Most book bloggers or book lovers in America would know about the BEA that will be happening over the next week. BEA is the Book Expo of America, held in New York, and a Book Blogger Convention is run alongside it as a way to get book bloggers to meet as well. While us poor Australian book bloggers don’t have this kind of opportunity we can still participate with Armchair BEA. This is a virtual conference for people that can’t make it to BEA. Over the next few days I will be joining in with this event and their daily blog post topic suggestions.
- Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
My name is Michael, I’m a new bibliophile and new to book blogging; but not new to blogging. In 2009 I started reading and I’ve never stopped, I started my cultural blog as a way to blog about topics that interest me and what I’ve learned about those topics. I generally blog about Art, Culture, Literature and Philosophy over at Knowledge Lost. I started Literary Exploration as a way to share everything I want to share about books without flooding my other blog.
- What are you currently reading, or what is your favourite book you have read so far in 2012?
Currently I’m reading All That I Am by Anna Funder, Railsea by China Miéville and Love in the Years of Lunacy by Mandy Sayer which is a bit of a cross section of genres; Literary Fiction, YA and Romance. The best book I’ve read in 2012 would have to be Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway; it was just a thrilling read and a nice example of Genre and Literary styles working well together to make a book that is the best of both worlds.
- Where do you see your blog in five years?
In five years I’m hoping to still be blogging about books. I hope the readership continues to grow and I want to continue producing great and fresh content. I’m enjoying the momentum I’ve currently got for this blog and I hope I will still have it in five years. Also I hope to have a better theme.
- Which is your favourite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?
My favourite post would have to be my Confessions of a Reader post, in which I reveal all my bookish sins to the world. I think it was a great idea for a post and hope everyone reads it.
- Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?
I think my tastes will continue to evolve. I try to explore all types of genres and literary styles (as the blog name suggests) and I hope to continue to do so. I have noticed I’ve been picking up books that I would have never considered reading and have been trying to read new release books as well. I like the idea of exploring old and new books and I hope my readers enjoy it also.
ArmchairBEA is a virtual convention for book blogger who can’t attend Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention. Banner by Nina of Nina Reads and button by Sarah of Puss Reboots
Haven’t seen your blog around before, but it’s always nice to stumble upon other male book bloggers.
Thanks Ryan, it’s nice to know there are others out there
oohh you’re certainly further into your reading list than I am so far this year!
Chelle
It’s been a good read
It’s been a good year
as a former school teacher and lifelong reader and book lover, I am very impressed that you decided to take on reading when you hadn’t enjoyed it before! good for you! I also wanted to see a male blogger among the group as most have been females so far.
I’m a huge fan of reading now, something in me just clicked and I’ve not stopped since
I love it when readers expand their usual reading habits and enter into new territory. You never know what you might find!
Always looking for a good book
On your Confessions of a Reader here are the ones that I am too (though I read different genres than you):
I haven’t borrowed a book from the library in about a year (actually for me it has been over 3 years—I just own too many)
Short story collections often bore me: (novellas actually do nothing for me at all–I always want more story)
Audiobooks have replaced my music (pretty much everywhere for me–except during 5k events where I need the pace)
I’m addicted to Goodreads (and library thing —they were my greatest finds as a book reader).
Any other sins you wish to confess?
I don’t read “Oprah Book Club” Selections or much mainstream fiction at all! I call it the Nicholas Sparks/Jodi Piccult syndrom. They both have caused me to steer clear of that whole area of books.
I really could go on and on but yep there are lots of things that I could confess as a reader that probably doesn’t fit with people’s ideas about “readers”.
Man I am impressed that you manage two blogs. There are days when I wonder who I can keep up with my own! As Ryan states below, yay for more male book bloggers. Us gals sorta saturate the market. Also, my interest is officially piqued. I will find Love in a time of Lunacy. Happy A-BEAing. Cheers!
Well one is a weekly blog and this one is much more regular
I hadn’t read much of anything until 2010. It’s cool to see another person who discovered books recently. 🙂 Cheers!
If we were still friends I would stop by and comment, but seeing as we aren’t I shan’t! *grin*
Hope you enjoy Armchair BEA!
How do I like this a few thousand times?
nice blog! and you have two blogs!! Welcome to Armchair BEA
I noticed that I’m picking up new books in both genres and releases which is due to blogging, too. Isn’t this a wonderful world in which to play? I see that you’re reading The Picture of Dorian Grey in your sidebar. Oscar Wilde is such an interesting author. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I hate to say it, but I didn’t enjoy it at all. Lord Henry Wotton killed it for me
I love that something just clicked for you – it gives me hope that one day my husband might pick up a book. LOL
Thanks for stopping by Book’d Out earlier!
Awesome blog!! Its great to see male bloggers!! Have a great BEA Week!
http://lovesbooksreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-about-me.html
Thanks Amanda
Your blog looks so cool! And you’ve got a lot of interesting posts on it. I look forward to exploring it further. And I love finding male book bloggers too, it adds some variety. 🙂
I’m glad you like it, I’m a fan of it too 😀
My reading tastes have changed like yours! I’m finding myself picking up new release books, which is kind of nice, because those are the books everyone is always talking about, so it’s good to know what everyone is buzzing about. =)
It was great learning more about you! Have fun during Armchair BEA!
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
I’m a fan at looking at what books are trending. It’s always interesting
It’s so great to meet you!!
Hope you have a great Armchair BEA week!
Here’s my post: http://little-red-reads.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-introductions.html
xo Stephanie
I have Angelmaker on my Kindle, need to bump it up on the list.
Book Blogging does have a way of expanding your reading horizons.
I have quite a few China Mieville books piled up that I haven’t gotten to, yet. I have been hearing a lot about him recently, so I’d like to get to some of them soon.
I love your Confessions of a Reader post! (I also haven’t been to the library in over a year, but I love large books.)
He is an interesting writer, I wouldn’t say I like all his works but I’m a fan of what he is doing for literature.
My tastes have changed a lot but I still love great writing. PS- I loved Dorian Gray. I hope you’re liking it.
Thanks but Lord Henry Wotton is a problem
You have such an eclectic taste in books Michael.. I’m enjoying reading your reviews and discussions. Have fun this week! One of these days the Aussie contingent will have to organise our own Book Expo…
I have so many ideas on how to make that happen
Well I was a mean event organiser in my prior professional life so if you do make it happen I’ll happily assist 🙂
This is awesome Philippa, I might need to send you some of my ideas of how we can do something like this
Let’s do it *determined face*
It’s very possible
I can’t believe you only really started reading in 2009!
Hope you enjoy Armchair BEA
I know, I wish I started ages ago
Hi ! I’m not participating in BEA but its always fun to check out fellow book bloggers. Have fun with BEA and enjoy your reads!
Natalie :0)
Thanks Natalie
I love your book sins post! I too don’t generally borrow from the library – I just love to own and covet books! I also could only get through the first 2 books in Songs of Ice & Fire it was just getting a little too much for me though I’m loving the TV show!
I much prefer the TV show, I don’t feel as dirty watching it as I do reading it
Nice to meet another male book blogger Michael.
Looking forward to your posts and by the way, the Gilbert Godfried video reading 50 Shades of Grey had me rolling on the floor.
http://www.ManOfLaBook.com
Thanks Zohar. I thought that video was so funny I had to share it.
I’ll be checking out your Confessions of a Reader post. 🙂 Sounds interesting.
I hope you find it interested
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