WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Hi! My name is Linda. Which I have been told is a popular name for pets in Spain. Ha ha!
WHERE ARE YOU?
Binghamton, in Upstate N.Y. Known for being the hometown of Rod Serling the creator of The Twilight Zone.
HOW DID YOU START BLOGGING?
I accidentally made this blog while trying to start a Google+ account, so I could verify Rafflecopter entries, to win an ARC. I decided as long as I had it, I would use it, and here I am!
MY BLOG NAME?
I am a member of a Harry Potter social site called MyLeaky that is part of The Leaky Cauldron website, and my username is La La Toadstone. I wanted a username that sounded wizarding worldish so I took my IRL nickname, La La, and combined it with the name of a cottage I used to live in, Toadstone Cottage. I figured all of my internet friends knew me as La La Toadstone, so I would incorporate that into the blog. At first I called the blog La La's Library, but the apostrophe always posted in HTML on Goodreads and looked awful, so it morphed into La La in the Library!
MY MAJOR BLOGGING GENRE?
YA Fantasy/Science Fiction/Paranormal with a little YA contemporary, but the Contemporary is always issue related and usually diversity based. I also review some Adult; again Fantasy/Science Fiction/Paranormal. You will never find any Romance on this blog. I have separate blogs for the Middle Grade and Children's books I read and review.
BEST BLOGGING EXPERIENCE?
I stumbled across a hidden gem of an indie YA Paranormal, titled OF BREAKABLE THINGS, during a deep dark reading slump that had been going on for over a month. This book pulled me out of that slumpage, and I also immediately re-read it, which is something I never do. I loved the book so much I began singing its praises all over the blogosphere, and in turn got to know the author pretty well after she agreed to answer one of my mini-interview questions on the review. I was lucky enough to win a copy of the book in a giveaway and she decided to send me her last author copy because she liked the formatting better, plus she personalized it to me and sent me a wonderful letter with it. I thought my book-loving heart was going to explode with all the love!
FAVE THING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY?
Oh my gosh, this could be a lengthy blog post in itself! Discussing books with bloggers of all different ages, backgrounds, and cultures; most times with the authors involved at some point. I grew up before the intetnet and I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined discussing a book with readers from all over the world and the author; let alone while sitting in my armchair drinking coffee! It makes my heart sing seeing all the young people with books and reading at the core of their existence. Interacting with them keeps my mind young, too!
FIVE 2016 BOOKS I AM EXCITED FOR?
FIVE 2016 BOOKS I AM EXCITED FOR?
BOOK BFF?
Most definitely Luna Lovegood!
OTHER HOBBIES OR INTERESTS?
I am retired from the music business and have not been doing gigs since my son was born. Last year one of my best musician friends died from a brain tumor that grew in a spot that made him not be able to hear or process music for the last two years of his life. After that I vowed I would not take being able to play music for granted ever again, so I have started practicing guitar again and learning new songs. I am planning on playing bar gigs with some old friends in the future.
OTHER THAN BOOK SHOPPING?
I love grocery shopping because I love cooking and trying new foods and recipes!
AUTHOR FOR TEA?
Ugh, this is going to sound so cliché, but J.K. Rowling because her books and the HP fandom were a major family bonding experience while my son was growing up. Our family unit broke up when he was twelve years old, and the books and fandom were a comforting constant in our home, and helped us transition into our new life. I would love to be able to tell her about the positive impact she has had on our family.
Thanks for stopping by!
I'm also super excited for The Cursed Child and definitely will check out Of Breakable Things :) That author encounter was so nice to read about!
ReplyDeleteYes! Amy is a real sweetheart. I am so happy the HP fandom is heating up again with the movie, play, and book! Thanks for dropping by. :)
DeleteI love this post! I love that you accidentally created your blog! That's absolutely horrible about your friend and I can see why it has inspired you to get back to your music. We read very different genres but I'm trying to try new things this year so I'm copying down the list of books you've loved and are looking forward too. Maggie Stiefvater is an author I'm planning on trying this year so I'm pleased to see her on your list!
