Tantalizing Trailers: Shooting Stars by Allison Rushby plus Author Q & A

Title: Shooting Stars

Author: Allison Rushby

Publisher: Walker Children's (US)

Publication Date: 28 Feb 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Meet Josephine Foster, or Zo Jo as she’s called in the biz. The best pint-sized photographer of them all, Jo doesn’t mind doing what it takes to get that perfect shot, until she’s sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett—teen superstar and the only celebrity who’s ever been kind to her—at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat in Boston. The money will be enough to pay for Jo’s dream: real photography classes, and maybe even quitting her paparazzi gig for good. Everyone wants to know what Ned’s in for. But Jo certainly doesn’t know what she’s in for: falling in love with Ned was never supposed to be part of her assignment.

You may have seen this little beauty in my Love List post for February - how could I not showcase the trailer. ENJOY

I am also delighted to be able to share a Q and A from Allison with you.

Shooting Stars Q&A 

About Shooting Stars 

What's Shooting Stars about? 

Shooting Stars centers on Jo, a sixteen-year-old paparazzo living in LA. Jo is all about getting the perfect shot and doesn't mind doing what it takes to get it, either. That is, until she's sent on an undercover assignment to shoot Ned Hartnett – teen superstar and the only celebrity who's ever been anything close to kind to her – at an exclusive rehab retreat in Boston. Taking, or not taking, the job is a huge decision for Jo. Taking it would mean finally having enough money to pay for her dream: real photography classes. But when she falls in love with Ned…? Suddenly everything in Jo's world isn't as black and white as it usually is.

Was there something in particular that inspired you to write this book? 

The initial inspiration was reading an article about a real-life sixteen-year-old paparazzo. I found my eyes boggling as I read about how he got around LA either on his bicycle, or his dad drove him late at night. I couldn't imagine what this part-time job must be like (as I guessed it had to be extremely cut-throat, especially compared to working at McDonald's!), so I decided to imagine away and came up with Jo. I had an absolute ball researching this book, including reading trashy magazines and a lot of books written by, and about, the paparazzi (fellow Aussie Darryn Lyons's Mr Paparazzi is a fabulous one if you're looking). The things they had to say about celebrity – about the dark side of celebrity and fame – were truly revealing.

The love interest in Shooting Stars is a celebrity. Was it difficult writing about a celebrity and non-celebrity characters at the same time?

I think the most important thing here was removing Ned (and Jo) from the LA environment. In rehab, it doesn't matter who you are – everyone is on neutral ground (or so I hear!) and this is how things are for Ned and Jo. If I'd left them in LA I'm sure they would never have gotten together – their jobs were too much a part of what defined them as people. But in a neutral environment, their personalities are more important than their job definition, so they're able to get to know each other as real people.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

I think I'd have to opt for the very obvious choice of the pool scene. So many heightened emotions all coming together at once! Plus shock when Jo finds out the truth about Ned. I think it's also an interesting moment for Jo, because, before that point in time, I don't think she would have believed she could ever be so wrong about somebody, or miss something so big that was right in her face.

The plot of Shooting Stars revolves around the career of Josephine Foster, a young photographer. Did you have an interest in photography before writing Shooting Stars?

I wasn't interested in photography so much as fame. As a writer, I've been interested in fame as a concept for keeping two romantic interests apart for some time (can you guess one of my favourite films is Notting Hill ?!). After reading an article about a young paparazzo, I then did quite a bit of research into how the paparazzi operate (in LA, in particular) and delved into their thoughts on fame and how it operates in Hollywood. It was amazingly fascinating stuff. It's all quite parasitic -- the stars can't maintain their stardom without the paparazzi and the paparazzi have no work without the stars.

Have you ever seen the paparazzi in action? 

I have! In London, Sydney and NYC. I've only ever once seen the person they were trying to shoot, however. That was in NYC and it was Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory ). These days, out in the Cambridgeshire countryside, I see more trainspotters with cameras than paparazzi, I'm afraid!

