In talking to Chelsea (The Page Flipper) and Heather (Book Woman), I thought it would be a fun to turn the tables and do a series on my blog of interviews with YA book bloggers — let them be the stars! So now every Tuesday, another Book Blogger will be featured. If you’re interested, please e-mail me.

Jordyn, 19. Ten Cent Notes

1. Describe yourself without using any qualifiers relating to reading, blogging, or writing… who are you outside of your literary life?

Nineteen (nearly twenty!) year old college girl who loves, in no particular order, Get Smart, Twitter, Starbucks, beautiful photographs, my family, God, snow and winter and winter-related things, country music, other good music, and iced tea. Oh, and I’m the world’s worst bowler ever. This is not an exaggeration. And I don’t like the beach much and I don’t like swimming. I do like grocery shopping though; it’s fun.

2. You’re trapped in a dystopian society like that in Fahrenheit 451, where all books, periodicals, scriptures, texts, or other forms of written communication have been banned… but in this society, every person can hoard away one piece of writing to keep for herself. What is the one written piece that you choose to keep, and why?

Saying the Bible sounds like a cheat, but oh well. The Bible. It’s important and helpful. It’s interesting and it’s the longest, most complex book I have, so it would be the hardest to become bored with.

3. Congratulations! You’ve been given the position as Personal Assistant to any author of your choice (all time periods and genres allowed)… who is it, and what’s the biggest problem you have to overcome working with them?

I want to skip this question. There are so many great writers! And I want to choose someone who sounds big and important but I know I’m going to go with someone wonderfully contemporary in the YA genre. I’ll think on it. Okay, I’m done thinking. I still have no idea, but I’m going to go with Sarah Dessen because she’s an amazing amazing amazing writer and I want my words to be as wonderful as hers.

4. When it comes to reading and reviewing, which aspect of a book is the most important to you? The plot? The characters? The setting? Something else entirely?

Characters, definitely, but setting is also huge for me. I love books where the setting sets the tone for the story, whether that setting is a place, time, or particular culture.

5. If book blogging weren’t an option, how would your reading habits be affected? Would you be as motivated to read if you couldn’t widely impart your thoughts on books to other readers?

I don’t think I’d be aware of so many great books as I am through the YA blogging community, but my reading habits definitely wouldn’t be affected. I’ve always been an avid reader, blogging or no blogging.

6. You’re giving a dinner party for three contemporary (living) YA authors and three dead classical authors. Who are they, and who do you seat next to whom? Why?

You ask some hard questions here. But, okay. Let me think. The guest list: Maureen Johnson, Steph Bowe (I know, I know she doesn’t have a book out yet and just has an agent but I want to hang out with her, mkay?), and probably Sarah Ockler. Also, the dead people: Margaret Mitchell, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Louisa May Alcott. The living people are based more on who I want to hang out as well as writing, while the dead people are just about how incredible their books are. The seating would be random, but I just don’t want people fighting.

7. What’s your favorite punctuation mark? Why?

Ah! I’m torn. Either the semicolon ; because I was so happy when I finally learned what they are for, or the question mark ? because it’s so festive and inquisitive!

8. What literary device could you happily never see used again? (Simile, metaphor, spoonerism, hyperbole, etc.)

I like them all. Let’s keep them all.

9. What is your favorite local bookstore? What’s a bookstore that you’ll never set foot in again? And do you have a ‘dream bookstore’ that you’d either love to visit… or would love to design and own one day?

My favorite “local” bookstore isn’t really incredibly local, but Warwicks in La Jolla, California is amazing. I love that place. If I lived closer I might try to live there. My favorite local bookstore that’s ACTUALLY local is the Friends of the Library used bookstore in my town. It’s a bookstore in a little house and though it doesn’t have a great YA collection, I always manage to find treasures there. Plus, the ladies who work there are so nice. As far as book stores I don’t like, I haven’t found one yet. I don’t really have a dream bookstore… they’re all pretty dreamy to me but I have a huge love for bookstores with a wide YA selection.

10. Have you been to any Teen Read Week events or other Writers’ Conferences? What was your favorite meet-and-greet or interview experience?

