Saturday Spotlight - Good Books & Good Wine

Welcome to another weekend full of blogger spotlights! Looking to read a new blog? Then, you're at the right place! I ask you to please check out my friend April's blog after reading her interview.

Here we go!

Name: April
Nickname and/or blog name: Good Books & Good Wine
Blog URL: http://readingisthespiceoflife.blogspot.com


Tell me a bit about yourself.

I'm 22, and about to begin student teaching. Like every other person reading this blog, I love to read. I have a soft spot for YA, but truly, I enjoy many other genres including fantasy, classics, and contemporary fiction as well as non-fiction history. Also, I'm totally hooked on Stephanie Plum and Sookie Stackhouse. I constantly quote The Office and am very self-deprecating. Oh yes, I forgot I'm also madly in love.

When and why did you start your blog?

I started my blog August 2009 because I like writing book reviews, I enjoy reading Kristen's blog and thought, why the hell not.

What is your blog all about? Any cool features you want to share?

Well I don't just review YA, I review other books which catch my eye. When I review an adult book, I typically recommend an alcoholic beverage which I feel reflects the flavor of the book. When I review a YA book, I recommend a non-alcoholic beverage. I'm pretty into my beverages, be it mocha iced coffee or red wine or tap water, ha ha. I also participate in a few book memes, i.e. In My Mailbox and Friday Finds.

Do you have a review system? If you do, would you like to explain it for us?
I actually do not have a review system. When I review I book I like to give a very brief synopsis and then gear my review around how the book made me feel and what the book made me think.

Any tips or advice for those starting or thinking about starting a blog?

Don't be afraid to ask for advice! I know I've asked more experienced bloggers for advice and they were tremendously helpful!

What are some of your favorite genres and/or books currently?
As I said above, I'm really into fantasy right now, as well as dystopian books. I also enjoy graphic novels and contemporary books, oh and classics. I really enjoyed Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, plus his blog is just plain awesome. Another recent favorite is The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, I'm a sucker for a swashbuckling love story. Cassandra Mortmain captured my heart in I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith.

Contest Alert!
April is holding her first contest! She's giving away a copy of Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier - a retelling of the fairy tale - The Twelve Dancing Sisters. This contest ends August 31st, so hurry up and enter it here!

April is a buddy of mine from over at Goodreads - so please check out her blog and I'm certain you'll fall in love with it! :) Thanks April for letting me feature you!

Are you a new blogger too? Or just getting back into the swing of blogging? Do you want to be featured on my blog? Shoot me an email at bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com.

The Neverending Shelf is doing a similar type of spiel over at her website. So check it out to find out about a different blogger!