Fictional Candy: Blogger On Blogger Interview/Giveaway: Debdatta @ B00k R3vi3ws

I interview a lot of authors, we all do. And it is really a lot of fun, right? But who is it behind those interviews? You!!! So now I want to interview you! This post will run every Thursday (give or take a day due to scheduling) as long as I have people who want to be interviewed! Check out the tab up there in my tab index for this feature. That's where you can check out past interviews, upcoming bloggers, and sign up for your own interview! :)

Thank goodness this week is almost over!! I don't know about you, but we've been having some warm weather here, and we've got one more day until we drop to the cold temperatures - and I can't wait!

This week we have Debdatta from B00k R3vi3ws! And as, per the new tradition goes, I also have a swag giveaway! This week its a sort of mystery pack! Here's a picture! There's more in there than it looks, lots of trading cards and magnets, and even a button! I think its all fallen to the bottom LOL. I know, don't quit my day job to become a photographer, right? So lets get on with the interview!

***********

Hello Debdatta! Welcome to Fictional Candy! Thanks for talking with me today J

Thank you, Liz. It is an honour to be here.

First, can you tell our readers a little bit about your blog, b00k r3vi3ws by DDS?

It is basically a place for me to vent out about books… My parents and hubby like to read too but not as much as me. [I am actually known as the ‘crazy book lady’ amongst my friends.] At first I used to vent out by commenting on other blogs but soon that wasn’t enough and I just had to start my own blog. Though I also do Author Interviews, Guest Posts and participate in blog tours, most of my posts are Reviews. Sometimes they are short & sweet and sometimes they are long & ranting – they just depend upon my mood after reading the book.

And how long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging for about 2 years now. My first blog was basically a journal that I set as private – only for my eyes. I started ‘b00k r3vi3ws’ around mid-February’2012.

What would you say is your favorite part of the book blogging world?

I have to say that I love the general attitude here – always welcoming and open minded. But what I love the most is how my reading habits have changed under the influence of the blogging world. Previously I was very selective and would read only well-known authors and stick to mystery/thrillers. Now my taste has broadened at least ten folds. Yes, I read a lot more of paranormal, fantasy, chic-lit, nonfiction… and I have discovered a love for Indie Authors! I discovered some of my recent favourites thanks to this community.

Debdatta, do you have a must read book, something that you find yourself recommending over and over?

I feel all kids should go through an Enid Blyton phase in their lives – without that, no matter how much you read, your reading experience will always be incomplete. Besides that I keep recommending people to read ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ – it is a complete classic and a must read for any book lover. It has romance, action, adventure, politics… and for those who read very closely, you may learn a lesson or two.

How about what you are reading now? Can you give us a little teaser?

I am currently reading Phantom by Jo Nesbø. I am about halfway through and let me tell you it is simply AWESOME. The plot, the characters and the language are all exquisite. Here’s how the book starts:

Amid the noises of the night in downtown Oslo – the regular drone of cars outside the window, the distant siren that rose and fell and the church bells that had begun to chime nearby – a rat went on the hunt for food. She ran her nose over the filthy linoleum on the kitchen floor. The pungent smell of gray cigarette ash. The sugary-sweet aroma of blood on a scotton gauze. The bitter odor of beer on the inside of the bottle cap, Ringnes Lager. Molecules of sulphur, saltpeter and carbon dioxide filtered up from an empty metal cartridge case designed for a nine-by-eighteen-millimeter lead bullet, also called a Makarov…

What do you do when you aren’t blogging?

I wish I could say only ‘read’! But I am a Human Resource Professional. I work full time. Besides that, I take care of my family. I like to Dance and Swim. I am also into writing letters and have a few pals over the world with whom I exchange old fashioned hand written mail every now and then.

If you could only read print books or eBooks for the rest of your life, which one would you pick and why?

Print Books. Reading e-books on laptop/Nook/Mobile is very uncomfortable for me. My eyes start watering if I read for few hours at a stretch. Besides, there’s a certain charm in reading books the old fashioned way! Nothing can beat its smell (old or new) or the feel of it when you hold it in your hands. Give me a never ending supply of coffee and print books and I’ll find heaven sitting on my bean bag J

Ok, something a little fun. You have to pick one!

Vampires or Zombies? Can I choose Mutants (Like Wolverine) No? Oh Vampires then. Carlisle Cullen or Balthazar please! Ooooh, Mutants - good choice! I completely forgot about them ;)

Soda or Water? Soda

Sugar or Salt? Salt

Country or City? Country

Quiet or Music? Music

If you could bring one book to life, which one would it be (and why!)?

I would probably redo Harry Potter because the movie series missed out on most of my favourite parts – I mean Half-Blood Prince without the Hogwarts Battle? Or maybe Sons of Fortune by Jeffery Archer.

Looking through your site, you have some great organization – something I love! Do you find that it is easy to keep up with that or is it tough? Do you have any tips?

Thank you! At the moment I am still in the process of updating the Review index and it is kind of boring to go back and check all the reviews from the beginning. But I am sure once I am up to date on it, it will be only too easy for me. You see I have a mild case of OCD… okay, maybe not so mild and maybe I am more like Monica from Friends than I care to admit :P

I seriously do not know if I can give tips. I am still learning the ropes myself. But yes the best way to do it is to keep it simple.

What kind of things can we look forward to in the next year from b00k r3vi3ws?

I have been reading for about 20 years now and blogging for a few months. So you can expect a LOT of reviews of old & new books. And yes, you can take it for granted that the look and feel will keep changing as I will keep experimenting. Also, I have quite a few very interesting Books/Authors lined up for my ‘Special Feature’ program. Also, I have to admit that you have inspired me to come up with “New Girl on the Blog” – a blogger on blogger interview that will feature only newbie Girl bloggers. I have done a couple of posts already for a trial run – just to see the response . I will

start is full-fledged from Dec/Jan. And oh! I have an awesome 500 followers Celebration Giveaway going on my blog Right NOW! Do check it out

[http://b00kr3vi3ws.blogspot.in/2012/10/500-follower-giveaway.html]

That is so great! I'm happy to hear it - and congratulations on your follower milestone!

What are some of your favorite book blogs?

Well, my top 5 must read blogs (in alphabetical order) are:

Bookish (Evie)

Books, Life n More

Stepping Out of the Page

Xpresso Reads

YA-Aholic

But there are a bunch of others that I check in regularly – like yours, Singing and reading in the Rain, 1 More Page please…

Ok, that about wraps us up for today! Thank you again for taking the time!