If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that one of my favorite activities is interviewing other bloggers. For this year’s interview swap as part of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gautami of Everything Distils Into Reading.
She and I share a love of writing and reading poetry, and I love to check out her poems from time to time, which she posts online for her readers. She’s very prolific, and wouldn’t it be grand if another blogger were to publish a poetry book, like Sandra of Fresh Ink Books?
Without further ado, here’s my in-depth interview with Gautami:
1. Everything Distils into Reading is not your first book blog, but why did you decide to keep going and how did you come up with the name for the new incarnation?
I lost my blog, My Own Little Reading Room, to malware in April 2009. It was a very big loss. I kind of felt as if something was cut of from my body. I decided the only option was to keep going. My life revolves around books. I am a teacher, so my work too is reading related. That is how the name of my blog came up.
2. How do you determine which blogs to read on a regular basis and how often do you read them?
I have stuck to the old bloggers. I like to read Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction and poetry. So I kind of only read those blogs and a few others which are mix of all. I read via Google Reader!
3. I know you recently went through a reading slump (and may still be), but could you provide readers and bloggers alike with some tips on how to overcome that slump?
My reading slump persists. I am unable to read novels. But I am reading a lot. Scientific papers. Poetry. Global news. Non-fiction. Short pieces hold my interest. I say, do what works best for you!
4. As a writer of poetry, do you keep writing for yourself? Do you submit to magazines (online or print)? And what keeps you inspired?
I write poetry only for myself. I do have a blog, rooted. I write from writing prompts. Never submitted my poetry any where.
5. If you had to choose one book (of poetry or otherwise) from the 2011 publication year to nominate for the Indie Lit Awards in September, what would it be?
I can’t answer that. Mainly because I have not explored. Being an Indian, all those awards don’t have much meaning for me!
Thanks, Gautami, for sharing a bit of yourself and your blog with us. Feel free to leave a question for Gautami or myself or leave a link to your BBAW interview swap.
Want to check out Gautami’s interview with me, head on over to her blog.
Today’s giveaway is for Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles. You must be a blogger to enter and you must leave your blog address. Open internationally; deadline ends Sept. 16, 2011, at 11:59PM EST.
These interview exchanges are one of my favorite features of BBAW – thanks for helping us to get to know Guatami.
I love the interviews too!
I would love to be entered for this, it sounds great! My blog is: http://emrelove.blogspot.com
[email protected]
Thanks for entering.
I was wondering why the name Gautami sounded familiar until I remembered that Gautami commented in my BTT meme posts a few times. It’s fun meeting other book bloggers I’ve come across before. 🙂
And now your google reader has increased by yet another blog! 🙂
I love Guatami’s blog. Great questions!
Thanks for stopping by and checking out the interview.
I loved reading Gautami’s answers. And those pictures are lovely! Thank you for sharing!
I love seeing the people behind the blogs.
I admit I haven’t read any poetry since school but I admire those that do! Thanks for letting us get to know more about Gautami
Thanks for stopping by Shelleyrae
I love that you two poetry mavens got paired up for the interview swap :-). And I remember when the malware ate Gautami’s first blog, which is one reason I do try to remember to back mine up (not often enough, though!). She’s been doing this for so long that I’m glad she didn’t let that stop her!
Do you think it was planned?! I think it might have been knowing that Lu was involved in the pairing process. LOL
I loved this interview — great questions, and fabulous answers. I can’t imagine losing a blog — how heartbreaking! I appreciate Gautami’s candor about being in a reading slump — that’s hard and disappointing and tricky (especially when one is a book blogger!) — so I hope it passes soon!
She is very candid about her reading slump, and I’m glad that she’s found a way to cope with it.
Great interview. I love finding new crime books from Gautami’s blog.
Good place for me to get ideas for my mom’s reading.
Nice interview. How awful to lose a blog to malware! I’m glad Gautami kept going. It must be hard after something like that. And that’s good advice re: reading slumps. Reading something is better than not reading because you don’t feel like you’re able to read what you’re “supposed” to be reading!
