A Page in the Life of Teddy Rose From So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

I am excited to have Teddy Rose from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time as today's A Page in the Life guest. Teddy Rose is such a fun person to be around. And while I can only speak to that from the online perspective, I am sure it would be true offline as well. There's never a dull moment on her terrific blog. She's partly to blame for my ever growing wish list.

Teddy Rose is the host of the 2009 ARC Reading Challenge, and if you haven't signed up, there's still plenty of time! Teddy Rose also is involved with the Historical Tapestry blog, which is devoted to historical fiction. And if that didn't keep her busy enough, she has been instrumental in keeping A Novel Challenge up to date. A Novel Challenge is where you can find a listing of many of the reading challenges being hosted around the blogosphere.

Please join me in welcoming Teddy Rose to Musings of a Bookish Kitty!

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Literary Feline: Welcome, Teddy! It is great to have you with us today. Inquiring minds want to know: how do you like to start off your morning?

Teddy Rose: Let me start out by saying that I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON. I always wake up on the wrong side of bed, and it takes me awhile to wake up and be civilized. My favorite days of the week to wake up are Saturday and Sunday. That is because my husband is home and he makes me a soy milk latte. Yes I am spoiled! During the week I get up and have a leisurely breakfast and watch a little HGTV. I often work from home and when I do, I start work in my pajamas. I go up to my home office and check my email, including book related emails. Then I am ready to start my work day.


Literary Feline: Besides reading and books, what are some of your other interests, hobbies or passions?

Teddy Rose: I volunteer in pet rescue. Animals are a very important part of my life. I am a vegan because of my love for them. I also love music. My husband and I have around 700 CD's and we listen to our stereo a lot. I also knit, crochet and so some occasional quilting.


Literary Feline: How did you get started blogging about books?

Teddy Rose: I had been thinking about doing it for awhile. I belonged to a Classics Book Club on Yahoo Groups. A couple of my friends from there started book blogs first. Some of you know them, Christina of Book-a-rama and Stephanie of Stephanie's Confessions of a Book-a-holic. I had been keeping notes and mini reviews of books that I read in a spiral notebook and decided I wanted a nice place to collect my thoughts on books. Then my father died, and I spent about a month back in my hometown helping my mom out. My notebook was nearing its end and I decided once and for all that I was going to start a book blog when I returned home. I started it on November 1, 2007. It truly helped me through my grieving process. I hadn't had time to grieve when I was with my mom. I was too busy taking care of and worrying about her.

Blogging has become much more for me then what I initially planned. I didn't think that people would actually read my blog. I was really doing it for myself. Then I found out that book blogging is bigger then that. There is an entire community of book bloggers wanting to interact and help each other. Who knew? Fellow bloggers have reached out to me and I have reached back. We have a beautiful community. I now also have the goal of promoting literacy, sharing my love for books.


Literary Feline: Has blogging impacted your reading? If so, how?

Teddy Rose: Yes, I think I retain more of what I read because I read with reviewing in mind. I also learned about a whole new world, that is "the wonderful world of ARCs." Yes, I've become ARC obsessed! I love getting to read a book before the masses do.


Literary Feline: What types of books do you like to read? And do you blog about every book that you do read?

Teddy Rose: My favorite genre is historical fiction! I can't seem to get enough of it. I do read other books on occasion, mostly literary fiction and the occasional Dystopian book. I just recently started reading children's books as well. I do blog about every book I read. It's part of keeping a record of what I read and sharing my love of books with others.


Literary Feline: Do you have any reading routines, rituals or habits?

Teddy Rose: I read mostly at night after I finish blogging and reading my blog subscriptions. I often stay up until 1:00 am reading. Gosh, no wonder I don't like waking up in the morning. LOL!


Literary Feline: How do you pull yourself out of a reading or blogging slump or what steps do you take to avoid that from happening?

Teddy Rose: I don't get into one too often, thank goodness. I usually try to switch to a lighter genre book to "refresh". I tend to read quite a few fairly bleak books. I guess that goes with historical fiction. I also find reading my blog subscriptions help. I get so excited about some of the books my blogging friends review!


Literary Feline: Do you have any advice or tips for your fellow bloggers?

Teddy Rose: If you are a new blogger, don't be afraid to ask other bloggers for help and suggestions. Most are more than willing to help. Blogging is a passion for most of us and we love to share it! Get involved in some of the events happening. The more you blog the better you will become and the more you will learn. There is always something new to learn even for the most seasoned book blogger.


Literary Feline: What are you reading right now? Do you have any book or author recommendations?

Teddy Rose: I am currently reading The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein as part of the TLC Book Tour. My review will be posted on Thursday June 25th. As for book recommendations, I could go on and on! A few of my favorites for 2009 are The Help by Kathryn Stockett, Signora da Vinci by Robyn Maxwell, and The Brightest Moon of the Century by Christopher Meeks. I also recommend Kate Grenville, especially The Secret River. Pop by my blog anytime for more recommendations. I also blog at Historical Tapestry with a great bunch of bloggers who share my love for historical fiction. There are some great suggestions there as well.

Literary Feline: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Teddy Rose. I have enjoyed our visit and hope my readers have too.

Be sure to stop by and visit Teddy Rose over at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time!