Sunday 12 May 2013

Book Blogger Spotlight: Istyria Book Blog


My name is Bieke (just call me B, it's easier lol), I'm 22 years old and from Belgium! I live with my boyfriend and two cats in a small apartment near a big city. We’ve been together for more than four years now!

When and why did you become a book blogger?

I became a blogger last year December because I saw other blogs and it seemed like a fun thing to do. I’ve always loved to read but never thought about reviewing until I found Goodreads last year.

How did you come up with the name of your blog?

Well, next to reading, I also love to write. I’m busy writing my first book but it’s not the first time I’ve tried to do that. A few years ago I came up with a fantasy story in a world I came up with myself and the name of that world was Istyria. It sounds like mysteria without the M. I was actually very proud of that name but haven’t used it since then. So when I decided to change my blog name, I came up with that in the middle of the night. I totally forgot about it, but when I was in bed, trying to get to sleep, I suddenly thought about it again and it fitted with the theme I was going for on my blog. You know: B’s world of enchanted books. So yeah, that’s how I came up with it.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

The people I’ve met! I never really had friends to talk with about books and stuff. I always was alone on that part and now I’ve found a whole community that loves reading as much as I do! =D That’s pretty awesome.

What do you find the hardest about blogging?

Being honest when I don’t like a book. I hate being mean and I always try to be nice about it but it’s still hard. I don’t want the author to feel hurt or something. Maybe that sounds stupid, but that’s the way I feel.

Does your blog participate in any weekly features and if so which is your favorite?

Yes! Every Friday I do Feature & Follow Friday and since last week each Sunday I’ll be doing Stacking the Shelves. Sometimes I do Teaser Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesday too, but not every week. (I forget those two a lot.)

What has been your favorite moment since you became a book blogger? Which review, interview or giveaway have you been most proud of?

Hmm... Receiving my first ARC was kind of awesome. I think that was Dare You To by Katie McGarry via Netgalley. And I’m most proud of my first Blog Tour. That was the blog tour for H.D. Gordon’s new book Shooting Stars which for me was a review (I got an ARC copy for that) and an Interview with H.D. herself!

What kind of genres do you enjoy reading and reviewing the most?

I read and review YA the most I think. But I also love Fantasy, Romance, Drama,... I’m not really picky about books, as long as the story is good and it can hold my attention, I’m fine.

What is your favorite individual book or series? What makes you love it so much?

Oh that’s a hard question... At the moment it has to be the P.J. Stone Gates trilogy by D.T. Dyllin. I received an ARC copy of the first book and was a beta reader for the next two (just finished the last one a few days ago). I don’t know, D.T. is a great writer and this has just an original and fun story with awesome characters. And she’s a great friend too. =)

Who is your favorite fictional male character, why and from what book or series are they from?

Khol from the series I just mentioned. He’s... just... delicious. You’ll understand once you’ve read the books. He’s a dragon, did I mention that? Yeah he’s awesome.

Who is your favorite fictional female character, why and from what book or series are they from?

P.J. Stone, again from Dara’s trilogy. She's a kickass heroine with flaws and I just love her!

Who are your favorite three authors and why?

D.T. Dyllin, H.D. Gordon and... Marissa Meyer. They are great storytellers.Very talented and brilliant writers! Their stories always hook me from beginning to end and I forget the world around me when I’m reading their books!

If you could turn one book or series into films, what would you pick and who would you cast as the main characters?

Oh, now I have to choose between Dara’s trilogy and Marissa’s Lunar Chronicles series... You know what? I’m not going to choose between those two. I’m just going to say The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski, also one of my favorites. I don’t know who to cast as MC’s I’m really not good at that.

What has been your favorite book of 2013? Why did you love it?

So far? Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Why? It’s just another awesome book! Read my review here.

What books are you most looking forward to in 2013?

The sequel to Shadow and Bone, of course. And the sequels to The Edge of Never and Angelfall (by Susan Ee). Oh and the first book of D.T. Dyllin’s new series, Feeling Death! Probably more, but those popped in my head first.

Paper books or ebooks?

Don’t really care. It’s all fine to me,as long as I can read, I’m happy!

Where is your favorite place to read?

In my favorite couch in the corner of the living room under a warm blanket. =)

Milk chocolate, white chocolate or dark chocolate?

Milk, for sure!

Coffee, hot tea or hot chocolate?

Hmm... Coffee!

Would you like to give any other details about yourself? How can others find you around the web? Such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc...

Blog: http://bookaddictbieke.blogspot.be
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9639554-bieke-call-me-b
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bookaddictbieke
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Istyriabookblog

Those are the main sites you can find me on. =)

1 comment:

I would love to hear what you have to say! I read and try to respond to every single comment I receive. Knowing there are people out there reading is what makes this all worth it... : )