BBAW Interview: Alison of That's A Novel Idea...

It's my first BBAW, and therefore my first BBAW interview! I'm so excited to have Alison of That's a Novel Idea stopping by... See what she has to say in response to my jumble of questions:

drey: Let's start with the basics. Who are you? What do you do IRL (in real life)? Besides reading books and writing reviews, I mean...

Alison: Well, I am a mom who works full-time and then comes home and tries to fit in reading and blogging. I graduated with a social work degree and worked in the medical field for several years, but it didn't pay the bills ( I was a single mom at the time). I switched over to my current job at an Engineering Firm at that time. I am a jack of all trades there. I answer phones, pay bills, invoice clients, plan events, research financial issues, etc.

I have 2 kids a new high schooler and kindergartner - August was an emotional month let me tell you. I also have a boyfriend that has 2 kids that I consider my bonus kids. We see them weekly and when we are all together we are one big, happy family (most of the time).

We also have 2 dogs and 2 cats.

d: Why did you start blogging? Do you blog about more than books?

A: I just started blogging late June 2009. I tend to only blog about books, but have thrown in one or two other posts since I started. I started blogging because I found myself reading others and thought I could do it too. One thing that led me to blogs was the novel Edgar Sawtelle. I was so bothered by the way the book ended that I started getting in Amazon discussion groups and it just took off from there.

d: What are some of your favorite genres and authors? Your blog is still pretty new--will you have a "niche" eventually? Or do you pretty much read anything? =)

A: I don't know that I will ever have a niche. I like too many types of books and can't imagine sticking to one genre. I think I will just read what looks good and go from there.

I love Wally Lamb, Dan Brown, Nicholas Sparks, and so many more. These were some of my favorite before I started blogging and now I am finding many new favorites.
I love mystery, literary fiction, memoirs, YA...I have read fantacy/sci-fi and loved it and many others so I don't limit myself too much. If the description sounds good I pick it up. I don't really like political or historical non-fiction.

d: When do you find time to read? Do you read while doing another activity?

A: I read during my breaks at work and at night after the kids are asleep. My co-workers are always checking out my new books and asking about them. I don't really do anything else while reading. I get lost in the book and don't even notice what is going on around me. Mark watches TV while I read and I catch myself watching sometimes, but then I am back into the book again.

d: What other hobbies do you spend time on?

A: Other hobbies?? LOL I love to watch my kids play sports. My daughter is an awesome softball player! Other than that I really am a book nerd and don't do much else. I enjoy hanging out with friends or going to the movies, but it is hard to get to do that very often.

d: Chocolate or vanilla?
A: Chocolate Baby!

d: Hardcover or paperback?
A: Paperback. It is easier to manipulate.

d: Fashion style?
A: Whatever is comfy. I don't really enjoy getting dressed up that much. I like clothes that make me look good, but I am also cheap. :)

d: Favorite swear word?
A: Hhmmm...hell. I tend to say it the most.

THANK YOU, Alison, for taking the time to answer my questions. To those of you who're new-to-Alison, check out her blog, That's A Novel Idea. I know I am. =)