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#LoveAThon Interview with Nichole from YAReads!

Hello everyone! It is with great excitement and probably more squealing than I should admit, that I bring you the sign-ups for the 2014 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon!!!! *collective happy dancing ensues...unless, that is, you are not a dancer. If that's the case, collective happy clapping ensues* With the help of my dear friend, fellow blogger, and awkward twin, Alexa, we are bringing back an event that is near and dear to our hearts. I started this event as a way for bloggers to take a special day to share the love around the blogoshpere. Last year, with Alexa on board, the event turned into so much more than what I ever could have imagined it being. It was an amazing day and seeing so much love and encouragement getting spread around from blogger to blogger melted my heart into a giant pile of goo. This year is going to bigger and even better than last year and I hope you are all as excited as we are for February to get here! In order to make this year tons more fun, lots more organized, and a whole lot awesomer, there are a few changes that we are making to the event! Take a look below to see just what the whole sha-bang is all about and of course, if it is something that interests you, take the time to fill out the form at the bottom of this post to be added as an official #LoveAThon participant! The Who's:  Who is hosting the event?: Katelyn (a.k.a. Moi!) of Kate's Tales of Books and Bands and Alexa of Alexa Loves Books Who can participate?: Anyone is welcome to join however we do ask that whether you be a book blogger, author, or fellow lover of books, that you know, actually have a blog to participate with! The What's:  What is a Book Blogger Love-A-Thon? A Book Blogger Love-A-Thon is essentially a day dedicated to spreading the love to blogs and the bloggers behind them! There will be time for you to comment on blogs, follow blogs, tweet about blogs, thank blogs, share the word about your old and new favorite blogs, tell another blogger how freaking awesome you think they are, the list goes on and on! And back by popular demand, the day will also include fun events like an interview swap with fellow participants, mini challenges that give you all a chance to win some prizes, not one but TWO Twitter chats, and perhaps a big giveaway at the end! Once you have officially signed up for the event, Alexa and I will email you the full schedule of events so you can see exactly what the day will consist of! What do you need to do in order to sign up? Signing up is the easy part! All we need you to do is fill out the form below. Please also feel free to grab the official Book Blogger Love-A-Thon button and share it on your blog. And if you are feeling extra special and awesome, you could share this event either on your blog or social media sites! Seriously, the more bloggers who share this event, the more who sign up, and the more fun we will all have! The When's:  When does the event take place? Feb. 15th and 16th between 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. EST on both days. This is one of the biggest changes this year and I think it is going to be a good change. Don't get me wrong, last year was all sorts of fun but staring at a computer screen for over 24 hours straight sort of took its toll on us. Instead we will have 2 days with 12 hour stretches on each one which is a whole heck of a lot more practical! When do I have to sign up for the event? Anytime between now and when the event starts on Feb. 15th would be superawesome. HOWEVER, since we are doing a blogger interview swap, we do ask that you try to sign up before Feb. 7th to ensure you have an interview partner. Anyone who signs up after the 7th will be sent a pre-made interview questionnaire so participants will still get a chance to "meet" you! The How's:  How can you help? Simply by spreading the word about this event. Alexa and I were blown away by everyone that participated last year and we would like nothing more for all of those bloggers (plus some!) to join us again this year. Also, we are going to be taking donations for giveaways. If you are willing to donate ANYTHING towards either the mini-challenge giveaways or the big giveaway at the end, please email us at bbloveathon@gmail.com with exactly what you plan to donate. The Random's:  Twitter: As in the years past, this year we are going to continue using the event's official Twitter hashtag, #LoveAThon. If you post anything #LoveAThon related on Twitter, please use that hashtag so Alexa and I can keep track! Questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions? If there is anything you need, you can reach Alexa or myself at the event's email: bbloveathon@gmail.com or contact either one of us on Twi tter (@KatelynTorrey) (@Alexalovesbooks) THANK YOU: I just wanted a second to give a huge thank you in advance to anyone that signs up or helps spread the word about this event. It makes my heart so happy to see so much love being spread from blogger to blogger.