About the author 

Do you have a favorite television show, or series? 

Oh, that's easy. Downton Abbey , Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey (*shakes pompoms*)! I am completely in love with this series. So much so, I'm ashamed to admit I know they're starting filming again next week at Ealing Studios and will then move on to filming the scenes at Highclere Castle (one must refrain from stalking!). I've always been a huge fan of the 1920s and am very excited that this is where Downton is headed next. Of course, I'll have to wait for some time to watch the next series as we've seen all of season 2 in the UK, as well as the Christmas special. In the meantime, I'm having my own fun watching both seasons again on DVD.

Do you have any special talents (tying cherry stalks with your tongue etc.?!). 

I think mine would have to be my secret bargain hunting habit. I am a slave to eBay and Gumtree. I love a bargain and am good at selling, too. It's the Taurean in me (I like to blame it on this or I just sound cheap!). I love giving things away on Freecycle too. I am crazy about de-cluttering.

What are you working on next? 

I recently finished writing another YA novel tentatively titled Being Hartley. Since finishing that, I've moved on to writing something very different – a Downton Abbey-esque six episode e-serial for St Martin's Press, tentatively titled The Honourables, which will be published Summer 2012, with one episode being published per month. It's been a very steep learning curve learning all about writing serialized fiction, but I'm enjoying the writing very much, especially as the series is set in London in the 1920s.

What do you do when you're not writing? 

I'm currently living in the UK for 18 months, so am trying to pack in a lot of travel throughout Europe in my free time. I've just got back from a long weekend in Dublin, the next trip is a week in Lapland and then I'm off for two weeks in Berlin, Prague and Vienna at Easter. On the way back home to Australia in August, I'm taking a 14 day cruise through Spain, France, Turkey, Italy and Greece, which I'm really looking forward to. I'm not sure I'll recognize the sun when I see it again.

What sort of books do you like to read? 

Anything and everything! At the moment, I'm reading a lot of lovely fiction and non-fiction set in the 1920s, which has been great in helping to shape the dialogue in the historical e-serial I'm writing. A YA book I've read recently that I just adored was Stephanie Perkins's Anna and the French Kiss and I have Lola and the Boy Next Door all ready and waiting for me on my Kindle. I'm really looking forward to getting to it!

Do you have any pets? 

I have a gorgeous Devon Rex cat, Violet, who is currently living with my parents in Australia while we're in the UK. I miss her sitting on my shoulders and keeping me warm while I'm writing! Devon Rex cats are very odd – rather like monkeys. They like to be up high, on top of bookcases (and shoulders!). After you've had a Devon Rex, you'll never go back to a normal cat! At one point we had three of them. Trust me, that's a lot of Devon Rex.

For writers 

Why did you decide to write YA? 

I actually started out writing women's fiction, published four books in that genre, and then realized that my voice was slightly more suited to YA. I really love the immediacy of YA and the fact that characters tend to act on their true emotions, rather than already being weighed down by years and years of emotional baggage!

Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

I'm a terrible, awful plotter. In fact, I'm such a plotter, I have a little formula for writing my books now which is a very odd combination indeed of three-act structure along with a bunch of other plotting methods. Of course, it's a formula that only works for me! I don't change process from book to book and, like a lot of novelists, find I have to write from beginning to end, too.

This is your debut US YA release, but not your first release. Has the publishing process been different in the US, compared to Australia, or is it pretty much the same?

I think Shooting Stars is my eleventh published book (I'm starting to get confused now!), but it is my first YA release in the US (I've had adult women's fiction out in the US before, however). The publishing process has been reasonably similar, though it's been nice to have an editor in-house editing my manuscript, rather than a freelancer. In Australia, the in-house editor usually co-ordinates the publishing process, using a freelance editor to edit the actual manuscript. It was nice to get to know my US editor and have her actually edit the manuscript as well. It was a little more personal!

