Armchair BEA Introduction

This event totally snuck up on me! I missed posting my introduction yesterday because real life had the nerve to interfere with my blogging. Stupid, shiny reality! 

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

I'm Andrea, the owner of Reading Lark. I'm a Social Studies teacher by day and an aspiring writer and voracious reader by night. I started Reading Lark in January 2011 with two of my very dear friends, Tevya and Paula. Tevya helped me run Reading Lark until we decided to create a sister site for our 18+ reviews. Now Tevya is the head Lark over at Reading Lark After Dark. I got into blogging because I felt the need to share my thoughts about books I loved. It was also a fun thing to do with some of my bookish friends. I consider the Larks to be some of my best friends. It helps keep us together in spite of the distance between our homes.

2. Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. 

I'm a blogger from the great state of Georgia. When I started Reading Lark, I was living in Seattle, Washington. My husband had been transferred to the West Coast for two years to work on a project. I didn't know many people out there so blogging was a way for me to connect with others. Now that we have returned to Georgia, I keep blogging about books because it has become my passion.

One random fact about my state is that the author Margaret Mitchell, a Georgia native, was killed by a car in Atlanta. Yes, I know this tidbit is somewhat morbid, but it was the only bookish thing I could think of this morning.

3. Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? 

I have been an Armchair BEA participate before. This will be my third year and I LOVE it. I wasn't able to post much during last year's event due to my cross country move, but the previous year I participated in as many events as possible. I love being able to network with other blogs and the book giveaways are always fun too!

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

I'm currently reading an Indie novel, Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle. This one has been patiently waiting on my request list. I thought it was time to give it some attention.

I did finish Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally yesterday and LOVED it!

Picking just one 2013 favorite is really difficult! I'm going to go with Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.

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

Hmmmm, I am a football fan. I long for fall every year so the season can start.  

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

Mundie Moms - Katie and Sophie are amazing people! Both ladies have been so supportive of Reading Lark.

Annette's Book Spot - I love getting Annette's librarian perspective on new and upcoming reads.

Portrait of a Book - Christin is an amazing person and she tends to enjoy the same books I do.

Page Turners - Amber and Stacey are others who I am lucky enough to have met. They also have been supportive and helpful of Reading Lark.

Midnight Bloom Reads - I love her reviews!

Ex Libris - I enjoy the reviews and the blog design. Any blog that uses a bird is okay by me. :)

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

I'm really proud of my review of Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.

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

This is another question that is difficult, because there are so many options! I'm going to answer both character and author. For the author, I'd choose Stephanie Perkins. I recently saw her at a signing with Maureen Johnson and she cracked me up! She also just seems fun and outgoing. I also adore her writing and characters so I'm sure we'd have plenty to talk about during our meal.

The character I'd most like to have dinner with would be Gage Carson from From Ashes by Molly McAdams. If you've read the book, you need no explanation on my reason.

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

A few years ago, I would have said Forks, Washington without hesitation. Luckily, I have been able to visit Forks on multiple occasions. I now have my heart set on visiting San Francisco. I want to see all the places that Lola and Cricket frequented in Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.

10. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

I enjoy meetings others who have a passion for books that matches my own.

11. Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

I would like to see more bloggers be a little more professional in their reviews. I'm not a fan of reviews that bash books or authors. I'd rather see more constructive criticism and less mean comments. Most of the blogs I frequent do a really nice job of providing information without being rude.