Readers Talk #2 – Villains, Princesses and Dreams

Welcome to the second instalment of this new segment on my blog, where I (metaphorically) sit down with some amazing bloggers to have a chat about life, blogging, and most importantly – books!

Today’s guest is Jodie from W&SBOOKCLUB! Let’s get straight to our conversation!

N: Thank you so much for agreeing to do this fun talk with me, Jodie, and welcome to The Artsy Reader blog! Would you tell us a bit about your own blog W&SBOOKCLUB – when did you start it, and most importantly, why?

J: I started a little over a year ago. For the longest time, I’ve waxed enthusiastic about books to my friends, my family, and – on several occasions – complete strangers. My husband suggested that I start a book blog. I’ve learned that there are tons of book lovers out there who will happily discuss books. It’s wonderful!

What genres do you like to read the most? Fantasy is by far my favorite genre. I’ll read anything except for Christian fiction, romance, or erotica though.

N: I love children’s literature. Give me a middle grade and I’ll read mysteries, adventure stories and even scary stories!! I also love YAs of most types. In adult fiction I prefer chic lit, historical romance, fantasy though.

Many fellow booklovers from our Twitter community are writers, too. Are you writing – or can you see yourself writing in the future?

J: Actually, I’m going in a different direction. I’m currently in school with the intent of going into book editing. What about you?

N: Both, actually! I’m already working as an editor and proofreader (though getting into an actual big publishing house would be a dream), but I would also like to write. I know many writers are working a day job, and I massively admire them. I have some stories sitting inside the nooks and crannies of my head already – some of them already for years – and I think they want to be written down. Someday…

How did the blogging year start for you? Do you like to stick to a strict schedule, or do you sometimes change things up a bit?

J: Um…I try to post every other day (ish). I kind of go with what I’m feeling: reviews, random mutterings, etc. I’m starting to get things scheduled ahead of time which, oddly enough, makes me feel very proud of myself. Ha ha! It’s the small victories, right?

N: Absolutely! As organised as I am in my “real life”, when it comes to blogging, I don’t follow a strict schedule. I think it would put too much pressure on myself.

N: Now please give us a look at the person behind the blogger, Jodie. What do you like to do in your free time – books, blogging, and Twitter aside?

J: I don’t have a ton of free time (I’m homeschooling two little hooligans) but when I do, I love to play Dungeons and Dragons. My husband is an awesome storyteller, so any game he’s running is a blast. There’s a lot of laughter, and some great memories are made.

What about you? I know you have a huge section of DIY on your blog: how did you get to be so crafty?

N: Ah well, I actually want to make it bigger. I have always loved crafting, painting, drawing – anything artsy, really. Together with reading, that is what I did during most of my free time – ever since I was a little kid. This technically hasn’t changed, I just have less time now. I especially get very creative around Christmas time, and love to do decor myself, or add my own touch to things. Now I’m also doing banners and logos for my blog – and other people! I love it, it’s really relaxing.

Something I love to ask people is: Are you a cat or a dog person – or one of the few both-types?

J: I’ve never had a dog so they make me nervous. I’m totally a cat person. Now I’m curious: what about you?

N: Oops, the opposite actually! I have never had either but I so want a dog. I love dogs. I can’t really make it work yet with work and everything, but it’s one of my biggest dreams to get a dog one day. I love their loyalty and bubbly characters 🙂

Are you a full-time blogger, or do you have a day job? If you didn’t go for this one, what would be your dream job?

J: Right now I’m a homeschool mom. When I was young, I wanted to be a racehorse jockey (even though I’m a horrible rider), but now I want to be a book editor. Ha ha!

What did you want to be “when you grew up”?

N: Oooh, good question! I never wanted to be a princess (though I wouldn’t mind to become one now lol) or a doctor when I grew up. I wanted to be a fashion designer…or riding instructor! Now I’m neither (Horses seem to not really like me unfortunately!!!)

