This week, many lucky bloggers are heading to Book Expo America, held in Chicago this year. Those of us who can’t make it to this bookish mecca get to share a conference from our favorite armchairs, with discussions, giveaways, updates from the real BEA, and more.
Today is the day to introduce ourselves, so here are the answers to some of the questions posed by the organizers.
What is the name you prefer to use?
I use my real first name, Lory. I prefer it if it’s spelled correctly (with a “y”), but I’ll forgive you if you mess up. Maybe. 😉
How long have you been a book blogger?
I started blogging in January of 2014, so almost two and a half years now.
Have you participated in ABEA before?
ABEA was one of the first events I participated in when I started blogging and it really helped me to connect to the book blogging community. This will be my third year.
Do you have a favorite book? If you cannot choose a favorite book of all time, pick your favorite book today – just this second. Remember that favorites are allowed to change if something affects you deeply enough.
I’m going to pick my favorite book from last month, which was clearly The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. In my review I wrote that I loved it “for the interesting things Hardinge does with ideas and relationships and history and myth…With so many ingredients that are very much to my taste, the result was a delicious treat for me.” And for you too, I hope!
If you could recommend one other book blogger, who would it be and why?
Ergh, this is hard. I follow so many great blogs and don’t want anyone to feel left out. But I’m going to somewhat randomly choose one who is not on my blogroll: Charlene of Bookish Whimsy. Charlene runs a fun challenge/ongoing series where she’s watching and reviewing the top movie musicals, and I always enjoy reading her thoughts. She’s also a Jane Eyre fanatic with really interesting posts on that topic, and was an enthusiastic participant in Brooding About the Brontes along with me. She’s in England at the moment, which makes me so jealous, but I’m looking forward to hearing about her adventures when she gets back!
How do you arrange your bookshelves? Is there a rhyme or reason? Or not at all? (#ABEAShelfie)
I arrange my books by size, format (paperback/hardcover) and subject. This shelf by my desk, for example, has most of my nonfiction and reference books, with one shelf for music, and fairy tales and some miscellaneous fiction in the middle. Plus some boxes of wool and my knitting magazine collection.
What book are you most excited for on your TBR? What are you most intimidated by?
I’m excited to read more books for my Reading New England Challenge; next month for my nonfiction focus I plan to read New England Bound, a new book that explores how the institution of slavery was woven into the origins of our nation, in the north as well as the south.
I’m a bit intimidated/scared by the subject of The Sixth Extinction. I don’t really want to read about how we’re driving ourselves to the brink of extinction, but I still think it’s important to know so I’m really determined to read the book this year.
What is the most interesting thing that you have learned through your reading this year so far?
From How To Be A Tudor by Ruth Goodman I learned that our customary order of serving dishes at the table (appetizer, main course, salad, dessert) is based on pre-Enlightenment theories about the stomach — you needed to give it certain foods in a certain order to keep it warm but not too hot. It’s fascinating how many outdated beliefs persist in our culture!
The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
Very interesting answers Lory.
I feel the same way about The Sixth Extinction. I tend to get a lot out of science books that examine big picture issues such as this. However, that subject is so troubling that I am also hesitant to read that book.
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Those who have read it do say it’s an excellent book, so I’m going to make it a priority this year.
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Yay for Armchair BEA! This is my second time participating, and I love the community that gathers here. The Sixth Extinction sounds like it would give me nightmares, even though it’s such an important topic. 🙂
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Problem is the nightmares may become all too real pretty soon if we don’t do something. I need to learn more about that, like it or not.
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I just got LIE TREE on your suggestion. Can’t wait to get started. Happy ABEA!
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Hooray, I do hope you love it.
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Love your answers, Lory.
I especially like your answer about what you learned this year. 🙂
This is my first time participating in the BEA ARMCHAIR, and I love this first day. Bloggers are the best. I have found a lot of new blogs, and I will check out the list of participants.
ENJOY this week.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My BEA ARMCHAIR POST
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I also love finding new blogs to check out.
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Hello! I love your blog header & color scheme! Your bookshelf organization is really interesting — I don’t think I could keep up with a system, but I like the way yours look(they look so homey and comforting!)
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Thank you, Stormy. It’s not a strict system, but helps me fit everything into the space available while being able to find what I’m looking for.
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The Lie Tree is going on my already to big goodread pile to read 🙂 It sounds amazing. This is my first time at ABEA and I am excited to be a part of it.
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Welcome, Marie – it really is a lot of fun.
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The Sixth Extinction was fascinating! This is the kind of scary that I can do because it is better to be informed. No horror please.
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Yes, that’s why I’m determined to read it by the end of the year.
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Great post! Happy Armchair BEA!
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Thanks Chrissy, I wish you the same.
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I just discovered your blog over the weekend, and I’ve been enjoying reading your reviews of children’s books. (I especially liked your write-up of Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth. I have reviewed quite a few Konigsburg titles – what an interesting writer she was!) I’m participating in Armchair BEA for the third time this year. I noticed a few people mentioned Frances Hardinge in their responses to the favorite book question – clearly, I need to check out some of her work!
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Thanks for your kind words, Katie! When I did that post I had meant to start on a complete read of all of Konigsburg’s books, but then I got distracted. Maybe next year, after Reading New England is finished. Frances Hardinge is another very interesting writer, do check her out. Now I’m going to head over and look at some of your reviews…
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I agree Charlene from Bookish Whimsy has a great blog and I love how she’s watching all of the old musicals.
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One of my favorite blog series to follow along.
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Lory is just one of those names that can be spelled multiple ways. My guys name is ‘Lorrie’ and people will talk to him with his name right there and call him ‘Laurie’, etc.
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Guys’ names are usually more straightforward, so he is an unlucky one! Oh well, keeps our lives interesting.
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