bad-ass bloggers, My Book Addiction

Bad-Ass Book Blogger Interview #3: Toni of My Book Addiction

Katie Hayoz

Let me say it right off: I have a total girl-crush on Toni.  She was the first book blogger to give Untethered five stars along with a review that was more entertaining than the book.  She had me at the very first word.  But that’s not the sole reason I like her. Toni is not only a bad ass book blogger she’s also a cupcake making, zombie loving, coffee slurping, speed-reading mega mom with a generous heart and a hearty sense of humor.    Now here’s your chance to fall in love with her, too!  Be sure to stop by her blog at My Book Addiction.

1.      What made you decide to get into book blogging and how long have you been doing it?
–         I’ve been blogging about all sorts of things — from mommy blogging about breast feeding and cloth diapering to being a kitchen savvy mom — for about twelve years, but last year I decided to give book blogging a go. I figured it would be the best thing for me since I love to read and write, and I’m extremely opinionated.
2.      One thing I’ve noticed about your reviews is that they are not just reviews.   A lot of times they are mini works-of-art themselves! What is your process for writing them?  Do you plan it out, take notes as you are reading? Or do you just let it all loose once you are done?
   
     That is so awesome of you to say! Thank you so much, Katie. I do occasionally take notes or highlight sections that I don’t want to overlook in my reviews, but mostly I let it all flow soon after I finish the book. When I first started writing reviews they were very stiff and boring, but after a while I found my voice. I’ve been having a blast with it ever since. I think reading a lot and writing reviews is great research and practice for writing a novel.

3.       What else do you write? 
 
       I used to write a lot of poetry in my teen years. I also wrote a paranormal graphic novel in my twenties, which I’ve never had the cajones to publish. I’m currently working on a novel, zombie fiction, which I hope to muster the courage to publish sooner than later.

4.      What is your favorite category or genre to read?  What won’t you touch?
     
      I don’t know that I have one favorite category or genre.  My top three are zombie fiction, paranormal, and contemporary. I love YA, but also enjoy NA. I will not touch erotic/erotica. It’s just not my thing. No, I’m not a prude. I just prefer my “hot and steamy” in person. Ha! I did read FSoG, but ended up skimming through those parts to read the actual story.

5.      You not only review books yourself, but you sometime get your girls involved in reviewing children’s books.  Whose idea was that?  How is it going?
–         Yes, I do a Kids Corner Storytime Vlog with my girls. We love to read together and I wanted them to be a part of something that is important to me and that keeps them interested in reading. It’s going pretty well so far. We don’t do it as often as I would like, but you know how life is… sometimes it’s just too busy to get all dolled up for the camera. 🙂 We have actually landed a standing relationship with Five Star Publications/Little Five Star. We love the books we’ve gotten from them and they seem to like our reviews, so it’s working out really well.
6.       What is the most fantastic part of being a book blogger?

      There are a lot of fantastic parts of being a book blogger, but the most fantastic part is all the people I’ve met, from authors to other book bloggers and readers. It’s wonderful to have an online community of people who are just as addicted to reading and books as I am.

7.      What is the most difficult?

     The most difficult part is writing a review for a book I didn’t enjoy. I hate to say anything negative, even if it’s just constructive criticism, about anyone’s work of art. Who am I to judge another persons hard work?  It’s easy to gush over the books I love, but not so easy to write a review for the books I don’t.

8.      Has anything about book blogging surprised you?
   
      Yes! How much time actually goes into it. It’s like a full time job that I don’t get paid for, but I do love it. I love promoting Indie authors and I am happy to share that adoration with my fellow readers via my blog and social media.
  
9.       Do you have any advice for authors?
 – 
      Advice? No. I don’t think I’m qualified to do that. Just keep writing! Follow your heart, put it on paper, and then send your books to me, of course. Hehe.

10.   Do you take review requests?  If so, how can an author get in touch with you?                               
    
I do take review requests. My review policy can be found on my website here: http://mybookaddiction.com/review-requests/

Thank you so much for having me, Katie! This has been a blast.  J

Thanks for stopping by, Toni!   

Published by Katie Hayoz

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