I went to a Writers’ Conference in San Diego last year and it was an amazing experience. As an aspiring YA writer, I loved getting to meet with and talk to agents and editors. It was a weekend full of learning about the craft of writing and the business of published – it was one of the greatest weekends ever for me.

11. In your opinion, what is a YA novel? How is it different from a children’s novel, and how is it different from an adult novel? What makes someone a YA reader — because it’s clearly more than a matter of their being “a young adult.”

Oh dear, this question. Ahem. Personally I classify YA novels as novels that have an adolescent feel to them. The emotion, the angst, the problems and experiences and relationships and confusion. Obviously the age of the characters plays a huge role here and I do think YA novels have more angst and less of a retrospective feel than most childrens’ or adult novels – it’s part of the territory. As for what makes a YA reader, anyone who seeks out this genre is a YA reader, regardless of age.

12. What’s your guilty pleasure reading snack? And what’s your guilty pleasure to read while snacking on it?

I don’t have a reading snack; as for guilty pleasure reading? Um. Any of the series about mean girls and drama. I don’t read many of them, just The Luxe and the Bradford Novels (oh, ick, I have to read the Gossip Girl series thanks to a dare. crud.), but the Bradford Novels (by the insanely talented Micol Ostow) are the closest I come to “guilty pleasure” reading, though I’ve never really considered them as such.

13. “Don’t judge a book by its movie!” As a connoisseur of all types of books, which genre do you think translates the best from page to screen? What’s your favorite book-to-movie adaptation? Conversely, what’s a book that you hope never to see filmed?

I tend to think that uncomplicated stories make for the best movies; they’re easier to translate on screen if there’s not a lot of backstory, flashbacks, and multiple POVs. My favorite movie based on a book is A Walk to Remember, but that shouldn’t count because I was completely disappointed by the book. The best page-to-screen “translation”? Probably Because of Winn-Dixie. That was a great book and a great movie; I think middle grade novels tend to lend themselves to that. They’re short, so less is left out in the film, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with a few of the middle grade novel movies. Of course, I’ve also hated a lot of novel-based movies. Gone With the Wind (my favorite novel and most hated film), Twilight was just so-so (says the girl who’s going to see the midnight showing of New Moon). I didn’t like the second Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie either.

14. What are your plans for the future? Do you see yourself working in the literary community?

I want to be a YA novelist. Really, really, really bad. I hope if I want it enough and write enough, it will happen.

15. Describe your perfect reading location… are you in a coffee shop sipping cappuccino or curled up at home near the window? Reading on a Kindle in the Big City or taking in the smell of a dusty hardcover?

I’m on my bed reading a paperback (they beat hardcovers) and it’s raining outside and my window is open so the smell of the rain (but not the rain itself) comes inside.

In talking to Chelsea (The Page Flipper) and Heather (Book Woman), I thought it would be a fun to turn the tables and do a series on my blog of interviews with YA book bloggers — let them be the stars! So now every Tuesday, another Book Blogger will be featured. If you’re interested, please e-mail me.

Erica. The Book Cellar

1.  Describe yourself without using any qualifiers relating to reading, blogging, or writing… who are you outside of your literary life?

I’m just an average teen who’s involved in about every club offered at my school! I’m a total theater child and I love singing and dancing. I’m in show choir. I also show rabbits nationally, which is pretty sweet because it’s a wonderful group of people that I’m so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to meet!

2.  You’re trapped in a dystopian society like that in Fahrenheit 451, where all books, periodicals, scriptures, texts, or other forms of written communication have been banned… but in this society, every person can hoard away one piece of writing to keep for herself.  What is the one written piece that you choose to keep, and why?

Oh my gosh – what a cruel society!  I would probably have to say an onmibus of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy by Libba Bray. (I have no clue if it actually exists… but we’re saying it does ) I can read the series over and over, and it has everything going for it – romance, fantasy, ENGLAND, guys!

3.  Congratulations!  You’ve been given the position as Personal Assistant to any author of your choice (all time periods and genres allowed)… who is it, and what’s the biggest problem you have to overcome working with them?

Libba Bray. She’s simply awesome! I don’t think I’d have a big problem to overcome EXCEPT that I’d feel very insuperior compared to her amazingness and talent.

4.  When it comes to reading and reviewing, which aspect of a book is the most important to you?  The plot?  The characters?  The setting?  Something else entirely?

