YA Books are Epic: Thank you so so much for doing this with me!!
Emma: Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog! I’m excited to be here.
YA Books are Epic: So, let’s start with an easy one. What or who got you into reading? How old were you?
Emma: I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember! My mom used to take me to the library all the time from two years old and up, and we always had books in my house. I really fell in love with reading in elementary school, but my resurgence of reading came during my senior year of high school.
YA Books are Epic: Are there any authors or book series that got you into reading?
Emma: My earliest memory of picking up a series consistently on my own was The Bailey School Kids series in second grade. A few years Harry Potter came along and completely transformed the reading game for me, followed by the twi-hard stage of Twilight fandomhood in middle school. Then I’m high school, I discovered The Mortal Instruments series which is why I’m the reader I am today, so I’d say all 4 had huge influences on my life.
YA Books are Epic: What book character did you relate to when you were younger?
Emma: I honestly can’t think of a character I related to when I was younger! I’ve always been a plot based reader so there have definitely been characters I loved, but no one I really saw myself in. I didn’t start to see myself in literature until I began opening up my horizons with different kinds of books that followed various character storylines.
YA Books are Epic: What format do you like the most? Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook or eBook?
Emma: I prefer hardcover! Audiobooks are very useful for readers, but there is nothing like holding a book and immersing yourself in a story on page.
YA Books are Epic: You are one of my favorite booktubers. Tell us what booktube is, how you found it and why you started a channel.
Emma: Thank you so much! BookTube is essentially a division of the online book community (on YouTube) where people make videos talking about books! I first found BookTube from searching online about my new favorite series (The Mortal Instruments) and videos about the series came up in my recommendeds. I fell in love with watching these people unashamed of their love for reading, and I was desperately in need of people to talk about books with, so I decided to join the community myself.
YA Books are Epic: If you had to pick one series out of all on your shelfs which one would you take on a stranded island?
Emma: Ah that is such a hard question! I’m torn between Harry Potter by JK Rowling and The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. I could reread both of these books for eternity, but they mean different things for me. Harry represents my childhood love for reading that shaped my love for books for years to come but TMI gave me comfort and an escape when I needed it, as well as have given me the confidence and essentially the life I live today. I’m not sure which I could really choose!
YA Books are Epic: If you could live with one author who would it be and why?
Emma: I would probably live with Adam Silvera because I think we would get along well as roommates but also we 100% would wake each other up in the middle of the night to discuss books.
YA Books are Epic: If you had to chose one of your videos as your favorite which one would it be and why?
Emma: That is almost as hard as asking my favorite book! My answer changes constantly, but right now I would say my interview with Cassandra Clare. The video went PERFECTLY and it was so surreal to sit and talk with the person who is the reason I started my channel. Otherwise, I’d say my “tip videos” are my favorite. My BookTubing 101 series, videos like “how to read with a busy schedule” and “how to survive your next book signing” are always so fun to prepare for and I love being able to give something back to the community.
YA Books are Epic: Do you have a favorite author? If so how did that author’s books or series changed your life?
Emma: I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but Cassandra Clare absolutely changed my life. I found her books in a really dark time and they became my utter lifeline. They were my friends, they were my safety blanket, and they filled the hole that was impacting my life at the time. Without these books, I wouldn’t be on BookTube. I wouldn’t have the friends I have today. I wouldn’t be a part of this community or have experienced a massive chunk of some of the best things to ever happen to me. It’s impossible to imagine where I’d be without them, but I am forever grateful for what Cassie has done for me.
YA Books are Epic: Do you recommend any other booktubers for us to check it?
Emma: Michael BookLion is my very best friend and he is the definition of hysterical. Sarawithoutanh is extremely funny, creative, and entertaining. Whittynovels is super eloquent in her bookish opinions and also expands her channel to talk about journaling and music. Some of the BookTubers that are very dear to me that inspired me to start my channel are PolandBananasBOOKS, jessethereader, katytastic, and abookutopia.
YA Books are Epic: I know you’re going to BEA this year and have been going for quite a few years. What is BEA, who can go, what happens at BEA, and how does BEA help you be a better booktuber?
Emma: BEA is Book Expo America (now just called Book Expo) is a publishing industry event that happens every year. It’s for people who work in the “book world” like booksellers, librarians, publishers, authors, and reviewers! Essentially at BEA, you attend signings with authors, publishers give away upcoming releases for booksellers/librarians to order and bloggers to review, and sometimes we get to interview authors for our platforms. It helps me become a better BookTuber because I get experience in the industry by making new connections and staying up to date with what’s new in the publishing world!!
YA Books are Epic: Have you read Blackhearts and Blacksouls? If not would you like to?
Emma: I have not read them but they’re on my TBR!
YA Books are Epic: Thanks again Emma for doing this!! I love watching your videos and I am always looking forward to seeing your next video!
Emma: Thank you so much for all of your lovely questions! I’ve had a great time chatting with you. 🙂
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