BBAW Day 2: Interview Swap with Joy's Book Blog!

I gotta say, I think this is the BBAW day that I have been looking forward to the most.  Today is Interview Swap day!  I was paired up with Joy from Joy's Book Blog, and we are highlighting each other's blogs on our sites today.  She makes an effort to mix her reading passions with health-conscious tips and discussions, which I think makes her pretty unique in the book blog world.  I had a great time communicating with her, and I'm excited to share her responses with you!  Read on:

Joy with her mother's copy of Little Women, inscribed from her mother for Christmas 1946...how cool!

1. Starting with some basics: where are you from?  What do you do (when you're not blogging, of course!), both professionally and/or for fun?

I grew up in the small Mississippi River town of Louisiana, Missouri and now I live in Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis. I'm a librarian, not currently working in a library. I spend my time gardening, cooking, and writing. 

2. What inspired you to start your blog (especially the combination of reading and fitness posts)?

Once I was no longer working in a library, I started Joy's Book Blog to be part of the book blogging community as an outlet for talking about books. Readers' Workouts, the weekly meme for bookish people who exercise, was started by Mari at Bookworm with a View. I took it over because I liked the accountability. I've been rather amazed at how much we have in common as reading athletes, from the necessity of making difficult choices between books and exercise to always being on the look out for bookish ways to keep ourselves entertained while working out. 

3. If you had to illustrate your reading preferences in 3 books, which 3 books would you choose and why?

Let's go with Ireland Awakening by Edward Rutherfurd (http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2012/06/22/book-review-ireland-awakening-by-edward-rutherfurd/) to illustrate the books I read for fun -- novels that take me to exotic times and spaces. 

Why Calories Count by Marion Nestle and Malden Nesheim (http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2012/06/30/book-review-why-calories-count-by-marion-nestle-and-malden-nesheim/) can stand in for the books that support my healthy lifestyle.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2011/01/28/book-review-the-warmth-of-other-suns/) represents the books that my book club reads about race in America -- I have learned so much about American history, culture, and psychology from this book club along with making terrific friends!

4. What book has been on your TBR pile the longest?

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Now with all the controversy surrounding it, who knows if I'll ever get to it?

5. What were some of your favorite books in childhood/adolescence?

I loved mystery series starting with the Bobbsey Twins in third grade, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys around sixth grade, and Perry Mason in high school. 

6. What's your favorite blog post that you've written so far?

Books to Support a Healthy Lifestyle: http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2012/01/07/books-to-support-a-healthy-lifestyle/

7. What's been your biggest challenge as a book blogger?

Time. But, then, that's my biggest challenge for everything.

8. Where do you hope to take your blog in the future?

I would like to build a larger community of health-conscious readers. I'm not quite sure how to make a book blog do that, so I'm open to suggestions!

Thanks for the interview, Joy!  Head on over here to discover Joy's blog, and read my interview!