Characters are really a big one for me. If I can’t stand the characters, I have trouble reading the book. In my opinion, characters kind of make or break a book.

5.  If book blogging weren’t an option, how would your reading habits be affected?  Would you be as motivated to read if you couldn’t widely impart your thoughts on books to other readers?

My reading habits in terms of number of books I read would probably be the same. I’ve always been a huge reader, and actually discovered blogging through a reading forum online. I read blogs I found on the forum for about a year, then got the courage to start my own. I still read just as much, but I feel bloggings probably opened my doors a bit. Before I blogged, I read for the most part books I already had, and a few from the library. Now I’ve discovered so many great authors, like Kristin Cashore, Courtney Summers, and Maria V. Snyder.

6.  You’re giving a dinner party for three contemporary (living) YA authors and three dead classical authors.  Who are they, and who do you seat next to whom?  Why?

For contemporary I’d have to go with Jennifer Echols, Richelle Mead, and Ally Carter. Jennifer Echols is just a genius – she writes the best Simon Romantic Comedies and also writes amazing books for MTV books and I adore all of them. Richelle Mead wrote Vampire Academy, which is about my favorite series in the world so of crouse she has to be there! Ally Carter is just awesome, and really I think is a spy in disguise.

As for classical I’d go with Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Shakespeare. They’re all literary geniuses.

I’d put Richelle Mead between JRR Tolkein and Jane Austen – Richelle Mead and Jane Austen both had amazing romances so they could talk about that. Ally Carter would sit next to Jennifer Echols and Shakespeare and Jennifer Echols next to Jane Austen. I just think that’d be a nice order.

7.  What’s your favorite punctuation mark?  Why?

Exclamation Points!!! They make everything more exciting or tell everyone you’re pretty angry. I overuse them WAY to much in everything!

8.  What literary device could you happily never see used again?  (Simile, metaphor, spoonerism, hyperbole, etc.)

Personification. For some reason personification just drives me insane!

9.  What is your favorite local bookstore?  What’s a bookstore that you’ll never set foot in again?  And do you have a ‘dream bookstore’ that you’d either love to visit… or would love to design and own one day?

We sadly don’t really have a local bookstore. The closest book store is 35-45 minutes away, depending where I want to go. Mainly I just head to Barnes and Noble or Borders.

10.  Have you been to any Teen Read Week events or other Writers’ Conferences?  What was your favorite meet-and-greet or interview experience?

Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but I would absolutely love to attend one!

11.  In your opinion, what is a YA novel?  How is it different from a children’s novel, and how is it different from an adult novel?  What makes someone a YA reader — because it’s clearly more than a matter of their being “a young adult.”

I would say a YA Novel is a novel geared more towards teens in the sense of cleaner content and younger protaganists, but you by no means have to be a teen to enjoy them.

12.  What’s your guilty pleasure reading snack?  And what’s your guilty pleasure to read while snacking on it?

I usually don’t eat while reading – I actually usually forget. I get so caught up in reading and then all at once I’ll realize I forgot to eat. When I do eat while reading, it’s always a huge bowl of icecream.

13.  “Don’t judge a book by its movie!”  As a connoisseur of all types of books, which genre do you think translates the best from page to screen?  What’s your favorite book-to-movie adaptation?  Conversely, what’s a book that you hope never to see filmed?

I think realistic fiction is the best translates from page to screen. Fantasy books are amazing to read, but with all the mystical beings and magic, are harder to capture on screen. My favorite book-to-movie adaption would definately be Lord of the Rings – especially the extended additions! I have those memorized like word for word, it’s rather sad. A book I hope to never see filmed would be Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. I love the books, but I think they’re amazingness couldn’t be captured in a film and it just wouldn’t live up to the books at all.

14.  What are your plans for the future?  Do you see yourself working in the literary community?

I am an aspiring writer, and it would be a dream come true to be published someday. I’m not exactly sure what my exact plan for the future is yet, but I would love to go into English or some sort of writing career.

15.  Describe your perfect reading location… are you in a coffee shop sipping cappuccino or curled up at home near the window?  Reading on a Kindle in the Big City or taking in the smell of a dusty hardcover?

