Armchair BEA: Introductions First!

After hearing so many wonderful things about Armchair BEA (BookExpo America) last year, I thought I'd try my hand at participating this go around. There are bound to be heaps of amazing post, giveaways and other events, so be sure to check it all out here! To start things off, we've been asked to answer some questions about ourselves. Here goes!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

Hiya! My name is Melissa and I've been blogging for just over a year. I currently live in the Surface of the Sun, AZ (aka Phoenix), but I have no idea why. Well, I do know why, but I wish I was "home" instead of here. I'm melting. I guess I did grow up in Arizona, but I spent the last 7 years in the home of my heart, Washington (state, not DC, silly). I received my bachelors degree in Fine Arts from Washington State University back in 2007. Since graduating, I've stuck with book-related jobs. I've worked in two libraries and now I work for a fantastic pre-owned book and entertainment store... and I work in the book department. Heck yes!

I started blogging as a way to keep me occupied whilst I searched for a job. I didn't really know book blogging even existed when I first started this blog. I basically wanted to share with friends and family what I'm passionate about (books and music) and what I was up to (not a whole heck of a lot). I guess you could say I fell into book blogging. I joined Twitter because a friend told me I had to. After following some of my favorite authors, I kept hearing about this amazing book blogging community... I simply had to check it out! I may not be the fastest reader, but I thoroughly enjoy sharing my passion for books. I've come to love the book blogger community so much! So ends my tale of how I started blogging about books.

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I started rereading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith for a book club I joined. This book is one of my all-time favorites, but it's been a while since I've read it. I can't wait to fall in love with it again! As for favorite reads... there are many. I fell fast in love with Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I gobbled that sucker up in no time! I mean, honestly... how could anyone NOT love that book! I also adored A Million Suns by Beth Revis, Shift and Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready, Legend by Marie Lu, Lament and Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater, and... and... and I guess I'll stop there.

What is your favorite feature on your blog (i.e. author interviews, memes, something specific to your blog)?

Oonce upon a time, when I was having a blast hopping around to different book blogs, I noticed a meme called Tune in Tuesday. Basically, Ginger at GReads created this awesome meme as a way to share one of my other passions... MUSIC! After figuring out what a meme was, I decided to jump on the train and share the music I love. It has been a blast getting to know so many other music addicts. I have fallen in love with so many different bands/musicians/songs through this meme! I love it and highly recommend everyone jump in!

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

There are so many! I would love to go to Hogwarts and Neverland and Middle Earth and everwhere in between. I'd love to see a film in Anna's Paris or visit the mystical land of Sevenwaters or watch the terrifying capaill uisce race on the shores of Thisby. But, there is one place that has entranced me since I was a child. This place made me want to look in every closet, just to see if I could catch a glimpse of another world. This place, full of wonder and magic, where anything can happen. If I could go to one literary location, it would have to be none other than... Narnia.

Have your reading tastes changed since you started blogging? How?

You know, I think they haven't really changed, but rather expanded. I've always been a big reader and blogging has only helped that right along. I've been dipping my toe in different genres that I don't think I would have tried before I started blogging. I never thought I would ever read a science fiction novel, but I have. I didn't think I was into werewolves at all, but apparently I am. I didn't want to read contemporary novels because I thought they all had to be depressing, but they aren't. Like I said, I don't know that my tastes have changed, per se, but I have definitely discovered so much more I enjoy. Book blogging is amazing.

Design credit for the Armchair BEA logo/button goes to Sarah of Puss Reboots