Interview Swap
Maree from Just Add Books
1. When and why did you start blogging?
I started a general blog – Zooblife in November 2005. I can’t remember why I started it now. But it’s my sad, dusty neglected little corner now. I blame Twitter. Then I started Just Add Books in December 2007. Its original intention was to keep track of a personal challenge to read one classic novel a month for a year. It wasn’t long before it expanded into a more general reading / reviewing / rambling blog.
2. Where is your favourite place to read?
My favourite place to read is the couch, but I end up reading in bed a lot because I do most of my reading really late at night, and there’s less chance of my two-year-old taking off with what I’m reading.
Maree’s cats Merlin & Piper
3. You are a wife, mother, full-time worker – where on earth do you find the time to blog?
I’m a night owl, which helps a lot. So I do a lot of my blogging late at night. Otherwise I just sort of tuck it around my family, and my job. 
4. What sort of books do you like to read the most?
Oh, gosh. That’s a hard one. I’m a sucker for a good story, so genre is really secondary. About the only genres I don’t read are romances and westerns. Having said that … give me a well-written, well-constructed fantasy novel, and I’m gone for the day.
5. What’s been the highlight of your blogging experience?
Definitely connecting with other bloggers, and feeling part of a much wider community. Taking part in the readathon earlier this year was definitely a highlight, as was finding the Weekly Geeks last year, the brainchild of the late and very much lamented Dewey. Without that, I’d just be another voice shouting at the universe. But because of Dewey’s community-building efforts, I feel part of something a little larger.
Maree and her son
6. I saw on your profile that one of your interests is writing? What do you write?
When I write, I tend towards fantasy again. But it’s beena very long time since I put pen to paper. Writer’s block is a … well, you know.
7. What’s your favourite book of all time?
That one is shamefully easy for me: The Lord of the Rings. I read it the first time when I was about 14, and nearly swallowed it whole.
8. Do you buy most of your books or do you visit your local library?
Uhm … I do both. I didn’t buy books for a really long time, because I write book reviews for the newspaper I work for, so I get a lot of books from there. And I always have at least two or three library books lurking about the place. Lately, though, I’ve been buying books every week. *Bad!*
One of Maree’s many bookcases
9. How many books do you read in a week?
At the moment, I’m on a bit of a go-slow. I probably read a book about every week and a half.
10. What was the last book you bought and why did you buy it?
The last book I bought was The City & The City by China Mieville. I read Un Lun Dun by China Mieville last year, and LOVED it. It’s so, so good. And the premise of The City & The City intrigued me Here’s the Amazon page: Amazon
Here’s the Amazon page: AmazonThat was fun! Thanks Maree! Now, blogger friends, go check out her blog! Just Add Books
12 Comments
Okay her bookself is more like MINE! I saw your's on Maree's blog and I was like drooling over it. It is so neat. I sadly have a cat who likes to pull books down to lay on. But *shakes head* I see why you got a new blog nom. Which I am also jealous of but seeing your blog you totally deserved it. Great interview. This interview swap is turning out to be fun!
Happy reading.
–Casse–
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What a great interview. I'm now heading over to her blog where I will probably become a follower.
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Casse: What can I say, I'm a total nerd. I love everything in its place, I'm a bit OCD like that. Thanks for your lovely comments, I'm glad you like my blog
Hey Ryan, glad you liked the interview. I'm heading on over to your place now to read yours!
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I'm in awe of her! Even if you are a night owl, I can't imagine getting all my blogging done, plus reading, only at night. Great interview!
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Hi Ladies,
I am making my BBAW interview rounds and having a blast…can I just say aaahhwww, what cute kitties! And Maree, I am also gone when a good Fantasy is in my hand. I just turn blind and deaf to my surroundings
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Great interview! This is a fun way to meet new (to me) bloggers!
Love the bookshelves! But then, I would, wouldn't I?
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I love Maree (and her cats)
The picture of her bookshelf really made me smile. And so many of my blogging connections go back to Dewey too.
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Great interview! Love the cute kittehs
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Another Tolkien fan – YAY!
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Such a nice interview! I loved the pictures. Just a word of warning – my 5 and 7 year olds are still known to hide my books or pull out my bookmark to see it and then put it back someplace entirely different. LOL!
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This is a wonderful interview! I really enjoyed all the comments.
I am going to check out her blog. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
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Wonderful interview! I love that I'm being introduced to a bunch of new-to-me bloggers through the interviews, but the downside is Google Reader is now exploding!
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
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