Thursday, 16 May 2013
JB: Brook Cottage Books is chuffed to bits to welcome a very prestigious blogger, the lovely Sharon Goodwin! Welcome Sharon. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home!
SHARON: Hi JB, thanks for hosting me
today on Brook Cottage Books. I’m
feeling quite cosy sat here with my feet up and the heat of the wood burner J
JB: Tell
me a little about your blog
SHARON: My blog is called Jera’s
Jamboree and it’s an eclectic book blog.
When I first started blogging the advice was to stick to one genre as
they are the most popular … however I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t restrict myself to just one
genre. Just think of all those worlds
I’d be missing out on! I love pinks and mauves so
you’ll see this coloured theme on my blog … despite that, I do review and host
authors from all genres. I also enjoy
sharing any bookish news that comes my way whether that’s a writing competition
or a sneak peek at a book that’s due out in the future. My blog to me is a way of
sharing my love of all things literary.
At the time I started out I had no idea how supportive and friendly the
book blogging community was – that has been an added bonus for me J
SHARON: Jera is a rune from the
Nordic divination system. I am a person
who believes in cycles (not the ones you pedal J) and the harvest … of reaping what is
sown. The time was right for my blog to
start taking shape and so this is why I chose Jera (I quite like this
definition of the rune http://runesecrets.com/rune-meanings/jera) I wanted my blog to grow and change to meet
the needs of blog readers and I hope I am achieving this! A large celebration or party? Exactly how I feel about reading and supporting
others in the writing and reading community (Jamboree).
JB: What
sort of books do you like to read?
SHARON: I’ve been through different
phases throughout my life. As a child it
was those adventures Enid Blyton took us on.
During school it was mostly those prescribed to read for the curriculum. My mum used to read Mills & Boon and
epics and they found their way to me after she had read them. A work colleague introduced me to science
fantasy and I just couldn’t get enough.
Two of my favourite series are by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy and
The Tawny Man Trilogy). My husband introduced
me to science fiction – too many authors to mention. I’ve always loved chick lit/romance. I’m open to read any genre … as long as the
writing takes me away from the world on a journey …
JB: Why
did you decide to blog?
SHARON: I was between projects. Having spent three years of my leisure time
tracing mine and my husband’s family tree and not being able to go any further,
I thought it was about time my energies were directed somewhere else! I had started entering competitions via blogs
(not books though!) and having always been an avid reader I searched for book
blogs. After spending some time reading
others, I was quite excited that this opportunity was open to me.
JB: How
long have you been blogging?
SHARON: I’ve recently celebrated my
two year blogoversary (Feb 6th).
I’m still amazed I’m still blogging and still as much in love with it as
I was when I first started!
JB: Do
you have any other blogs?
SHARON: As an extension of my book
blog I have a book tour coordinating blog (Fiction Addiction Book Tours http://fictionaddictionbooktours.com/
) and another which showcases the books on tour (Fiction Addiction Books ON
Tour http://fictionaddictionbooksontour.wordpress.com/ ).
JB: Do you have an all-time favourite book?
SHARON: Not exactly one book …
Philip Pullman His Dark Materials. What
a trilogy!
JB: What
was your favourite book of 2012?
SHARON: I couldn’t choose just
one! I do have a top 20 Fiction of 2012
… http://jerasjamboree.com/2012/12/29/jeras-jamboree-top-20-fiction-reads-of-2012/
SHARON: 49 paperbacks and 59 Kindle
… a girl can never have too many books …
JB: Which
book on your TBR pile are you most looking forward to reading?
SHARON: All of them …
JB: What
book surprised you the most? (in other words what book did you read that was
not your usual genre and you found yourself enjoying?)
SHARON: I can answer this! Betrayal by Gregg Olsen (an Empty Coffin
novel). This is a YA crime/suspense
novel. This was one that came through
my letterbox unsolicited and it just went on the tbr pile so all the more
sweeter for the effect it had on me!
JB: Do
you have a favourite author?
SHARON: Hard one to answer. Well actually it isn’t because my answer is
no. I like different writing styles and
different genres so it really would be difficult to choose.
JB: Give
3 book recommendations for the readers of Brook Cottage Books.
SHARON:
1. A Treacherous Likeness by
Lynn Shepherd (literary mystery)
2. Queen’s Gambit by Elizabeth
Freemantle (historical fiction debut)
3. The First Last Kiss by Ali
Harris (romance/chick lit) Have the
tissues ready ...
Thanks to the lovely Sharon Goodwin for appearing as the Reviewer in the Spotlight! Make sure you pop over to her blog! http://jerasjamboree.com/
Thank you for putting me in the spotlight JB. It's an honour to be here!
Super interview - so interesting reading about your blogging and your love of books, Shaz!
Janice xx
Thank you Janis. JB is a fab host :)
Great interview and interesting to know how you started your blog.
Thank you Anne.
WOW, Shaz, you've got almost as many books on your TBR pile as I have. Great interview.
Great interview, your love of books shines through. Now I feel spurred on to tackle my own TBR pile... but which book to choose? x
Great interview Sharon, I enjoyed learning a bit more about you.