Meet the Bookworm: Noelle

I’ve sent a couple of bookish questions to some bloggers and bookstagrammers who have been crazy enough to fill them out. In this series you’ll get to read their answers, admire their favourite reads and share their favourite stories. If you want to join the series just drop a comment below!

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Name
Noelle

Blog
Genie in a Novel

Twitter Handle
@genieinanovel

Instagram Handle
genieinanovel

What sort of things do you like to read? Any favourite books?
I like to read contemporary stories. Those are the easiest to relate to, though I do enjoy a good fantasy once in a while to take me away from earth! Some of my favorite books are Love & Gelato, Lola and the Boy Next Door, The Gallagher Girls series, Time Bomb, The Land of Stories series, and (obviously) the Harry Potter series.

What got you interested in books? Any particular books or people?
My mom was a big reader when I was growing up, so I think she had a lot of influence on my love for reading. I remember reading through Hardy Boys books, as well as Judy Blume books (Fudge, Double Fudge, Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret, etc.). So it’s just always been something I’ve done. I was that kid who loved silent reading time at school and was more likely to get in trouble for reading late at night.

Do you enjoy writing as well as reading? What sort of things do you write? Do the novels you read inspire you?
I do! I write mainly contemporary stories, and fanfiction. I would say the novels I read definitely inspire me. I find that once in a while I get the urge to try my hand at fantasy, but I’ve never actually done it… yet.

Was there ever a point where you found yourself reading less? Why? Do you have any tips for getting out of a reading slump?
Yeah. For a while when I first started college I wasn’t reading as much, like for a few years. I started picking back up a little maybe five years ago? I think it was just the stress from school that really made me too tired to want to read. Though I still go through the occasional reading slump, typically in March/April. No idea why. For getting out of a reading slump, my usual tip is to reread a favorite. It kind of rekindles the love of reading. Another one is to just not worry about it and let it be a reading break. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable, so trying to force it will make it worse. I actually wrote a post about this on my blog a while ago after I’d been in a slump.

What made you decide to engage with other bookworms on the internet? Are your internet bookworm friends different to your real life bookworm friends?
I think Goodreads and starting a blog was a main part of it. I saw how everyone interacted with each other and it just looked like a great community to be a part of – a community that loves reading and supports each other. I can’t say for sure if they’re different or not. I’m still kind of new to the community, so I haven’t gotten very close to anyone yet. I’d definitely love to though!

Do you have any reading routines? What about blogging or bookstagramming routines?
Kind of? I usually read when I go to the gym in the mornings, while I’m on the treadmill. And I like to get a few chapters in before bed. As for blogging, it’s when I can write or am inspired to do a post… or when I have to write a review. Then for bookstagram I take a Monday (my weekday off) every few weeks/once a month, to take a batch of photos and keep them ready to post.

Has interacting with bookworms online changed your reading at all? Do you think it’s for the better?
It’s definitely given me a lot more books to read! Haha! I have also learned from other bookworms how it’s better to just DNF a book that you’re not enjoying. I did that for the first time this year for a few books and it’s definitely great advice. Don’t waste time on something that you’re not enjoying.

Have you ever found yourself in a novel? If you had to pick one character you really relate to, who would it be and why?
I would say Cath from Fangirl. I acted just like her in college and had to brought out somewhat by friends to actually interact outside of class. And did I mention earlier that I write fanfiction?

If you blog or bookstagram what do you find most challenging? Any 2020 reading/blogging/bookstagramming goals?
Keeping up with a regular schedule for my blog. Sometimes I lose track and either do too many posts all at once or forget to post for a few weeks. My 2020 goals for my blog is to make some kind of schedule. My reading goals are to just keep reading books I enjoy, while maybe branching out more to other formats/genres. My best friend is really into manga and there are some interesting ones that I want to check out (by her recommendations).

Would you want to work in the wonderful world of books? Why/why not? Do you have a dream job in the book world?
I do, actually! I work as a librarian in my hometown library. I’ve been there for nearly four years, and I was a volunteer before that. I even graduated with my Masters in Library Science last spring, so I’m looking forward to what doors that will open for me in the field.

What advice would you give your younger self? Do you have any advice for budding bookworms out there?
I would tell my younger self to start a reading log/journal so I’d be able to look back on all the books I’ve read and what I thought about them at the time. Sometimes you don’t feel the same things when you reread because you know the story, but you catch things you missed before.

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Thanks Noelle for filling out the questions and joining my blog! I’ve heard a lot of book worms relate to Cath. Do you agree with her on any of these points? Do you get the March/April reading slump too?

Another bookworm will be featuring on my blog next Friday so stay tuned for that, otherwise we have the usual Top Ten Tuesday up next week!