Do you have a favorite writing quote? 

I really love this quote from Harlan Ellison. I'm often asked where I get my ideas from, or people will tell me it must be amazing having such a creative job. When they do, I'm always reminded of this:

People on the outside think there's something magical about writing, that you go up in the attic at midnight and cast the bones and come down in the morning with a story, but it isn't like that. You sit in back of the typewriter and you work, and that's all there is to it. – Harlan Ellison

This is so true. In so many ways, writing books is a job like any other. Sometimes it's very, very difficult, sometimes it's easy. You have good days and bad days. And deadlines! I never forget, however, it's a job I'm extremely lucky to have. Not everyone gets to work in their pajamas or use movie ticket stubs as tax deductions.

Thank you so much Allison for sharing that with us.

Saturday Spotlight: Librarian Interview with Melanie of Library Mice

It is my great pleasure to conduct an interview with Melanie from Library Mice. As a Secondary School Librarian my self I am always fascinated by the initiatives and incentives Librarians use to encourage reading in teens. Without further ado, over to Melanie:

• Please introduce yourself with some background details for those that don't know you.

I am Mélanie from Library Mice, I am a qualified chartered librarian and I have been working in schools since late 1997. I have just started work in my fourth school which is a large rural mixed secondary school (11 to 18).

• How did you become a Librarian?

I always wanted to work with books. It was either going to be publishing or librarianship – my dad said I had to make a decision by the end of my exchange year in a university in Northern Ireland. I applied to a few universities to do Librarianship studies and got in Aberystwyth to do their Master’s in Information and Library Studies.

• What qualities do you think a teen/children’s librarian should possess?

I think you have to be able to relate to them, and be interested in them and the things they like. It helps to be interested in children’s/teen literature and be willing to try new things. You have to be flexible and open-minded, and have a good sense of humour but be able to firm when needs be. Of course within a school you also need to be able to teach. It is a much harder job than people expect. They think it is all about stamping books :0)

• Do you have a favourite author/genre?

Nope. There are genres I’d rather not read (crime, fantasy) but I try to stay open-minded. There are many authors that I “follow”, but have no favourites.

• What reading incentives/initiatives do you have in place (if any)?

I have not done much yet as I have just started at my new school. I used to give house points on my previous school and other initiatives such as “Read Around the World” an Readathon.

• How do you deal with bad behavior/non-return or damage to books.

In my last school year 11s had to return or pay for their outstanding books before they got their ticket to the leavers ball and that worked really well. But it is always a struggle to get overdue library books back. I don’t believe in charging fines, I only charge for the price of the book if it is lost or damaged beyond repair.

As for bad behaviour, I guess you learn on the job as far as this is concerned. I just got more confident over the years. I think consistency is the key!

• What question would you like to ask another librarian?

“What has been your most successful project?” It is always really interesting to see what works (and what doesn’t work) in other schools.

Please feel free to leave your projects in the comments and I will pass them on to Melanie

• Do you think that the current Library qualifications available enhance the library service and why?

I think so yes, but then I am a qualified librarian!

It is the same as any profession – would anybody like their children to be taught by an unqualified teacher? Most likely not. Would you like your teeth looked at by an unqualified dentist? Nope!

Experience is very important of course and there are a lot of amazing unqualified librarians around. But being a librarian is a job which, like most others, requires training. I think CILIP did right to introduce qualifications that can be done “on the job” so unqualified school librarians can get qualified status. Whether employers are willing to pay for it to happen is another story altogether!

• How would you like to see the library system progress?

I’d like to see the same as in my native France – school librarians train in the same way as teachers, a sort of PGCE in school librarianship, which makes so much more sense considering how much teaching is involved.




• Do you utilize other libraries resources in your area?

No we don’t really have a schools library service (there is one in Bristol but mainly caters for primary schools).

Maybe this could be suggested for a way to Save Libraries

 • Do you have any predictions for new trends within the library in the coming year.