ReplyDeleteMy friend Bill was a saint, too. He was always helping out other musicians and even their families. All of the things he has inspired us to do both musically and charitably we call "Billy Seeds". I am starting to look into having some fund raisers and starting a music scholarship at the high school we both attended. Yes, Maggie's books are great!
DeleteLinda, I have probably said before but JK has her highland home just five minutes away, she shops in our local grocery (yet to meet her) and on a more morbid note my father i law saw her at a local funeral last week so I'll do a deal if I can get her to come to dinner at mine I will try and get a weeks notice so you can fly over?!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you get her to come to dinner give her a hug from me and tell her my story. I would die dead away on the floor if I ran into her at the grocery store. Ha ha! I hope you do get to run into her, just don't passout on the floor like I would. :)
DeleteLinda is my grandmother's name and I loooooove it, so yeah, I think you have such a pretty name! ♥ Oh yeah, I forgot to put on my 2016 anticipated list the new HP book. I'm so getting it once it comes out. :D
ReplyDeleteIt has been so nice having new things in the HP fandom to look forward to again I am almost bursting with happiness! Linda was a very common name when I was growing up and there was always at least one other in my class, if not three. The teachers would always add our last initial when calling our names and I hated it. Ha! :)
DeleteLoving how everyone is so Harry Potter obsessed haha. The Cursed Child though <3 <3 <3 Cannot WAIT. And also, Luna is my bff, you're not taking her.
ReplyDeleteCan we share? And yes, I am loving all the new wizarding excitement. I keep wondering if Barnes and Noble will have a midnight drop of The Cursed Child. :)
DeleteHello Linda! Pleasure to meet you :) Love the Harry Potter love, as I'm a huge fan of the series! :D So glad you decided to pop in and join us for the Love-a-thon!
ReplyDeleteI have been having great fun reading everyone's introduction posts. The Raven King and A Darker Shade of Magic seem to be on everyone's TBR. :)
DeleteI'm so sorry about your friend, but I'm glad you're getting into music again.
ReplyDeleteSitting in an armchair and drinking coffee is the best! Amd omg, the cover for Broken Crowns looks so amazing!
Music and books are hand and hand my favorite things (besides my son and my cat, ha ha). I loved visiting your blog. :)
DeleteOne day we will sit in a coffee shop with steaming mugs of something (butterbeer perhaps??) and talk about books, HP, music, food, and life. You are a blogging ray of sunshine, and I adore you!
ReplyDeleteWell I am totally blushing right now! You are an author ray of sunshine, too. Coffee or a martini, either will do :D
DeleteHaha, I love that you created your blog by accident - looks like it all worked out for the best, though! And I envy your love of grocery shopping. It's not something I usually enjoy, to the point where my husband actually makes me wait in the car while he shops (I used to get bored and wander off to the book aisles, which drove him nuts).
ReplyDeleteMy ex and I loved grocery shopping together and look where that got us. Hehe. I have always had this thing about a well stocked pantry making me peaceful. :)
Delete"I started my blog by accident" is a great start-up story!
ReplyDeleteI used to have the tagline "The Accidental Blogger" on my masthead, but when I changed my design there was really nowhere to put it. :)
Delete*waves from Spain*
ReplyDeleteI've missed doing the #LoveAthon this year because my brain is overscattered as of late... But big hugs for you!!
That's okay, Pili, you are a blogger Love-A-Thon every day! :)
DeleteI love how the name of your blog came about! And J.K. Rowling is the perfect author to have tea with! That would be the most amazing tea date ever! I'm so thankful for the Loveathon bringing me to your blog! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI went to a lot of blogs yesterday and so many people said JKR for tea, also! Thanks for visiting. I am going to try and keep on visiting the blogs on the Love-A-Thon linky until I have been to every sing!e one!
Deleteahhh i cannot wait for harry potter and the cursed child! and luna would make an awesome BFF!
ReplyDeleteIt has been wonderful with all the new HP excitement, hasn't it? :)
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