Book and a Beverage [92] – Katie from Bookish Illuminations

Book and a Beverage

Welcome back to BOOK AND A BEVERAGE!

In case you don’t know the deal about Book and a Beverage, it’s a very simple yet fun feature: We read books, we drink beverages, we take pictures of them and then I share your photos and a little about you to the blogging world!

Give a big welcome to Katie from Bookish Illuminations!

Katie Bookish Illuminations

1 Name & Blog Name: Katie at Bookish Illuminations
Tell us a little about your blog! My blog actually started out as Spirit of Children’s Literature in June 2012, and at first one of my best friends (who writes YA fantasy) was helping me with the blog. I planned to write children’s and YA book reviews, while Karissa was going to write posts related to the craft of writing. However, things became pretty busy for her and I took over the blog. So it became mostly book reviews of Children’s Lit and YA!
I have always been fascinated by the spirituality of literature (and that’s not just related to religion though it can be) so that’s something I bring up in most of my reviews. I love having a space where I can write about that part of stories that nurtures our authentic self or our sense that we’re connected to something greater than ourselves. That was my area of research in grad school and I never get tired of talking about it.
Just last month I changed my blog name to Bookish Illuminations because I’m starting to review more literature for adults and wanted a name that reflected a broader scope of books! It’s been fantastic with the new blog site and name—I love it! I also want to eventually review cookbooks…that’s something else I am obsessed with.
What’s been your favorite post you’ve written so far? (Link us up!) That would be hard because I’ve written so many that I love, but I’d have to mention one of my favorite middle grade reads for 2014, A Snicker of Magic. I had so much love for that book! Then I’d also have to say a Top Ten Tuesday Rewind—My Top Ten Childhood Faves. Now that was a FUN post! I would love to spend a whole week with friends binge-reading my childhood Babysitter’s Club collection.
Got anything special coming up we should know about? I love Valentine’s Day and right now the blog is in the middle of a feature called Falling in Love with Books. I’m having bloggers post about books they’ve fallen in love with, and it’s been fabulous so far. There are still loads more posts to follow on different genres of books… Jellicoe Road, Steal the North, Since You’ve Been Gone, Beauty, The Raven Boys

book

Whatcha reading? The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth (she wrote Bitter Greens)
Where did it come from? (Library, purchased, publisher, etc) Purchased—but it’s only out in the UK right now! It will be out in the states in July.
Any special reason you chose to feature this book? I’m finishing up a few other books at the moment, but this is the one I’m diving into next. I already read the first chapter. J This cover is just too beautiful not to share. I often love the UK covers of books more than the American covers.
What’s important that we should know about this book? Would you recommend it? I LOVE fairy tale retellings and this is actually about one of the storytellers the Grimms went to as they were collecting their fairytales. I haven’t read much yet, but what I have read, I like, so I think it’s going to be a perfect read for me during these cold winter nights.

beverageWhatcha drinking? Downton Abbey Estate Blend—Early Gray with Vanilla Tea and I add almond or coconut milk.
What’s your favorite thing to drink while reading? Tea or Coffee—and if it’s tea, it’s probably Chai or Green….or Green Chai Tea!
Favorite beverage of all time. Go! A Cherry White Chocolate Mocha with Almond Milk from Dutch Bros. (this is a drive thru coffee place we have in Northern California. I’m not in Nor Cal anymore so I really miss it!)

bonus

What are your top three books you would recommend to other people? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (This is such a moving and fantastic YA! I assign it in the composition class I teach.) The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (This middle grade is a must read and could change your life!) Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi (This nonfiction read about the power of literature and living in Iran is so powerful—I’ve read it at least three or four times.)
What’s your proudest blogging/reading/writing moment? I think my proudest writing moment is finishing my 55,000 word dissertation in grad school! That was a trek, and before the blog started. I can’t say it wasn’t hard, but I actually did enjoy the process. But also, just starting the blog was one of my greatest bookish accomplishments—and I love the feeling of helping to promote good books. And (I know this is more than one) I LOVE connecting with authors and being able to personally tell them how much their books mean to me.
Anything else you’d like to share? Just that I love being a part of the book blogging community here. I don’t know what I’d do without my bookish friends—they are an important part of my life and I’m thankful for them and their thoughtful (and bookish) ways! Thanks Brittany for having me—this has been so much fun!

Thanks, Katie! It was so great getting to know you better on Book and a Beverage today!
I LOVE that cover — it’s so gorgeous! And so interesting how sometimes the UK (and international covers) just bring out a different side of the book than the US covers!  

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Katie! Connect with her at the links below!
Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Tumblr // Goodreads // Instagram

And don’t forget! You can participate in Book and a Beverage at any time! Got a book? Got a beverage? Just tweet or post your photo on Instagram using the hashtag #bookandabeverage and I’ll retweet or repost your photo!

Sign-ups are once again CLOSED (you guys sign up so quickly!) and I am booked through May 2015! It will be a long wait, but keep your eyes peeled for sign-ups to reopen in the spring!

#bookandabeverage

Hi, I'm Brittany!
Hi, I'm Brittany!

I'm an avid reader, candle-maker, and audiobook lover! Here you'll find book reviews, fun blog posts, and my other loves of photography & craft beer!

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5 thoughts on “Book and a Beverage [92] – Katie from Bookish Illuminations

  1. Emmy (Just the Books)

    Congratulations on your dissertation! That is quite the accomplishment! I’m super jealous of your Downton Abbey tea, by the way … I’m a huge fan of the show! I did find some Jane Austen tea once in a shop. I’m sad I didn’t buy any now!

    Reply
    1. Katie

      Thank you! It was amazing to finally be DONE! The tea is wonderful–you can find it at World Market! Jane Austen tea–sounds splendid! I love teas inspired by shows or books…

      Reply
    1. Katie

      I can definitely say that the first few chapters have convinced me it will be an interesting read! This cover really hooked me when I first saw it though! 🙂

      Reply

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