Dear Readers . . .
Welcome to my first Book Blogger Elevator Q&A Interview!
As you may be aware, I created the Author Elevator Q&A Interviews, in August of 2018. Since then, I have managed to feature or two authors per month and excited to have confirmed authors through Sept 2019, thus far.
After reading a book, I wanted to know more. I have always been fascinated by why? (my marketing research background). I have enjoyed interacting with the authors, and the interviews, immensely. I hope you as readers, bloggers, and authors are learning more about the inspiration "behind-the-books" and getting to know the authors a little better.
Since I recently celebrated my 5th anniversary as a book blogger. I came up with the idea of "paying it forward" and wanted to promote another fellow book blogger—whom I have grown to admire.
A significant part of blogging is mentoring and assisting new book bloggers to help them get started and sharing information. We all started somewhere, and it can be overwhelming. Blogging is an on-call job seven days a week. We are passionate about books and love spreading the word about the latest best read you "cannot live without." As Lisa mentions below, "it is a labor of love."
Approximately a year ago, Lisa Harvey, a fellow Floridian, and avid reader — reached out to me about starting a book blog. There are always questions about domain names, web hosting, formats, blogging, newsletters, as well as branding and how to attain upcoming ARCs. We continue to stay in touch, strategize, and became online blogging friends. (we have not met in person, but one day soon, hopefully).
It is fun following her blog and watching it grow, as well as others I have been communicating with. In return, I often learn something from them. You may see Lisa as a guest blogger on my site in the future — if I can twist her arm.
I am honored and excited to introduce you to—Lisa Harvey of BLUE STOCKING REVIEWS. If you have not met Lisa, I highly recommend reading her fabulous and insightful book reviews, subscribing to her blog, and connecting with her across social media platforms (she writes the best reviews)! I always enjoy receiving her latest reviews in my inbox. I hope you enjoy her reviews as much as I do.
We are just two 🌴 Florida gals 🌊 🏖 who love books! 📚 Sending some Florida sunshine 🌞 ⛱ 👓 your way— to get you through the remaining winter season.❄
Happy Reading and a great 2019 of books!
—@JudithDCollins
Q&A with Book Blogger
Lisa Harvey
BlueStockingReviews
Welcome, Lisa. Thank you for joining us here today with our first Book Blogger Elevator Ride. We are excited to learn more about your blog, books, and YOU. To kick off our Q&A, give us your best elevator pitch for BLUESTOCKINGREVIEWS.
LISA: "BlueStockingReviews is a blog for women readers who are particularly interested in books with strong women characters or books by fabulous female authors.
I attempt to read and review the latest in the fiction, mystery, and biography genres that portray women in an empowering and positive light. I look for books where women make a difference, overcome adversity and can totally take care of themselves."
1. BIRTH STATE?
Florida 2. CURRENT STATE?
Florida 3. ZODIAC SIGN?
Taurus, very determined and headstrong! 4. FAVORITE COLOR and FLOWER?
My favorite color is blue, of course! My favorite flower is gardenias. I love their smell! 5. FAVORITE FOOD/DRINK?
Filet Mignon topped with Gorgonzola Cheese. 6. MORNING/NIGHT PERSON?
Definitely a Morning Person! 7. DOG/CAT LOVER? (or neither):
Huge Dog Lover. I have an eight-year-old black Cocker Spaniel named Gracie, who loves to read with me and makes me laugh.
8. FAVORITE HOBBY?
Books, Photography and Tennis 9. FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?
Rock and Roll! 10. FAVORITE HOLIDAY OR SEASON?
Love Springtime in Tallahassee, it’s gorgeous here! 11. FAVORITE READING FORMAT?
1. Hardcover 2. Paperback 3. Digital 4. Audio
I love my Kindle! It currently houses over 500 books and, I can have any of them at the touch of a button wherever I go.
There is indeed no replacement for the feel and smell of a hardcover or paperback book, and my home is full of them, but I love the convenience of my Kindle.
And then there is audio! I love listening to audiobooks when I’m in my car, exercising, or just doing chores around the house.
Last year 40 of the 100 books I listened to were audio! If I ever go blind from reading too much, I am comforted by the fact that there will always be Audible!
12. FAVORITE TV SERIES? (or Movie/Video) binge-watch
I love Madam Secretary or any show with strong women characters
13. IF YOU WERE GRANTED 3 MONTHS OF UNINTERRUPTED READING/BLOGGING TIME—WHERE WOULD IT BE?
1. A Busy Urban City 2. A Quiet Scenic Mountain Cabin surrounded by nature 3. A Coastal Seaside Cottage 4. An Exotic Tropical Island 5. A Countryside Farmhouse surrounded by animals and organic gardens. 6. A charming, quaint historic Bed and Breakfast Inn
It would definitely be at that coastal seaside cottage!
Growing up in Florida, I’m a huge beach gal. There is nothing better than sitting on a white sandy beach, under a huge umbrella, listening to the waves roll in, and reading a good book. It’s my idea of paradise!
