Today is my favorite part of Book Blogger Appreciation Week- the interview swap!! But before I get to that, here is today's BBAW Book Giveaway: A Curable Romantic, by Joseph Skibell. Here's what it's about:
As far as romance goes, Dr. Jakob Sammelsohn is fairly incurable. Twice married, once divorced, once widowed—all by the tender age of twelve— he finally flees his small village and his pious, vengeful father. A lovelorn candide, young Dr. Sammelsohn wanders optimistically through history—pursued by the amorous ghost of his dead wife.
Arriving in Vienna in 1890, a chance encounter with Sigmund Freud leads our hero into the arms of Emma Eckstein, one of Freud’s most famous patients. Later he romances the beautiful and wealthy Loë Bernfeld, who carries him into the world of Esperanto and the universal language movement. Finally, Dr. Sammelsohn finds himself in the Warsaw ghetto in 1940, only to become a pawn in a battle over the path to heaven.
A Curable Romantic is a novel of personal and historical exile that could spring only from the literary imagination of a virtuoso. Often fantastical yet always grounded in tradition and history, it is that rare literary feat —a truly incomparable tale, ingenuously told, peopled with characters who live on in the memory.
If you'd like to win a copy of A Curable Romantic, leave a comment here and I will pick a name on Saturday, September 18 (US addresses only). Good luck!
And now to the interview swap. I was paired with Sandy Nawrot from You've GOTTA Read This!, which I was very excited about because I have read Sandy's blog before and really enjoy it. She is featuring an interview with me today on her site, and here is my interview with her.
Bio of Sandy from You've GOTTA Read This!: I was an executive six years ago and quit to stay home with my kids (aged 12 and 10). Therefore my jobs now are to take care of the house, pool, yard, be a slave to my kids’ schedules, volunteer at the kids’ school, and support my husband. I wouldn’t go back if you paid me a million dollars. I’ve been married for 18 years. I love to cook, I love to play golf (though I suck), and we love to travel. I am an audio book addict. I’ve been blogging since November of 2008.
1. You read and review a pretty wide range of books - thrillers, mysteries, YA, literary fiction. Do you have a favorite? How would you characterize your taste in books?
You are right, I am all over the place! And I love different things on different days depending on my mood. But if I HAD to pick one genre that I would take with me to a deserted island, it would be true crime. I love well-written mysteries (I’m currently besotted with Tana French right now), but knowing that the story is true blows my mind each and every time. Then I have to go browsing on the Internet for more information after I finish. (That makes me sound morbid doesn’t it?) If you look through my posts, though, you would never know. Some of my favorite books this year have been good old-fashioned literary fiction, and I’ve also been known to get obsessive over WWII novels as well.
2. How do you decide what you are going to read next - by a schedule, or more by what you are in the mood for when you finish a book?
I am a big mess when it comes to my reading schedule. Obviously I honor my blog tours and ARC’s first, though lately that has been cramping my style and I’ve been very selective on what I accept. I also attempt to pick away at my challenges, but that is starting to annoy me too. I am fickle, and would really prefer to read whatever has captured my interest at that moment. I’m going to make that a goal for next year.
3. When and where do you do your blogging?
I have a little netbook that goes everywhere with me. Usually it is set up at my kitchen table, so I can blog amongst the chaos (ha), but I will drag it outside by the pool, or to my comfy drinking/reading chair, or in the car when I am waiting, waiting, forever waiting. I think I am at my best during the day when it is quiet in the house, but I take any opportunity I can find.
4. Are you an e-reader fan, or do you like old-fashioned paper books?
I love them all! I am an equal opportunity reader. I love the feel and smell of a paper book, but I spend about half my time listening to audio books, and I also have a Kindle. Sometimes I wonder if I could squeeze any more reading into my day.
5. What do you do when you don't love a book - write a brutally honest review, try to focus only on the positive, or skip the review?
I definitely won’t shy away from a negative review. I try to find positive things to say along with the negative because not everyone is going to feel the way I do. But I will definitely make it clear why I didn’t love a book. And I have a rating system, which ultimately should remove any doubt.
6. What advice do you have for someone starting a book blog?
First and foremost, it should be fun! There are no rules, so you can do whatever you want. You can post once a week, once a month or every day. (Similar advice that you gave in your interview! I think I need to listen to my own words…) The other advice that I received from my sister when I started was to be sociable. Stop by and leave comments, and eventually others will come back and see what you are all about. It is kind of a shocker when you publish your first post and people don’t automatically come flocking to read your words!
7. What's the best book you've read this year?
I’m not sure I can give you one! I loved Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. I loved Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Then I have this general gushing love for Marisa de los Santos and Tana French. Anything they write is my favorite!
Thanks for the great interview, Sandy!
Hi Gayle! I'm here after reading Sandy's blog! Sandy is one of my favourite blogger friends and I'm glad to know a bit more of her as well as you through this interview swap. I look forward to reading more from your blog. :)
Posted by: Melody | September 14, 2010 at 06:39 AM
Hello! I'm new to your blog too. I love Sandy's blog and yours looks great too. Interview swaps are wonderful :-)
Posted by: Jackie (Farm Lane Books) | September 14, 2010 at 06:49 AM
Also new to your blog via Sandy this morning. Can't wait to page through. Thanks for the interesting interview of the always wonderful Sandy. And glad to meet another DC blogger too.