Not really, I just don’t want to see so many close down, whether it is public or school. I think it says a lot about our government if they are willing to close libraries by the hundreds. I am not their number 1 fan.

Neither am I.

• Manga fan or fad.

FAN! It has been one of my most successful accomplishments at my last school (about to embark on it in my new one too, with lots of interest). It attracted kids who never stepped foot in the library and it did tons to my street cred :0)





• How do you choose/recommend the fiction titles for your library?

I guess with the blog it has become easier to choose fiction as I am more aware of what is coming out. I always think Red House are great at picking out popular stuff too so always keep an eye on their catalogue. I try to mix what I buy – some popular stuff and some more “worthy” stuff but I’d rather buy what I consider to be rubbish but that will be read rather than buy what I’d like them to read for it to sit untouched on the shelves gathering dust.

To be able to recommend books, you need to know your stock. I am still getting used to my new one, but I always try to gauge what they have like in the past before making any recommendations.

• Do you think the UK should have dedicated Teen librarians the same as they have in the states?

These days yes, as there is so much published and it is a very different field from say, picture books. But considering there is barely any money for libraries, I can’t see that happening in a hurry!

• Are there any perks to being a librarian?

You get to choose and buy lots of books and you don’t pay for them out of your own pocket!

• What do you think of the stereotyping of librarians as dull, dumpy bookish nerds/geeks?

I don’t mind personally, it makes me laugh and it allows for great comedy moment such as the Mc Hammer song in Glee!

• How do you decide the age restrictions to place on books?

I don’t believe in it particularly so try to avoid it, but bearing in mind that in a school you act as loco parentis you do have to be careful. So if I know a book might cause problems, I might put a 14+ restriction on it. My first job was in Catholic school and there were a lot of restrictions on the books, and was also more limited in my stock development.

This isn't something I am completely at ease with either but you do have to give way to parental pressure :(

• Have you experienced any parental complaints? If so what was the outcome.

Not so far, but I never say never!

• Do you utilize book reviews? If so where do you place them.

I have in the past for handouts for parents, displays. We have a plasma screen in our reading room so we stick some there too. Also, I am setting up a blog for school at the moment and we will put some on there too.

Wow I am so jealous a plasma screen in your reading room - well actually a reading room *swoon*.

Huge thanks to Melanie for answering my really random questions.

Saturday Spotlight : Blogger Interview: Jenny from Wondrous Reads

We all know the world famous, much quoted; wonder that is Jenny from Wondrous Reads. (See the pun)

Just for the record please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m 23 from Stockport, near Manchester. I used to work as a bookseller at Borders. I love Buffy, Twilight, vampires, movies, TV, and music. And books, of course!

How does it feel to be quoted?

Pretty amazing! Every time it happens, I get really excited and ring my mum straight away. I never expect it, but it’s really cool that publishers do that.

I have to add the Jenny recently attended John Green's event in London - when it was Jenny's turn the man himself said 'Are you Jenny the famous blogger?' Wow - how awesome is that. Check out Jenny's post here.

You used to work for Borders, how do you feel about the book retail business in this country at the moment?

Obviously it could be better because, since Borders closed at Christmas, there are now only 2 big chains that sell books – Waterstone’s and WH Smith. WH Smith seems to be expanding their book sections, which is great, and Waterstone’s are the same as always. I miss Borders a lot - I think it’s the best job I’ll ever have.

Update: Jenny has a job for the Christmas season at WH Smith. Well done Jenny, I for one am hoping they realise what a terrific asset you will be to them and offer you a permanent position. GOOD LUCK.

I miss Borders too :(

How would you like to see the book retail industry develop in this country? I really think they should hire you as a buyer.

Ha! Thanks. I’ll send that comment to some people really high up in the retail business! I don’t personally think the UK will see much of a growth in book retail, as the Internet is taking over everything. If a new company set up, it’d probably end up in the same situation as Borders, and I wouldn’t like anyone to go through that. Maybe more independent bookshops are the way forward – they seem to work really well in the US.

