Armchair BEA Day Five: Topic of Choice (Book Conventions in General) and Middle Grade/Young Adult

Topic of Choice (Book Conventions):

...

Middle Grade/Young Adult:

I don't read too much Middle Grade, but I have in the past. Here are a few of my favorite series:

- Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

- Deltora by Emily Rodda

- The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

- Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

- Inkworld by Cornelia Funke

I'd like to read these series:

- Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

- Bot Wars by J.V. Cade

Armchair BEA Day Four: Giveaways & Beyond the Borders

Giveaways:

Win a signed copy of The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes, and a swag pack! Ends 05/29

Win an ARC of Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel! Ends 05/31

Win one of two signed copies of The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes, and one of two swag packs! Ends 06/02

Beyond the Borders:

- Fire by Kristin Cashore: hands-down the BEST fantasy novel I've ever read. I can literally dream about the world Cashore has created.

- Wounded by Jasinda Wilder: I'd never read a book about a girl-turned-prostitute before. It's very interesting to see things from Rania's perspective.

- Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott: this book held a personal meaning to me, because something very similar happened to my aunt. I FELT so much while reading this book.

Armchair BEA Day Three: Expanding Blogging Horizons & Novellas/Short Stories

Expanding Blogging Horizons:

I kind of want to start my own meme, something related to science and mathematics. Environmental science is kind of my specialty (environmental engineer, hey!), so I'm actually in the process of making this idea happen.

I definitely want to create (or have someone else create) a new design for my blog - this is also in the works!

I might switch to Wordpress one day - or at least get my own domain. In the future!

Novellas/Short Stories:

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of novellas. I think they're a waste of time and money, most of the time. Extra content? Usually it's like five chapters of new content, and two chapters of the next book. For $1.99? No thank you. And most of the time, the new content doesn't advance the plot, or aren't necessary to read in order to continue with the full-length novels. Useless!

But, I've enjoyed a few novellas! Here are some of my favorites:

  

Anthologies... I don't read too many of those. Or any at all? I would like to read:

- Shards and Ashes

- Til the World Ends

- Defy the Dark

- Slasher Girls & Monster Boys

- After

- Enthralled

Armchair BEA Day Two: Author Interaction & More Than Just Words

Author Interaction:

I've been to a handful of signings. I went to the Shine release party (May 2013) with Jeri Smith-Ready, and I attended the YAGB Baltimore workshop (June 2013) with authors Jodi Meadows, Erin Bowman, Susan Dennard, Sarah J. Maas, and Kat Zhang. I attended the Baltimore Book Festival (September 2013) and met Jennifer L. Armentrout, Brigid Kemmerer, Alethea Kontis, and Diana Peterfreund. 

Honestly, I LOVE signings and events. I'm not shy at all, and I don't think I'm awkward, so I love going to these events. I don't go to more because there actually aren't many in Baltimore - most are in D.C., and I don't have a car. And I'm in college for most of the year. Traveling via Metro to D.C. isn't super easy or convenient or time-efficient. But I love going to book events.

I love it when authors interact with readers online. Twitter is a beautiful thing, for that purpose. Paula Stokes, Lynne Matson, Lori M. Lee, and many other authors KILL IT with the author/blogger interactions - they are so social and talkative. It's wonderful! Some authors respond to a select few "popular" bloggers, which kind of pisses me off a little, because sometimes, those bloggers haven't even read those authors' books. But whatever. I'll talk to anyone and everyone who will talk with me. 

More Than Just Words

I'm a little confused by what is being asked. I read books. I don't read comic books or graphic novels... I read books. So I'm not really sure what to say here.

Armchair BEA Day One: Introductions & Literature

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! I know most of you are actually at BEA, but I'm not, so this year, I am participating in Armchair BEA for the second time! Here I go!

Introductions:

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

I'm Alyssa, and I just completed my freshman year at Johns Hopkins University! I started blogging December 29th (2012), so I've been blogging for a year and a half. I love blogging because I get to do more of what I already love to do (read and write opinions), and I get to network with people all around the world. Also, I'm exposed to so many new books, that I might not see in my public library!

Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online. 

The Eater of Books! is a book blog for people who need their daily dose of the printed word.

Blog | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest

What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ . 

Epic fantasy! I love to read because it's the perfect escape for me.

What was your favorite book read last year? What’s your favorite book so far this year? 

Last year, my favorite book was Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Tucholke.

This year, so far, I seriously LOVED To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. But wait! Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne (my most anticipated novel of 2014) is coming up on my review pile!

What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like? (Pinterest encouraged!) 

Uhhh, my room. My bed. Super clean (I swear I have OCD or something). Honestly, I'm not picky with where I read though. Just don't bother me!

What is your favorite blogging resource? 

... Blogging resource? Maybe this sounds snobby, but I don't have one? If I have a blogging or reviewing question, I look for the answer myself, from a variety of (random but credible) sources.

Spread the love by naming your favorite blogs/bloggers (doesn't necessarily have to be book blogs/bloggers). 