Posted by: Frances | September 14, 2010 at 07:56 AM
Fun interview, ladies! I'm going to move the Tana French books higher on the TBR list - they're on the shelf (I'm so late to the party). Also, I'm a fan of Marisa de los Santos too :)
Posted by: Mary | September 14, 2010 at 08:06 AM
The interview swap was fun. Happy to see love for Unaccustomed Earth - such a great book! I need to move Let the Great World Spin up my TBR list - I read a review comparing it to Don DeDillo and that is holding me back. Have not tried Tana French yet either, but I see her books everywhere.
Posted by: Susan | September 14, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Sandy is one of my favorite bloggers as we tend to like many of the same books and accidentally (and sometimes purposefully) read them at about the same time.
I do often forget her jones for true crime ... though now I'm reconsidering ever meeting her in person. HAHA! (Just kidding, Sandy. I'm sure you're perfectly safe!)
I'm also feeling a bit "challenged out" and have been considering dumping all but the light few book challenges. No more A to Z authors for me .... the fact that I have The Autobigraphy of Malcolm X looming over me is starting to make me mad!
Wonderful interview with a very fun and amazing blogger!
Posted by: Jenners | September 14, 2010 at 09:43 AM
I'd love to win a copy!!
Posted by: Inspired Kathy | September 14, 2010 at 10:07 AM
My reading schedule is usually a mess too. :) Great interview.
Posted by: Chris@bookarama | September 14, 2010 at 10:43 AM
What a great interview! I just started reading Sandy's blog a couple of months ago so it was fun to get to know her a little bit more. I would love to win a copy of this book!
Posted by: Jo-Jo | September 14, 2010 at 11:15 AM
I love Sandy's blog. We have very similar tastes, but she reads way more than I do, so she pretty much constructs my reading list!
I would love to read the new Skibell book. Please enter me!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Posted by: rhapsodyinbooks | September 14, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Sandy is a wonderful blogger and I always enjoy her blog and posts. She is a lot of fun to chat with and is always available to talk about a book. I love her taste in books, too!
Thanks for a great interview!
I would love to win a copy of A Curable Romantic.
~ Amy
Aimala127 AT gmail DOT com
Posted by: Amy | September 14, 2010 at 07:13 PM
I love Sandy and her blog and I'm so excited because I get to meet her next week! Sandy seems like Wonder Woman to me. Don't enter me in the giveaway - I have the book.
Posted by: bermudaonion (Kathy) | September 14, 2010 at 08:01 PM
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
a(dot)long(at)tcu(dot)edu
Posted by: Arceli | September 14, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Great interview! Sandy's one of those great entertaining bloggers whose posts I enjoy reading even when they are sometimes about books I would never read (like the Tana French books).
Posted by: Alyce | September 15, 2010 at 12:26 AM
I would love to read this book, if the book is as good as the interview we'll be good.
[email protected]
Posted by: Heather Henderson | September 15, 2010 at 01:51 AM
Thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to try this book!
Ang
ang_vaughan at yahoo dot com
Posted by: Ang | September 15, 2010 at 09:43 AM
I'd love to check this one out
Posted by: Stephanie C. | September 15, 2010 at 10:29 AM
I love the time period of A Curable Romantic!
Both of your blogs are ones that I read...
Many thanks, Cindi
Posted by: Cindi | September 15, 2010 at 10:36 AM
I have to say it sounds like an interesting book, and one I would like to read. Thanks for having this giveaway.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Posted by: Anita Yancey | September 15, 2010 at 03:52 PM
sounds like an interesting read
love the interview...to stay at home and read a lot.....a dream!
Posted by: diana mack | September 15, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Ah... I love Sandy and was so glad to get a chance to meet her last year. Great interview!
Posted by: Literate Housewife | September 15, 2010 at 11:12 PM
I thought your blog was fun, Sandy? :)
Posted by: heidenkind | September 15, 2010 at 11:38 PM
I'd love to win! And: Fun to read an interview with Sandy.
Posted by: Word Lily | September 16, 2010 at 10:12 AM
I would love to read this. Thanks! =)
[email protected]
Posted by: emily l | September 16, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Would love this book,thanks!
Posted by: nicole langan | September 17, 2010 at 10:51 AM
I didn't know Sandy was a golfer, too! Well, I've only been playing for a few months (so I definitely suck!) but am already hooked.
I also loved Middlesex and have Let the Great World Spin in my TBR.
Posted by: Valerie | September 17, 2010 at 12:15 PM
I'd love a chance! Thanks for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Posted by: Sue | September 17, 2010 at 01:02 PM
Sandy is one of my favorite bloggers. I just love her, and we've bonded over our WWII book obsession.
Posted by: Anna | September 17, 2010 at 01:23 PM
I would love to read this book. I'll have to check out her blog. Thanks!
giveawaymommy at yahoo.com
Posted by: Melissa R. | September 17, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Great giveaway, thanks.
caliblue7 at gmail dot com
Posted by: Elise | September 17, 2010 at 08:46 PM
I would love to win a copy of "A Curable Romantic" Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Posted by: Nancye Davis | September 17, 2010 at 09:58 PM
It sounds like a great book, I have to admit I hadn't read anything about it until now but I love literary fiction and would like to enter.
waitmantwillie at hotmail dot com
Posted by: Shawnee Goodnight | September 17, 2010 at 10:25 PM