The Book Blogger Love-a-Thon is an event hosted by Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books, taking place on 21 and 22 February, 9am-9pm EST on both days. It's time dedicated to exploring the blogging community, leaving a comment or two, meeting new friends and fostering positivity among the bloggers of the community.
Here's a bit about me!
1. What’s your name?
Cynthia!
2. Where in the world are you blogging from?
Oxford, England. :D I go to university here, but I live in Hong Kong and I go back there when I can, so sometimes I am also blogging from there.
3. How did you get into blogging in the first place?
I started in March last year with a different book blog. I wanted to blog because I used to really love reading but I've just been so busy these past few years that I'd barely read any books, and I thought blogging would really help me get back into reading again. And it has!
4. How did you come up with your blog name?
Er, I'm actually not sure? I wanted something simple and short, something that wasn't just to do with books but was still related to writing in some way, because I wanted to feel more free with this blog to write about whatever I liked and not just books all the time, so I wanted the name to match that feeling. I think perhaps I was subconsciously inspired by the title of Scott Westerfeld's Afterworlds, which I still haven't actually read, but I'm planning to read it soon!
5. What genre do you read and review the most on your blog?
YA. Within YA, I read mostly either contemporary or fantasy, with the occasional dystopian novel. I read a lot of LGBTQ YA. Outside of YA, I review fantasy mainly.
6. What other types of posts do you do on your blog, apart from reviews?
The ubiquitous Top Ten Tuesday, some discussion posts, and also my original feature, Keep It Queer, posted every other Monday, where I talk about being queer and reading LGBTQ books and all that sort of stuff.
7. Best blogging experience so far?
Actually, I think it was probably when I'd just started blogging last year and I stumbled upon LGBT April hosted by Cayce @ Niji Feels and Laura @ Laura Plus Books and I decided to join. It was my first blogging event and I didn't really know anyone in the blogging community yet and it was just AWESOME. I met so many new people and it was so much fun!
8. Favorite thing about the blogging community?
I just love that we can all talk about the books we love together and all the people I've met have been so friendly and supportive. I also just love that moment when you find a new blog and start talking to a blogger you've never met before and you just instantly connect! That's always amazing.
9. Name the 5 books you’re most excited for this 2015!
- A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
- An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
- Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman
- Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
- The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey
10. What’s an underrated book or series that you think everyone should read?
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THE SKYSCRAPER THRONE TRILOGY BY TOM POLLOCK. I BEG YOU. Also, the Micah Grey trilogy by Laura Lam! The third book is coming out this yeaaar.
11. Which book boy or girl would be your book BFF?
Okay, so Hannah Moskowitz has a book coming out in March, Not Otherwise Specified, which I was very lucky to read an ARC of. The MC in that is called Etta and she's bisexual and black, and I could relate to her so much as a bisexual Chinese girl, and I just wanted to be best friends with her forever. I would totally have her back.
12. Apart from reading, what are your other hobbies or interests?
Watching anime, still crying about Avatar: The Last Airbender years later, watching the occasional TV show (it's Agent Carter, Elementary, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine at the moment).
13. Apart from book shopping, what else do you like shopping for?
CLOTHES. Ugh, someone get me off the Forever 21 website, I can never stop compulsively ordering like EVERYTHING from there. What else. Food. Stickers (I'M OBSESSED WITH CUTE STICKERS).
14. At a party, the DJ suddenly changes the song – and it’s your song. What song would be playing?
Currently the whole of Taylor Swift's 1989 album is my song. THE WHOLE ALBUM. I love Taylor Swift a lot. Also, the whole of Lana Del Rey's Born to Die album. I don't really have songs, I just have albums that I fall in love with and can never name a favourite song from them.
15. Pick out either a book you want turned into a film/TV show, or a film/TV show you want turned into a book.
Hmm. I really hope the Daughter of Smoke and Bone movie does get made! I know one is supposed to be in the works... I LOVE THAT SERIES SO MUCH. ;_____;
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales
Yay for Taylor Swift!I love all her songs,and 1989 is really cool.
I really like your blog name.It's so short and cute so I guess you got what you wanted:)
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone would make an amazing movie,huh?It would be mesmerizing to watch.
