Befriend A Book Blogger – Alex From Bookstormer

I’m pleased to welcome Alex from Bookstormer, another great book blog, to this blog, today. Please do check it out!

Alex is mum of two kids, two cats, and a husband and has always been an avid reader.

But, life got in the way slightly so she read magazines, and short snippets where she could. Recently she got back into reading. The kindle saved her, working from home being a cake maker, she couldn’t always go out when the library was open. So it opened up a new world for her.

This by default, has led her to a new career, that was hoped for, but not planned.

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 only been blogging since September 2016, but I did do Netgalley and good reads before then, I just didn’t have the time to commit to a blog, as I had my own business. Although it was on my list to do for September, to have running by Christmas.

I got prompted to start sooner, as I got offered a job to work for Bloodhound books as a commissioning advisor.

Tell us a little bit about your blog, what will blog readers find there?

As I had a website for my cake business at the time, I wanted something more than just writing reviews for books. I wanted my Book Life, to be shared.

I mostly read crime thrillers, although you will find women’s fiction, as well as Wild Cards, which is where reviews go, that don’t quite fit in either of those genres, you will also find blog tour information, interviews, news, and a gallery. I love going to book events, and it is another way to shout about fantastic author’s

What’s your favourite part about book blogging?

Being able to give something back to authors. Most of the books I read are my own reads, I don’t have much time for ARC’s, but it is my opinion and how I want to write/show how the books I show are able to be shared.

What has been your highlight since you’ve started?

Being able to go to a book launch, meet Kerry Fisher there, then able to interview her, with my friend Timea over High Tea in London, it wasn’t really for the blog, but I have been an avid fan of Kerry’s when she had School Gate Survival Guide as a self-published book, so to be able to share that experience was amazing.

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?

It is too early a days for that, but I do wish I could work the blog out easier, tech isn’t my thing, so for me it would be to be able to do that…and make my life a bit easier.

What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting a book blog?

Do it, but think about your name, branding, I have terms and conditions on my website, but don’t as said take arc’s at the moment as I want to read for pleasure and the pressure of the TBR would take that away, it is there ready for the future. Join facebook groups for blogging and ask for help, they are great and supportive.

How much time does it take up?

At the moment, it is a few hours, what takes up more time is the blog tours I do for #bloghounds and getting those reviews up in time, on the right day, and then sharing them. So at the moment a few hours a week.

What are your reading habits like?

I gave up my cake business, as the new job with Bloodhound took off better than I thought, and quicker. So I read commissions for them during the day, then have a breather, I read my own reads in the p.m. evenings/weekends. I don’t watch much T.V.

What state is your TBR (To Be Read) pile in?

For the blog, good, for personal, desperate to tragic!

I love going to events, so getting signed books, however, I can’t read them, so download them on kindle.

What do you drink while reading?

Mostly tea.

Where’s your favourite place to read?

In bed! But, I am in the process of changing my cake kitchen into an office/library and just had some soft seating made…so I think I may move in there very soon!

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?

Oh! Interesting, hmmm…. That is difficult. I really like independent author’s and the kindle has brought so many of them.

Okay, I have two series and both are because they aren’t my usual reads…

Roz White for her Sisterhood series, it is about a group of transgender girls/women and it is fascinating, intriguing and informative, as well as a fiction book, that I have a feeling is based on facts.

The second is Sarah England’s Occult series, again I am not a big horror fan, but this was more than simple horror. The second book was my favourite as it was the place setting that was eerie.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these. It’s been a pleasure having you.

You can find Alex on her Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Do go and look her up!

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You can find all previous book blogger posts, HERE. 

If you’re a book blogger and want to take part then do let me know.