Armchair BEA: Introduction to Me

Hi and welcome.  I'm excited to be participating in my first Armchair BEA.  I should say excited and nervous.  But let's get to it, shall we?  First up?  My introduction.

Hi, I'm Mark, and I'm a book blogger.  Oh wait, wrong introduction.  Let's go through a few of the questions that the organizers of Armchair BEA have created for us.

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

You think that's a simple question?  Unfortunately, it's not.

I have a blog, Random Ramblings from Sunny Southern CA, that I started in 2002.  (It also gives away that I live in Southern California.)  It's more of a journal type blog, but I do still try to post in it a few times a week.  Likewise, I started reviewing at Amazon in 2001, adding the now defunct site Epinions in 2005.

I started this blog in 2013 and spent the first six months copying over all my reviews from Epinions, which was no easy task.

As to who I am, I'm an accountant currently looking for my next job who loves to consume books in my free time.  When I'm not reading, working, or blogging, I play ultimate Frisbee and go on mud runs as well as watch TV and movies.

Why did I get into reviewing?  I've always loved to talk about the book I am currently reading and enjoying.  (Just ask my parents.)  This gave me another outlet to do so while also helping the sales of the authors I love.  Don't worry, it's a selfish motive.  If the author's sales go up, they'll get contracts to write more books, so I'll be able to read their books for a long time to come.  See?  Selfish.

Describe your blog in just one sentence. Then, list your social details -- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. -- so we can connect more online.

I think the tag I've got at the top of my blog says it best - "Reviews from a collector and media addict."  If I had to say it another way, it would be something like, "My thoughts on whatever I am currently enjoying."  I do cover more than just books here.  I also review movies, music (mostly Christian music), TV shows and Hallmark Christmas ornaments with the occasional food or game review added for good measure.  Really, anything I feel like reviewing.  Now don't laugh; ornaments are some of my best hit getters come November and December, and I find that reviewing them refreshes the muse.  As far as TV shows go, I write full recaps of a few shows in addition to TV on DVD reviews.  And I'm gearing up to start the Weekly TV Thoughts meme when the fall TV season starts up again.

Believe it or not, I don't have a Facebook page for my blog.  Honestly, I'm trying to decide if that is a good idea or not.  Thoughts?  I just signed up for Instagram, so I don't have much there yet.  You can also follow me on Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest.

I would like to take this time to plug a page I do run on Facebook, however.  Over on First Line Monday, readers share the first line of whatever book they are currently reading - all genres are welcome as are articles, non-fiction, etc.  It's not a place to plug reviews, just post the first line of your current read, title, and author.  I hope you'll come check us out and join us.

What genre do you read the most? I love to read because ___________________ .

I mostly read mysteries, specifically cozy mysteries.  These are mysteries with an emphasis on the who done it over anything else.  There is minimal language, sex, or violence in them.  Think of Agatha Christie or Murder, She Wrote.

I've also gotten a bit more into Middle Grade books again.  Here, I will read anything from mystery to fantasy.  I've found some very fun stuff doing that which I will highlight later in the week.  I also participate in Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, hosted by Shannon Messenger, herself a middle grade author, on her blog.

If you want a better feel for what I read, you can check out my recently completed Index.  (Yes, I'm thrilled to be done with it and showing it off every chance I get.)

I love to read to be entertained.  If you tell me a good story with characters I like, I am yours.  Escape is part of it, but just the simple joy of a great story is another part of it.  (Which also explains why I love movies and TV - good stories, at least in most of the shows I watch.)

What does your favorite/ideal reading space look like?

Quite often, my favorite reading spot is the passenger seat of my car.  I find my best reading happens on my lunch hour.  I go out to my car and sit and read.  I often doze off for a few minutes, but then I am back at it.  During the summer, it often gets too hot to do that, so I find some other spot in the shade to read.

Here at home, I will often read on my couch if my roommate isn't using the living room.  Otherwise, it is on my bed.

Share your favorite book or reading related quote.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."  Groucho Marx.

That's it for my intro.  I look forward to getting to know many of you better over the course of the week.  And if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask.  I do reply to all comments.