Interviews Archives

Interview with a bookworm: Miranda from mirandamarquit.com

August 18, 2015 by Jana 8 Comments

This is the last interview in the bookworm series. I know. It’s sad. But it had to come to an end at some point to quote the most 90s bar song that ever was even though the quote isn’t theirs originally, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end, this is actually not too sad of an ending since I have a new feature starting next Tuesday. It’s called Judging Covers. It involves my husband. I assure you you’ll like it. It won’t be an every week thing, like the interviews, maybe just once or twice a month.

But today’s interview. It’s with my friend Miranda who blogs in a whole bunch of places (seriously. You can check out her resume on her personal site. She wrote a book, too!). I’ve met her and spent time with her a number of times and she’s really fun and great and I’m glad you guys will have a chance to get to know her a little bit. So, without further ado, let’s talk books with Miranda:

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Miranda: I love the feeling of escape. I can leave the “real” world behind and go somewhere new and exciting. Plus, I often feel as though I’m meeting new people and making friends with the characters. It’s always interesting to see myself in a character.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Miranda: I decide based on mood. There are even times I’ll read something I hate, just because I’m in the mood for something stupid, or I’m frustrated.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Miranda: I love the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I love the unreality and the fact that complex worlds can emerge from imagination. I especially enjoy Isaac Asimov and Joe Abercrombie. I’m also fond of Jane Austen and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Miranda: I can’t choose just one! And I often recommend based on the person’s preferences. The latest recommendation I made was to my son. I encouraged him to read Dune. So far he really likes it.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Miranda: It’s fun to watch movie adaptations. I like to compare differences. However, I stopped trying to see them as the same thing ages ago. Books will never translate perfectly to movies, and I separate the two media. I think a movie adaptation can be good, even if it isn’t true to the source material. I might compare the differences, but I don’t get hung up on them.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Miranda: Combination of ebooks and paper books. However, I’m leaning more toward ebooks these days for new additions to my collection. It takes up less space, and I love that I can switch to something else if I want. Plus, my Kindle can come with me everywhere. No matter where I am or what I’m doing, I can access an entire library. I never do audiobooks, though. For some reason, the reading aloud annoys me. It slows me down. I just don’t enjoy it.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Miranda: I keep a current library card, and often “try” new things at the library before deciding whether to buy it. I’ve also subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, so that offers some options that I don’t have to pay for individually. However, if I like something well enough, I’ll usually buy the Kindle version to keep.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Miranda: No one’s called me that to my face. But I don’t think it would offend me — because that’s what I am!

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Miranda: I make the time to read. I love reading, and it’s an important part of my daily routine. If I have to choose between watching a movie and reading, I’ll choose reading almost every time. There are times that I just neglect everything and read, if the book is really interesting.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Miranda: There’s something for everyone. From graphic novels to short stories to finding a genre you like, look for something to read. My ex-husband doesn’t like reading as a rule, but he enjoys reading about sports, so we always got the newspaper so he could read that. Figure out what you’re interested in, and start there.

Save

Interview with a bookworm: Jenniemarie from Another Housewife

August 12, 2015 by Jana 13 Comments

So this week’s interview is a day late instead of a day early but if anyone can understand a glitch in a schedule it’s this week’s interviewee, my good friend of many, many years, Jenniemarie who blogs about faith, parenthood, and whatever else is on her mind at Another Housewife. Fun fact: I’ve known her for roughly 7 years and we’ve never met in person. But that should change in June and I cannot wait.

Anyway, you came here for the books not the rest of my blabbering. So here you go:

