Armchair BEA: Self-introduction

Book Expo America, a huge publishing event, is happening in New York this week. Many of us who can't be there are participating in Armchair BEA, a week-long virtual book blogging event that provides a little of the BEA fun for those living vicariously. I felt a renewed sense of community and energy for blogging when I participated in last year's Armchair BEA, and I'm excited to take part again. All this week, I'll be sharing themed posts and trying my best to visit other book blogs.

The Armchair BEA folks have asked us all to kick things off by doing a self-introduction, and provided some great questions to get the ball rolling. So without further ado, here's a little about me...

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

If you're visiting my blog for the first time, thanks for stopping by!  I'm Allison, a teen services librarian in Southern California. I'm also a wife, and the mother of a 3.5 and 1.5 year old. 

I'm active in the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. I'm currently the chair of YALSA's Conference Marketing and Local Arrangements Committee and I've just started blogging for The Hub, YALSA's YA literature blog.

I also review books and apps for School Library Journal, and I co-host Authors are ROCKSTARS!, a YA literature podcast focused on author interviews.

I've been blogging for about a year and a half. I got into it because I thought it would be a casual, fun extension of my professional life-- I am passionate about youth literature, and love connecting readers with the right book. Why not blog about it?


What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

At the moment, I'm finishing up Moonglass, by Jessi Kirby. Her writing is so gorgeous, I want to live in it. And I can never, ever choose just one favorite book. I can try to narrow it down, but that's as far as I can go! My top three of 2012 so far:



Oh, but how could I not mention The Mighty Miss Malone, by Christopher Paul Curtis?? See..? Can't possibly choose just one.


Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

During last year's Armchair BEA, I was interviewed by the lovely Leah at Amused by Books, and I mentioned one non-book-related thing I was really hoping to do was take ballet classes. I've taken ballet on and off over the years, and thought it would be ultimate accomplishment to get back into it after having two kids. Not that I'm particularly good at ballet, mind you-- but I just love it. And I felt that taking ballet classes again would be like a sign that I have my life totally together.

Well, I'm not sure if I have my life totally together, but I am proud to say that I've been taking ballet since January! So I must be doing all right. I'm definitely having fun, in any case!

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

5 Ways Libraries Can Be Like Nordstrom

As a librarian who works extensively with the public, excellent service is very, very important to me. When I'm outside the library, I value being the recipient of good customer service, and Nordstrom is store that consistently provides me with positive experiences. I think libraries can emulate Nordstrom-style service to provide a welcoming atmosphere for our patrons. So I blogged about it!


What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Betsy's house
Photo © bonnyglen, aka author Melissa Wiley

The Betsy-Tacy houses in Mankato, Minnesota! I've been fortunate enough to make pilgrimages to Green Gables and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, but I have yet to see the real life "Deep Valley" of Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series, which are among my favorite books in the world.

There's a Betsy-Tacy Convention in Mankato this summer, which would be great opportunity to finally see the houses. Alas, I won't be able to make it... but it's sure to be amazing!

Thanks so much for reading my self-introduction. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of you in the book blogging community this week!