  Please tell us a little about yourself:  I'm Tami - book lover and ex-librarian - and I began blogging in October 2009.  At that point I was still working at the library, where one of my responsibilities was to purchase new materials, and I used book blogs as a resource to keep current on popular books.  I've always loved to write, so decided to try my hand at sharing  about the books I was reading.  Over time, the blog has evolved to contain more than books, but reading is still the primary focus. You can find out more about my husband, Dave, and I by clicking on the "about" tab at the top of the page.

2.  What are you currently reading?  What is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?  I am always reading several books at once.  At the moment, I'm reading "Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake" by Anna Quindlen and "Brownies and Broomsticks" by Bailey Cates.  My favorite book so far this year would be "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey

3.  What is your favorite feature on your blog? Although the blog is primarily about books, I find that posts about the random occurrences in our life get more responses.  My favorite feature I have created is "A Puzzling Post" - puzzles I create around books, tv, movies and music. 

4.  Which is your favorite post that you have written, that you want everyone to read?  There are so many I loved writing, and about such a wide variety of topics - some very personal and emotional - but, o
ddly, my favorite posts are not about books.  I'll let you choose. Here are three of my favorites, read whatever appeals to you:

"Panic, Mechanics and Knight School"  - a humorous look at our family.

"National Infertility Awareness Week" - our infertility story.

"While the Music Plays On" - My tribute to my mother-in-law and her battle with Alzheimer's

5.  What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?   My favorite part of the book blogging community is the people!  I have made some wonderful friends through blogging - and then connecting with those people on Twitter, and sharing events such as Read-a-thons.  My best friends are fellow bloggers.

Check back tomorrow for Day Two of Armchair BEA - Give-Aways!

27 comments:

  1. I'm always reading several books at once as well... I opted to not answer that question on my post because I thought it would get complicated, LOL.

    I just read your national infertility awareness week post and it brought definite tears to my eyes. That's something I've been dealing with as well but not realy sure at this point what I want to do.

    Also, I love your background/layout!

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  2. Hi, Tami! I agree, the book blogging community is a good source of discovering new and good books!

    See you around,

    -Len of Musings of a Reader Happy

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  3. Hi Tami! I saw Brownies and Broomsticks at the store and thought it looked good, I can't wait to see what you think about it!

    Happy ABEA!

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  4. "A Puzzling Post" sounds like so much fun, I love the idea! I am new to your blog so I will have to go back and chock some of those out!!

    I totally agree with you about the people! This community is such a great one to belong to!

    I hope you enjoy Armchair BEA this year!

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  5. Good post + happy Armchair BEA!

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  6. It really is amazing how many friends you can make through something like book blogging! I've done a few read-a-thons and have loved them all. I feel like I get less reading done because I just chat with everyone... but that's fine with me!

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  7. Nice to "meet" you via Armchair BEA! Thanks for you nice comment on my blog about my daughter's injury . . . things are looking up, thankfully! I enjoyed your "Knights" post . . . I too feel that sometimes we forget to remind ourselves and our kids that most people are good in the world! :)

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  8. Hi! I love the background for your blog and that you post on so many things other than books! I also really enjoyed The Snow Child. I'll have to look for your review. I would like to follow your blog but I couldn't find a way. :( I'll follow you on twitter! Enjoy Armchair BEA!

    My Armchair BEA Intro

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    1. Sorry! Evidently when I reworked the blog design, the options to follow got lost. But they're back, so follow along!

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  9. Oh, I enjoyed The Snow Child! Your puzzle posts sound quite fun. It was nice to meet you, Tami!

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  10. So great to learn a bit more about you Tami! And I agree about the community--especially with the use of twitter. It's fun to connect with such like-minded people.

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  11. It always gives me a little thrill to find others who read more than one at a time. I just don't understand that one book until it's done mentality!

    http://bookslistslife.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-introduction-lisa-books.html

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  12. It has been great fun reading these posts. Even though I've been reading your blog for some time, I still learned some interesting stuff about you!

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  13. I am so behind when it comes to reading the new books coming out--I have so many others piled up already. I really, really want to find time to read Anna Quindlen's new book--are you enjoying it?

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  14. There are so many librarians and ex-librarians around Armchair BEA! It's very heartening.

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  15. First of all, I love your blog background! It's so cute. I've heard good things about The Snow Child. I hope you like it!

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  16. Hi Tami,

    Its nice to get the chance to know your blog

    Thanks for visiting Book'd Out earlier - enjoy Armchair BEA!

    Shelleyrae

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  17. I used to be a one book at a time kind of gal, but now, I am do a few at once. I started listening to audio books and now I always have at least one if not two audios going along with a print book.

    I read your Infertility post and was very moved. My husband and I are dealing with that now. It's certainly not easy but it helps knowing there are others out there dealing with the same thing.

    Here's my Armchair BEA Intro Post.

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  18. Our blogs are almost the same age; I began in November 2009. I love the titles of the books you're reading this week!

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  19. Happy Armchair BEA week! Thank you for stopping by and seeing my introduction. Nice to meet you!

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  20. Hey Tami...stopping by to say Hi. I'm not participating in the Armchair BEA, but reading all of the posts has been fun. It's always great learning a bit more about fellow book bloggers.

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  21. Can I just say how much I love your blog design?!? So fun!

    I'm a book polygamist too. Life is too short to read just one book at a time!

    I hope you have a wonderful week!

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  22. I love the idea of A Puzzling Post! Will have to check out some of your previous ones :)

    I would love to read multiple books at once but I just seriously suck at that these days - I blame sleep deprivation :)

    Enjoy armchair BEA!

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  23. Great to meet you! Looks like you have several interesting posts I'll have to look back on. Thank you for visiting my blog!

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  24. Thanks for stopping by Library Girl Reads yesterday.

    It is funny how the personal posts do seem to get more of a response than the book posts even though we are primarily book bloggers. I'm trying to add a bit more of those personal posts to my blog too.

    I think one of the reasons I love book blogging so much is that it does keep me connected to those new releases and new authors that I wouldn't find now that I don't have my library connections anymore.

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  25. Tami, I love your blog design, and I will have to check out your Puzzling Post. I've got Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake waiting on my nightstand and am looking forward to reading it very soon. I have subscribed to your blog via email. Please come visit me at http://www.readingroom-readmore.com/ when you get a chance.

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  26. I love reading more than one book at a time. :) It's nice to be working on a variety. I have one book at work, one on my ereader and one beside my bed. :)

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