1. Tell us a little bit about your blog:
Zara Alexis: The Bibliotaphe's Closet is a book blog primarily about literary fiction, historical fiction, young adult (YA) fiction, memoirs, and poetry. It contains book reviews, author interviews, book & author events, blog events & hops, and giveaways. Weekly features include:
- Meet Me on Mondays - a few personal answers to random questions hosted by "Acting Balanced"
- Tote Bag Tuesdays - newly purchased and won books in my tote bag
- Wish List Wednesdays - books & other items on my wish list
- On Writing Wednesdays - literary quotes, writing advice, anything and everything about writing
- Thursdays: Zara's Ink Blot - my personal creative pieces in short story, poem, essay, journal entry, or random thought
- Five-Question Fridays - answers to five questions as hosted by "5 Crooked Halos"
- Friday Author Fridays - feature post on an author
- Snapshot Saturdays - a post of one photograph as hosted by "At Home with Books":athomewithbooks.net
- Bucket List Sundays - items on my bucket list
- taking photographs
- watching great movies on DVD/BluRay with my husband and kids
- corresponding via snail mail with penpals throughout the globe
- practicing the art of mehendi by creating and designing henna body art
- making mala prayer beads
- yoga/pilates
- visiting historical sites, museums, art galleries
- sponsoring children through World Vision
- justice advocacy against all forms of discrimination including racism, sexism, and ageism
- singing karaoke
- hunting for vintage items at antique/thrift shops
- discovering new shades of lipstick and nail polish
- devouring sushi platters, kimchi, and samosas
- Jesus Christ
- Gustav Klimt
- Tony Stark of Iron Man
- Shirah from The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
- 49th Shelf: http://49thshelf.com/
- Distraction no. 99: http://distraction99.com/
- Kvetch Mom: http://kvetchmom.wordpress.
- Bloggiesta Olé! (March 30 – April 1): http://zaraalexis.
- Tote Bag Tuesday: 03.13.2012: http://zaraalexis.
- It Isn't May, But I'm Still Proud to Be an Asian: http://zaraalexis.wordpress.
2. How long have you been blogging and what do you love about it?
I've been passionate about reading and writing since I was a young child and decided at the age of eight that I wanted to be a writer. My resolve to do so grew into a lifelong practice, which led me to a great involvement in the writing community. I studied English Literature and Creative Writing throughout my academic career until I graduated with a useful BA in the field. That eventually led me to an editorial position for a number of years. Now, I work as a freelance writer.
Blogging was the natural evolution of that process. I officially created my blog and posted my first piece in December with very little knowledge about the technical aspect of it. I didn't know what a "widget" was or what "grabbing a button" meant! Since then, I've thoroughly enjoyed learning and re-designing my blog. I love being able to self-publish and create a space that advocates literacy and a genuine love of reading and writing for a community of readers with the same interests. I also love being an active part of that community, which includes book bloggers. I've "met" a diverse group of people who are just as passionate about blogging and books as I am and I love that.
3. Who is the person or group behind the blog?
I'm the bibliotaphe, the book hoarder, the collector of all things bookish.
4. What hobbies/interests do you have?
Aside from reading, writing, and reviewing books, I also enjoy:
5. If you could invite 4 people (real or fictional, living or dead) to a dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve?
I'd serve the customized menu from the dinner parties held in the book, The Night Circus.
...coffee, books, my Twitter account, my NoteBook, my favourite pen, my husband, and my children---not necessarily in that order!
7. Something people would be surprised to know about me is…
I was bald in high school by choice. I was the first girl to join the boys' wrestling team at school, which opened the doors for inclusivity. I can and love to sing. I'm obsessed with collecting mugs. I've been asked that I turn my penmanship into a font. I'm extremely scared of heights. My totem animal is the crow. I share my birthday with Joan of Arc. I can read Tarot cards. And in a past life, I would have married Denzel Washington.
8. Three of my favorite blogs to visit are:
- 49th Shelf: http://49thshelf.com/
- Distraction no. 99: http://distraction99.com/
- Kvetch Mom: http://kvetchmom.wordpress.
com/
9. Three of my favorite posts on my blog are (Include urls) :
- Bloggiesta Olé! (March 30 – April 1): http://zaraalexis.
wordpress.com/2012/03/05/ bloggiesta-ole-march-30-april- 1/ - Tote Bag Tuesday: 03.13.2012: http://zaraalexis.
wordpress.com/2012/03/11/ zaras-tote-bag-and-notes-on- the-typewriter/ - It Isn't May, But I'm Still Proud to Be an Asian: http://zaraalexis.wordpress.
com/2012/03/26/it-isnt-may- but-im-still-proud-to-be-an- asian-03-26-2012/
You can also find the Bibliotahphe's Closet and Zara on social media:
The Bibliotaphe's Closet on FB: https://www.facebook.com/
My Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/#
My Google+ profile: https://plus.google.
Thanks again to Zara for participating in this week's blog interview - if you'd like to be on the hot seat, drop me a line or leave a comment here and I'll send you the interview questions!
