Armchair BEA: Beyond the Blog

Day Four: Beyond the Blog

I really don't have any plans to write someday and one of the best perks of being book blogger is getting books... but other than that, I haven't really done anything special beyond my blog. Maybe someday?

I realized after browsing a lot of blogs from yesterday's topic on Networking that I probably have more to say about author signings than I originally thought. I noticed that a lot of people mentioned that they live in a small town where a lot of authors don't visit. I am blessed that I live in a big metropolitan city, San Diego, in Southern California where a lot of authors do pass through (especially in Los Angeles). I have attended the LA Times Festival of Books twice now and have met lots of children's authors that I never would have met otherwise.

I am late in posting my LA Times Festival of Books recap, but I'll share a little teaser here.

I hope you will forgive me for bragging a little bit...

At the festival this year, I got to hear speak, meet and speak with, and get an autograph from one of my favorite authors of all time - Judy Blume. She was such a delight to listen to. I didn't get to say much because I was starstruck for sure, but I did manage to get out a thank you for being one of the major reasons why I became the reader I am today. It was SUCH an honor.

I need to do my post-event recap with photos with Cheryl Burke, Michael Buckley, Jeff Kinney and Molly Shannon. SOON! I promise!

Thanks for dropping by!

Armchair BEA: Networking

Day Three: Networking

I wish I had more to say about this, but I am still learning about networking. As a wife, mom, teacher on the weekdays, photographer on the weekends and a book blogger in between... there are only so many hours in a day. I am happy to say that I do frequent our local bookstores, both independent and Barnes and Noble bookstores. I wish I were more extroverted and put myself out there to build a relationship with them as a book blogger!

One of my favorite author events and signings is the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. This was my 2nd year attending and it's the closest thing we've got on the West Coast to a BEA. Lots and lots of authors attend and it is such so much fun to meet them and other fellow readers.

I hope to get to know more local book bloggers. If anyone is down to host a SoCal meetup, let me know!

Even though I haven't met many people in real life, I am thankful for the few online buddies that I've made along the way. They are so supportive, encouraging and I just love talking books with them!

Make sure to come back for Day 4: Beyond the Blog!

Armchair BEA: Streaming BEA Live!

I am so excited about this new feature where you can be a part of BEA and see the events live online. My little one wakes up every day around 5am, so it'll be right around the time BEA starts. Never thought I'd be happy about that!

You can check out the streaming schedule here.

Armchair BEA: $10 Amazon gift card giveaway

For Armchair BEA this year, I'm giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon.com!

The giveaway runs from Tuesday June 5th through Saturday June 9th. 

Giveaway Details:
To enter giveaway please follow this blog then fill out the RaffleCopter.
Comments are for feedback and questions only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Armchair BEA 2012: Introduction

Armchair BEA is back in full force! I participated last year and enjoyed it thoroughly. I am so excited to be a part of it again and to be helping to host the twitter parties on Tues, Weds and Thurs as @jasmine_marie. 

Today, I will be interviewing myself so that you can all get to know me a little better. Please leave some love in the comments! I look forward to getting to know more book bloggers!

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

My name is Jasmine and I am a 30-something Christian, wife to my college sweetheart, mama to a toddler, teacher to 5th graders, a wedding photographer on the weekends, and an avid reader when my little one gives me a minute or two. I have been blogging since April 2011 so I am fairly new to the book blogging world. I got into book blogging because I LOVE talking about books, especially when I want to share some of my favorite reads with the rest of the world. When I fall in love with a book, I want

What are you currently reading?

Title: Between You and Me: A Novel
Authors: Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
Publisher: Atria Books (June 12, 2012)

Summary from Goodreads:
From the authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Nanny Diaries comes a new novel that takes readers behind the scenes of stratospheric celebrity—what it means to be worshipped by millions and still feel loved by none.

Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus have proven again and again that they are masters at exploring the nuances of family relationships—as they intersect with the current trends in the culture at large.

In Between You and Me, twenty-seven-year-old Logan Wade has built a life for herself in New York City, far from her unhappy childhood in Oklahoma. But when she gets the call that her famous cousin needs a new assistant, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Logan hasn’t seen Kelsey since they were separated as kids; in the meantime, Kelsey Wade has become one of Fortune Magazine’s most powerful celebrities and carrion for the paparazzi. But the joy at their reunion is overshadowed by the toxic dynamic between Kelsey and her controlling parents. As Kelsey grasps desperately at a “real” life, Logan risks everything to try and give her cousin the one thing she has never known—happiness. As Kelsey unravels in the most horribly public way Logan finds that she will ultimately have to choose between saving her cousin and saving herself.

I am really enjoying this book so far. It is exactly what I've been looking for in a chick-lit book.

What is your favorite book so far in 2012?

Title: Comeback Love
Author: Peter Golden
Publisher: Washington Square Press (April 2012)

This is my favorite book of the year so far. You can read more about it at my review here.


Love love LOVE this book!

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

I work part-time as a wedding/portrait photographer in San Diego on the weekends. Ever since I had my baby a few years ago, I've cut back a lot, but I still do events for families and friends. My mom gave me a camera when I was 10 and I've always carried one around since. My friends know me as the girl behind the camera. I've always enjoyed capturing life and thus creating and preserving memories.

If you are interested, you can check out more of my work here on my photo blog: http://www.jasminemarieblog.com

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

I think one of most influential books of my life was Little Women. I came across this book by chance during one of my many trips to our local library and it was such the perfect book for me at that point in my life as a young woman. I loved it. I read it over and over again. I rewrote the story so that Jo and Laurie could end up together (I was a hopeless romantic even then!). Knowing that Jo is based a lot on Louisa May Alcott herself, I would love to eat dinner with her just to see what kind of woman she was.

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

When my hubby and I travel, I always make an itinerary of bookstores to visit in that city.  Some of the bookstores that I would love to see someday are:

Shakespeare & Company




The Strand Bookstore

.... and many, many more. :)

So I hope that helps you to get to know a little more aboout "the bookish mama." Please leave some love in the comments and I look forward to getting to know you soon!