--- title: "Reading Everywhere: armchair bea" url: https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair bea/ description: "Children's and YA book reviews. Library stuff. Possible overuse of the word AWESOME!" --- # Reading Everywhere: armchair bea - [About](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/about-me.html) - [Review Policy](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/review-policy.html) - [Frequently Visited Posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/p/frequently-visited-posts.html) Showing posts with label armchair bea . [Show all posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/) Showing posts with label armchair bea . [Show all posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/) ## Friday, June 8, 2012 ### [Armchair BEA: Blogging Tips](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-blogging-tips.html) The final [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) topic calls for participants to impart their best blogging tips. I've only been blogging for a year and a half, so I'm not an expert-- but I do feel I've evolved a bit as a blogger since I published my first post in January 2011. Here's the main thing I've realized: just because you're a book blogger doesn't mean you have to post book reviews all the time. When I began blogging, book reviews made up about 98% of my blog's content. And that's fine, by the way. If writing book reviews is your focus and your true passion, then do just that! I like writing book reviews, but after a while, I wanted to branch out more. And that's the beauty of a blog-- it's 100% yours, and you can do whatever you want with it. Ultimately, you're not answering to anyone but yourself. I started having a lot more fun with my blog once I decided to post more varied content. Alongside book reviews, I like to mix in booklists, genre discussion, book cover analysis, and posts about my work as a librarian. I don't feel like I have to review everything I read, but I'm still writing about books and engaging with other book lovers. I feel I've found the right balance that works for me. Now here's a picture of an adorable corgi, because the other thing I've realized about blogging is that people like posts with pictures: | | |---| | Sadly, not my corgi! Photo by anko.gaku_ula. | Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog during Armchair BEA! Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [12:05 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-blogging-tips.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Wednesday, June 6, 2012 ### [Armchair BEA: Networking in Real Life](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-networking-in-real-life.html) Today's [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) topic is all about how book bloggers take the leap beyond virtual networking to make connections with authors, bookstores, and other book bloggers in real life. As a librarian, I'm fortunate to have real-life book experiences quite often, such as hosting author events with my library or going to conferences. As co-host of the [Authors are ROCKSTARS!](http://authorsarerockstars.com/) podcast, I interview authors and do event coverage for book signings. One of the best parts of all of this is meeting other people who love reading just as much as I do. I always feel revitalized after making connections with authors, other librarians, and fellow book lovers. | | |---| | The Authors are ROCKSTARS! gals with one of our author idols, MEG CABOT at the [Passion and Prose](http://passionandprose/) conference earlier this year | For bloggers looking to get in on the fun, I have the following advice... - Make friends with your librarian or independent bookseller. Let them know you're a blogger, let them know what you read. Attend the events they host. When I get to know my regular patrons who love YA, I find myself taking note when I order books I think they'll enjoy, so I can tell them next time I see them. I set aside ARCs for them if I think they might be interested. I ask for and appreciate their input on authors to invite to speak at my library. - Attend as many author events as you can. Not only will you get to meet authors you love, but fellow readers, too! In my experience, there are always a few book bloggers in the crowd at every book signing. Don't be shy in the signing line-- strike up a conversation with the people next to you. - Attend conferences. [BEA](http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/), [ALA](http://alaannual.org/), [NCTE](http://www.ncte.org/annual), [Kidlitcon](http://www.kidlitosphere.org/kidlitcon/)... if they're in your area, don't miss out. BEA, ALA, and NCTE are large professional conferences, but people outside of publishing, libraries, and education may enjoy them as well. Kidlitcon is perhaps the most effective conference for blogger networking-- it's a smaller in scale, and is a great combination of authors, bloggers, and book lovers in general, with lots of opportunities for making personal connections. [Read my Kidlitcon conference recap](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/09/conference-recap-kidlitcon-2011.html) from last year, and mark your calendar for September 21 - 22 in New York this year. Also, if you'll be at ALA in Anaheim later this month, there's a [YA blogger meetup](http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/05/great-ya-blogger-meetup-ala-annual-in.html) happening. Hopefully I'll see you there! Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [12:00 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-networking-in-real-life.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Monday, June 4, 2012 ### [Armchair BEA: Self-introduction](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-self-introduction.html) [Book Expo America](http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/) , a huge publishing event, is happening in New York this week. Many of us who can't be there are participating in [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) , a week-long virtual book blogging event that provides a little of the BEA fun for those living vicariously. I felt a renewed sense of community and energy for blogging when I participated in last year's Armchair BEA, and I'm excited to take part again. All this week, I'll be sharing themed posts and trying my best to visit other book blogs. The Armchair BEA folks have asked us all to kick things off by doing a self-introduction, and provided some great questions to get the ball rolling. So without further ado, here's a little about me... Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? If you're visiting my blog for the first time, thanks for stopping by! I'm Allison, a teen services librarian in Southern California. I'm also a wife, and the mother of a 3.5 and 1.5 year old. I'm active in the [Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)](http://www.ala.org/yalsa/) , a division of the [American Library Association](http://www.ala.org/) . I'm currently the chair of YALSA's Conference Marketing and Local Arrangements Committee and I've just started blogging for [The Hub](http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/) , YALSA's YA literature blog. I also review books and apps for [School Library Journal](http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/) , and I co-host [Authors are ROCKSTARS!](http://www.authorsarerockstars.com/) , a YA literature podcast focused on author interviews. I've been blogging for about a year and a half. I got into it because I thought it would be a casual, fun extension of my professional life-- I am passionate about youth literature, and love connecting readers with the right book. Why not blog about it? What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012? At the moment, I'm finishing up [*Moonglass*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442416955/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442416955) , by Jessi Kirby. Her writing is so gorgeous, I want to live in it. And I can never, ever choose just one favorite book. I can try to narrow it down, but that's as far as I can go! My top three of 2012 so far: | | | | |---|---|---| Oh, but how could I not mention [*The Mighty Miss Malone*](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385734913/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=readineveryw-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385734913) , by Christopher Paul Curtis?? See..? Can't possibly choose just one. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. During last year's Armchair BEA, I was [interviewed by the lovely Leah at Amused by Books](http://www.amusedbybooks.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-interview-of-allison-from.html) , and I mentioned one non-book-related thing I was really hoping to do was take ballet classes. I've taken ballet on and off over the years, and thought it would be ultimate accomplishment to get back into it after having two kids. Not that I'm particularly good at ballet, mind you-- but I just love it. And I felt that taking ballet classes again would be like a sign that I have my life totally together. Well, I'm not sure if I have my life totally together, but I am proud to say that I've been taking ballet since January! So I must be doing all right. I'm definitely having fun, in any case! Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read? [5 Ways Libraries Can Be Like Nordstrom](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/02/5-ways-libraries-can-be-like-nordstrom.html) As a librarian who works extensively with the public, excellent service is very, very important to me. When I'm outside the library, I value being the recipient of good customer service, and Nordstrom is store that consistently provides me with positive experiences. I think libraries can emulate Nordstrom-style service to provide a welcoming atmosphere for our patrons. So I blogged about it! What literary location would you most like to visit? Why? | | | |---|---| | Betsy's house Photo © bonnyglen, aka author Melissa Wiley | | The Betsy-Tacy houses in Mankato, Minnesota! I've been fortunate enough to make pilgrimages to Green Gables and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, but I have yet to see the real life "Deep Valley" of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series, which are among my favorite books in the world. There's a [Betsy-Tacy Convention](http://web.mac.com/btconvention/BT_Convention/Welcome.html) in Mankato this summer, which would be great opportunity to finally see the houses. Alas, I won't be able to make it... but it's sure to be amazing! Thanks so much for reading my self-introduction. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of you in the book blogging community this week! Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [12:02 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-self-introduction.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Friday, May 27, 2011 ### [Armchair BEA: getting personal](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-getting-personal.html) What a fun week this has been! I've found some great new blogs to follow, met some awesome bloggers, and feel really energized and motivated about my own blog. [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) is almost over for this year, and today's topic is blogging about blogging . In yesterday's #armchairBEA twitter chat, Suey of [It's All About Books](http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/) mentioned that she prefers blogs that include a personal touch. I completely agree-- I'm more likely to get invested in a blog that balances information about the blogger's day-to-day life and thoughts along with their book reviews. I want to feel like I know that blogger as a person. Blogs that solely focus on book reviews are useful to me as a librarian to refer to when making purchasing decisions for my library's collection, but the ones I really get hooked on always have a little personal stuff mixed in. I know this. Yet I have a hard time doing it myself. So! Let's chat. Right now, I'm seriously wanting to go to [ALA Annual](http://www.alaannual.org/) in New Orleans. My baby will be 8 months old next month, and probably not yet able to walk (though she's crawling!) so theoretically, this would be a good time for travel. But then I hear horror stories of babies who get their sleep thrown out of whack by taking a trip and they NEVER GO BACK to their former good sleep habits. And my baby girl, she's a pretty decent sleeper these days. So. Since I don't have an "official" reason