Well, the title is a little self explanatory… I’m an unlucky soul who can’t make it to NYC so I’m going to have fun at BEA from my chair! So, first things first, allow me to introduce myself:
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
My name is Nikki H and I love all things with words and Wonder Woman. I love reading all genres, but my favorite age groups are YA, NA, and MG, only because I can escape the “adult” life I already live. Right now I’m studying to become a YA/Children’s Librarian. I’ve been blogging since May 2011 (my blogoversary should be soon!) and I love it! I started blogging because of an English class I took in my undergrad college years. We were supposed to keep notes on all the books we read, and I thought a creative idea would be to make it through a blog! After the class was over I didn’t want to get rid of it so I kept it going!
Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.
I’m blogging from the south side, Texas to be more specific! Home of the most bipolar weather ever! And just in case you’re wondering, NO we do not use horses as transportation everywhere and not everyone has that terrible twang accent lol
Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
I am addicted to spicy foods. Sometimes when we go to the movies and I finish my nachos, I eat just the jalapenos and cheese by themselves. I blame my mother, she did that all throughout her pregnancy with me.
What is your favorite part about the book blogging community?
Talking to authors. Authors are our celebrities, so tweeting them, having a convo with them, or meeting them makes my day.
What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013?
I’m currently reading Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn, but I’m looking to read more summery reads. (As in romance, sand, hot literary guys, etc.)
My favorite books of the year have been Splintered by A.G. Howard and Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. In a different category, I really liked My Life After Now by Jessica Verdi and Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell.
Classics
For a long time I wasn’t a huge fan of the classics. Only because throughout my school years they were shoved down my throat as assignments and not enjoyment. I was one of those that automatically hated anything I had to read for class.
As I got older and had to reread them for college classes they grew on me. For example, I now LOVE To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.
I think a better way to get students to appreciate the classics is to give them a choice. If you know that particular student loves romance novels, let them read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Going by what they love could make the world of a difference.
What do you think could change the way students feel about the classics?
I LOVE your post! I was a YA library assistant in a public library before I moved states (now I'm in cataloging). TKAM is one of my favorite readings from school and it's only gotten better the older I've gotten. Also, I've got My Life After Now at home waiting to be read. Glad to hear it's a good one. Tattooed Books
You know, I always put myself in the category of people who do not like the classics either. But you're right, Catcher, Gatsby and Mockingbird are all truly awesome books. Maybe I should give the classics more of a chance.
Great to get to know you, love your blog and I can't wait to read more.
I hated when I was made to read the Classics too, and my term paper and college turned me around some. I still haven't read The Great Gatsby, but I plan to soon. However To Kill a Mockingbird was always one of my favorites from when I read it in middle school on. All of that said, I still prefer mainstream current fiction of all genres.
Good luck with your studies! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
That's so cool that you are studying to be a librarian. Love your post, especially the part about loving spicy foods.
AH@badassbookreviews.com
Children's librarian sounds like an awesome job 🙂 And chatting w/ authors is always fun too. As for the classics, I think they are better when you don't have to read them because you HAVE to read them, LOL. Pride and Prejudice is still on my favorites shelf and always will be! Book Savvy Babes
Hah, I'm a spicy food lover too! Sriracha is my go to way to spike my food!
Nice to meet you! I've heard Texas weather can be a bit strange, but I've never heard it described as bipolar before! I may have to borrow that for Chicago weather 🙂
And I think being a librarian would be an amazing job – being able to help bring books into people's lives. Very cool!
Great thoughts! I think having a list of choices for young readers, and knowing how to pair their interests with types of books, is a GREAT idea. Although, every time I hear someone call Pride and Prejudice (or the Great Gatsby) a romance novel… Grrrr!! 🙂
Hi Nikki! Eleanor & Park love! I love how you came about creating your blog! And I'm happy you kept it up. <3
Thanks for stopping by my post!
~Sara @ Forever 17 Books
Hi fellow Texan! Actually I'm based in New Mexico but grew up in Texas. ah I see you're reading Another Little Piece. I read that a few weeks ago and still can't wrap my mind around it. Would love to discuss your thoughts on it when you're done.
Have a great week participting in Armchair BEA! 🙂
My experience with reading the classics for school was similar. I didn't like the idea of being told what to read, and I think it really affected my view of them. It'd be great if students were able to choose the ones they were interested in. I definitely would have gone with Pride and Prejudice. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Welcome! I am in OK and apparently Mother Nature has forgotten to taken her meds around here! Hope that you have a fun week with ABEA!
I love what you said about authors being our celebrities. It's so true! When an author retweets me, or favorites my tweets I fangirl. I won't even lie. It's huge for me. And I love what you said about Texas. I live in Tennessee- but NO I don't drink Jack Daniels 24/7 or live on a farm, or have a southern accent. (I'm a transplant from NY, lol).
Jessica@Lovin' Los Libros
Being an adult isn't all that it's cracked up to be is it? 🙂 Thank goodness we can escape into books!
I hope you're enjoying the ABEA, happy reading!