ASK ME ANYTHING a.k.a Q&A with Jem

As you know, I write a lot of book and movie reviews on this blog, but the purpose of this blog is to not just write reviews. I created this blog as a way of interacting with those who share similar passions with me, to make new friends in this blogging/book community! And I figured, why not do a Q&A for a change? I asked my friends and followers on Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Tumblr to ask me anything!

So here are your burning questions you wanted to know!

1.    How many books have you read this year?

As 2016 comes to a close, I set myself a Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 40 books. I don’t know how I managed to read the amount I have amongst school and personal life, but I’ve completed my goal!

2.    How long have you been blogging?

It’s going to be 2 years as of January 2017. It’s been an insane 2 years, this blog has grown more than I ever expected!

3.    Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world aside from the where you live now?

Ooh I love these types of questions!

I would live in Brooklyn, NY or Vancouver, BC.

I love Brooklyn for it’s old charm and fascinating history; I love Vancouver for its snow and the sweater weather.

4.    How many books do you own?

I own 197 physical books, 31 of which are hardcovers. I also have 43 ebooks and 3 audiobooks.

5.    What was the book that made you love reading?

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody was one of the first books I read as a teenager and not only made me love reading but also inspired me to make this blog!

6.    What fandoms are you in?

I’m in plenty of fandoms but my top 3 fandoms are:

Once Upon A Time

Marvel

Gilmore Girls

7.    If you could live in any fictional world what would it be?

This is a really difficult question to answer and I’m trying to think of a world I’m least likely to be killed in. Yes, I’m this logical.

If I could live in any fictional world, I would choose to live in either Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls), Storybrooke (Once Upon A Time) or V-City (This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab).

8.    What inspired you to start blogging about books/movies?

I considered starting a blog after reading My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody as the protagonist decides to start her own blog and although our blogs are different, I loved the idea of putting my opinion out in the world; to have a voice.

About 2 months later, I decided I would to just that, start putting my opinion out into the world. My reading increased a lot and soon enough I couldn’t leave the house without a book in hand.

9.     Who is your favourite female heroine from a book you read in 2016?

Mia Covere from Nevernight by Jay Kristoff, HANDS DOWN THE MOST BADASS HEROINE I’VE EVER READ ABOUT. Boom.

10.  Who are your top 5 book boyfriends you’ve met in 2016?

Maddox Bailey – The Sound Of Serendipity by Cynthia Rodriguez

Anderson Pane – Every Pane Of Glass by H.B. Stumbo

Jack – The Witch’s Kiss by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr

Owen Gentry – Confess by Colleen Hoover

August Flynn – This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

If you have any questions, tweet me @bookishbroadway and I’ll be sure to include them in a future q+a!

Think Lovely Thoughts xo

SARAH ALEXANDER BLOG TOUR

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Book Description:

Since her twin brother, Eddie, drowned five years ago, sixteen-year-old Elsie Main has tried to remember what really happened that fateful day on the beach. One minute Eddie was there, and the next he was gone. Seventeen-year-old Tay McKenzie is a cute and mysterious boy that Elsie meets in her favorite boathouse hangout. When Tay introduces Elsie to the world of freediving, she vows to find the answers she seeks at the bottom of the sea.

Q+A with Sarah Alexander:

1.  What provided inspiration for The Art Of Not Breathing?

Lots of things, but particularly my love of water and nature, and my diving experiences. I wanted to give my characters a space to be themselves away from everyday life, and that just happened to be underwater.

2. What has been the most rewarding part of your writing experience?

The day I got ‘the call’. Everything I’ve ever written was building towards that moment and it didn’t disappoint!

3. What book(s) have most influenced your life?

Every book I’ve ever read has influenced my life in some way. A children’s book about a giant hamster has led to a lifelong fear, and recurring nightmare, of being chased by enormous rodents. On the more positive side, I don’t think I would have survived school without Judy Blume.

4. Are your characters based on real people or did they all come from your imagination?

My characters aren’t based on anyone in particular but I suppose they came from somewhere. Probably a mishmash of all the people I’ve ever met. There’s a tiny part of me in each character. The next answer might hint at which bits…

5. Each character in The Art Of Not Breathing is unique in their own special way, who do you feel the most connected to and why?

I feel connected to all of the characters in some way. I’m not as brave as Elsie but I like to think I have her determination. I certainly relate to Dillon’s high expectations of himself, and I can also be a bit of a moody silent type – like Tay. The main thing that connects me to the characters is how they feel when they’re in the water.

6. Do you have any advice/tips for aspiring writers?

•     Find what works for you.

•     Write for yourself.

•     Don’t give up but do let yourself rest every now and then.

My Review:

First of all, a huge thank you to the lovely people at HarperCollins for sending me a copy of The Art Of Not Breathing!

I decided to dive into this book – see what I did there – with no expectations but it was honestly a beautiful story.

A heartbreaking tale of guilt, loss and hope for redemption. After losing her brother Eddie, Elsie has carried the burden of guilt for the past five years as her family life collapses around her.

She could hear him, see him calling out to her, telling her to come and find him beneath the surface but it isn’t that easy. Elsie takes up free diving with the help of Tay, a new boy in town who carries his own painful secrets. Tay helps Elsie truly feel again, to help end her nightmares but just as things start to go in the right direction, he too disappears.

It was such a realistic story and I loved the link between the title and the main aspect of the story. I loved that it was set in Scotland, something I haven’t read before but rather enjoyed. Free diving was certainly a different concept to be explored but it honestly tied all perspectives of the story together.

In my opinion, the only let down was the ending as it lacked a bit of closure. But overall The Art Of Not Breathing was a stunning story and I certainly appreciate being able to host part of Sarah Alexander’s blog tour, thank you very much HarperCollins!

Buy The Art Of Not Breathing by Sarah Alexander : http://www.bookdepository.com/The-Art-of-Not-Breathing-Sarah-Alexander/9781474903066?ref=grid-view

Think Lovely Thoughts xo