Behind the Blog: Meet the Blogger- Jessica from Jessica’s Reading Room @JessReadingRoom

Ever wonder about the person behind the blog? I mentioned back in January (here) that I would be starting a Meet the Blogger series. This series will feature some of my favourite bloggers as we go behind the scenes and have them answer the questions!

Next up is Jessica from Jessica’s Reading Room!

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One of my favourite things about this feature is that I discover new bloggers through my networking and recruiting for this series; I discovered Jessica’s blog and never looked back! Her posts are thoughtful and we have the same taste in books!

Keep reading to see what Jessica had to say when it was her turn in the “hot seat”

Why did you decide to join the world of book blogging?

There is a little bit of a journey to this:

I began keeping track of the books I was reading in 2009. I joined the Goodreads site in April of 2011. In the past couple of years I began writing a few reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. In February of 2016, I became an admin on the Bookies Facebook page. I assist the page by posting anything book related. Anything I post on the page ends with the tag JPJ so the “Bookies” (fans) of the page know which admin has posted. I am also in charge of a weekly post called “Weekly Wonders”. Once a week, I will highlight and review a book of my choosing. I was having fun writing those reviews. From there I also started posting more reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. In June of 2016, I became a NetGalley member. With all of that going on, I decided that I wanted to have my own website to post my reviews and occasionally other book related posts. Luckily, my husband is a computer whiz and he helped me get my blog set up! And Jessica’s Reading Room was born! While the site is mainly for me, if others visit the website and subscribe that will be great!!!

What have been your favourite and least favourite parts of being a book blogger?

I would say my favorite part has been ‘meeting’ and ‘getting to know’ fellow book bloggers. It’s been a great community and everyone has been so nice, helpful and supportive.

Also ‘meeting’ authors in real life and virtually! When my blog was a baby of a few weeks I approached my favorite author Heather Gudenkauf for an interview. I was nervous about that since she is my favorite author, and I honestly did not think she would agree to it, but she said YES! That was so exciting for me!! I really enjoy doing interviews with authors, I feel I get to know them through the interviews I do.

I would say my least favorite part would be the amount of time it can take sometimes. I had no idea when I started it would be like that! I do not regret it at all, as I am having fun. When things are not fun anymore then it is time to take a break or stop completely.

The funny thing is my tv watching has fallen so much. I am behind on so many of my shows I watch! My husband even said that he can tell I am not really watching tv anymore. **If anyone knows of a way to do this full time AND get paid then sign me up for that! I would love to do this full time! It can be really hard to work the 8-5 job and then this, plus everything else that has to be done with LIFE.

Don’t let blogging get out of hand! If you use NetGalley try to not click that ‘request’ or ‘red now’ button too much. You don’t want to feel overwhelmed and let it take the fun out of it. That’s why we start this: Our love of books and reading and wanting to share our opinions with others.

What have been your 3 favourite books to review since you started book blogging?

1. Me Before You by Jo JO Moyes- It was my first in depth review I did. I felt I had so much to say about it with the direction it went.

2. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey- I have listened to it on audio many times but actually reviewing it I enjoyed. I don’t agree with everything Dave has to say and I really enjoyed writing that review.

3. If I was Your Girl by Meredith Russo- It was a very good book with a good message. It’s about a transgender teen and the author herself is also transgender. I was very honored and excited when I approached Meredith for an interview and she said yes! That is another interview I am very proud of. She answered some questions I was not expecting her to answer.

Have you always been a reader? If not, what got you into reading?

When I was younger I was a voracious reader. Then as I got a little older and into high school and college I think that just stepped aside with having to study. I don’t remember what year it was but I was at my aunt’s house and I saw the book Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella on her shelf. (I think it was the pink cover that caught my attention.) I asked if I could read it and she let me have it. That book had be laughing out loud so much! It returned my love of reading and I haven’t stopped reading since then.

Now the impossible question…what are some of your favourite books?

This is a hard one! I mainly read suspense/thrillers, chick-lit and some YA.

I loved 11/22/63 and The Green Mile by Stephen King. I adore Chevy Stevens and love her first book Still Missing. Last year my number one read was My Girl by Jack Jordan. I recently finished Zenn Diagram by Wendy Brant (released April 4^th) and I loved and adored it. Another one I really enjoyed was The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey. There is a sequel of sorts coming out in May and I look forward to it.