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Jenniemarie: I started reading as an escape from my dysfunctional life as soon as I started school. Reading allows my mind to get lost in another world or gain knowledge my world then and now may not have otherwise discovered.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Jenniemarie: Every which way I can. Friends, blogs, etc. Although recently my favorite books have come from our libraries display of suggested reads. Whoever is in charge of selecting those books is my hero.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Jenniemarie: I like to consider myself an eclectic reader but I do have an insane addiction to memoirs and favor non-fiction. I will read anything Lysa Terkkeurst writes and I am currently a Jen Hatmaker stalker.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Jenniemarie: I am currently on the launch team for Jen Hatmaker’s new book For The Love coming out in August so I have been recommending that like crazy BUT I have read it several times over and I will be handing it out to all of my friends regardless of my obligation. My favorite marriage book of all time is For Women Only and my favorite recent fiction reads are The Girl on the Train and Eleanor and Park.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Jenniemarie: If I really enjoyed the book I will watch the movie. I want to see how the directors interpretation differs from mine. I never have a high expectation of the movie because the book is always, always better. Now that my daughter is 13 we pass YA books between each other. I love being able to talk about the book and then watch the movie and discuss the differences.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Jenniemarie: Paper books. I love books. I love the smell, the feel and the physicality of holding the book I am reading. That and I am challenged by technology and do not own anything more sophisticated than an iPhone and a 6 year old HP Laptop.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Jenniemarie: I abuse our library. My daughter and I are giddy about our library being less than a mile away from our new house! My bank account is the only thing that holds me back from buying all the books. I tend to buy books I know I will highlight the heck out of and/or need to teach my class.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Jenniemarie: No. It’s a badge of honor. I see it as a compliment and smile.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Jenniemarie: I make it a priority. I read 9 books in June while working a part-time job with three kids home all day on Summer Break and packing a ginormous house we have lived in for 6 years. I always, always have a book with me.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Jenniemarie: I would say keep trying. I bet they just haven’t found the right genre/author for them. Challenge yourself to a chapter a day. If a book is good enough you will soon be reading more than that chapter. I think some people just enjoy reading more than others, like runners. It’s okay. I guess.

Save

Interview with a bookworm: Eric from Personal Profitability

August 4, 2015 by Jana 8 Comments

Oh, hey there! Nice to see you again! We’ll talk more about my little vacation on Thursday or Friday but for today, we’re diving into another Interview with a Bookworm, this time with my friend Eric from Personal Profitability. Eric is a man of many talents (and an expectant father!) and he took some time from his schedule to talk to me about his reading habits.

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Eric: I love reading both fiction and non-fiction, but for very different reasons. I enjoy learning interesting new things, and some non-fiction books have really changed my outlook and success in life. My online businesses would certainly not be where they are without the great books I’ve read behind me. I enjoy fiction books because they let me escape into a fun, new story or world where I can forget about daily stresses and become engulfed in the story.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Eric: I mostly go off of word of mouth, and I’m usually a few years behind the new releases. If I hear about the same book several times, it is probably worth reading. That said, I just finished Harry Potter, so my delay can be more than a couple of years.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Eric: My favorite fiction author is Chuck Palahniuk, the guy behind Fight Club and many other amazing titles. I love how he crafts a story and that you never really know what’s going to happen next.

I’m also a big fan of Max Barry, and I’ve never missed one of his books. While he is not the biggest name out there, I always love the energy and hybrid of realistic scenarios with science fiction. I always play it out as a movie in my head when reading his books, which was interesting to compare when one of his books became a movie (Syrup). If you want to get started with Max Barry, you can’t go wrong with his novel Jennifer Government for the future dystopian inclined, or Company if you work for a big company.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Eric: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Hands down the best book I’ve ever read.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Eric: So I already gave away that I watched “Syrup” after I read it, and “Fight Club” is my favorite movie of all time. I usually do watch the movie, but I always wait until after the book. That also explains why I didn’t watch the first Harry Potter movie until 13 years after its release.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Eric: I used to be paper all the way. Since I got my Kindle, paper has become a much smaller part of my reading. The Kindle really does make it easy to find and read new books. My reading list has actually gotten a lot longer since I can store so many books there and always take it with me.

When I had a long commute, audiobooks helped me keep my sanity, but I have not listened to a new one in about a year and a half.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Eric: I used the library for audiobooks, but I usually buy them these days. Plus I get lots of Amazon gift cards as presents, and I can use that to chip away at my wish list.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Eric: I have gotten nerd a lot of times, but not book nerd, ha ha! But if I did, I wouldn’t be upset. Warren Buffett spends most of his hours at work reading, and anything that I do similar to him is a good idea in my book.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Eric: That is a struggle these days. With competing demands from work and two… um… three side businesses, I don’t end up with much spare time. My favorite old reading spot years ago was the light rail on my ride to work, but since I drive these days my best reading time is right before bed. I’m also a huge traveler, and planes are a great place to dive into a good book.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Eric: If you don’t enjoy reading, you are just reading the wrong thing. While I might definitively believe that The Alchemist is the greatest novel of all time, you might like something different. And that’s okay. Be creative and find books about the topics you really care about and want to learn about. I went through a phase in high school reading autobiographies of professional wrestlers (Have a Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweat Socks by Mick Foley is better than you’d think). The Rock’s autobiography might not win any awards, but I enjoyed it at the time.