for attending ALA New Orleans (other than: "I wannnnna!"), I guess I should count myself out this year. But even though I may not be able to get to ALA this time, I'm SUPER excited about next year, because ALA coming to me! The Annual conference will be in Anaheim, and I've been appointed chair of [YALSA's Local Arrangements Committee](http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/aboutyalsab/localarrangements.cfm) . I served on [ALSC](http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/index.cfm) 's Local Arrangements Committee last time ALA Annual was in Anaheim, and I had a blast. ALA is a pretty huge conference, but serving on that committee gave me a way to feel connected and feel a part of things. I met all sorts of cool librarians and got to help out with some amazing events, like the Newbery-Caldecott banquet. It was an incredible experience, and I can't wait to get started on the tasks for YALSA's Local Arrangements Committee. I'll be working with an excellent team of librarians- my husband says I should call it a LIBRARIAN STRIKE FORCE- and I am really looking forward to doing some cool things for YALSA. That's what's going on with me right now! So, blogosphere: yay or nay on the addition of personal chitchat on a book blog? Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [8:00 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-getting-personal.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) , [librarianship](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/librarianship) ## Thursday, May 26, 2011 ### [Armchair BEA: nurturing relationships](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-nurturing-relationships.html) Today's [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) topic is all about nurturing relationships we make through our blogs. But, well, I'm still a newbie at blogging, having only been at this for about five months now, so I don't think I have any wisdom to impart on this topic. Part of the reason I started a blog was to become a part of the community of book and library bloggers, but to be honest, I often find myself hesitant to really jump in and join the ongoing conversation in the blogosphere. So, a question for YOU, my fellow bloggers: how do you put yourself out there and get more interactive? Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [8:15 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-nurturing-relationships.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Wednesday, May 25, 2011 ### [Armchair BEA: blogger interview](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-blogger-interview.html) Today's [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) activity is blogger interviews ! Although we may be virtual, we can still get to know each other better, just like we would if we met in person at a conference, so bloggers have been matched up to conduct interviews and share them. I had the pleasure of interviewing Carrie, from [West Virginia Red Reads](http://wvredreads.blogspot.com/) ! (Cute blog title, no?) So, Carrie, what compelled you to start blogging about books? > I have always been a hard core reader. I love words and will read just about anything. After I became a Mom and certainly after I stopped working, I never had time to read. I missed it terribly as books were my saving grace for many years. About 2006 I found a group on LiveJournal called 50books (I think). I decided to challenge myself to read at least that much. I got to 93 books that year.* I kept track of them in a written journal as well as posting reviews to the LJ group. I did that for the next few years but found that books were taking over my journal. A year ago in April, I started West Virginia Red Reads to keep up with a Read Along hosted by Tif from > > [Tif Talks Books](http://www.tiftalksbooks.com/) > > . It has grown from there. > > > *I have never been that successful again. I see you're participating in a lot of reading challenges, and it looks like you're aiming to read in a wide variety of genres. Very cool! Left to your own devices, though, what genres do you gravitate toward most naturally? > I need to update my challenges. That is one of the major things that falls away as I try to keep up with the blog. But to answer your question, in February I tried to post a quick review every day of a book that I loved. I called it > > [Five Star February](http://wvredreads.blogspot.com/p/five-star-february.html) > > . It really opened my eyes to the genres that I read. Mostly these days it is some variation on Fantasy. I adore dystopian lit and post apocalyptic lit (and I do think they are different). That's a great point- dystopian and post apocalyptic are definitely two different concepts. Life as we know it doesn't need to have ended for society to get really creepy, right? I notice you read both adult and youth literature. Do you tend to prefer one over the other? > Not really. I think that Young Adult books are my dirty little secret. I would love to read “Literature” but honestly there are days where it is all I can do to finish the chapter in the beginner chapter book I am reading as a bedtime story to my 7 year old. YA is easy, it is quick and I really think that there is a huge amount of talent out there these days. So I am leaning toward that. Add to those arguments a voracious 11 year-old and I need to be on top of what is out there for her. What is your favorite book you've read this year? > Ouch! Just one? I have a few 5 stars this year; > > Godmother > > by Carolyn Turgeon; > > Locke & Key > > , vols. 1-3 by Joe Hill; > > Incarceron > > by Catherine Fisher; > > The Passage > > by Justin Cronin, and > > Clockwork Angel > > by Cassandra Clare. But I think if I had to pick one it would be > > The Magicians > > (The Magicians Trilogy: Book 1) by Lev Grossman. Just an amazingly told tale. Heh, I know, I can never pick just one favorite either. You made some great choices! I've been meaning to read Incarceron forever... From one mom to another, I have to say that my biggest challenge with book blogging is finding the TIME to read and write reviews! What are your strategies for carving out reading and blogging time for yourself? > It helps that my girls are both in school. I have set a schedule for myself which at the end of the school year is hard to keep. I try