14. WHEN DID YOU START YOUR BOOK BLOG AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU?
I have always been an avid reader and lover of all things books since I was a little girl.
One of my favorite childhood memories is going to the local library every Saturday mornings and walking out with a massive stack of books ready for many new adventures.
When I was in high school, I interned at the local newspaper one summer. My favorite task that summer was writing a book review for the arts section of the paper. I still remember the book, it was Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll and Remember.
I have been tracking my books and leaving ratings or short reviews on Goodreads for the past 10 years.
But when I retired a little over two years ago, I began getting serious about blogging about books. When I discovered Netgalley, my fate was sealed. I reached out to other reviewers I had found online.
I remember the first thing Judy Collins told me when I reached out to her for assistance. Her first advice was to start slow. Too late I said, I had just requested about 20 books from NetGalley!
15. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BLOG NAME? "Blue Stocking Reviews."
I had recently started a book club with friends and neighbors. We had decided the name for the book club was going to be the Blue Stocking Society Book Club.
The name emanates from an informal women’s social and educational movement in England in the mid-18th century.
I borrowed the name from the book club with the idea of being able to recommend books for the book club and as well as incorporating thoughts and opinion of the book club in my reviews.
16. YOUR (MOST) FAVORITE THING ABOUT BOOK BLOGGING AND (LEAST)?
My favorite thing about book blogging is that I get to read over a hundred great books every year.
My least favorite thing is that I can’t read more books in a year, and have to make some tough decisions about what I am going to read!
17. NAME A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?
Geraldine Brooks Ann Patchett
18. BOOKS YOU HAVE READ RECENTLY YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND?
True Places By Sonja Yoerg The Dreamers
by Karen Thompson Walker
An Anonymous Girl
by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen Becoming by Michelle Obama
19. YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO READ (and write)?
I love to read and write sitting by my pool.
20. WHAT BOOK (S) CURRENTLY ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND?
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson What the Eyes Don’t See by Mona Hanna-Attisha The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St Clair Women Who Rock
Edited by Evelyn McDonnell
Just to name a few!
21. AFTER READING A BOOK DO YOU IMMEDIATELY WRITE YOUR REVIEW AND POST, OR WAIT AND START READING THE NEXT BOOK?
My preference is to write my review the day after finishing a book. That gives me a little time to think about the ending and the overall sense and feel of the book.
Once I have written my review, I will typically let it rest for a day or two before posting, just to make sure I captured my thoughts clearly and fairly.
I am typically reading or listening to multiple books at the same time so will move on to other books during my writing and resting process.
22. YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? (or would you prefer none of them)?
23. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOK GENRES?
Fiction, Mysteries, and Biographies featuring strong women characters.
24. YOU WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT DEAD WHERE?
Scuba Diving
25. NAME TWO THINGS YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF TO BE VERY GOOD AT?
Being a good friend and anything I have a passion for.
26. WHICH BOOK (s) TITLES YOU HAVE READ —WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A MOVIE OR TV SERIES BASED UPON?
Rust and Stardust by T. Greenwood
Sold on a Monday
by Kristina McMorris
27. WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The beauty of nature! I love photographing it!
28. INTROVERT OR EXTROVERT?
Neither! I consider myself an ambivert: half introvert and half extrovert.
I highly recommend the book Quiet:The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain which is where I first heard the term ambivert. It was a Blue Stocking Society Book Club pick in June 2018.
29. THE THING YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT THE STATE, CITY, OR AREA WHERE YOU CURRENTLY RESIDE?
The weather and the beaches!
30. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT? (excluding computer, tablet, phone)
Books!
31. IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT YOU WOULD NAME IT?
Perseverance
32. WHERE DO YOU FIND OUT ABOUT NEW BOOK RELEASES?
Netgalley, publisher newsletters, and posts from other bloggers.
33. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW BLOGGERS?
Just start writing! Read a book, form your own opinion and write it down. Do you want others to read this book or not? Be honest and tell them why or why not!
Briefly describe the plot without giving anything away and find the hook that will make your readers want to buy the book.
Make sure your opinion of the book is clear. Give your thoughts on the writing, the characters and the story.
Post it to your blog site and share it on all your social media sites!
Continually connect with other bloggers for wisdom and advice!
Most importantly have fun with it! It’s a labor of love.
34. IF YOU WERE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR ALONE WITH ONE CELEBRITY OR AUTHOR (or both)— WHO WOULD IT BE? (Male or Female)
Tom Hanks. He knows how to survive and would keep me laughing!
35. WHERE CAN READERS FIND YOU AND CONNECT?
Website:
Email: BlueStockingReviews@gmail.com Twitter: @lharvey250 Facebook:
Thank you, Lisa! What a fun and informative interview.
Connect with Lisa and learn more about finding your next great read!
Get Our Latest Updates. Share With a Friend.
Thank you Lisa for adding this. The interview was so much fun. I appreciate your friendship and always learning something from you! Keep up the great work. Love reading your reviews!