Jess of Lovin Los Libros (who will be at BEA!)

Pili of In Love With Handmaid

Nereyda of Mostly YA Obsessed

The Team at The YA Bookcase

Kel of Booked Til Tuesday

Jessica of Step Into Fiction (who will be at BEA!)

Alexis of Alexis Adores Books (who will be at BEA!)

Rachel of Paper Cuts

Nikki of Fiction Freak

Share your favorite book or reading related quote. 

"I thought you wanted to go."

"I wanted you to ask me to stay."

- Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Describes my love life perfectly. Sort of. Sigh.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 books would you bring? Why? What 3 non-book items would you bring? Why? 

1. Fire by Kristin Cashore: it's my favorite book of all time!

2. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers: one of my favorite books of all time!

3. How to Survive on a Deserted Island by Tim O'Shei: heh

(I) Machete: because DUH.
(II) A lighter: again, DUH.
(III) A bag: to gather all my valuables when I build my raft and sail away!

 What book would you love to see as a movie? 

Rush by Eve Silver! It's kickbutt :D

Literature:

I generally don't read too much "literature" or classics - I'm not a fan. I have read plenty of classics, either as required reading for school, or just because I felt like it. One novel that really stuck with me was:

A Room with a View by E.M. Forster

So much love for this book. It's pretty short, as far as classics go, and a wonderful, lighthearted novel that goes so much deeper than what is presented at its surface.

Armchair BEA: Introductions

Hello everyone! Happy Tuesday! I know most of you are actually AT BEA, but I'm not, so this year, I am participating in Armchair BEA for the first time! Here I go with another blogging first!

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

Well, my name is Alyssa, and I am graduating from high school tomorrow! I'll be attending Johns Hopkins University in August. I started blogging December 29th of last year, so I've only been blogging for five months (baby blogger?). I love blogging because I get to do more of what I already love to do (read and write opinions), and I get to network with people all around the world. That makes me all kinds of happy :)

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

Maryland, USA! Baltimore used to be known as The City That Reads :D

(No pictures, because I'm too lazy)

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 have not! I'm doing this event because it's my first year blogging, so why not make it my first time participating in Armchair BEA! Besides, next year, I might actually be going to BEA.

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

I am reading The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher. My favorite read of 2013... hmmm. Altered by Jennifer Rush.

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

I'M GOING TO JOHNS HOPKINS, MY DREAM SCHOOL!!! But I feel like people who read my blog know this. When I started this blog this past December, I was halfway through the school year, and halfway through the college application process. So, consistent readers should have picked up my small hints along the way!

Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).

I love Eileen from ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***, because she is super nice, and she was one of the people I asked for a small bit of help when starting my blog. Really, I did it by myself, but she answered any random questions I had!

Same goes for Annabelle at Sparkles and Lightning. She always has great reviews and organized posts, she's amazing, and she answered my random questions when I started my blog as well!

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

Umm... THIS one :D

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

Kristin Cashore and her character, Fire. I loved Cashore's book, Fire, SO much. It's one of my favorite books of all time. I'd love to meet them both and chat!

Also, Galen from Of Poseidon, Ryan from Dare You To, Cade from Faking It, Malachi from Sanctum, and Jase from My Life Next Door. Because, you know, they're all hot. And sweet. 

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

Trespass Island, from Revel by Maurissa Guibord. It sounds creepy...

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

Meeting all of the fantastic people! And feeling like I belong in something, and I'm doing it effortlessly. I may still be new, and not very well known, but the people that do know me treat me so nicely.

Is there anything that you would like to see changed in the coming years?

For Armchair BEA? I have no idea. I've never participated before this year. You let ME know! :)

So, have fun at BEA, those who are going! And for the rest of us, maybe we'll see you sometime!

Feature and Follow Friday (#14)

The Feature & Follow is a creative meme that allows bloggers to get to know each other, and gain more followers! It is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

If you would like, it would be great if you followed me via Email, GFC, Linky, Bloglovin, or Google+ (all on the right). Let me know in the comments if you did, leave a link to your blog, and I will comment and follow back! I always do, I promise! Thank you so much!

Q: We are about to see a lot of posts & tweets about reader conventions, RT, BEA, ALA and many more are starting soon. Which one would you love to attend? Where and why?

I would love to go to BEA. It's in New York, which is the closest major convention to us here in Maryland. Also, there are so many authors and bloggers on either the East of the West Coast! Therefore, I'd meet many of the East Coast authors and bloggers. That would be so cool!

Of course, I'd love to go to a major West Coast event, to meet the plethora of West Coast authors and bloggers.

Honestly, at this point, I'd love to go to ANY event. I've never even been to a book signing, besides the one at Constellations Books with Jeri Smith-Ready in May 2012. That was like, two seconds from my house. I walked there.

Anyway. How about you all? Are any of you going to BEA, or any of the other conventions? Have you been to any before this year? Tell me about your experiences! :D