Today is the start of the two-day Book Blogger Love-A-Thon hosted by Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) & Katelyn (Kate’s Tales of Books & Bands)! I’m very excited to share some posts and some book blogger love over these two days. Keep track of all the love on social media via #LoveAThon 🙂 I can’t wait to talk with, meet, & discover some amazing people in the book blogging community!

The first person I had the honor to me via this great event was Nichole from YaReads! She was kind enough to stop by for an interview and it was great learning more about her!

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Hey Nichole! (yes, that is weird to say :p)

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me! It’s an honoring having you at PopCrunchBoom!

Thanks for having me!!!

nichole1. Can you dish a bit about YaReads for those not familiar with site?

Well….YaReads is just what it sounds like. A place to find out more about books in the YA genre. We do reviews, interviews, guest posts, and lots of other fun things! We do feature some adult paranormal books, but mostly we feature YA.

2. I understand that YaReads has been a well established blog for a while now and has a great team on board! How long have you been blogging at YaReads?

I have been blogging at YaReads for 2 years now, but we’ve been around since 2009. 

3. I know YaReads features a lot of books on its site. Does YaReads review books other than Young Adult?

Yes, we do. When I first took over as the reviewer for YaReads, I decided that I wanted to review all of the books that I read. I don’t just read YA; I read adult paranormal, adult contemporary, middle grade, picture books, and New Adult. The Majority of what I read and review is YA, but I try to make YaReads as diverse as possible.

4. I noticed that YaReads reviews a lot of different genres. What would you say are the top three genres that are reviewed?

If you look at YaReads as a whole (before and after I started reviewing,) I’m not quite sure what I would say. I know that contemporary used to get reviewed a lot. In the last two years, I would have to say those genres would be paranormal, high fantasy, and new adult. Maybe New adult would get replaced with YA mystery. I love those. 

5. While poking around on the site, it’s hard not to see that YaReads is more than just a book review site. You host guest posts, author interviews, contests, book clubs and more. What’s your favorite part about YaReads outside of book reviews?

Hmmm…..my favorite thing about YaReads besides the book reviews is probably the time I spend with the debut authors. We started it last year; we did the 2013 debut author bash in September and the 2014 debut author intros in December. We’ll be doing them again this year. If you’re interested in signing up for the 2014 debut author bash, the sign ups should go live in June. Last year we had about 70 authors sign up.

Other than that, I LOVE when I get the chance to review some of my favorite authors. You can always tell the difference between a standard review and when a review reallyyyy matters to me. I get really fangirlish.

6. What’s your favorite memory from blogging at YaReads or blogging in general?

The first time that I got to interview Kelley Armstrong. I will never forget it. 

7. Do you have any advice to newbie bloggers like myself?

Don’t let blogging consume your life or stress you out. When I first started blogging, I was a complete control freak. Make sure you read for pleasure; don’t just focus on review books. Join social media sites and talk with other bloggers and your fans. Because you know what…you do have fans. It’s the weirdest things ever. Have fun. I’ve been blogging two years, and I’m JUST starting to adopt that motto. I no longer let blogging stress me out. And don’t freak out if you don’t have something scheduled for a day. There are tons of bloggers who refuse to post anything at least one day a week. Just relax. 

8. I mentioned YaReads rocking team already and I wanted to know what you thought about blogging with a team versus on your own?

YaReads does have a team, but I’ve been the only active member for the last 2 years. We will be bringing on someone to help me out since I’ll be starting my masters program in the Fall. We’re still sorting through the applications…it’s taken a bit longer than expected. So, I’ve never really experienced working with a team. I’m assuming it will make me a huge control freak lol. It’s going to be nice having someone else around to help fill up the slots, though. 