And if you don’t have time, think about all of the time you waste each day. Most Americans watch enough TV in a week to have had a full extra work day, or more. Every time you are “killing time” is time that could be better spent doing something you enjoy. For many of us, that means reading a good book.

Eric Rosenberg is a finance blogger in Portland, Oregon. He has both an undergraduate degree and MBA in finance and writes about personal finance at Personal Profitability. He has experience working as a bank manager and in corporate finance and account.

You can connect with him on Twitter, Pinterest, and Personal Profitability.com.

P.S. Today is the Literary Ladies book club discussion for Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen. Visit Kristen, Kari, and Kay for the linkup and you can read my review of the book here.

Save

Interview with a bookworm: Zina from Debt Free After Three

July 21, 2015 by Jana 11 Comments

It’s a milestone for the Interview with a Bookworm series!!! This is interview #10!!! I’m so thrilled and excited you guys have chosen to participate and love this series as much as you do. And if you haven’t been interviewed and want to be, let me know and we’ll get you scheduled. I’m keeping this going as long as I can!

Today we’re talking to Zina from Debt Free After Three. I actually met Zina briefly at FinCon14 where we talked about weddings because why talk blogging at a blogging conference? If I remember correctly, she got married on my anniversary which is cool. We also belong to a few of the same Facebook groups and she really sweet and smart and I think you’ll enjoy what she has to say about books.

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Zina: Reading is the best escape. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax, especially after a stressful day. There’s no better way to forget about your problems than focusing on someone else’s story.

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Zina: I usually go off other people’s recommendations. If I see an interesting book in a magazine, I might add it to my library queue.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Zina: I love P.G. Wodehouse, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Nick Hornby. I tell everyone to read P.G. Wodehouse if they want a laugh. Rex Stout is probably my favorite detective writer, and I love a good mystery. I even took a class in college about mystery and spy novels. Right now I’m reading The Count of Monte Cristo, a book that my father bought me more than a decade ago. It’s a big tome, but I’m loving the intrigue. I also the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and have read that twice.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Zina: I tell everyone to read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. It’s a brilliant book and so full of depth. For non-fiction, I really like Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert and Quiet: The
Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Zina: I do, but I’m definitely the person who gets upset if a movie ruins a book. I’ve read all of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and I definitely get upset when something is different in the show.

Jana: Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Zina: Paper books all the way. For me reading is about not being in front a device so I don’t have any desire to get an ereader. Since I get most of my books from the library, it wouldn’t save me any space either. Plus I love displaying the books I have.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Zina: I used to have a bad habit of buying books that I hadn’t read and then not reading them. Now I try to borrow books from the library. When I do buy a book, I try to use eBay or used bookstores to get the best deal. I only buy books I really love and want to reread. I also collect books from Rex Stout, who wrote great detective stories about a character called Nero Wolfe.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Zina: I was raised in a very academic environment. It was never nerdy to be into reading, even amongst my friends. I remember being at a summer camp and being upset that some other girl was known as the bookworm and I wasn’t.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Zina: I try to read before bed. I have trouble sleeping and reading relaxes me. After a day of staring at a screen, it’s nice to flip the pages and do something quiet.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Zina: I would ask them to think about what kinds of TV shows or movies they enjoy and find books that match that genre or tone. I believe that everyone can find an author or genre they love, but it might take some time. Go to a mom-and-pop bookstore and ask for some recommendations or look at forums online. Reading is a perfect escape and it’s been an incredible addition to my life.

Save

Interview with a bookworm: Kristin from Kristin’s Knook

July 13, 2015 by Jana 15 Comments

Happy Monday! What better way to start a week than with a bookworm interview. I know we usually do these on Tuesdays but tomorrow is Show Us Your Books! This week we’re chatting with Kristin from Kristin’s Knook. You should visit her when you’re done reading her interview and say hi. You should also read all the past interviews in case you’re new to the series or you want to catch up with old favorites.

Hi, I’m Kristin and my blog is Kristin’s kNook. I write about our army life, my experiences as a teacher, our remodeling project, and our dogs. There’s recipes and book-talk too. A little bit of everything.

Jana: Why do you enjoy reading?

Kristin: As a pre-teen, I spent every spare cent I had on books. I would go to Waldenbooks every weekend, if I could swing it, and buy a new book. I would be done with it by the end of the weekend and have to scrounge up $5 more to buy another book the next weekend. On a good week, I could come up with $10 and buy two. I think, especially as a kid, I liked reading because it took me somewhere else. Your travel and experience options are limited as a child. Reading is necessary.

Now I read to keep accumulating these experiences. How could you not want to be transported somewhere else by a book?

