Portobello Book Blog

I’m very pleased to welcome Janet to the blog today taking part in the Blogger in the Spotlight feature. Janet blogs at From First Page to Last and you can have a look at her blog here: From First Page to Last.

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

Oh I’m not that interesting really J I’m married and have three children and work as an Editor in Legal Publishing. I read an eclectic mix of books. Basically if the synopsis appeals I’ll read it.

What books/authors did you enjoy as a child?

I loved so many authors when I was a child. I think it was my childhood reading that lead me to a love of book series. I read Enid Blyton of course, and took to collecting her books. I still have a few stashed away somewhere. Roald Dahl was a huge favourite, I loved both his fiction stories and his non-fiction work eg Boy. I read series such as Point Horror and Point Crime, The Baby-sitters club, Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High. Once I’d read all of the children’s section of the library I moved onto ‘grown up’ books. I loved Christie’s Poirot and Marple and my love of crime fiction grew from there.

What made you want to start blogging?

I joined Twitter quite late, only a couple of years ago now and discovered a whole host of book-loving people. I started to review on Goodreads and Amazon, then guest reviewing for bloggers. Then Hannah Beckerman suggested I start a blog. I initially thought no, as I didn’t know who would want to read my ramblings but eventually in January 2014 I took the plunge.

What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Expanding my reading beyond the book types I usually go for. I’ve started reading more short stories for example and translated fiction and found some gems that I would have missed if I’d not been a blogger or on social media. Also, the book community. Reading is a solitary hobby and it’s lovely to have a group of people to talk to about books I’ve liked, disliked or not even heard about.

Tell me about your blog – sell yourself!

Haha, I’m more likely to offer you a refund! My blog is a place for me to post my ramblings about books that I’ve read. I also have guest posts and Q&As from authors and publishers and random pages such as the ‘I feel like reading’ page which will hopefully provide suggestions for when you don’t know what book you’d like to read, but do know what ‘type’ of book you are in the mood for.

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

This year I would have to say A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale is my favourite so far. Though I did love No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary and Hidden by Emma Kavanagh. I loved every page of it and will definitely read it again soon. Also I have to mention a fantastic Children’s book I read this year – Oi Frog by Kes Grey and Jim Field. Very funny and engaging. Great for kids and the adults who are reading it J This may be cheating a bit but one from 2016 – The Trouble With Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon is great, one definitely to look out for. See, it’s hopeless, I can’t just choose one J

What are you reading just now?

At the time of answering I’m between books. This is both a lovely and slightly anxious place to be. Lovely because I get to choose a new book from my rather gargantuan reading pile and anxious because I can’t always easily choose the next read and every moment that passes I am aware I could be reading, if I just pulled my finger out and actually chose something to read!

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

I prefer a physical book, paperbacks are easier to transport but hardbacks ‘keep’ nicer (I’m a bit of a stickler for not cracking spines or bending page corners). That said I do have a Kindle and I find that I read faster on an ereader than I do with a physical book. Yes I know I’m strange J. As for where I read: usually in bed or on the sofa. Though I have to have a book with me wherever I go, just in case I get 5 minutes unexpected reading time J

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

There’s a follow button on the blog which I believe means you get a handy email every time I post something (don’t worry I can be hit and miss with posting so you won’t be bombarded). You can also follow me on Twitter @JanetEmson. Be warned though Twitter has something against me so doesn’t always tell me if I’ve a new follower. If you do follow, interact so I know you are there J

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

Thursday Next from the Thursday Next series of books by Jasper Fforde (the first in the series is The Eyre Affair). Who wouldn’t want to be a literary detective and get to travel into books, meeting famous characters from fiction? Plus I’d get to have a pet Dodo.