to get at least 3-4 posts in a week. Sometimes it is just a quick meme but I am trying to work on having a back log of reviews so that I am not so pressured to post. Generally, I try to prep reviews on the weekend. Monday is my big push day where I try to organize the blog, update lists, etc. One of the biggest things I have done recently to give me more time is join a meal co-op. I cook huge on Sunday and then package up 3 meals and trade on Monday morning. Big time saver. Wow, you've really got your system perfected! I am taking notes. So, we're participating in Armchair BEA because we're not at the real BEA. Do you think you might eventually go to BEA at some point? Have you ever gone to any kind of blogging conference or meet-up? > I would love to go to a meet up or conference and BEA would be heaven. BEA is more doable than others since I am originally from NY. I could have a place to stay if I wanted to go. > > When I worked I would go to a conference every year for my profession and as much fun as they were they were also serious work and a great networking tool. > > I live in a fairly small city where there are not book signings or meet ups. I am still trying to find like minded readers to get together and have a book club. ;-) Thanks for sharing about yourself, Carrie! I hope you do make it to BEA one of these years. It was a pleasure getting to know you, and I look forward to continuing to read your blog. Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [8:00 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-blogger-interview.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Tuesday, May 24, 2011 ### [Armchair BEA: Best of 2011 (so far)](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-best-of-2011-so-far.html) Today's suggested topic for [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) is Best of 2011: favorite books we've read so far this year. In no particular order- because I love them all- here are my top five: [Okay for Now, by Gary D. Schmidt](http://www.amazon.com/Okay-Now-Gary-D-Schmidt/dp/0547152604/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306126745&sr=8-1) It sounds like a simple story-- a kid gets transplanted to a new town, hates it, and eventually finds his place there... but I'm still in awe of the range of emotions this book takes the reader through. Newbery, please! [Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini](http://www.amazon.com/Starcrossed-Josephine-Angelini/dp/0062011995/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306126839&sr=1-1) If I had time to re-read anything these days, I would choose this book, no question. I got completely immersed in it! I can't stop raving about it, honestly. It's going to be my new go-to recommendation when someone asks me for a good read. [Orchards, by Holly Thompson](http://www.amazon.com/Orchards-Holly-Thompson/dp/038573977X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306126909&sr=1-1) A gorgeous novel in verse that explores a couple of my favorite themes-- healing from grief and finding a sense of belonging. And the beautifully-depicted setting of rural Japan makes me love this book all the more. [Entwined, by Heather Dixon](http://www.amazon.com/Entwined-Heather-Dixon/dp/0062001035/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306126959&sr=1-1) This retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses is so delightfully cozy... it's a book I want to curl up and read on a cloudy day, in front of a fireplace, wrapped in a blanket, with a mug of hot cocoa. [Art and Life in Rural Japan: Toho Village Through the Eyes of its Youth, edited by Cyrus Rolbin](http://tohovillage.org/Toho/English.html) The young people of a tiny Japanese village introduce their hometown through their own words and photographs. Addressing the issue of Japan's rural depopulation while highlighting the beauty of one community's heritage and history, this book is a treasure. Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [10:56 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-best-of-2011-so-far.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) ## Monday, May 23, 2011 ### [Armchair BEA self-introduction](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-self-introduction.html) Although it's lovely to dream of jetting off to New York for [BEA](http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/) this week, I will just have to live vicariously through tweets. And I'm excited to participate in [Armchair BEA](http://www.armchairbea.com/) , a virtual book blogger conference! For any Armchair BEA participants stopping by my blog for the first time-- welcome. Thanks so much for visiting! Today's topic is: who are you, and how do you Armchair? So, who am I? I'm a teen services librarian in Southern California. I never really grew out of reading children's and young adult literature, so I made it my career! I absolutely love what I do. I get to keep up with the coolest books and make sure they end up in the hands of the right readers. I get to meet my favorite authors, and even better, I get to host events so their young fans get to meet them, too. I get to help students discover that real research goes way beyond Google or Wikipedia. It's all incredibly rewarding. I'm also a wife, and the mom of a baby and a toddler, who are, in my very objective opinion, completely adorable and brilliant. Between my family life and my professional life, I have a pretty full plate, and I love every minute of it. As for how I'm participating in Armchair BEA, I'll be posting on several of the suggested topics, including a blogger interview. I started blogging earlier this year because I wanted to contribute to the community of book and library bloggers, and this seems like a great way to do some virtual networking. I'm looking forward to it! Posted by [Allison](https://www.blogger.com/profile/06628530227439660832) at [6:43 AM](https://readingeverywhere.com/2011/05/armchair-bea-self-introduction.html) Labels: [armchair bea](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea) [Older Posts](https://readingeverywhere.com/search/label/armchair%20bea?updated-max=2011-05-23T06:43:00-07:00&max-results=20&start=20&by-date=false) [Home](https://readingeverywhere.com/) Subscribe to: [Posts (Atom)](https://readingeverywhere.com/feeds/posts/default)