I am hoping to interview some local indie book store owners so I will let you know their thoughts.

Have you always been interested in reading? What got you seriously started?

I’ve always read, ever since I could. I started with picture books picked by my mum (ones with lots of tiny talking animals), and then moved on to things like The Famous Five. I still love those books even now, Enid Blyton is amazing. From there I just carried on reading, all through secondary school and college. My mum and dad always encouraged reading, though it didn’t work with my younger sister – she’s only read about 3 books in 20 years! I can’t ever imagine not reading… how weird would that be?!

It always amazes me how different siblings are. I hear a lot about incentives for reluctant readers but I think it is an individual thing like sport, you either like it, are indifferent or hate it. Most importantly you need to try it before you make that decision.

How would you encourage others to read if you were in my position within a school library?

Recommend as much as you can, and start book clubs! I ran a teen book club at Borders, and it was really good – we talked about books and just generally promoted reading. I imagine school libraries are quite tricky, as not every student will want to be there. But with your knowledge, you can strike up conversations and get them talking about books they love.

Fab idea about the book club - Thanks Jenny.




How do you feel the blogging community is developing? I have noticed an influx of bloggers since I started in January.

From a UK perspective, there seems to be a new blogger every other week. It’s great! When I started blogging in January 2008, I think there were only about 4 or 5 of us from England – Sophie from So Many Books, So Little Time. Chicklish, and Liz from My Favourite Books are who stick in my mind most. Since then, there’s been a lot of new bloggers, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them all. Blogging is definitely getting more popular in the UK, and I think we’re getting more recognition for what we do.

Always a good thing. Plus the benefit to the authors and publishers with the extra publicity/promotion for the books.

How did you get started in the blogging world?

How did I get started? Good question – I’m trying to remember! I just randomly came home from work one day, and wanted all my reviews (that I was posting on Amazon) to be in one place. So I started Wondrous Reads. From there I just wrote lots of reviews, followed loads of US blogs and got to know other bloggers through commenting. Then I joined Twitter in July 2009 (I think), and got talking to more bloggers and authors that way. And the rest, they say, is history!

You are very organised – do you have any organisational tips?

I might seem organised, but I have a huge list of reviews to write – about 14, I think. That would be my tip, actually: make lists. I have lists everywhere – on my phone, on paper on my desk, in my head… lists of reviews I need to write, books published in a certain month, titles I want etc. I’m quite an organised person anyway; I don’t really know any other way to do things!

Brilliant idea - will make a list of the lists I need to write : D




For those that don't know Jenny, she is the worlds number one Buffy fan, her collection has even been featured in Sci-Fi magazine. So I set her the hard question....Buffy in no more than 5 words?

The...best...show...ever...made.

LOL

Twilight books or movie? I would go for both. Mainly because *hangs head in shame* I didn’t read the books until after I saw the movie.

While I do love the films (a lot – I live in the cinema when they’re out, and I go to 2 conventions a year). I prefer the books. I don’t think they’ve quite captured the feel of the books on the big screen, and it’s always usually the same – books are better than the films. I first read the books in September 2007, around 15 months before the movie came out, and so they’ll always come first. I know some people hate them, but I’m not ashamed to say I absolutely LOVE them!

Oh me too. The Twilight Saga is the reason I got back into reading after having the children. So really Stephanie Meyer changed my life : D


Another hard task for Jenny - Vampires in no more than 5 words?

The...most...fascinating...fictional...creatures.

Jenny - I love the way you write.

When did the vampire love begin and why?

Oh, this is an easy one – with Buffy! Well, actually, I suppose you could say it started when I read Goosebumps: Vampire Breath when I was about 10. Then in May 1998, when I’d just turned 11, my dad told me Buffy was on Sky TV. It was Season 2 Episode 7 – ‘Lie to Me’ – and I loved every minute. I quickly got completely obsessed, and it’s never gone away – I collect everything I can, and have seen every episode well over 100 times each. Don’t get me talking about Buffy, or I will be here forever!!