9. Was there a particular book or moment that sparked your interest in blogging?

My road to blogging is probably different than most people’s. Before I ever started blogging, I was an active member of the YaReads forum (Sorry, everyone, that’s not around anymore!) What ended up happening is that the main team members started getting really busy in their every day lives, and I asked Ivy if I could step up and take over. I’m so glad she let me because this has been the best experience ever. What people don’t know is that several years ago, I actually applied for a reviewer position at YaReads and got turned down. That’s when Christina was brought on to be our blogger. So, it just kind of fell in my lap.

If you asked what book sparked my interested in reading, I would say Twilight. 

Now I have a few less serious questions!

10. Everyone always asks, so here I go: What’s your favorite book? series?

No brainer. The Women of the Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong. I don’t usually read standalones, so I don’t know how to answer my favorite book. Maybe Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols? 

11. How do you organize your at home library?

Oh, dear, people will hate me. I don’t. I have piles all around my room. My bookshelf is not organized in any way shape or form. Books are just put in there. I do want to organize my books……but that sounds like an awful amount of work.

12. What’s your favorite color on a book cover?

You know, I’ve never really thought of this before. My favorite color in general is purple, but I can’t really think of a purple book cover. I’m just going to cheat and say that my favorite color is purple lol. 

13. What book movie do you thing was worse than the book?

Twilight. Holy shit, that was a horrible movie. 

14. Hardcover or paperback?

Paperback. I’ll read both, but pbs are easier on my wrists. 

15. In honor of V-day: What’s your go-to book for a love story? for an anti-V-Day book?

Ok….I’m not the biggest fan of contemporary books. I don’t really think “Valentines Day” and pick up a book lol. I also don’t like to reread books. I just kind of read whatever I’m reading at the time. If I was going to suggest a love story for someone, it would probably be a paranormal series with a huge love thingy to it. I’ll say the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Katy and Daemon are full of love! 

An anti V-Day book? Like….not love? uhm. Hmm……………..go pick up a horror book. Stephen King? I’m sure that won’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

Lastly, if it’s not too personal, I’d love to know what writer/author inspires you?
Kelley Armstrong. She’s my favorite author in the world. 
 
Thanks for having me!!!

I hope you enjoyed learning more about Nichole and YaReads! Go show her some #LoveAThon love by visiting YaReads or giving her a shout out on social media! Here’s her Twitter & Facebook!

Stop by later today for more #LoveAThon posts and don’t forget to share the love to your favorite authors & book bloggers!

Happy #LoveAThon everyone!

As Always,

xo 

NicoleLynn

 

 

 

5 Comments

  • Bonnie @ A Backwards Story
    16 February 2014 at 12:08 am

    The author bash sounds like fun! I’ll have to look into it!! I get really fangirlish, too. I think we all do, lol!! Oh, I read a book by Kelley Armstrong for the first time last year, OMENS!

    Reply
  • prettylreader
    15 February 2014 at 7:30 pm

    I love Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Underworld series! I’m so jealous that Nichole got to interview her. I’d probably be so nervous, I’d mess it up! Haha

    Reply
  • Alexa S. (@alexalovesbooks)
    15 February 2014 at 1:40 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this quote, Nichole – “Don’t let blogging consume your life or stress you out.” Blogging is supposed to be FUN for us all (unless it’s your job), so when it becomes “work”, it’s definitely time to take a break and step back. I’m loving your answers, because it gives me a look into what it’s like to be a part of a collaborative blog!

    Reply
  • hazelleevaughn
    15 February 2014 at 11:33 am

    Hi Nicole, I just came over from reading your interview on YAReads, loved your answers! =) Love Nichole’s too! It’s interesting to find out more about YAReads and how cool is it that she got to spend so much time with debut authors and interview Kelley Armstrong!

    Reply
  • Lindsay
    15 February 2014 at 10:02 am

    This is so much fun! I love reading everyone’s interviews. I totally agree about Twilight. What a horrible adaptation!

    Lindsay @ The Broke Book Girls

    Reply

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