The BBAW Interview, 2010: Meet Kt of A Book Obsession!

One of the best things about BBAW is getting to know your fellow book bloggers a little better, and one of my favorite ways to do that is the Interview Swap. Last year I met Jana of Will Work for Books, and two years ago, in the first BBAW Interview, I was paired with Kathy from Bermudaonion.

This year, my interview victim partner is Kt from A Book Obsession. She's only been blogging since this spring, so this is her very first time participating in Book Blogger Appreciation Week! We traded questions via e-mail, and I'm posting her answers here today - and I hope you'll stop by A Book Obsession to see my answers to the questions Kt had for me!

• How long have you been blogging? What made you decide to start doing it?

I have only been blogging since May. I decided to start blogging about books because I didn't have anyone to talk to books about with, and I was really frustrated with that. I love being able to talk about the books I love, and I hope when people read my reviews they decide to read the books as well. That's what it's all about, supporting the authors. 

• What regular/recurring features do you have on your blog?

On Mondays I do a weekly recap as well as a projection for the next week. On Tuesdays I post a little teaser about the current book I'm reading. On Wednesday I post a book that I am eagerly anticipating. Finally on Fridays I participate in the book blogger hop.

• What do you like best about book blogging?

I love being able to promote the authors I love and hopefully encourage people to read their books.

• Has blogging about books changed your reading habits? How - the kinds of books you read, the amount of time you spend reading, the things you pay attention to while reading, and/or some other way?

Blogging hasn't really changed my reading habits other than the fact that I write full reviews now rather than just reading one after another. I think by blogging about the books I retain more of the information since I am reading knowing that I'm going to form a written opinion at the end. I don't take note while I'm reading because I want to stay completely submersed in the book till the end. However, as I am writing a review I will skim back through the book to make sure I'm remembering everything important. (That's probably the biggest way that book blogging has affected my reading habits as well  - it's helped me read more attentively, too.)

• Your favorite genres are Urban Fantasy and Paranornal - what's the appeal for you? I don't usually read those - what book(s) would you recommend to a newbie in those genres?

I love these books because they are both fantasy yet realistic. They aren't set in some far away place. They usually are our world, just with paranormal beings as well. So, its an escape from "reality" but they aren't too far fetched to make them unbelievable. As far as a recommendation for a newbie to the genre I would have to say the best pick would be The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs. These books are the perfect example of Urban Fantasy, and the story/characters really suck you in. My all time favorite series in this genre has to be the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. She puts so much emotion into the books. I cannot recommend either of those series anymore. Of course I could list hundreds of books in the genre that I've loved, but those two series would be the best places to start. (UF/PN fans - what do you think of Kt's suggestions, and are there any others you'd add to the list?)

• Which three books that you've read this year have made the biggest impression on you, and why? It doesn't have to be a good impression, by the way - did you read something memorably awful?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - This made a big impression because it brought back memories of the dystopian books I read in high school. I had forgotten how much I loved those books. It also made an impression because the story is so captivating yet horrific and gruesome at the same time. It really was a thought provoking book.

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning. This book left a huge impression because it ended with the worst cliffhanger I have ever read. I love the series, and I read the first four books back to back. I noticed each one ended with a pretty decent cliffhanger, but since I jumped right into the next book each time, they didn't leave as much of an impression. The wait for the final book is agony. I've always been impatient for the next book in a series to come out, but never have I experienced an ending like in Dreamfever. January cannot get here soon enough! (Oh, I got a copy of this at Comic-Con! I should dig it out of TBR Purgatory one of these days...)
Finally I will have to pick The Anita Blake Series by Laurell K Hamilton. I have to say its the entire series that has made such an impression on me. After reading and enjoying 19 books, they were bound to make a lasting impression. After reading the 19th book I'm still as I was when I finished the first one, and that is amazing to me. I love the characters and the way they have grown over the books, and nothing seems stale or overdone. Quite an accomplishment as many series seem to get stale after just a few books.

• What are some of your favorite places to hang out online, other than your blog? Tell us three of your favorite blogs (and give them some link love!).

All Things Urban Fantasy
Smash Attack Reads!
Parajunkee's View

• Your profile tells us you're a SAHM and college student. How many kids do you have? Boys or girls? What's your major? What are some of your favorite pastimes aside from reading and blogging?

I have two kids, a 3 1/2 year old girl named Jaden and a 2 year old boy named Austin. I am a Business Studies major, and I should finally graduate this spring. I don't really have much time for anything other than the kids and school, so reading/blogging seems to be my guilty pleasure. As far as what else, I love to go to amusement parks, and casinos, but my husband and I only get to either of those about once or twice a year. (Heh, I was a business major too, decades ago...good luck with your last year of school!)

• Do you blog about subjects other than books? What are some of them?

Other than the occasional mention of my kids or college, not really. Books are pretty much it.

• Ask - and then answer for yourself - one interview question that you wish I would have asked, but didn't.

How many books have you read this year?
As of September 7th, I've read 229 books so far this year. (And THIS is why I feel like a reading slacker sometimes!)
I appreciate Kt's taking the time to answer my questions. Now that you've gotten to know her too, please go and visit her at A Book Obsession! Also, don't forget to check out the Mr Linky at the BBAW blog to find more interviews today.

Please check out my daily BBAW Updates all week at She Writes!