Around the same time, my dad gave me his 1970s copy of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson read Jenny's review here. At the time, it was the best book I’d ever read (it’s still in my top 3 now) and it really cemented my love for vampires. They’re fascinating!

Is there someone you really admire and why?

Well, aside from my parents, I’d have to say Markus Zusak. I admire him for writing a story like The Book Thief, and for showing people a true vision of WWII and the Holocaust. I also admire Joss Whedon cause, y’know, he’s a genius. Oh! And Sarah Michelle Gellar, ‘cause she’s a phenomenal actress.

That is wonderful that you admire your parents (you made me fill-up). I see a theme with Joss Whedon And Sarah Michelle Gellar, lol.

What would you ask yourself in an interview?

Argh, that’s a hard one. Erm… who would win in a fight between Angel and Edward Cullen? (For the record, my money’s on Angel - he’s a badass vampire, even when he’s got a soul. Edward may look pretty, but he’s no match for the Whedonverse Vamps!).

Ha, ha that is funny but dont forget that Edward would be able to read Angels mind : D


Do you have any tips or advice you would like to share?

If you’re a blogger, make sure you enjoy yourself. Try not to get stressed out with it, and just do what’s right for you. And if you’re not a blogger, here’s my advice to you: If you haven’t yet seen them, buy or rent the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel DVD box-sets. You won’t regret it, and you can thank me later. ;-)

Thanks for having me, Emma. Grr Argh!

Wow Jenny. Your answers to my random questions were just amazing. Thank you so much for letting me harass you. I giggled and almost cried while editing your interview.

If you havent yet visited Jenny's blog then you MUST do so NOW!!!!

Saturday Spotlight: Blogger Interview: Lyndsey From Heaven, Hell & Purgatory

Welcome Lyndsey and thanks for letting me interrogate *cough* interview you.

Just for the record please tell us a little about yourself.

Hey everyone! I’m Lyndsey, 24 and soon to be an English student at Nottingham Trent University. I have been putting off going to University since I was 18 because I didn’t want to waste loans on doing something that I wouldn’t love forever or that wouldn’t be useful. Now I know what I want to do and have a passion for books, I decided on English with Linguistics. Even though I’m terrified of starting classes, I’m also really excited to learn so many new things.

Asamum: I am sure you will be fantastic.

How did you start blogging?

I started off writing reviews for consumer sites (I still do) and made some great friends on there who have their own blogs (Rhiana Reads… and Chick Lit Reviews). After constantly finding books that I loved on their blogs and reading their reviews, I talked myself into making one of my own. Rhiana, Leah and Chloe all helped me a lot in starting my blog and gave me some great advice to get me started. I am so glad that I took the chance to give my voice its own site and now I wouldn’t be without it.

How did you pick the name for your blog?

My blog name actually came from my rating system. I had the idea of putting book reviews into the categories of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory before designing my blog so I thought it was only natural that it be named the same. I was planning on only reviewing YA paranormal and fantasy books at the time and I thought the name was fitting considering they are full of angels, demons, vampires and faeries etc. I realise now that it is a bit edgier than some blog names I have come across but I like that it stands out.

How do you feel about the blogging community as a whole?

Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful since I started blogging three months ago and I can’t say thank you enough for that. I have made some amazing friends from looking at other blogs and chatting on Twitter and have been amazed by how friendly everyone is. Not only are other bloggers so friendly but also authors and publishers. I’m still a little shocked sometimes when I have conversations with some of my favourite authors but they make my experience of blogging so much more enjoyable.

Have you always been interested in reading? What got you seriously started?

