Portobello Book Blog

My blogger in the spotlight this week is Emma Smith who blogs as Mrs Red’s Reviews. You can have a look at her blog by clicking here: https://mrsredsreviews.wordpress.com/

Thanks for agreeing to be part of my Blogger in the Spotlight feature. First of all, would you tell me a little about yourself?

My name is Emma and I’m from Northampton in the UK. I work full time in product development and run my blog in the evenings and weekends when I’m not reading. I have a young son and he loves books as much as I do. I also practice yoga and love formula one. I live quite close to Silverstone (it’s in the same county) so as a child I grew up watching the races each weekend when they were on, and also went to see touring cars with dad whenever we could.

What books/authors did you enjoy as a child?

I loved reading Roald Dahl and Dick King Smith. I would devour books and read anything I could get my hands on from the school library. My dad was a big reader too; he would take me to the library in town and we would both bring back as many books as we could.

What made you want to start blogging?

I was on maternity leave from work and I had joined a reader review panel. This got me into the habit of writing reviews and I was always recommending the books I read to my friends so I thought a blog was a great idea. Having the time off work gave me the time I needed to get set up, and now it’s easy to post whenever I’ve finished a book. I never thought it would get off the ground to be honest, but I was happy just having my own space to record what I’d read and how I felt about it.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I enjoy finding my new favourite books before they’ve been published and helping to increase awareness around debut authors. I find it really satisfying to know that I’ve helped encourage people to buy these lovely books.

Tell me about your blog – sell yourself!

Mrs Red’s Reviews is a place to discover debut authors, new releases, and some old favourites. I select most of the books myself, but sometimes have them chosen for me. I’ve recently started reviewing colouring books, and I also post giveaways for the books I have reviewed.

What’s your favourite book you’ve reviewed so far this year? Or favourite three if you really can’t choose.

I have read so many amazing books recently. The last book I read, The Martian by Andy Weir was amazing. It has been made into a film and the book is so easy to read. Mark Watney is a great character. My second choice (because I really can’t narrow it down to just one!) would be The Tea Planter’s Wife by Dinah Jefferies. It’s a beautiful story about life in Ceylon in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Gwen is a strong determined woman, and her husband also surprised me with his character. It’s a tragic, but heartwarming novel that will stay with me for a long time. Lastly I would add A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale.  Another sweeping, romantic and heartbreaking tale of life on a Canadian homestead. I felt completely empty when the book had finished and I will be reading this book over and over again.

What are you reading just now?

The Summer of Secrets by Sarah Jasmon. It is reminiscent of the long summers I spent as a teenager in the village I grew up in. I haven’t found the secrets yet, but I’m sure they are only round the corner. I love Victoria, the bohemian girl who is showing Helen a different way of living. I’m not sure if I’ll still like her by the end of the book.

Tell me about your reading habits:  book or kindle, bed or bath, morning or evening?

I read both, but prefer kindle because it’s easier to take with me everywhere. I don’t tend to read in the morning as my son always wants to turn the pages for me, so normally its in the evening when he’s gone to bed and I’ve found some peace.

How can people follow your blog or connect with you on social media?

You can follow me on my blog directly at https://mrsredsreviews.wordpress.com/

On Twitter https://twitter.com/MrsRedWhite214,

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MrsRedsReviews. You can also find me hanging around on book groups on Facebook and on Goodreads.

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

This is such a tough decision. Right now it would be Skeeter from The Help by Kathryn Stockett. She is a great feminist icon who stood up for what she believed in despite the pressure from others around her. She put herself in danger to speak up for those that didn’t have the voice to do so.