Blogger Spotlight: Eileen at Singing and Reading in the Rain

Posted by Jessi (Geo) on July 31, 2012 | 2 Comments


USSpotlight
This is a new feature I will be doing on a weekly basis. The purpose is to get to know your fellow bloggers a little better! If you are interested in being featured please fill out the form
 
USSfeature
 

Meet Eileen! 

Hi, my name is Eileen and I’m a 13-year-old American born Chinese girl! I’m from a small town on the east coast (I’m technically not allowed to tell you anything else, since my mom’s a bit overprotective.), and I’m a super bubbly girl and just a tiny bit crazy. I like to read, sing, and blog! I read really fast, and I read general young adult fiction. I want to be a singer when I grow up, so I write songs and play piano in my spare time, so you’ll occasionally see some song covers. I own a book and song blog called ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***!

 

How long have you been blogging? What made you want to start a book blog?

I’m just going to hit ten months on August 14th. I think what made me start was this contest for an Iron Knight ARC that Julie Kagawa was holding. She said “Post your entries onto your blog and leave me a link in the comments section” and I was so intrigued by what a blog was that I started one and decided to see where it would take me. I then deleted my email afterwards (really long story) along with that blog, but I
started a new one, and I think I’ve gotten really far from then.

 

What do you do when you’re not blogging or reading?

When I’m not doing that I’m most likely playing the piano, singing, or attacking my brother for hugs. Yeah, I have a pretty boring life. Well, there’s always the exception of school, which obviously always comes first before blogging and reading, but since I’m on summer vacation I haven’t been doing too much other than reading, blogging, piano, and singing.

 

What is your favorite part about blogging? Least favorite?

My favorite part’s pretty boring, but it has to be meeting all the people. They support me and they make me feel better about my blog and myself. Also, fellow bloggers get me. They understand my need to read, my need to own books instead of borrowing them from the library, and they always have time for me to rant about it. I mean, you can’t just go up to your brother one day and say “Oh my gosh, don’t you just HATE Twilight? What kind of vampire sparkles?”

 

Where did you come up with the name for your blog?

This one was really hard for me. I first had a really standard name which was just “Eileen: Singer and Reader,” something really boring. But then I decided it was time for a change, and I wanted it to be really creative. So I sat there for pretty much an hour, and by then, I had decided I wanted to incorporate both song- and book-related things into my blog. Then, I kind of remembered that song “Singing in the Rain” and thought, “Wow, that would be a great thing to put a twist on.” I actually have never heard that song. I haven’t ever seen the movie, either. I’m not even sure what the movie title is, LOL. I think I really have to change that soon.

 

Do you have any specific book bloggers that inspire you?

I’ve developed so many blogging friends, and they all inspire me, like Beverley from A Reading Daydreamer, Catherine from The Book Parade, Nereyda from MostlyYA Book Obsessed, Mikayla from Kismet Kayla, Annabelle from Sparkles and Lighting, Braine from Talk Supe, Rebecca from Vicariously! and so many more! (You should all follow them by the way) But I think one blogger that I can’t help but stalk all the time is Giselle from Xpresso Reads. Her reviews are just genius and she has such a way with words, unlike me. My reviews are always so clunky and awkward and…*shudders* I just think she puts so much into her blog and it’s really admirable.

 

What do you look for in a blog when following? What are your pet peeves?

I usually look for consistent reviews, frequent posting, and I want a blogger’s personality in their posts. I mean, it’s boring if every time you read a review of a book it’s exactly the same. And I want the reviews to properly explain their opinion of the book, not just an extension of the synopsis they give you on Goodreads or Amazon.

A pet peeve would probably go something like this:
*Logs onto Blog X and looks at the blog archive*

It’s Monday! What are you reading?
Teaser Tuesday
Waiting on Wednesday
What’s Next? Thursday
Follow Friday
Stacking the Shelves
It’s Monday! What are you reading?

And on and on. Do you get what I’m saying? I don’t mind a few memes, but when it’s all that’s on the blog, it’s so annoying! Also, I hate it when it’s so obvious a blog just blogs to get free stuff. OR when a really popular blog lets their popularity go to their head. They get tons of ARCs and review copies, but they barely review any of them and all they post are interviews, guest posts, and giveaways. I follow you because I want to see reviews, not a bunch of giveaways. -.- (Yeah, I’m a really picky person. What can I say? ;))

 

What’s your favorite book(s)?

The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. I’m not kidding, I have read that series six times, each. One time, I was reading The Iron King, finished it, turned it over and started reading it over again! I am obsessed with that series, and I don’t even own the books. How pathetic is that? *begs Mom to buy them for me*

Six times, that’s pretty impressive!

 

Favorite author?

As you saw from my answer above, it’s Julie Kagawa. She inspired me to start blogging, and I can’t ever forget that.

You should tell her that! :)

 

What is the biggest turn off for you when you’re reading a book?

I would have to say it’d be cheesiness. I’m not a big fan of chick-lit, and I usually like a darker underlying subject in a contemporary. So if it ends with something really sappy like “I’m falling in love with you because you aren’t afraid to put me in my place and you’re snarky and beautiful and funny.” *gag*

 

What first draws you to a book to make you want to read it?

The first thing would probably be a really pretty cover; an interesting, strong synopsis; and a few rave reviews from trusted bloggers. After that, I would look for a really strong beginning is a must for me. If I’m just stumbling through the first half of a book and either not interested or confused, then it’s likely I’m going to put the book down.

 

Describe yourself in 3 words.

I can barely describe myself in one word! But, okay, I’ll try. Smart. Crazy. Ambitious.

 

Name a random fact about yourself.

In sixth grade I used to be obsessed with tinfoil. I would literally fold it up into a perfect rectangle and roll it flat with…a rolling pin.

 

Randomness

Cats or dogs?
To be honest, I’d have to choose dogs. I’ve always wanted a cute white terrier, but apparently, it has “way too much hair.” And to be honest, I’m way too lazy to pick up after it anyways!

White, dark, or milk chocolate?
Milk. White chocolate’s too sweet, and dark chocolate’s too bitter. (What a way to be like Goldilocks and the Three Bears)

Coke or Pepsi?
Okay, don’t hit me, but I hate soda. *hides* Like, hate soda. I can’t stand the stuff and I cringe whenever I see it. I really like the taste for a few select sodas, but I can’t hold down the carbonated stuff that they put in soda.

Favorite TV show?
Can I be a little girl and say Victorious on Nickolodeon? Because I love the characters on that show, although it’s starting to annoy me a bit. So I’ll say Pretty Little Liars :)

Movie?
The Hunger Games! I have to be a total book nerd here, and besides, that movie had my friend and me (who NEVER cries at movies) bawling.

Color?
If you’ve seen my blog before, it’s pink! I just love pink and I’m being a true girly-girl here, but I don’t know. It’s just so…bright and colorful and happy.

Thanks for being here on the blog today, Eileen! It was fantastic getting to know you! :)

 

Find Eileen:

Jessi (Geo)

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