Featured Blogger: Andye of Reading Teen

 

Reading Teen blogger Andye is a true lover of reading and the Young Adult genre. Andye is accompanied by a handful of other contributors, all varying in age, to review books for teens and parents looking for the best YA recommendations. Make sure to check out their site for great giveaways in addition to finding your next page-turner!

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I started blogging in February of 2010.  I began blogging to reach people about the Web site I had started (Parentalbookreviews.com).  I had been reading Young Adult books for awhile, and parents were always asking, “Is this book suitable for my child?”  I saw a need to provide information, and a blog was the best way to spread the word.  Since then, it’s grown into something much more than just a content site.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst other book blogs?

A: Firstly, we provide a service that has been very useful for parents, teens and surprisingly many other bloggers who ask us to read certain books so they can decide if it is suitable for them/their child.  Secondly, there are six of us, all at different ages, blogging together, so we reach a wide audience.  We have a 50-year-old grandmother, two 30-somethings moms, two teen girls and a teen boy who each have a specific day that we write.  We also do a lot of audiobook reviews, which seems to be another things we’ve become known for.

Q: What does your family think of your blogging?

A: Most of my family, with the exclusion of my husband, actually blog with me.  My 16 year old writes for Reading Teen, and my younger kids write for Reading Tween.  My husband is very supportive, and loves that I’ve found something I’m so passionate about.

Q: What blogs do you read?

A: I mostly read Young Adult book blogs.  My favorites are Mundie Moms, who have all the latest Mortal Instruments news, and Parajunkee, who always has fantastic advice about how to better your blog.

Q: How much time daily do you spend blogging?

A: Since there are 6 of us, my time varies.  I used to spend a lot more time, but now I’d say I spend 30 min some days, up to 3 hours other days and even more if I’m editing a video.

Q: How many times have you redesigned your blog since it started?

A: We’re constantly making little changes here and there, but as far as massive overhauls go, we’ve redesigned three times.

Q: How much do you correspond one-on-one with readers?

A: Quite a bit, whether on Twitter, Facebook, email or responding to comments.  I try to respond to everyone who talks to me.

Q: What joys did you not expect when you started blogging?  What pains?

A: I didn’t expect the huge blogging community, the friendships, the support and the excitement.  It’s all been so overwhelmingly awesome!  The pain I didn’t expect would be the huge time commitment.

Q: What’s something your readers don’t know about you?

A: I only started reading a couple of years ago.  Literally.  I didn’t read growing up, I haven’t read any of the classics.  I never, ever read for pleasure, and barely for school.  It wasn’t until Harry Potter, and then Twilight that I discovered my love of reading, and that my genre was Young Adult.

Q: What’s your personal favorite book?

A: Besides the Harry Potter series?  It would have to be Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  I think I could read that book over and over again.

 

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