Reading is escapism at it’s finest

Today we have the pleasure of hearing from Jen, another reader who agreed to be interviewed. As you will see, Jen also runs a reading site called In Literary Love.

Please tell us a little about yourself: for example, background, age range, country, general book reading habits. If you’re prepared to share your name or your first name, please do. 

Hi, my name is Jen and I am a 36 year old mother of two girls and have been with my partner for over 12 years. I work full time and read every chance I get. I am currently on book 70 for the year! [Jen wrote this in November – apologies to Jen for not posting sooner.]

In your opinion, what is the power of fiction? Fiction has the power to take you somewhere you’ve never been, escape the life you’re currently in, and distract you from almost anything. It’s truly a wonderful thing.

What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you steer clear of? I’m drawn to almost anything if the writing grabs me. I tend to steer clear of graphic novels. They’re not really my thing.

What aspects of an author’s writing make you feel like you’re ‘immersed in the novel’s world’ and/or ‘transported in time and place’. When an author has the ability describe a setting as if you’re looking at it with your own eyes. When they create and write a vision.

Which books read in the past year or so stand out for you and why? Where the Crawdads Sing [by Delia Owens]. The story of Kya, the descriptions of the marsh, all of these things drew me in and kept me there. A truly lyrical novel.

How do you decide what books to buy? What influences your book purchases? I honestly review a lot, so most of my books are given to me in order to review. However, when I do purchase, it’s usually a book peers and book group members raved about.

Is there anything about where you live or your particular background that influences your fiction choices? Not at all, to be honest.

If you’re a book blogger or run a book site, please tell us a little about your focus and features. I am and do both. In Literary Love is the name. Long story short, it started as a Facebook group as a way to help friends with their reading goals and provide book recommendations. Then it became a public forum to share my reviews and it kind of exploded from there. I now have a blog and Instagram, both of the same name. I share my reviews, interact with members. Write if I feel I have something to say. I have fun featuring books on my Instagram, sometimes taking part in book tours. It’s just simple, bookish fun.

If there is anything else about reading fiction, the kind of books available today, or the way reading is changing that you’d like to comment on, please do so.  Reading is escapism at its finest. 

Many thanks Jen and congratulations on your social media activities. You can find Jen on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

FOR MORE ON READING & WRITING HISTORICAL FICTION FOLLOW A WRITER OF HISTORY (using the widget on the left sidebar)

M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel, TIME AND REGRET was published by Lake Union. Mary’s other novels, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.