February 15, 2014

Book Blogger Love-a-thon || Kick-Off & Interview


Hi friends! Today is the official start of the 2014 Book Blogger Love-a-thon, hosted by Katelyn & yours truly. It's going to be a fun two days of spreading the love for book blogs and the bloggers behind them! Now's your chance to get to commenting, following, tweeting, saying thanks and so, much more. Plus, we've come up with a bunch of mini-challenges, have set up two Twitter chats and put together a bunch of awesome prizes to give away this year.

If you haven't signed up yet, YOU STILL CAN! Just visit this post and fill out the form. After, contact us via Twitter or email so that we can add you to our official participant list. You can also check out the full schedule for the 2014 Book Blogger Love-a-thon here!

Before anything else, I'd like to say thank you on behalf of us both. Thank you, dear fellow bloggers, for signing up and overwhelming us both with how excited and eager you are to participate! Thank you, dear authors and publishers, for your generous donations for the giveaways.

And now, it's time to begin! As is tradition, the first post of the 2014 Book Blogger Love-a-thon features an interview. This year, some people did the interview swaps and hosted another blogger on their blog -- which is rad! And some people, your hosts included, have answered the pre-made interview questions. You can check out my answers below!

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

My blog name, Alexa Loves Books, is basically a statement of fact, one most of my family and friends know about me - I love books. I do wish I'd been a little more clever (and I did think of a blog name that would have suited me even more just last year), but I do love the simplicity too.

2. What genre or subject matter do you read and review most on your blog?

I read a TON of fantasy novels, as it's my first {genre} love. But contemporary novels are slowly gaining ground these days!

3. Name the three books you're excited for in 2014!

This was actually a tough question, as I'm excited for a lot of books! As of now, these are the three that I've been thinking about the most - Heir of Fire (Sarah J. Maas), To All the Boys I've Loved Before (Jenny Han) and Brown-Eyed Girl (Lisa Kleypas).

4. Where in the world are you blogging from?

New York, specifically the Bronx. I've been living here for about 2 years now, so it's definitely been my blogging home base (though I do occasionally blog from my office).

5. Tell us -- how did you get into blogging in the first place?

I don't remember how, but I stumbled across The Story Siren one day. I lurked on Kristi's site, reading reviews, hopping off to other blogs from the comments and thinking, "This is cool! I love that there are people who love books as much as I do." Eventually, I decided that I wanted to take the plunge so that I could contribute my own opinions to the book blogging community!

6. Apart from reading, what other hobbies/interests do you have?

I love writing, so it's fitting that I'm a blogger. I also really enjoy traveling! It's fun to go on new adventures, whether that simply means discovering a new part of New York or going somewhere entirely different. One other hobby I have, though I haven't indulged in it for a while is scrapbooking. I'm also (sort of) learning to knit and experimenting with dip pens (two things inspired by author Jodi Meadows). Another thing I love? Food, especially sweets. I'm a sucker for sweet things and have made it a mission to learn to make them.

7. If you were stuck on a deserted island, which books would you bring with you?

I'd bring a Bible, the Harry Potter series (the set that's in a chest) and the Anne of Green Gables series. I'd also try to bring an iPad with the Kindle app and all my books, along with a solar-powered charger. (Basically, I'm cheating because I NEED MY BOOKS.)

8. If you were stuck in some dangerous situation (like a fire, a sinking ship, a war zone), which book boy or girl would you want to come and save you?

If I chose a boy, it would be Chaol Westfall (Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas). As a captain of the guard, he'd have the necessary skills to protect me and to teach me. Plus, he's just such a sweetheart. I feel like everyone who knows me or reads my tweets would have been able to guess this!

If I chose a girl, it would be Hermione Granger (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling). The girl's got smarts, courage and magic! Plus, she's extra resourceful and not willing to give up. I've always loved her, and I think she'd be an excellent companion to have.


9. You're at a party with your friends. Suddenly, the DJ changes the song and it's YOUR song -- what song would that be?

Currently, it would either be Roar (Katy Perry), Treasure (Bruno Mars) or Knee Deep in My Heart (Shane Filan). But if we're talking the songs that have stayed with me? U Make Me Wanna (Blue), This I Promise You (NSYNC), Stop (Spice Girls), Wonderwall (Oasis) or More Than Words (Westlife).

