31st
Oct
Oct
In April I decided to make a monthly blog post called the
Book Bloggers Talk. I really wanted to get to know more of my fellow book
bloggers and I decided the Book Bloggers Talk was a fun way to do it. I’ve had
a lot of fun writing the interview questions and reading the answers I
received. Unfortunately lately I haven’t gotten any responses or sign ups. So
after trying to get more people into this post on Facebook and Twitter, and
without any success I decided that it’s time to end this post.
So when the last person who signed up didn’t follow
through and I was left with no Book Bloggers Talk in October. I decided to make
the last Book Bloggers Talk on Maureen’s Books about me. There will be other regularly
posts on Maureen’s Books.. Don’t worry.. Inspiration enough! 😉
through and I was left with no Book Bloggers Talk in October. I decided to make
the last Book Bloggers Talk on Maureen’s Books about me. There will be other regularly
posts on Maureen’s Books.. Don’t worry.. Inspiration enough! 😉
The Talk:
Tell us a little more about yourself?
My name is Maureen (obviously :P) and I’m twenty-six years
old. I live in the Netherlands and I’m a fulltime nurse in an academic
hospital. I work in the Traumatology department and I really love working
there. Next to my job as a nurse I spend my days reading. I love books and
getting lost in different stories.
old. I live in the Netherlands and I’m a fulltime nurse in an academic
hospital. I work in the Traumatology department and I really love working
there. Next to my job as a nurse I spend my days reading. I love books and
getting lost in different stories.
I’ve been living with my boyfriend Tom for almost six and a half years now. He is my best friend, my lover and my everything. I can’t imagine a life without him. With him I can be the crazy book lover I am.
When did you learn about your passion for books?
Ever since I was a little girl I loved stories and
reading. I come from a family of readers and so I grew up surrounded by books. I
remember being very young and loving the moment when I was able to read books
on my own.
reading. I come from a family of readers and so I grew up surrounded by books. I
remember being very young and loving the moment when I was able to read books
on my own.
I grew up with my mom and our home has always been filled
with books and stories. Books were always very important to us. There is
nothing I like more than spending my days surrounded by the people I love and
reading a good book.
with books and stories. Books were always very important to us. There is
nothing I like more than spending my days surrounded by the people I love and
reading a good book.
Which book was your childhood favorite?
I was eight years old when the first book in the Harry
Potter series was published. I can honestly say I grew up with the Harry Potter
series and they really became a huge part of my life. I read all the books
multiple times and still to this day this series is my favorite book series. I
remember the publication days of a new Harry Potter books being one of my
favorite days of the year. I used to pre-order every book with help from my mom
and when the book arrived I started reading and only stopped to eat.
Potter series was published. I can honestly say I grew up with the Harry Potter
series and they really became a huge part of my life. I read all the books
multiple times and still to this day this series is my favorite book series. I
remember the publication days of a new Harry Potter books being one of my
favorite days of the year. I used to pre-order every book with help from my mom
and when the book arrived I started reading and only stopped to eat.
Which book (or books) is your favorite right now?
Like I said the Harry Potter series is still one of
favorites. But I also really love the twilight series, the fifty shades of grey
series, the mortal instruments series and many more. I honestly don’t have one favorite book.. I
have many!!
favorites. But I also really love the twilight series, the fifty shades of grey
series, the mortal instruments series and many more. I honestly don’t have one favorite book.. I
have many!!
What’s your favorite book genre?
I read everything, and books from every genre out there.
The genres I love the most are Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Romance
and contemporary novels. But I will read all kinds of genres if the sound of a
book interests me. I also have weeks I love to read romance more than any other
genres. But there are also weeks I prefer thrillers.. It just depends on my
mood I guess.
The genres I love the most are Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Romance
and contemporary novels. But I will read all kinds of genres if the sound of a
book interests me. I also have weeks I love to read romance more than any other
genres. But there are also weeks I prefer thrillers.. It just depends on my
mood I guess.
Do you prefer paperbacks or eBooks? And why?
I definitely prefer paperbacks. I’m one of those girls
who smells there books. Weird maybe.. but there’s just something about the
smell of a book.. It’s magical! I feel excited when I hold a paperback or
hardback in my hands. And this feeling never goes away.
who smells there books. Weird maybe.. but there’s just something about the
smell of a book.. It’s magical! I feel excited when I hold a paperback or
hardback in my hands. And this feeling never goes away.
EBooks are very handy, especially when you don’t have
room for a paperback.. And I also love reading ebooks because I don’t need to
put on a light that makes my boyfriend unable to sleep at night.. but still.. I’ll
always prefer the real deal!
room for a paperback.. And I also love reading ebooks because I don’t need to
put on a light that makes my boyfriend unable to sleep at night.. but still.. I’ll
always prefer the real deal!
How many books do you read in a week?
It depends on how much I’m working that week and what
kind of shifts. I read less when I’m working the nightshift because I’m just
more tired and love hanging on the couch with my boyfriend and watching a
series. But when I’m working days I can read two or three books a week. On
holidays I read one book or more a day.
kind of shifts. I read less when I’m working the nightshift because I’m just
more tired and love hanging on the couch with my boyfriend and watching a
series. But when I’m working days I can read two or three books a week. On
holidays I read one book or more a day.