Mishma @ Chasing Faerytales recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-a-Thon
Cynthia
Post author1989 is the coolest! :D :D I'm glad you love her too!
Thanks! :D
YES IT WOULD BE SO MESMERISING. I wanna see Karou and her blue hair on the big screen already! ): ): I hope we don't end up having to wait forever for this movie to get made.
Kaylie @ Potterhead Reviews
I love the new Taylor Swift album too! And I never liked her music before but man... 1989 is right up my alley. I didn't know there was a movie in the makings for Daughter of Smoke and Bone! I'd totally see that.
Kaylie @ Potterhead Reviews recently posted Book Blogger Love-a-thon | questionnaire
Cynthia
Post authorI've always been addicted to Tswift, I don't know why but her music is just so addictive to me!
Yeah, there was an article about it last year, but I don't know whether it will actually end up happening? I always hear about books that might get turned into movies and then they fizzle out and nothing seems to ever actually happen.
tonyalee
Ah, I just love your blog design! (that we me tweeting you haha)
I started The Daughter of Smoke and Bone but didn't finish the series, but based on the first book, that would be an awesome movie! :D
tonyalee recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon | Kick off Interview
Cynthia
Post authorThank you so much! <3
Ahhh, you must finish the series! IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER. It would make the most epic movie ever.
Alexa S.
First, can I just tell you that your header is GORGEOUS? I'm seriously mesmerized. Ahem. Anyway, I love Taylor Swift too (Swifties unite!). And Agent Carter is one of my favorite TV shows of the moment! I'm also FINALLY watching Avatar: The Last Airbender and I totally get why so many people love it. I think it's awesome that you go back and forth between England and HK! I've been to HK, but not England yet, though I hope to go one day.
Thanks for participating in the Love-a-Thon!
Alexa S. recently posted Book Blogger Love-a-Thon 2015 || Getting To Know Me
Cynthia
Post authorThank you! :D :D
Ahhhh, Taylor Swift is just the best. YAY YOU'RE WATCHING A:TLA!! It's so gooood omg. I rewatched it recently and it gave me more feels than ever and it was even better than I remembered. All the characters are just so wonderful and ALL THE FRIENDSHIPS. HK is my forever favourite city, but I'm totally biased. :P Did you like HK? I hope you get to go to England one day too! :D
Thank you so much for hosting! <3
Caitie F
I met Tom At my first BEA - he is SO nice and his books are great!
I am so obsessed with 1989.
Cynthia
Post authorTom Pollock? o: o: OMG I would love to meet him! I love following on Twitter and he seems like such a sweet and funny guy.
ME TOO.
Rosie // Rosie Reads
I'M FREAKING OUT. Daughter of Smoke and Bone is in the works?! WHAAAAAT. I still haven't read Dreams of Gods and Monsters simply because I don't want the story to eeeend. I might cry, haha.
Rosie // Rosie Reads recently posted Spread The Love: Book Blogger Love-A-Thon 2015
Cynthia
Post authorWell, there was an article about it last year, but I don't know how much progress has been made on it or if it's really going to happen! BUT DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS IS SO GOOOOOD. You should read it. I definitely cried. :')
Charlotte
A:TLA!!!! I could rewatch that series over and over again and never get tired of it. You have great taste in TV shows too ;)
Coincidentally I'm listening to 1989 right now haha yay!
Charlotte recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-a-thon Questionaire Post
Cynthia
Post authorOMG A:TLA GIVES ME SO MANY FEELS FOREVER. And I know, we both have great taste. ;D CHARLOTTE WHY IS ELEMENTARY SO GOOOOOD.
Yay! 1989 is so addictive. :D
Stormy
I love your blog name! I'm with you on most of my 2015 books you're excited for(except Shadow Scale, because I haven't read Seraphina). A Darker Shade of Magic is so close & I'm anxiously awaiting that book. Daughter of Smoke & Bone would make an excellent movie--Laini Taylor's writing is so easy to imagine so I can just *see* it on the screen already.
Stormy recently posted Book Blogger Love-a-Thon 2015 Introduction Post!
