#ArmchairBEA Wrap It Up

Well, Armchair BEA 2014 is officially over.

This was my first ever BEA event, and I really enjoyed meeting lots of new (to me) bookish bloggers. I am still working my way through the intro posts, and I have immensely enjoyed reading them. Personally, I skipped the deserted island question, but that one made for some of the funniest reading material. I followed every blog that I visited in some shape, form or fashion. If you haven't gotten a comment yet, don't worry. I'll be commenting on many of your posts well into next week! 

I only participated in one Twitter party, and it was incredibly fun (especially the prize winning part) to engage with everyone. Although I didn't jump into the Instagram shenanigans, your pictures were a hoot to view.

My favorite topic to answer (and read yours, too) was Beyond the Borders. We need diverse books!

You can find all of my Armchair BEA posts here.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts and recommendations! It was truly a pleasure, and I definitely plan on coming back next year.

Blogger's Choice & YA #ArmchairBEA

Wait! I can talk about ANYTHING? Hmm.

Book Clubs & Goodreads

As you might have noticed by now, this blog was born from a book club group on Goodreads. I originally started the group as I had a hard time finding an existing group to fit my reading needs. Sure, there are some other great groups out there, but they are moderated poorly (most of the time) and full of clutter. More likely, I just needed to feed my own control issues. Heh, heh.

We started off with a bang but participation eventually waned. Long live the lurkers! Therefore, I started this blog to reward discussion participants with linkage to their own posts and reviews.

I hope you can forgive me for this shameless self-promotion. Join us, if our group is the right fit for you. Otherwise, happy blogging and thanks for reading!

I read YA

If you missed #IreadYA week, it was May 19-23 and sponsored by This Is Teen. Search the hashtag. You will find lots of great stuff!

What is YA?

Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA) is fiction written for, published for, or marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 13 to 21. Young-adult fiction, whether in the form of novels or short stories, has specific attributes that distinguish it from the other age categories of fiction. The vast majority of YA stories portray an adolescent as the protagonist, rather than an adult or a child. The subject matter and story lines are typically consistent with the age and experience of the main character, but beyond that YA stories span the entire spectrum of fiction genres. The settings of YA stories are limited only by the imagination and skill of the author. Themes in YA stories often focus on the challenges of youth, so much so that the entire age category is sometimes referred to as problem or coming of age novels. Writing styles of YA stories range widely, from the richness of literary style to the clarity and speed of the unobtrusive. Despite its unique characteristics, YA shares the fundamental elements of fiction with other stories: character, plot, setting, theme, and style.

My favorite YA read last year was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

Yes, it's true. Grown ups read young-adult books, too.

I probably have more YA books on my TBR list than any other genre.

Which one will be my favorite this year? Only time will tell.

Please, comment with your all time favorite YA read ever!

More About Me & #ArmchairBEA

Giveaway & Beyond Borders #ArmchairBEA

Giveaway

Currently, we do not have a giveaway running. However, there is a HUGE announcement scheduled for this Saturday, May 31st. Hopefully, you will remember to come back!

Hint: It involves mustaches and Sherlock Holmes. Well, kinda.

Beyond Borders

The most recent culturally diverse book I read was The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.

Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic. When her master, the husband who commissioned her, dies at sea on the voyage from Poland, she is unmoored and adrift as the ship arrives in New York in 1899.

Ahmad is a jinni, a being of fire, born in the ancient Syrian desert. Trapped in an old copper flask by a Bedouin wizard centuries ago, he is released accidentally by a tinsmith in a Lower Manhattan shop. Though he is no longer imprisoned, Ahmad is not entirely free – an unbreakable band of iron binds him to the physical world.

The Golem and the Jinni is their magical, unforgettable story; unlikely friends whose tenuous attachment challenges their opposing natures – until the night a terrifying incident drives them back into their separate worlds. But a powerful threat will soon bring Chava and Ahmad together again, challenging their existence and forcing them to make a fateful choice.

If you haven't read this yet, be advised that the following contains spoilers.

I found the blend of diverse lore, religion and cultures intriguing. The character development was seamless.

I had the recurring thought of nature versus nurture repeatedly throughout. Their origin stories were similar as they both just became to be yet in different ways. Each were elemental, one earth and the other fire. One longed to be free while the other longed to be mastered. The golem craved sameness while the jinni placed higher value on diversity. These wants waned drastically by the end, and they both learned to appreciate humanity.

I think everyone can relate to both characters in one way or another. If I had a magical power, it certainly would NOT be to read minds. I found the inner struggle of the golem extremely fascinating. She constantly had to fight the urge to please those around her.

Arbeely first keeps the jinni's secret out of fear, which then turns to more selfish desires for success. The rabbi chose to see good in the golem and believed that she could become more than just a slave set to task. I think that he genuinely enjoyed her companionship.

Saleh was probably my favorite. Maryam and Anna were annoying but served their purpose, nonetheless. I sympathized with Sophia and Michael due to their unrequited love. Matthew especially tugged at my heart strings.

Everyone chooses their shackles. They can be made of religion or tradition or simply the indignation of submitting to neither. Change comes whether we embrace it or not. I believe that there can be a balance of faith and tolerance. Chava and Ahmad both struggle against their natures to adapt to the world as it changes around them and learn to nurture the changes within themselves.