If you could live inside one book world, which world
would it be?
would it be?
Without a doubt.. I would live in the world of Harry
Potter. I would be a librarian at Hogwarts and fly a broom. And my best friend
would be Hermione Granger. Sigh…
Potter. I would be a librarian at Hogwarts and fly a broom. And my best friend
would be Hermione Granger. Sigh…
When did you decide to become a blogger? And when did you
start your blog?
start your blog?
I’ve always wanted to talk and write about books. Somehow
other than my family, I haven’t met many people here in the Netherlands who
also love books as much as I do. So from a young age I thought about book
blogging. But since I only read English books, I wanted to write in English but
was afraid my English wasn’t good enough. Years later on March 17th
2014 I decided to start Maureen’s Books. Not caring if my English is good
enough.. but just making my dreams come true!! And now a year and a half later
I’m still blogging and loving every minute of it.
other than my family, I haven’t met many people here in the Netherlands who
also love books as much as I do. So from a young age I thought about book
blogging. But since I only read English books, I wanted to write in English but
was afraid my English wasn’t good enough. Years later on March 17th
2014 I decided to start Maureen’s Books. Not caring if my English is good
enough.. but just making my dreams come true!! And now a year and a half later
I’m still blogging and loving every minute of it.
What do you love most about blogging?
What I love most about blogging is the people I came to
know around the world who share my passion! I’ve come in contact with many
amazing authors who wanted me to read their books.. And I’ve read a lot of
amazing books since starting this blog. I’ve also met a lot of other bloggers
out there who just want to share their love of books and help each other out. Book
bloggers really are wonderful people and I love that I was able to get a look
inside this ‘world’. I honestly feel
like I’m a part of something now.. And I can’t imagine my life without book
blogging.
know around the world who share my passion! I’ve come in contact with many
amazing authors who wanted me to read their books.. And I’ve read a lot of
amazing books since starting this blog. I’ve also met a lot of other bloggers
out there who just want to share their love of books and help each other out. Book
bloggers really are wonderful people and I love that I was able to get a look
inside this ‘world’. I honestly feel
like I’m a part of something now.. And I can’t imagine my life without book
blogging.
If you could change one thing in the book blogging
community what would it be?
community what would it be?
I can’t think of something I would change.
How do you plan your time for your blog? And how much
time do you spend on your blog?
time do you spend on your blog?
I try to spend a view hours on my blog every day. I’m a
big planner and I write everything down to make sure I don’t forget anything.
Sometimes when I’m really busy with work I’m not able to spend a lot of time on
here.. but I always spend at least 30 minutes a day. I love my free days when I’m
able to spend all day blogging and browsing the internet.
big planner and I write everything down to make sure I don’t forget anything.
Sometimes when I’m really busy with work I’m not able to spend a lot of time on
here.. but I always spend at least 30 minutes a day. I love my free days when I’m
able to spend all day blogging and browsing the internet.
What is your favorite Book Blog?
I really love Candace’s Book Blog. Her blog was one of
the first I really saw out there and I’m impressed with how much she has
accomplished. She also really is an awesome person.
the first I really saw out there and I’m impressed with how much she has
accomplished. She also really is an awesome person.
Recently I also really came to like the book blog the Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Between My Lines. They are all very different but I love
reading the reviews and other posts out there.
reading the reviews and other posts out there.
What do you think is the secret of a successful Book
Blog?
Blog?
Social media definitely seems to be a big part of being a
good book blogger. I think I reach most of my visitors from my Facebook page
and Twitter account. If you really want a successful book blog you most be
prepared and willing to spend a lot of your time on it.
good book blogger. I think I reach most of my visitors from my Facebook page
and Twitter account. If you really want a successful book blog you most be
prepared and willing to spend a lot of your time on it.
Some book bloggers out there are also inspiring writers.
Do you also write?
Do you also write?
Nope. I used to write a little when I was younger butother than blog posts I haven’t written anything for years. I just don’t have
inspiration to write a book. I love reading books but I just don’t see myself
as a writer. I’m really envies of authors though.. I think it’s awesome to be
able to create your own story and characters.
What would you advise be for beginning book bloggers?
Just do what you want to do and love every minute of it!!
You might also like:
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Jodi Linton
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Tracy Kincaid
Blog Tour 'Random Acts' by Mia Kerick
Interview with Tamara Thorne & Alistair Cross
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Hope Russell Nunki
Blog Tour 'Prisoner' by Dennis W. Green
Sunday's Author Spotlight: Tamara Jones
Book Bloggers Talk: Nikita Johri
Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
It was fun getting to know more about you Maureen. I can identify a lot with you, I have always loved reading, am a huge Harry Potter fan and have zero ambition to be a writer. And I have a Tom too! 😀 We are so lucky to have found Tom's who indulge our passion for books and put up with all our book nerding!
Thanks for mentioning me and I feel honoured to be listed beside two such huge bloggers both of whom I admire so much.
We are definitely two very lucky people! I don't think every guy would be happy with all those times spend on books and blogging! 😉
You're very welcome Trish.. I really love visiting your blog and reading your posts. Thanks for stopping by and reading my post.