Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Armchair BEA 2013 or What am I Doing Here?


Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

Armchair BEA is a virtual event created for book bloggers unable to attend
the BEA Bloggers Conference or Book Expo America (BEA) in New York City,
My Reading Chair 
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I am known by my glasses

I have kept a book journal of one sort or another going back to the late 1980s. When I retired from the library world in 2007, it seemed appropriate to create an online way to keep track of my reading and share it with friends and colleagues. Books have been a major part of my life since I was a child going to the library with my father. In third grade I won the prize for reading the most books over summer vacation.

Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.

Tiger Lilies by the pond
In the palm of the Michigan mitten, I can curl up in my chair and gaze out the window at the Grand River not far from its headwaters, where it is neither grand nor what one would call a river.

Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?

At BEA I actually met Hello Kitty!

Until discovering Armchair BEA last year, I had been a solitary blogger. I had attended BEA in the past, not as a blogger, but as a librarian, and found it a wonderfully stimulating experience. The idea that I could continue to be part of the event from home was exciting!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 



I feel extraordinarily blessed by the reading choices I have made this year.  Kate Atkinson's LIFE AFTER LIFE had an enormous effect on me, but I am a total fan girl for Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series. (You can see the books I have read if you look on the right side bar.)

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.  




I am passionate about theater and especially musical theater and watched the television program SMASH to the bitter end!

13 comments:

  1. They are very unusual looking glasses! Did you get them custom made?
    Hope you enjoy Armchair BEA

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    1. Thanks to your question I figured out how to add the reply feature to my blog! Thanks! (And no I didn't have them custom made although they are unique!)

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  2. I'm looking forward to reading Life After Life - I think it's going to be a trip to the library for that one though. When I get the time. That view of the lilies in the pond is gorgeous!

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    1. I read LIFE AFTER LIFE as a pre-pub on my Kindle. Now I want to buy a copy. I devoured it the first time. Now I want to savor it!

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  3. I won a prize for reading the most books over the summer one year, too! Actually, my brother and I were tied so we both got a prize...sibling rivalry at it's best - it pushed us to read a lot that summer. I think we each read 100 books!

    My Intro Post

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    1. What a great story! My brother and I were opposites. He read the same book to report on every year and didn't start to read for enjoyment until he was out of high school.

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  4. My glasses are one of a kind and I've had them a long time. I worry no one will know who I am if I get new glasses.

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  5. I want a pair of glasses like yours! I love those!!
    And the tiger lilies picture you shared is gorgeous - tiger lilies have been a favorite of mine forever!
    Happy ABEA!

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  6. Very nice to meet you! I think it's great that you've been able to experience BEA in different capacities. Hope you enjoy your week!

    Shan @ Curled Up with a Good Book and a Cup of Tea

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  7. I love your glasses, very unique! I'm glad to meet another Midwestern blogger :) I'm a Wisconsin girl.

    Life after Life is one of my recent favorites as well, stunning book.

    I hope you're enjoying ABEA, have a great week Ann!

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  8. I love finding other former librarians with book blogs :-) It is a fun way to keep sharing our love of books.

    I was born a Michigan gal as well although I reside in Indiana these days.

    I hope you enjoy ArmchairBEA. I would love to go to the actual event some day.

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  9. I'd like to read Atkinson's Life After Life. Of course, I'd also like to live in Michigan and go to the BEA in real life! :) Happy Armchair Week!

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    1. Your comment made me laugh. You too could meet Hello Kitty if you went to BEA!

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