Cynthia
Post authorThank you! READ SERAPHINA OMG IT WAS A TOTAL FIVE-STAR READ FOR ME. ADSOM!!!!! I can actually buy the Kindle edition right now and read it since I'm the UK and it's out early here but I don't have tiiiime to read it yet. *whines* Daughter of Smoke and Bone would the best movie!! God, Laini Taylor's writing. It's just exquisite. I can't wait for whatever she writes next.
Erica @ Novel Ink
I love the layout and design of your blog, it's beautiful. I also love Taylor Swift's new album - you can't NOT dance to her songs!
Can't wait to see your other posts.
Erica @ Novel Ink recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon
Cynthia
Post authorThank you! :D :D 1989 makes me soooo happy every time I hear it.
ForeverKiah
The idea behind your site name (and the name itself) is PERFECTION! I'm so happy seeing so many people looking forward to ADSOM coming out like me! I just can't control how excited I am! AND YES TO TAYTAY! -Currently Jamming to 1989 on repeat while i read everyone's posts at 1.50AM in the morning haha! I need sleep! ZzzzzZZzzzzZZzzzzzz
Cynthia
Post authorHaha, thank you! <3
YES SO EXCITED FOR ADSOM. *screams* Following Victoria Schwab on Twitter makes it impossible not to be ridiculously excited. And yay, another person who loves Taylor Swift! It's like a Taylor Swift fan gathering on this post, haha. <3 GO TO BEEED. We'll all still be here in the morning haha.
ForeverKiah
I know - her countdowns are just teasing me. Why must post to Australia take so long?! I can't comprehend people who don't like Taylor Swift. How? Just how? haha
I know I definitely should. I'm getting there. Maybe next time Style plays on my iTunes - I'll call it a night haha!
ForeverKiah recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-a-Thon Questionnaire
Christy @ Novel Ink
I'm seeing Taylor Swift around a lot this morning! I'm currently loving Blank Space :)
I can't wait to read more of your posts!
Christy @ Novel Ink recently posted Book Spine Poetry | Blogger Love-A-Thon
Cynthia
Post authorYep, I can't believe how much everyone loves Taylor Swift, haha.
Rebecca @ The Library Canary
I'm so excited for A Darker Shade of Magic and The Girl at Midnight!
I am addicted to buying clothes. I actually just cleaned my apartment today and my husband brought me a handful of tags and was like "do you need any of these?" oops. I really need to get my shopping under control.
I'm also obsessed with Taylor Swift's new album and I LOVE Lana del Rey. I'm also a bit obsessed with Florence + The Machine right now. I just love the almost mournful sound of their music.
Rebecca @ The Library Canary recently posted Love-a-Thon 2015 Mini Challenge #1: Book Spine Poetry
Cynthia
Post authorYES. :D :D I preordered the Kindle edition of The Girl at Midnight the other day! IT WAS SO CHEAP (on Amazon UK, at least).
Hahaha, I totally need to get my shopping under control as well. But I just can't stop myself! Online shopping is too easy.
Yay, you love Lana Del Rey too! :D :D
Cee
I really looooveeee your blog name. It's so awesome!
I CAN'T BELIEVE A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC IS GONNA COME OUT IN A FEW DAYS. (I know it's probably out in the UK, but ajsdlajsda;sdasodua;soudaosudsau.
Like I said on Twitter, you have flawless taste in shows. ;) I just love Sherlock + Joan's relationship as well as Sherlock's relationship with everybody in his life.
Cee recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-a-Thon | Spine Poetry!
Cynthia
Post authorThank you, Cee! <3
It's so frustrating that I probably won't get round to reading ADSOM until April, at least! I have too much on my plate for March. But yeah, I just can't wait to read it.
WE BOTH HAVE FLAWLESS TASTE. Why are Sherlock and Joan so great? AND I WANT KITTY BACK.
Wren
Hey!
You live in Hong Kong? Awesome. My mother's from there!
You like LGBT? Are you going to read about the intersex condition in the book 'None of the Above'? I got an ARC. It's awesome!