Schaalman, known by so many other names, was driven primarily by vanity and the search for eternal life. He deemed his intelligence superior, and his arrogance was palpable. Not to mention, he was just creepy! He lived so many lives yet appeared to never really live life fully because of his obsessions. You wonder, in the end, if he ever really had a choice. I think that he did; we all do. He chose evil.

There are a plethora of parallels in this book. The story itself is virtually timeless. Obviously, Chava and Ahmad will be reunited. However, Schaalman's vision of another new life suckling from a clay breast still haunts me! Did you guys miss that? Blech.

More About Me & #ArmchairBEA

Expanding Horizons & Novellas #ArmchairBEA

Expanding Blogging Horizons

Hmm... beyond (bookish) blogging. What does that mean? 

When I think about expanding horizons, I say leave the house! We have all become too reliant on the Interwebs.

• Join a book club IRL.
• Visit your local library.
• Hang out at a local bookstore.
• Talk to people!

Maybe participate in the Summer Library Challenge?

When you've had a long hiatus from your blog, a redesign is always a good idea. Make sure your new look is uniform across all social platforms.

Don't fret, start fresh! 

Never beat yourself up for slacking. Tomorrow is a new day.

If you've ever thought about secretly becoming an author, you should try NaNoWriMo. It's a great resource for wannabes and loads of fun, too.

Does anyone really listen to podcasts? Sorry, no offense. Vlogging, on the other hand, is an awesome tool. If you can get over the stage fright, it's actually fun! Making videos is intimidating for many of us but probably the most engaging medium to share your message.

Google Hangouts are a great place to discuss books!

Novellas/Short Stories

Personally, I am a huge fan of anthologies! I am currently reading Dangerous Women and have already pre-ordered Rogues.

My favorite novella read this year was Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor. I just couldn't get enough of Mik and Zuzana!

There is nothing better than a good companion novella (or several) when you're really into a series.

I can't wait to read about your favorites!

Link me in comments to your post?

More About Me & #ArmchairBEA 

Author Interaction & More Than Just Words #ArmchairBEA

Author Interaction

I don't normally attend author events IRL (in real life) but actually had a couple great experiences recently.

Last year at NC Comicon, I met a local author, Anne Elisabeth Stengl, and was introduced to the Tales of Goldstone Wood. I am still making my way through this wonderful series.

This year at the North Carolina Literary Festival, I met R.L. Stine as well as Peter Straub. They were much funnier in person than I had expected!

My son, now a teen, has grown out of Goosebumps but was still excited to meet one of the authors that shaped his early love for reading. He actually purchased adult books from both authors and was thrilled to have his first signing experience.

As far as author interaction online, I honestly try to avoid it as often as possible. Many authors abuse social media as a tool of self-promotion that lacks authenticity. There are a select few that get it right, and I happily follow their updates.

I have noticed that Margaret Atwood is one such author effectively using the new Q & A feature on Goodreads.  

More Than Just Words

I have never been able to get into an audiobook. I've tried several times, but it simply isn't the right medium for me. 

I've always been a huge comic book geek but rarely read graphic novels. My most recent guilty pleasure is Harbinger from Valiant. However, comics must be tangible! Almost everything else I read is in digital format. 

I know, I know, I know. It took me a while to make the switch as the smell of a book is so divine!

What is #ArmchairBEA?

Intro & Literature #ArmchairBEA

If you're a bookish blogger but not able to attend the BEA Bloggers Conference, there is no need to miss all the fun!

Join us for Armchair BEA with tons of social content to help you feel connected.

REGISTER HERE

 

  

Daily Reminders:

Twitter Party TODAY at 7 PM EST

Instagram Challenge:  #MyArmchair

This is what's happening today...

Introductions & Literature

As in past years, we will provide you with a list of ten questions and ask that you answer FIVE.

You can find the full list of questions here.

What do you think of when you think of literature? 

Classics, contemporary, genre, or something else entirely? 

LINK UP HERE

Answers

1. My name is Amber, and I started blogging when blogging wasn't cool. Like, back in the day before social media. I don't like to put a year stamp on it as I don't consider myself a successful blogger. I first started blogging to keep in touch with my family and share pictures without having to send individual emails. I now live in rural North Carolina with my husband, teen son and more extended family than I care to count.
2. Casual Readers started as a public book club group on Goodreads. The blog by the same name focuses on bookish challenges, discussions, hops, memes and reviews with occasional related giveaways. You can find all of our many social links here.
3.  I mostly read general fiction. Right now, I'm on a high fantasy kick. I have always loved to read to escape reality. There is nothing better than cracking open a great book on a bad day!
4. My favorite read last year was The Bone Season. My favorite book so far this year is Red Rising.
5. My dream/favorite/ideal reading space would be somewhere on a beach, in a hammock, with a book in one hand and a tropical drink in the other.
6. My new favorite blogging resource is Book Blogger. 
7. You can find a list of some of my favorite blogs here. 
8. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” ― Cicero
9. *skipped*
10.  Like everyone else, I am really looking forward to The Fault in Our Stars!

I think of literature as any work with timeless value. 
Everything else is just a book.

2014 #ArmchairBEA Agenda