Jana: How do you decide what to read?

Kristin: I look for recommendations from bloggers and friends. Also, I browse Audible a lot to see what is recommended for me. Sometimes I’ll get those books in audio form or I’ll look at the library. Goodreads helps me keep track. I will honestly read a little bit of everything. I’m picky, but not picky about genre.

Jana: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or genres?

Kristin: I like fiction and non-fiction. Autobiographies are good. Historical fiction is probably my favorite, but I don’t have a favorite historical fiction author. I’m not a fan of anything that could be turned into a romantic comedy. I do like Rainbow Rowell, Gretchen Rubin, Rebecca Stead, Liane Moriarity, Bill O’Reilly, Shauna Niequist, and Charlaine Harris (with the exception of the awful-last-two-Sookie-books) just to name a few. I told you, I’ll read just about anything.

Jana: What’s your favorite book or a book you always recommend?

Kristin: At the moment, I’d recommend The Girl on the Train if you are interested in fiction or maybe something by Rainbow Rowell. I always recommend The Wilder Life to Little House fans and I think Gretchen Rubin’s books on happiness and habits can apply to anyone. For kids, I usually recommend Doreen Cronin, Jennifer L. Holm, and Rebecca Stead. Jana’s note: YES to Rainbow Rowell, especially Eleanor and Park and Attachments. Read those.

Jana: Do you watch movie adaptations of books? What do you think of them?

Kristin: It depends how much I liked the book. Oftentimes, I’ll just see the movie if I have no interest in reading the book. For example, I don’t like the book Pride and Prejudice, but I love the Colin Firth movie adaptation. The Hunger Games books were fantastic and the movies did them about as much justice as possible. I couldn’t stand the book Divergent, but I really liked the movie. I take this on a case-by-case basis.

Jana:Ebooks, paper books, audiobooks, or a combination? Why?

Kristin: Audiobooks or paper books. I think I’ve only read two books on my Kindle app. Since I have a long-ish commute to work, the only surefire way I know I’ll read is if I’m listening to a book. It’s foolproof. Unless I don’t like the book. Then it’s a long painful drive. But I don’t think I’ve ever not (eventually) finished an audiobook. I remember hating All the Light We Cannot See, yet I kept going with it because I didn’t want to listen to the radio. Paper books are easier to put down if I don’t like them. Also, I’m one of those over-organized people who will spend more time on the process of doing something than the actual task of completing it. For example, I’ll look at my stack of books and maybe even carry one around with me, but rarely start reading. Especially if I’m busy with other things.

Jana: Do you use the library or buy books?

Kristin: I prefer using a library just because it’s free, but I buy a lot of audiobooks from Audible. It’s just a matter of cost vs. convenience. It’s worth it to me. I pay about $10-12 a book when all is said and done. I can live with that. I only buy actual paper books if I know I’m going to love it. Case in point: Pioneer Girl, the giant coffee table book of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s original manuscript. I pre-ordered months in advance.

Jana: Does it offend you when people call you a bookworm or book nerd? Why or why not?

Kristin: I don’t think I’ve been called these names. If I have, it was in high school when everyone else was busy not getting an education, and I was making my way through whatever I could find in the meager holdings of the small library. I’m so glad we encourage reading in schools today. Back then, we didn’t past 5th or 6th grade. These days, when I force my students to read, I sit and read with them. I manage to get through a lot of books this way too.

Jana: How do you find time to read?

Kristin: Listening to audiobooks is a Godsend. It magically creates purpose out of otherwise wasted time. That’s my biggest secret, but I know many people don’t care for audiobooks. I usually can form a habit by forcing myself to do something, so that would be my advice to someone looking to make time to read. I originally set a timer for 20 minutes every night and I read before bed. Soon enough, it was an intentional habit and I didn’t have to bother with the timer. I think if you want to make time to read, you will make time to read. We all have our choices and priorities (sorry, I really sound like a teacher there). Also, accountability helps. I share the books I read on my blog once a month and that keeps me reading.

Jana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to people who say they don’t enjoy reading or don’t have time to read?

Kristin: See above. Set a goal, keep a list, take on a reading challenge of some sort to jump-start things, etc.

Interview with a bookworm: Miranda from mirandamarquit.com

Interview with a bookworm: Jenniemarie from Another Housewife

Interview with a bookworm: Eric from Personal Profitability

Interview with a bookworm: Zina from Debt Free After Three

Interview with a bookworm: Kristin from Kristin’s Knook

Connect with Me

Subscribe to Jana Says