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BBAW: Interview with Lit and Life

Welcome to day two of Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW). Today is the interview swap with another blogger, which is always my favorite part. Lit and Life is a blog that I’ve read off and on, though not always commented on, for several years. She’s one of the participants in the WWI Reading Challenge this year at War Through the Generations, and she’s got some fun features.

Let’s get to the interview, shall we:

1. Lit and Life is your piece of the Internet where you talk about books and life. What have been some of your most popular blog posts? Which books have generated the most discussion? What life posts?

For my first year of blogging, I was obsessed with my stats. Then I came to realize that as long as I didn’t monetize my blog, I didn’t really care how many people read my blog each day since, first and foremost, I’m blogging for me. Along the way, I’m happy that other people do check in and comment but I can’t really tell you which posts were the most popular. I do always notice that I get a lot more discussion when I review non-fiction books and my Sunday Salon posts always seem to get some discussion going.

2. It says on the about me page that you love flea markets (me too!). Do you just go to browse or do you have specific lists of items you are looking for? What is the most unusual thing you’ve found at a flea market that you just love and why?

I always have some things I’m keeping an eye out for when I go to flea markets, “antique” malls and stores and auctions. Old children’s books, pieces of pressed glass that match the ones I collect, frames and architectural elements are always on my radar. But I love to just browse and keep my mind open to interesting new things. Twenty-five years ago, my husband and I found an old kitchen table at an auction that we picked up for five dollars. We refinished it but it’s a table that clearly has a history and I love that about it. I think it tells people a lot about the kind of household we have.

3. If I were to give you a book of poetry, would you read it? Why or why not? If you’ve read poetry in the past, which book or poet have you read and would recommend to others?

Absolutely I’d read it although I might have to check back in with you frequently to have you explain it. It’s probably cliche to say it but I do love Emily Dickinson. I must admit that I struggle to read some poetry – I’ve tried to read “Leave of Grass” several times but Whitman really makes you think and I can only read about one of his poems a day. That makes getting through the book endless and I usually end up setting it aside since it’s so long. I did read my kids a lot of poetry when they were growing up – Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky were big favorites and we often did art projects based on their poems.

4. Fairy Tale Fridays is a unique part of your blog. Do you prefer new or old fairy tales? What draws you to these stories and which would you recommend as must reads?

I’m a sucker for the old fairy tales but I do love to read the new takes on them. I think the history and the darkness of fairy tales is what really draws me to them. I’m also fascinated by trying to figure out what it is about a tale that made it something that people passed on and how so many of the core stories are found in countries all over the world. There are a lot of great collections of fairy tales, although it is hard to find books that encompass tales from more than one source. There are some great books for children based on fairy tales including Rapunzel Illustrated by Paul Zelinsky and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka. Check out Goodreads list of the best fairy tales and retellings for some great adult and children’s books.

5. What are your top 3 go-to book blogs for recommendations and why?

It’s funny that my top book blogs have changed over the past three years. In the beginning, I really stuck with the big bloggers, but over the years, I’ve found the blogs that bring me opinions on the kinds of books I like but also expose me to books I might otherwise pass by. Three blogs that are my go-to’s right now are: Book Chatter, Rhapsody In Books Weblog, and Life In The Thumb. But, let’s be honest – after clearing my reader, I still have 75 blogs that I read and enjoy on a regular basis.

If you’re interested in the interview she did with me, check it out.

Comments

  1. The Friday Fairy Tales is a nice feature!

  2. Tanya Patrice says

    Wow really interesting interview, both the questions and the answers. Lit and Life is new to me too, but I’m definitely impressed.

  3. I used to be obsessed with stats too. Now, I’m just like whatever.

    Here is my interview

  4. I love flea markets. One gets great bargains !!

    Here is my BBAW: Interview Swap with Emma Cazabonne post.

    • I love flea markets, and used to frequent them more when I was little, but now that I’m looking for kids stuff, bargains are essential.

      • When my kids were littler, I spent my shopping time at garage sales and consignment stores. So many great buys, especially on the things they only use for a short time. I bought Miss H a little burgundy velvet dress with pantaloons for the Christmas when she was 2 for $20. I’m sure it would have been 4 x that retail. It was big that year, fit perfectly the next Christmas and when she was 4, she wore the dress w/out the pantaloons. One of my best buys ever for the kids!

  5. Rhapsodyinbooks says

    Serena, you are so cute – you never stop advocating for poetry! And Lisa, thanks so much for mentioning me! And I want to tell you also I was very excited this weekend at SIBA to find another author who does fairy tale retellings! Well of course all my stuff is still somewhere in my suitcase so I can’t tell you who or what at the moment but I’ll get organized soon! LOL

    • Of course not, Jill. I still say that like fiction and nonfiction, there are books of poetry for everyone out there…you just have to take the plunge and find them.

  6. Beth Hoffman says

    It’s fun getting to know the bloggers, and I really enjoyed Lit and Life’s interview. Maybe she and I will bump into each other at a flea market!

  7. Great interview! I love furniture and other antiques with a history. I’d also like to check out that fairy tales list. Thanks for the link!

  8. I wish I were better at spotting treasures at flea markets. I love all the blogs Lisa mentioned.

    • I love flea markets, but the things I look for are rarely there if ever. I probably should try antique places, but they are too expensive.