It’s a Baby Book Blogger-Riya from The Teen Book Guru

Just like my Freaky Friday Interviews of aspiring authors, I’ve discovered that there’s a whole world of YA bloggers just starting out. I thought it would be fun to highlight some of these newbie bloggers because-lets face it-bloggers are freaky book lovers too and we should all work together in our quest to take over the world one YA book at a time.

Today’s baby book blogger is Riya from The Teen Book Guru. Riya and I hit it off when she requested an ARC of TOUCHING THE SURFACE for review. Of course the people at Simon Pulse know I have absolutely no impulse control and are wise not to let me have the keys to the book vault, but that’s okay. I got a new friend out of the request and I just had to share her with you.

Bio: 15. Book Lover. Blogger. Totally Invincible.

Could you tell me a little about you and how you came to be a blogger.

My name is Riya, but all my friends call me Ira (my middle name), and I am an 8th grade student–In just a few months I will proudly be able to say that I have survived Middle School! If there is one thing you should know about me, it’s probably the fact that I am a complete and utter dork. Seriously. But I mean that in the best way possible; I dream of a day when the world is full of more people like us. 😛 I am always engulfed in a story… you won’t be able to find me without a book in hand! I love singing, (much to the dismay of people anywhere in a five mile radius!), writing, blogging, eating, and sleeping. Those are my favorite things to do in the whole wide world. I’ve always been an avid reader as far as I can remember, but I only got immersed in the book blogging community a little more than a month back. I remember very clearly, one day I was on the internet looking up a book and I started to come across all of these wonderful book blogs that dedicated themselves to reading, writing, reviewing and everything and anything to do with books. I remember feeling so much admiration and awe at the dedication, effort and passion they put into all of their posts, and I was inspired. Simple as that. Inspiration hit me in the head, and… bazaam! The Teen Book Guru was born! I think that it is such a great way for me to share my love of reading, and especially my obsession with Young Adult literature, which I do believe is taking over the world.

I love it when inspiration strikes.  And because I’m an utter dork too…I absolutely agree, we should take over the world. Now tell me, who has had an influence on you in the blogging community? What have they taught you? Who do you look up to?

I’ve had a lot of influences in the blogging community, and I am so very thankful to all of them. But just to name a few… Rabiah, from Confessions of a Readaholic, who I know personally, and she is just so down to earth and a kind and amazing person; Jessica, from Peace, Love, Books (a gorgeous blog which I often find myself obsessing over), who so generously and patiently offered me words of wisdom and kindness when I felt hopeless; and, of course, Kristi at The Story Siren– lets face it, who has NOT heard of this phenomenal blogger? Those are just a few of the bloggers who have inspired me (if I were to name all of them, we would be here forever!). Some other people who I absolutely adore and could not live without are my best friends, who always encourage me to follow my dreams, but are also there to slap me a couple of times and bring me back to earth when I need it— I love you guys!

Best friends are the BEST! It sounds so cliche but I don’t know what I would do without mine. What advice would you give new book bloggers? Is there any big mistakes you’ve made that they should avoid?

Wow. This might take some time. If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would definitely be to just ENJOY it. I would tell myself to stop worrying about the number of followers you have, or your stats, and don’t… please don’t compare your blog to other blogs, because that, my fellow bloggers, is the recipe for a disaster (and possibly a meltdown). To all new book bloggers (keep in mind, that I am only a month old myself,), if the number one reason you are starting up your blog is not because you WANT to and you love reading, then don’t do it. Have fun. Hang out with your friends. Eat chocolate. Blog. Life is good. 🙂

I think that’s a great mind set to have. I feel the same way about this debut author ride I’m on. I’m just trying to soak it in and enjoy every minute. What do you want to see from author/blogger relationships and interactions, considering they are always growing and changing?

I personally love the way the relationship between authors and bloggers are progressing. I love interacting with authors and talking to them about their books… they really are such lovely people— without them, we wouldn’t have stories and books!! I mean, I don’t really want to see any change, but I just hope that things stay the way they are. What really excites me is that I get to promote books that I so strongly believe in and work alongside the author to spread the news… and the best part is that people actually listen!! That makes me smile. I just feel so happy to do what I believe in and meet all these amazing people who are so inspiring.

And you are so appreciated for your hard work, love and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for all that you do to promote good books. *heart squish* Now you must tell me your top 5 most loved books that have had an impact on you and why.

Hmm… this is a hard one! In no particular order…

*Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine – This is the book that I have grown up with. It’s such a charming fairytale, and has a special place in my heart.

*The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett – One of my most beloved classics. Whenever I feel sad, this is the book I go to. The storytelling is amazing and Burnett’s writing is so magical.

*Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte – My copy is battered and creased from all the times I’ve read it. The tragic love story of Cathy and Heathcliff struck a chord inside me– I couldn’t think straight for a whole week after I read this heart-breakingly beautiful classic!

*The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien – One of my absolute favorite series. Tolkien truly is the master of fantasy–his books come alive and the world he creates is so magnificent… I remember wishing I could be transported into the story!!

*Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan – These books introduced me into what is now one of my major obsessions– greek mythology. Riordan craftily incorporates greek myths into a modern day society. I love Percy!

Thanks so much for having me!!! xox Riya

Riya, it was my pleasure. It has been so nice to get to know you better. If you’d like to learn more about Riya you can check out her blog THE TEEN BOOK GURU.

Tags: Baby Book Blogger, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, The Book Guru

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