Wren recently posted Book Blogger Love-a-thon Questionnaire
Cynthia
Post authorYeah, I do! :D Oooh, that's cool!
Yep, I love LGBTQ fiction! And yeah I'm really looking forward to None of the Above! Glad to hear you liked the ARC!
Jessica @ Jessica's Rainbow Inspiration
I like your blog name! It's succint and book-related but gives you leeway to talk about other things. Fantastic!
I'm loving Taylor Swift's 1989 album too! Have you heard Louisa Wendorff's mashup of Blank Space and Style? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m3o5LuFKxg So so good!
Jessica @ Jessica's Rainbow Inspiration recently posted Book Blogger Love-a-Thon 2015: Mini-Challenge #2 – A Valentine for Hermione Granger
Cynthia
Post authorThank you! :D
I hadn't heard of that before you linked me to it but wow, that is AMAZING. Thank you so much for introducing me to that!
Bruna
We both got Taylor Swift's album for our answers! I've been checking out your Keep it Queer features, cause I've been meaning to read more LGBTQ books - I'll be writing the down the recommendations from this post as well!
I also need to read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and see what all the fuss is about!
Bruna recently posted Mini-challenge #3: One Can Only Quote
Cynthia
Post authorYay! :D I'm so glad you're trying to read more LGBTQ books. I'm full of recommendations so if you have any specific things that you wanna look for in LGBTQ just hit me up!
You should definitely read it! I loved it so much
Lisa @ Bookish Broads
COURT OF FIVES! I'm so excited for that one too!
Cynthia
Post authorYES! I haven't read any Kate Elliott yet but I really should, but her first foray into YA sounds to me like a perfect place to start with her books!
Lauren @ Lose Time Reading
I haven't read Daughter of Smoke and Bone yet but I agree, it sounds awesome as a movie :) Food shopping! Agreed... I just love food so much, it's impossible to not enjoy shopping for it!!!
Have an awesome love a thon Cynthia <3
Lauren @ Lose Time Reading recently posted 2015 Book Blogger Love-A-Thon Introduction
Cynthia
Post author:D :D It's so terrible when you're hungry and you go food shopping and you end up buying WAY TOO MUCH FOOD.
Wendy @ Book Scents
I used to have a sticker collection!!!! I dont' know what happened to it but. yes. :) Ahh I have Taylor's 1989 CD on repeat in my car currently! LOVE it. I still need to read daughter of smoke and bone!
Wendy @ Book Scents recently posted Love-A-Thon Mini Challenge #3: A Few Favorite Quotes!
Cynthia
Post authorI know, I keep losing stickers because I'm really messy and can't keep track of where I put stuff, and it's so sad. ): Daughter of Smoke and Bone is so good! Hope you can get round to reading it soon!
Erin @ The Hardcover Lover
Oh, cool! Oxford! I've never been to England, but that's awesome that you are studying there!
And one of my best friends was from Hong Kong. We went to junior high and high school together, and then he moved back to Hong Kong. The last I heard, he was apparently a famous fashion designer.
TAYLOR SWIFT! I love her too!
Nice to meet you! :)
Erin @ The Hardcover Lover recently posted ARC Review: The Other Side of the Wall
Cynthia
Post authorOxford is such a nice city! :D I really love it here.
Oh wow, a famous fashion designer? That's so cool!
Nice to meet you too! :)
Nova @ Out of Time
OH MY GOSH TAYLOR SWIFT <333333
I've heard a bunch about Not Otherwise Specified and I think it's a real eye opener. I've discovered that my poor heart cannot take anything remotely feelsy. I BROKE DOWN at Lies We Tell Ourselves. but I'm so glad that you're able to connect with the character! I hope I will too :)
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted #LoveAThon 2015
Cynthia
Post authorTAYLOR SWIFT IS THE BEST <3
I don't think Not Otherwise Specified is the kind of book that will make you break down! It's very different to books like Lies We Tell Ourselves – it's much more optimistic in tone and there's nothing very emotionally difficult about it. Lies We Tell Ourselves was VERY emotionally difficult. I remember the beginning was especially hard for me to get through because it was just so brutal to read about. But so worth it though.