God no! When I was a teenager I could think of nothing worse that sitting alone with a book. I had a lot of free time when living in Canada and my friend Zoya lent me some of her historical romance books to keep me occupied and I ended up reading at least 3 a week for a long time. I brought my new found love of reading back home with me which really surprised my family, knowing how much I hated reading before. They still make little jokes about it now but I don’t mind that so much.

My love of reading has gone on and off over the years but this time I think it is here to stay.

How would you encourage others to read if you were in my position within a school library?

Pick up a book that you like the look of and read the first chapter. If you don’t like it then try something else. There are so many books out there and everyone will like different things so the main thing is to find a style that you like. Reading the first chapter or even the first couple of pages of a book should be enough to let you know if it is for you or not. Yes, it could take a while to find what you are interested in but there really is something for everyone out there.

Favourite Genre?

A year ago, I would have been a die hard romance fan but I have discovered a new love.

My best friend, Ryan, who lives in Scotland bought me Knife by R. J. Anderson for my birthday last year and I was amazed by this whole other world in books that I didn’t know existed. Apart from the Twilight Saga, this was the first YA book I had ever read and after finishing it, I was determined to see what else was available. I have been hooked ever since.

For someone so young you have done quite a lot with your life. Tell us a little of your travels and living in another country? How did you decide on Canada?

I first went to Canada for a month (the whole of July) when I quit a job I hated and broke up with a boyfriend I had been with for nearly 5 years. A friend I met online and had known for years offered for me to stay at his place for free to save me some money and I couldn’t turn that down. I was going to see him in September anyway so I thought why not. We had been great friends over the years and it didn’t take long for us to realise that we liked each other.

I went back for a week in the September and when I came back home, I realised that there was so much of Canada I had yet to see and wanted to go back as soon as possible. In November I got a young persons working holiday visa and booked flights for the next March. John was thrilled that I wanted to come back for so long and was adamant that I was coming to live with him, although that wasn’t my original plan. I didn’t want to put him out and was going to find my own place but he wasn’t having any of it.

Running away to Canada the first time was one of the best things I ever did because it opened up my eyes to what else there was to experience in the world. My year working in Toronto and living with John was amazing and I wouldn’t change a day of it. I met so many different people and life long friends that I will never forget. If I could, I would go back there in a heartbeat because I miss it a lot some days.

But not the cold though????

Does the library system differ much from ours, etc?

The library in Toronto that I joined was one of the best I have ever been to. This library was huge and seemed to have rows and rows of every kind of book possible. I really used to love my weekly trips to the library because I spend hours there. I was allowed to take out 10 books at a time so you can imagine how long it took me to pick which ones I wanted. Thankfully, they had a massive romance section so I was always spoiled for choice. The library where I live now is terrible and hardly ever has anything that I want so I gave up going.

The images are actually of the Toronto Public Library, kinda puts our little libraries to shame dont you think???

You are very organised – do you have any organisational tips?

Buy an organiser and make to do lists. I would get absolutely no where without both of these things and would probably end up sitting in the middle of my room crying in a heap! For the past year I have had two jobs with very few days off so I had to make the most of the time I had. To do lists gave me clear goals for each day that I felt were manageable and this way, I wasn’t stressing out about everything I had to get done.

Hmmm I have an organiser and make to do lists, yet I feel like sitting in a heap most days, lol 


Is there someone you really admire and why?

I wouldn’t say that there is one person but probably authors in general. I would love to be able to write stories but I am useless at it. I had to write a short story for my last course at college and my attempt was pathetic. I’m really not all that creative when it comes to creating my own ideas so I think all authors are amazing for being able to do that.

What would you ask yourself in an interview?

God that’s a hard one!! Probably Which literary character do you think you are most like and why?

And the answer would be......

I would have to say that out of all the books I have read, I’m most like Claire Danvers from The Morganville Vampires series. Even though I’m no way near as intelligent as she is, I am very focused on my studies and I get annoyed when things get in the way of that. Good thing I don’t live in a town full of vampires!