10. What three movies would you love to have your favorite author turn into a book, or vice versa?

I would very much like to see the following books turned into movies -- the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, the Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson and the Incarnate series by Jodi Meadows. Each of these series is epic, and it would be awesome to see it happening in front of my eyes and not just in my mind.

As for movies being written into books, I'd love to see Bride Wars, Inception and Now and Then written. It doesn't even have to be exactly like the films, but something inspired by them!
There you go, guys, my answers to this year's pre-made questionnaire. I had a lot of fun thinking of my responses, even though it resulted in a bit of cheating (I tried really hard not to). I can't wait to check out all the other interviews!

In order to make things a little bit easier, here's the official list of participants as of 12AM EST on February 15. Please hop around and visit as many fellow bloggers as you can!

February 15, 2014 , 26 comments

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26 Comments:

  1. Elizabeth StiertFebruary 15, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    These are some great answers. I especially loved you answer to the deserted island question!
    That was the hardest for me to answer.
    Elizabeth @ Redhead Reader

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  2. NicoleFebruary 15, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    Fantasy is my favorite genre too and I can't wait for Heir of Fire! And I totally cheated on #7 too. You've got some awesome picks for a savior from that desert island. Many of them crossed my mind but I ended up picking Sturmhond. ;) And I thought about The Lunar Chronicles as a movie! But books to movies just scare me and I would hate to have that series destroyed on the big screen (like VA!)

    The love-a-thon is so much bigger this year than it was last year! That is so so exciting!

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  3. UnknownFebruary 15, 2014 at 9:36 AM

    Brown-Eyed Girl, yes! I'm so happy there will be another Travis boy to fawn over! <3

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    Solar-powered Kindles!! Why didn't I think of that? Haha

    And I wonder if Inception was a book, if I'd find it easier or harder to understand...haha

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  5. Hannah LorraineFebruary 15, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    Thanks for hosting the Love-A-Thon again! I'm with you in pretty much everything - especially wanting Chaol to be my knight in shining armor!

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  6. Amber (Books of Amber)February 15, 2014 at 10:08 AM

    Haha, I often wish that I had been more clever with my blog name too, but what can you do? I often like to think up new blog names, but I would never change mine. HEIR OF FIRE! I'm only excited for Celaena and the things she's going to get up to at that place that she's going. ~vague explanation is vague~. Hermione is an excellent choice, I would take her with me as well. Fire and Thorns would be an amazing movie or TV show. And now I need the Lunar Chronicles movie! NOW.

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  7. The Reading DateFebruary 15, 2014 at 10:35 AM

    Alexa, thanks for co-hosting this fun event! I'm a loveathon newbie and having a blast visiting new blogs.

    I so can't wait to read Heir of Fire and To all the Boys! Chaol would make an excellent protector :)

    And all of those books sound like they'd make great movies, especially the Lunar Chronicles!

    Happy loveathoning, Alexa!

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  8. RebeccaFebruary 15, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    Love the interview! 1) I love your blog name, it's simple but very you 2) yay for contemporary! It's my fave so I love to see others enjoying it and 3) I can't wait to read To All the Boys I've Loved as well!

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  9. LaurenFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    BAHAHAHA, Alexa... seriously love your deserted island answer, book lovers are such cheaters always with these questions :P I love every single one of your "stay with you" songs :) I actually want to go listen to NSync now :P

    Seriously, thanks so much for hosting this love a thon again!! I missed out on in last year because I was only blogging for about 6 months and quite shy about taking part in events so I was SO happy to see you ladies were doing it again this year!! I'm already having so much fun and it's only just begun!! *bounces off* xo

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  10. SanaFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    I love your blog name 'cause it's a classic.

    Solar-powered Kindle, that's genius, Alexa! =D

    I'm a contemporary girl myself, but it's the opposite with us because I recently started reading fantasy and I'm loving it. Ha ha.

    Heir of Fire high five! My fingers are crossed for To All the Boys I've Ever Loved to be awesome.

    Yes to Chaol Westfall. He is the best, really.

    Wonderwall by Oasis is a great song and I discovered it in Leila Sales' This Song Will Save Your Life. 80s music is a not-to-be-missed and I hope to listen to more of it soon.

    Inception as a book would be awesome and we both chose it so somebody better start writing it today. ^.^

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  11. Captivated ReaderFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM

    Nice interview! I like Hermione Granger for the same reasons you do!!