From a lottery win (or a deceased great-great-great-uncle you never met) you get 100 mio dollars/pounds/euros/money has no limit. What is the first thing you do with it?

J: I’d probably go overboard in the bookstore and buy more books than I could read in a lifetime.

What about you?

N: I’m dreaming of a cottage in the country with a wild rose garden – and a whole room overflowing with books! Other than that, I’d stay down to earth.

Do you have a favourite Disney movie or Disney princess, and what about a villain?

J: I love The Emperor’s New Groove. Kuzko is such a snarky little lama, and the humor is spot-on.
What about you? Oh- and do your prefer hand-animated or cgi movies?

N: Hmm… I think I like both. I can’t stand Elsa, but I love Rapunzel (and her villain/Prince Charming Flynn Rider) from Tangled. Oh, and Princess Merida of the clan Dunbroch from Brave!

N: Back to the books. Do you have an all-time-favourite book character?

J: Oh, man. I can’t choose! I love so many! The first two that came to mind are Raistlin from the Dragonlance Chronicles, and Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Raistlin because he’s such a complicated character, and Charlie because I can relate to him in many ways.

Now I have to put you on the spot and ask what your all-time favorite is.

N: Haha, I knew it!! Hmm.. I love so many, too! Definitely Rhysand and Feyre from ACOMAF (one of my all-time-fave books!) – basically all the characters from their friends’ group is awesome. And Anna from Anna and the French Kiss comes to my mind.

What’s your favourite bookish trope?

J: I’m not sure if this counts as a trope, but I love the whole “group of friends whose choices decide the fate of the world” thing.  I always love that.

N: That’s cool, yes! I also love the typical “enemies to lovers” thing or the “friends to lovers”!

Something I always wonder about bookish people like myself: Do you carry along a book wherever you go? If so, which one do you currently have in your bag?

J: Yup! At the moment, it’s Deep and Darkest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore. What about you?

N: Yes! I never go anywhere without a book. Currently it’s Jane Eyre!

Are there any books you really look forward to reading in 2020?

J: I’m super excited for The Oddmire: The Unready Queen, as well as The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton.

N: They sound awesome! I take the books as they come – I used to make lists of all the new releases and ran to the bookstore to get them on the release day… but then my tbr grew and it all figuratively grew over my head – I lost track!

I can never answer this question myself, but wonder if you can: What’s your favourite book EVER?

J: I can narrow it down to a top five, but I can’t pick just one.

Do you have a favorite children’s book, or one that has special meaning to you?

N: So many, actually! Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is definitely one of them. I think you can never reread this too often – every time you’ll discover something new!

Now I’d like to do a quick “This or That” type of game with you! I think they’re so fun and tell you a lot about a person. Ready?

Hardcover or paperback?

J: Hardcover because they stay open on the sofa better while I’m folding laundry.

Physical or ebook?

J: Physical. You can’t beat that papery smell. Also, I have epilepsy so sometimes my ereader messes with me.

Real bookmark or random scrap of paper?

J: I love bookmarks, but my toddler usually absconds with them.

A bit of reading every day or everything or nothing?

J: Every single day. What about you? And how do you combat the dreaded reading slump?

N: I try to read at least a little every day, but lately I have felt like the more stressful life becomes, the bigger is the danger of that “dreaded reading slump”. I think the only thing that can help you then is thr right book – the one that sucks you in and doesn’t let go!

Neat bookshelves or random stacks of books everywhere?

J: My bookshelves are embarrassingly messy and I have stacks everywhere.

Keeping a physical (or digital) copy of every book you read or unhauling every now and then?

J: I unhaul every now and again. Either I trade them in for new books, or I donate to a little Free Library at our local park.

And that’s it from my side! What a lovely statement this episode of “Readers Talk” ends on! Many thanks for your appearance on The Artsy Reader, Josie!

J: Thanks for having me!

We can find Jodie on her blog and Twitter. Please connect with her – she is so lovely!

Thank you for reading! If you’d like to have a “Readers Talk” with me, please get in touch!

xoxo
Noly