I love reading in front of the fireplace in winter, though I can read anywhere – I’ve always got a book with me. I’m not a fan of the Kindle – it’s just not the same curling up with a piece of plastic to read off of a screen doesn’t do it for me. I love my books.

In talking to Chelsea (The Page Flipper) and Heather (Book Woman), I thought it would be a fun to turn the tables and do a series on my blog of interviews with YA book bloggers — let them be the stars! So now every Tuesday, another Book Blogger will be featured. If you’re interested, please e-mail me.

Kelsey, 15.  The Book Scout.

1.  Describe yourself without using any qualifiers relating to reading, blogging, or writing… who are you outside of your literary life?

I love playing with my puppy, Charlie, playing the keyboard, and swimming.

2.  You’re trapped in a dystopian society like that in Fahrenheit 451, where all books, periodicals, scriptures, texts, or other forms of written communication have been banned… but in this society, every person can hoard away one piece of writing to keep for herself.  What is the one written piece that you choose to keep, and why?

Harry Potter, I could just re read it over and over again, the writing is so great and it’s such an amazing story.

3.  Congratulations!  You’ve been given the position as Personal Assistant to any author of your choice (all time periods and genres allowed)… who is it, and what’s the biggest problem you have to overcome working with them?

Ellen Hopkins. I’ve read and loved all her books. My biggest problem would be doing research. All of her books are very sad and the plots deal with hard subjects.

4.  When it comes to reading and reviewing, which aspect of a book is the most important to you?  The plot?  The characters?  The setting?  Something else entirely?

All of those things come in to play, but I’d have to say the plot and characters. I love being able to relate to the characters and reading a book with a plot that keeps me reading.

5.  If book blogging weren’t an option, how would your reading habits be affected?  Would you be as motivated to read if you couldn’t widely impart your thoughts on books to other readers?

Since I’ve started blogging, I notice I think more about what I read. Before beginning my blog, I would finish a book and have one thought- did I like it or not? Now I think more about the characters, writing style, etc.

6.  You’re giving a dinner party for three contemporary (living) YA authors and three dead classical authors.  Who are they, and who do you seat next to whom?  Why?

Sarah Dessen, Ellen Hopkins, and  Meg Cabot. Jane Austen, Jack London, and Air Arthur Conan Doyle. So the seating chart; Jack London and Ellen Hopkins. Both of them write books that really touch my heart. Jane Austen and Sarah Dessen, both of them write romances that I love and have characters I would love to be friends with in real life. And finally- Meg Cabot and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This might seem like an odd combination, but I think they would get along. Both write mysteries and have prominent characters that stick in my mind long after I’ve finished.

7.  What’s your favorite punctuation mark?  Why?

For some reason the comma. I think I overuse it, but I think a lot of people do.

8.  What literary device could you happily never see used again?  (Simile, metaphor, spoonerism, hyperbole, etc.)

Alliteration. I hate reading things that all start with the same letter. Peter Piper picked a peck of picked peppers…. ahh!

9.  What is your favorite local bookstore?  What’s a bookstore that you’ll never set foot in again?  And do you have a ‘dream bookstore’ that you’d either love to visit… or would love to design and own one day?

I love the Book Garden. It’s a used bookstore, but it always has a ton of great teen books. I don’t want to ever throw down  a bookstore because they’re all great- but certain ones I just don’t visit because they don’t have young adult books, nothing against them, I just really like YA fiction the best. My dream bookstore would be all teen fiction- new, old, whatever. Also for a relatively good price!

10.  Have you been to any Teen Read Week events or other Writers’ Conferences?  What was your favorite meet-and-greet or interview experience?

I’ve never been to any of those things, but I’ve been to two author signings- Courtney Sheinmel and Megan McCafferty (both I really enjoyed) I’ve loved every interview I’ve ever done with an author!

11.  In your opinion, what is a YA novel?  How is it different from a children’s novel, and how is it different from an adult novel?  What makes someone a YA reader — because it’s clearly more than a matter of their being “a young adult.”

It’s hard to say exactly because there are so many crossovers. There can be books with young characters but mature plot lines, etc. I think YA books are targeted more for teens plus, rather than children’s books which are more targeted for that age group. There isn’t a particularly straight line dividing the genres, but I would say that YA books are more mature with older characters and more complicated plot lines.