Claire is also really brave and not afraid to say how she feels. I think this is where I am most like Claire because I have done some crazy things in the past and I never listen to what other people think when I do them. I don’t take any rubbish from guys, especially if they try to tell what I can and can’t do. Claire really came out of her shell over the space of the series so far and I can relate to her because of this. I used to be really shy when I was a teenager but not anymore!

Do you have any tips or advice you would like to share?

If you are new to blogging or thinking about starting one, don’t be afraid to voice your own opinions. Your personal opinion and input is what will make your blog unique and you should never be afraid to do exactly what you want.

Is there anything else you would like to add......

Thanks Emma for having me on your blog! I really enjoyed this interview (my first) and the great questions. : D

Thanks Lyndsey it has been a pleasure.

Lyndsey has also been kind enough to put  together some guest posts for me so keep a look out for them.

Saturday Spotlight: Award

I have been toying with the idea of doing some features on the blog for awhile. Alongside my Monster Mondays featuring my children, I would like to do a Saturday Spotlight featuring all things bookish. I would love to interview people involved in all aspects of the book industry *bloggers, librarians, book sellers, publishers, anyone ;)* If you would like to be involved please email me at asamum@tiscali.co.uk and I will put together some questions for you. If you could specify which area of the book world you are in that would help me tailor the questions : D This may not be a weekly post it obviously depends on how many people email me, lol : D

For the first Saturday Spotlight I would like to post about an award I have been given *yay me* Blimey, I just noticed I have been given 2 different awards *squee*

Thank you so much to Lauren from I was a Teenage Book Geek for this award. Lauren is fantastic, she was one of my first followers when I was just dipping my toe into the ocean that is blogging : D Plus she leaves me lovely comments. Like I said she is fab : D

Rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who gave you the award - check : D

2. Pass the award onto 15 bloggers you've recently discovered and think are fantastic - see below
3. Contact said blogs and let them know they've won - check
4. State 7 things about yourself - see below

As I am relatively new to blogging myself it means that everyone is new to me, but here are a few of my favourites : D

1. Once Upon a Bookcase

2. The Overflowing Library

3. A Fanatics Book Blog

4. The Mountains of Instead

5. Daisy Chain Book Reviews

6. Everything to do with Books

7. Heaven, Hell & Purgatory

8. I Want To Read That

9. Love Reading X

10. Mostly Reading YA

11. Nayu's Reading Corner

12. Our Book Reviews Online

13. Portrait of a Woman

14. Sarah's Book Reviews

15. The Readings of a Busy Mom

 I could have probably added a few more : D
 
State 7 things about yourself : S
 
1.I really want to dye my hair purple :D
2. I have a thing for literary vampires : D
3. I'm 40 next year but in my head I am still 22 : D
4. I dream about books
5. I think I have a bit of an addiction problem to books *see the tale of book addiction*
6. I worry that I am secretly an emo :(
7. I usual have my nose stuck in a book with my ipod in my ears - my hubs thinks I am anti-social lol
 
The 2nd award:
 

Received from The Beaucoup Review. Thank you very much Ria.

The rules are pretty much the same as The Beautiful Blogger award so I won't bother listing 7 more things about myself : D With regard to the list of bloggers instead of putting new ones I would like to list a few people that whose blogs motivate me and inspire me : D

Fluttering Butterflies - without Clover I would never have started this blog. She is an awesome friend to have and a very versatile blogger. Thanks for all your support & encouragement Clover.

I was a Teenage Book Geek - see above. Thanks for all your support.

Wondrous Reads - Jenny has an awesome blog and a really lovely person. Her blog is something I aspire too : D Plus I covet her books ;)

 
The Crooked Shelf - Carla I love the way you write. You constantly make me giggle thanks : D
 
Girls Without a Bookshelf - Dwayne thanks for supporting me from the beginning and letting me be part of your Book Tour : D
 
Don't forget if you would like to be part of Saturday Spotlight please email me : D *crosses fingers*