Today I’m pleased to welcome Katherine to the blog to talk about book blogging. I’m really enjoying this series and hope you are finding some new gems to follow!
Katherine is a stay at home mum of three, living in Hertfordshire. She taught English at Secondary School in a previous life and she cannot last the day without reading, talking about books or writing about books. And drinking tea. In her fictional life she lives on the North Norfolk coast, running on the beach in the morning and writing best selling novels in the afternoon.
Welcome to the blog, thanks for stepping away from yours for a few minutes to answer some questions about book blogging.
We’ll start with the easy questions and then see where we go from there!
How long have you been book blogging and what prompted you to start?
I have been blogging since the end of January 2016. I have always been an avid reader and was always getting asked for recommendations so I just thought it might be fun to write up my reviews and put them on a blog. I had never used Twitter before but one afternoon I had a go at setting up a blog, posted a few reviews and sat back in bemusement when people actually started to read them and follow me!
Tell us a little bit about your blog, what will blog readers find there?
I review novels in a range of genres but mainly psychological thrillers, women’s fiction and some literary fiction. My blog is full of reviews, author Q&As and lists of great reads. I have also just started something called Bibliomaniac’s Book Club which suggests titles that would work well in a book group. The posts for the Book Club provide questions, ideas for conversation starters, props, snacks and drinks for the group to use when they discuss the book.
What’s your favourite part about book blogging?
Sharing my passion for books with other bloggers, authors and anyone who’ll listen to me!
What has been your highlight since you’ve started?
OOOhhh, there have been a few. Getting approved for my first ARC by NetGalley……A L Bird (The Good Mother) and Leslie Allen (The Lonely Life of Biddy Weir) used my quote in their paperback editions. ….. Attending the Killer Women Crime Festival…….
If you could carry on blogging but could stop doing one thing (that’s maybe a necessary part of the process now) what would it be?
There’s no aspect that I dislike – although some would say I should find out a way to stop myself from requesting almost every single book I ever see on Twitter, Facebook, NetGalley, Goodreads, Publishers Websites, Authors Timelines, Book Bloggers Pages……
What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting a book blog?
Go for it! Read the books you want to read, write the reviews you want to write and create a blog that you are proud of, not one that you think might win you followers or earn you money. Show respect to the book and its author, be constructive and honest but never rude or derogatory. Write a blog that reflects your bibliomania.
How much time does it take up?
*cough* sorry what was that? *cough*
What are your reading habits like?
I read in bed, at the breakfast table, waiting in the queue at the school gate, in the car, while cooking tea, checking spellings and listening to piano practice, instead of watching telly in the evening and far, far too late into the night.
What state is your TBR (To Be Read) pile in?
It’s far too embarrassed to show its face anywhere near this interview. It’s best you don’t ask.
What do you drink while reading?
Tea. I have an enormous mug that my family tease me about.
Where’s your favourite place to read?
In the kitchen, very early in the morning with my youngest. We sit together on the sofa, I read and he watches telly before the rest of the world wakes up.
What book would you recommend, that gets little attention, that you haven’t really seen talked about? And why, what is it about this book that you love?
I think Emily Organ deserves a shout out – her most recent release is the third part in an historical thriller trilogy but her first book, “The Last Day” was a genuinely pleasing read about a man who predicts the day on which he will die, and then that day arrives. It’s really cleverly plotted, has a great protagonist and lovely writing.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these. It’s been a pleasure having you.
Thank you very much for letting me take part! It’s been fun!
You can find Katherine on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.
For all the previous blogger posts go Here. If you want to take part, do let me know.
Alison Brodie says
Linda’s Book Obessions wants to make blogger friends. She’s American. Does that count? https://lindasbookobsession.blog/
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Good luck with the book club!
Margot Kinberg says
It’s always so nice to learn about all of the fantastic book bloggers out there! And I couldn’t agree more about the whole TBR thing; mine’s outrageous. Wishing you much success with the book club. Thanks, both.
Mason Canyon says
Always good to meet a fellow book lover.
Donna says
Your advice should be emailed with the confirmation of creation of a blog when people first start! 🙂
Haha, loved the answer to the time it takes to blog. What is time, anyway??
Kay says
How nice to discover another blogger! Love the idea of sharing book group suggestions. I’ve been involved with a mystery book group for 9 years and we have such a good time.
Rebecca, love this feature! I’ve been away from reading your blog, but am back now (not sure how that happened! Ha!). So glad to read what you have to say!
Katherine says
Thanks so much for having me Rebecca!! Really enjoyed taking part in this!! Thanks- and will be reading all the other posts about fellow bloggers with interest too!! Xx