I “met” the lovely Grace a few weeks ago, thanks to being paired up for the BBAW interviews. Thanks to her blog, Books Like Breathing, I’ve added several romances to my to-read pile.
Grace was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. I have to say that I’m impressed with her daring to follow her dream.
1. Tell me a little about yourself and your blog.
This should be easy. My name is Grace, obviously. I am 26 years old. I was a librarian and currently spend most of my time baking cupcakes (starting my own business). I’m hoping to open a storefront in the sometime in this lifetime future.
2. Where is your favorite place to read? How about the oddest place you’ve ever read a book?
I have this awesome orange comfy chair that I’ve been reading in since I was a baby. I swear there is nothing on earth as amazing as my ugly, orange comfy chair. I can’t even think of replacing it.
Oddest place I’ve ever read. That’s actually kind of difficult because I’ve read just about everywhere. I think the oddest place I’ve ever actually pulled out a book and read was at my cousin’s wedding reception. I was bored stiff and, aside from drinking myself into a stupor, I had no other options. I am not the best wedding guest on the planet.
3. If you were hosting a dinner, which five characters would you invite? Why?
- Anne Shirley- I love her. She would likely cause some sort of trouble and make things interesting.
- Severus Snape- He’s quite intelligent and I have a feeling he can be quite funny and charming when inspired. I also want him to call me a dunderheaded girl just once before I die.
- Peeta Mallark- I think he is a sweetie and I want him to bring the dessert. And maybe teach me how to pipe. I am so bad at it. Although, in my mind, he still looks like Hunter Parrish.
- Jamie Fraser- I have a thing for ginger haired men. I would just look at him.
- Elizabeth Bennet- I would never have a dinner party without inviting Lizzy. I love her too much to leave her out.
4. I mentioned this interview to my daughter who wants to know what the most exciting thing you’ve ever done is.
I think the most exciting thing I have ever done is pause my career as a librarian and decide to make my hobby (baking) a career. I’m scared witless. There was also a rather exciting episode with an angry taxi driver on Broadway. Don’t get in the way of a girl who is late for class.
5. A few quick book questions:
What’s your all-time favorite book? Anne of Green Gables. Pride and Prejudice does not even surpass this one. I read it for the first time when I was 7 years old and have read it yearly ever since.
What book did you hate? The Da Vinci Code. There are no redeemable qualities. The writing was terrible. The story was terrible. The fact that people keep telling me to read it even when I’ve told them I already have and think it’s utter dreck is terrible. I don’t understand why people love it. Read The Name of the Rose instead. If you want good historical fiction, read that. I think I’m done ranting.
What book are you looking forward to? I have a 20 page list of romances I am looking forward to so it’s easier to tell you the YA books I am looking forward to. I am most looking forward to The City of Lost Souls, Clockwork Prince and Silence.
What book do you think everyone should read? A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries. I have loved this book since I read it after I saw the movie. I LOVED it and I don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves. I also think everyone should give the Outlander series a go at least once. It’s an experience.
She was also kind enough to send pictures of her bookshelves. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them.
I am amazed by how many books, and shelves, she has. And they’re organized!
- The Anne Shelf and Randomness Shelf-the shelves that hold all of my L.M. Montgomery books and assorted randomness. The only part that is organized is the L.M. Montgomery section.
- Classics Shelf holds all the older books. Not necessarily classics but older books that I either love or had to read for school. Not organized at all.
- Fiction Shelf-Newer fiction and books I don’t like. No organization at all.
- Jane Shelf-Holds all of my Jane Austen books and sequels. Also has a pretty Jane Austen figure and bookshelves that my Uncle made for me. Somewhat organized.
- YA Shelf
- Romance Shelf-All of my single author romance books and non-favorites. Not organized.
- Favorite Romance Shelf-All of my favorite romance novels and author collections. Organized by author and series.
Thanks, Grace! It was nice getting to know a little more about you. And good luck with the baking business!
Nice meeting you Grace, wow that’s big book collesction! 🙂
It’s actually much worse than it looks in those pics. They are triple shelved in the fiction, classics and romance sections 🙂
That’s an awesome book collection! Good luck with the baking!
Thanks!
I love your shelves! And I’ve heard that about The DaVinci Code, too. I would never even bother to pick it up….
I saw the movie A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries…I’ll have to check out the book.
Did I say how much I LOVE your shelves? Great interview.
Look at all of those bookshelves! I am drooling with envy over here!
Holy cow, I think she has more bookcases than I do! I love that she read at her cousin’s wedding reception.
I’m just happy that my cousin wasn’t mad and thought my generally anti-social behavior was hilarious. He still makes fun of me for it.
Will you look at all those books! Way to go, Grace – I admire the fact that you’re stepping out on your own with cupcakes. Good luck!
Nice getting to know you 🙂
And I do love those shelves, wow!
Good luck on your baking. It’s always scary to start a new venture but the payoff is wonderful.
The way you feel about The Da Vinci Code is the way I feel about Twilight……I shudder just thinking about it.
Great interview!
I have mixed feelings about Twilight. It’s good for mindless entertainment but I am still of the opinion that the fan fiction is better than anything Stephenie Meyer could come up with.
Great interview. I read the other part of the interview as well. Y’all have some great answers and questions. One of my favorite characters is Peeta, he is so lovable. Can’t wait for the film.
Nice to find your blog. Happy BBAW!
I am stumped with the book shelves, holy smokes. Good luck with your business.
How cool to have such an established reading chair, even if it is “ugly”! I wish you the best of luck with the cupcake business — in my opinion, there is always room for one more of those. And I’d love to be a guest at that dinner party!
That is a lot of books.
Wonderful post! And nice to meet you. 🙂 Look at those lovely shelves! oh my. I love them. 🙂 Hope you are both having a great time with BBAW. 🙂
Wow! Look at all those books. Off to visit Grace.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Carol. I really loved answering your questions and getting to know you!
Grace