Book and a Beverage [10] – Cait from The Hopeful Heroine

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!

Let’s all say hello to Cait from The Hopeful Heroine!

Name & Blog Name: Cait from The Hopeful Heroine
Tell us a little about your blog! I started The Hopeful Heroine last August on a whim from a professor. She suggested I start blogging reviews to build up my portfolio for when and if I ever want to try to write for a children’s literature journal. So I created my alter ego, found a trusty sidekick (Captain Nosy) and started writing. My idea was to review YA and middle grade books, which I still d both, but I feel as if I’ve shifted more into a middle grade focus. I love that age for stories because of the imagination kids have, and I think they are more apt to believe I’m really a superhero secret detective in real life. (Which I totally am by the way!) Also, all of the REALLY good doodles come from my husband as he’s the artist behind the blog. The not-so-good ones, those are all me though I am becoming a master of photoshop!
What’s been your favorite post you’ve written so far? (Link us up!) This is sort of like picking your favorite kid or aunt or uncle or something!! But I’d have to go with some of my features. I started Wednesday Wonderings last fall when I just needed to get some of my bookish thoughts out. Someday, I’d like to have a future list plotted out so others can participate if they want! I also really love the features I planned for this summer:  Soundtracks & Stories  and Friday Follies.  With S&S, I’m forever hearing songs on the radio or my iPod that just really strike me as the perfect match up with a story. For FF, I have wanderlust disease and not quite the time to really travel, so I decided to just take some jaunts around the world in a weekend.
Got anything special coming up we should know about? Well…yes, but it’s not so soon. My plan was to start a new series this summer having to do with my life and Sarah Dessen books, but then I wasn’t feeling the writing–I’m big on inspiration. So, I’m already prepping for next summer to be my Summer of Sarah Dessen. Plus I’ll have read her new book by then!
Also, I’ll be featuring my Banned Book Week and Teen Read Week again this year so I’ll be posting for participants soon!

Whatcha reading? Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Where did it come from? (Library, purchased, publisher, etc) The library aka the all-powerful  source of most of my reads
Any special reason you chose to feature this book? It’s what I am currently reading and currently loving. Plus, I am a fantasy nerd and this is a YA fantasy series that I think everyone should delve into!
What’s important that we should know about this book? Would you recommend it? Um…it’s fabulously awesome, and this is the second book in The Grisha Series. The story is mix of fantasy, small science, and romance.  Highly recommended!

Whatcha drinking? All things coffee–this just happens to be a Hawaiian blend in my favorite cup. I bought it years ago while I was working in a book store, and dropped in the moment I got home. However, the crack and chip sort of give it character, and I think it’s part of my muse. I only drink from this cup when I’m writing.
What’s your favorite thing to drink while reading? In the morning, I’m definitely a coffee girl–hot and iced– but after 5pm you’ll often find a good stout in my hands.
Favorite beverage of all time. Go! Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s the perfect addition to Fall.

What are your top three books you would recommend to other people? SO. HARD. But….hands down, the Harry Potter series because it will leave readers wanting for fabulous fantasy stories, the world building is intricate and awe inspiring, and there are so many good lessons and quotes to pull from it. Wonder  by R.J. Palacio because it’s a book that every single adult in this world needs to read. And Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver because I’ve been big into books about grief lately, and this is the one book that I feel captures everything.
What’s your proudest blogging/reading/writing moment? Honestly, just getting to tweet/email other book bloggers. I feel like, even though I haven’t met anyone in real life yet, I’m building friendships and if I ever get to a book signing or my dream-BEA-with them, then when we do meet we’d hit it off as old friends!
Anything else you’d like to share? I actually have a few other projects around the internet these day.. I’m trying to Tumbl my #yearofnoexpectations which is pretty much my year long experiment of gratitude that I hope to turn into a memoir someday. My blog looks far behind in pictures, but my phone is sooo full of pics and writing it’s ridiculous. I’m also somewhat starting my own business, and it’s crazy, and fun, and a journey I’m really excited for.

Thanks, Cait! Hopefully we’ll get to meet someday and YAYYYY for SIEGE AND STORM! Also, pumpkin spice latte….. BEST drink of fall and maybe all time.

You can find out more about Cait at her blog, The Hopeful Heroine, on Twitter, Tumblr, and Goodreads!

Are you interested in being featured on BOOK AND A BEVERAGE? Head on over to this feature’s page for the sign-up form!