I really like that she continues to read even in a reading slump…it just isn’t novels.
Very well done, Serena. Your questions were perfect to get to know more about Gautami. Just like you, I’m a bit disappointed none of my family is curious to know what I write about on my blogs (the fact that I write them in English make it difficult, since we are Italian), none of my friends or colleagues either. Well, I actually avoid publicizing my online activity too much … however, it’s so rewarding to see that perfect strangers from distant places just drop by by chance and read what I write about. It’s something extraordinary to me! Then, I’ve met so many people to share my passions with! It was so sad I didn’t know anyone who liked what I like in my real life. Best wishes for everything in your life! MG
I’m glad that you enjoyed the interview. Its funny how families are about blogs and reading. I often wonder why I read so much when most of my family does not.
I “met” Gautami right before she lost her blog and have enjoyed getting to know her over the years.
I really love learning more and more about our fellow bloggers.
Hope your reading slump passes. I hate reading slumps myself.
No need to enter me in the giveaway.
I haven’t had a reading slump in ages, but I think its because I read a wide variety.
I have vague recollections of that whole incident, and have to give her so much credit for picking herself back up and starting over again. I back up, but probably not enough. I see Gautami around everywhere, so it is great to get to know her a little better!
I see her everywhere as well. I’d like to know how she does that…I should have asked her. 🙂
Well, I got superhuman powers!
I am single, not in a relationship. No babies….so I do pretty much what I wanna do!
That probably helps a lot.
I’m so glad Gautami didn’t give up after the loss of her first blog. I think we all learned a lesson from it. I’ve enjoyed reading her poetry over the years, and I really enjoyed reading this interview!
No need to enter me in the giveaway, but I added it to my sidebar for you.
I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
I do the same as Gautami when I go through a reading slump. Nonfiction and shorter pieces, like poetry, can be a godsend when you want to read something but can’t manage to commit to a novel.
I agree, what great advice.
Wow, I remember the whole malware thing like it was yesterday! Time flies when you’re blogging, I guess! :–)
Right! I remember it vividly.
I enjoyed your interview of Gautami very much, Serena! I’ve read several of her poems & they are wonderful. I had no idea she lost her first blog. I cannot begin to imagine how awful that must have been. Thank goodness Gautami decide to continue with a nrw blog – whew! I also love that you posted photos, Serena. I didn’t think about that and will remember for next year.
Please enter me in your giveaway, too. This book intrigues me & is on my tbr list!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for checking out the interview. I think I got the idea for photos last BBAW.
Well, I am ARIES. I don’t give up on anything. EVER! So staring a new book blog was a natural progression for me. My book blogger friends were very supportive of me. They helped me by getting around the word about my new blog. I would say GOOGLE READER rocks! I retrieved all my previous post on that other blog, from there. I am glad I had subscribed my own blog. DO IT, folks!
You did great! I thank you for making me realize that backing up the blog is the best option.
I remember when she lost her blog to malware and have been trying to keep my blog backed up ever since. I admire her for starting a new blog.
She definitely spurred a lot of us to backup our blogs. Her dedication to starting a new blog is one thing I so admire about her.
I loved this interview swap with you! And the photo you shared is the one I have always liked on FB!
It’s one of my favorites. And I hate photos of myself.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I blog at http://sugarpeach.wordpress.com
I remember when Gautami lost her blog! I am not sure I would have started again.
Thanks so much for the interview. It is always good to meet the person behind the blog.
I’m not sure I would have started again, either, but I hope I never have to find out.
I try to backup regularly just in case!
I enjoyed your questions and Gautami’s answers Serena. Now on to Gautami’s blog to check out your answers.
It was a fun interview!
Thank you for a nice interview and pictures. Always nice to put a face to the name!
Please also count me in for the giveaway and thanks for sharing.
I love when people share pictures as well