Woot! For Armchair BEA today, I get to interview one of my favorite bloggers (and on my wish list to meet, next time I’m in Utah): Suey of It’s All About Books. I have no idea when I discovered her blog (years ago), or even what drew me to her (possibly good writing, fun reviews, and a similar taste in books), but if you’re not following her blog, you should be.

Me: What do you enjoy about reading? What keeps you picking up the next book?
Suey: First and foremost, I love the stories… and the characters. I love traveling to new places, both real and not. But I also love seeing what authors can do with words. Some of them completely blow me away with their word manipulation ability, so I love that experience, just enjoying the language itself. I keep coming back, and will never stop reading because there’s just so much out there to read! And the thought of experiencing that perfect wonderful story makes me keep on reading.

Me: What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Suey: I really enjoy the creative outlet that it is for me. Then there’s the obvious book discussion and sharing of a passion that is so fun. Discovering and being part of a huge community of other passionate readers has been a bonus, something I truly didn’t expect when I started, even though I was already participating in online bookish communities. It really is a rewarding and fun hobby.

Me: Are you a buyer or a borrower? Why?
Suey: My first response is that I am equally both. But then I looked back on the numbers and here’s what I found from the past three years. In 2007 I borrowed (from the library of course) 60 and 40 came from my own (bought or gift) pile. In 2008 it was 51 borrowed and 49 from my own pile. This past year in 2009 it switched to 35 borrowed and 52 from my own pile. So it appears I’m borrowing less and buying more! I think this is because I’m going to more author signings, and discovering more local authors whose books I feel the need to buy (thereby putting my money where my mouth is!) Also, it could be that I’m buying more because I got a little job and I can “spend my own money!”

Me: What do you do with your time when you’re not reading or blogging?
Suey: In between reading and blogging you can find me doing mom things… boring mom things. Cooking dinner, driving kids here and there, trying to keep the dishes clean and the floor bearable, washing and folding clothes, and a lot of worrying (about homework, graduation, college applications, dances, summer jobs, making kids practice for lessons, getting money paid where it’s needed, not forgetting all the stuff there is to remember!) So basically… all the normal stuff. I also work 12 hours a week at the library up in the Administration office where I help the Admin. Secretary. I also watch TV, as most of you know, but usually while I’m doing something else like folding clothes (or blogging!) Some shows I do watch live and just sit and enjoy. Before blogging, I used to scrapbook a little and quilt a little. But I haven’t done either one of those things in a long time!

Me: Sounds a lot like me! So, if you were at BEA, what would you most likely be doing?
Suey: I would be going to lots of panel discussions because I find them way too much fun. I would be getting books and having them signed by lots of authors. I would be networking with other bloggers and having fun with all the meet-ups. I would hopefully come home with a list of new-to-me authors to love, and bloggers too actually. Also, hopefully I would do a little promoting of the blog and come home feeling all pumped up to keep it going. The other thing I’d most likely be doing is having many many anxiety attacks while I try to overcome nervousness at doing all the above mentioned things! I would seriously not do well going to BEA on my own.

Me: I can totally empathize; I want to go, but it would be completely overwhelming. Ok, lighting round:
A favorite place to read?
On the couch in my living room.

A favorite author?
Markus Zusak remains my current favorite… even though he is making me crazy by not having a new book come out!

(I’m not surprised surprised; I was guessing either him or John Green!) A favorite blog?
Besides yours? 🙂 Dang, I have too many to pick just one. A fairly recent new favorite is Amused by Books.

*blush* Thanks for the compliment! A favorite genre?
I really do love fantasy, both YA and the “big people” kind.

And five books you think everyone should read?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Isn’t she lovely? Thanks so much, Suey!