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  12. My Thoughts.... Literally!February 15, 2014 at 11:40 AM

    This sounds so fun! Count me in!
    Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally

    http://mythoughtsliterally.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-blogger-love-thon.html?m=1

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  13. JudithFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:49 AM

    I love that you mention fantasy novels are your favorite because they're mine as well. Although contemporary is a very, very close second.

    I'm SUPER EXCITED for Heir of Fire and it will be effing amazing and we will both die with feels.

    You should totally travel to the Netherlands, y/y?

    I was *this* close to mentioning Chaol as the one to come save me, but I'm kind of totally obsessed with Hector right now. I think you knew that already.

    And our movie answers are almost the same! I also would LOVE to see Fire and Thorns and the Lunar Chronicles on the big screen.

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  14. Cora - Tea Party PrincessFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:49 AM

    What's your favourite sweet treat?

    And I think Bride Wars would make an awesome book, a very fun and funny read.

    Cora @ Tea Party Princess

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  15. bookrockbettyFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    ALEXA! I learned to knit a few years ago-- and by that I mean I can barely knit at all, but I think we need to have a knitting party. Yeah?? Cassie and I vow to start Throne of Glass within the next month. We must meet Chaol. I need to get on book 2 of Fire and Thorns-- I keep seeing more and more about Hector. ;)

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  16. UnknownFebruary 15, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    Marissa Meyer mentioned during the Cress launch party that the Lunar Chronicles are going to be turned into movies!! <3 You can't imagine how excited I was when I heard the news :D
    I tried really hard not to cheat on question #7 but you're right, we need our books!
    - Farzy @ Books Keep Me Sane

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  17. Alexa S.February 15, 2014 at 2:28 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. AlexFebruary 15, 2014 at 3:12 PM

    First off, I just want to say thanks so much for hosting the Love-A-Thon! It's so fun! :D

    Another knitter! I'm not very good, either. I can make scarves and that's about it (and I'm hoping to learn more intricate scarf patterns, too, because mine are kind of boring, haha). Good idea to bring a Kindle AND the solar powered charger! But what about the wifi? :P Also, I love your song choices--especially NSYNC, Spice Girls, and Oasis. 90s throwback!

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  19. UnknownFebruary 15, 2014 at 6:08 PM

    Great answers to the interview! :) oh the solar powered kindle, why didn't I think of that? :)

    Thanks for hosting the loveathon! It's very fun! :)

    -Kimi at Geeky Chiquitas

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  20. SaraFebruary 15, 2014 at 7:22 PM

    I really like the name Alexa Loves Books- it's simple, but memorable. In response to your question on my blog, I am in commuting distance from the city (and I actually have some family that lives in the Bronx!).

    A Girl of Fire and Thorns movie would be amazing, but the casting for Hector would have to be PERFECT. And Elisa, too, of course. :)

    Thanks so much for hosting the LoveAthon, Alexa!

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  21. Bonnie @ A Backwards StoryFebruary 16, 2014 at 12:02 AM

    Alexa, it's why we get along so well! We love the same stuff! I mean, look at all the books you just mentioned! Mutual love for Jodi and Rae and Marissa <3 We need to introduce one another to the best books! Oooh, I wish Feb was a fantasy month for me. Maybe March...!? I'm going back to Japan in 2017 if you want to slip in, lol! I want to know what would have suited you for a blog name, lol! I think we all find "the" name when it's too late!! I think 2014 will be a big contemporary year for me. So much coming out! I was soooooo tempted to choose HEIR OF FIRE!! What is a dip pen???? Ooh, I want to be stuck with Chaol and Hector and Wolf and Beast and...ahhhh....your choices are so great!!! OMG, and Katsa!!! She would be THE GIRL. How did I forget her!? Ohhh, I want to see Inception as a book just because THAT ENDING!!! And actually, August Rush, too! There were parts that went fast and I really thought it WAS a book...until I couldn't read it!

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  22. NaraFebruary 16, 2014 at 3:20 AM

    omg so ridiculously excited for Heir of Fire! and haha I think I've seen at least two or three bloggers choose Chaol for Q8- not that I blame them ;)
    YES TO ALL YOUR ANSWERS FOR Q10! omg if they could cast them right, they'd make amazing movies :D

    Thanks so much for organising the whole event, Alexa :)

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