Today on fLiP iT fRiDaY, we’re chatting with Hope from Hope’s Bookshelf, aka @princess2293 on Twitter.

So check this out. I’ve been video-stalking Hope ever since March, when she casually mentioned TWENTY BOY SUMMER in her “In My Mailbox” video. It was the first time I’d seen the book mentioned on film, in the hands of a real live reader, and I watched the thing like 20 times.

(Now you know what a crazy psycho I am… okay you probably already knew. Anyway!) After reading TBS, Hope went on to create a book trailer and she also participated in a collaborative surprise video on the day TBS hit the shelves officially. Needless to say, I ❤ Hope and I'm thrilled to introduce her today!

Describe a typical day in your life.

On a normal day, I get up at six in the morning, take a shower, and then get ready for school. My mom gives me a ride three days a week on her way to work, and the other two I ride my bus. Then I go to school which runs from 8 AM to 2:54 PM. Mondays, I ride the bus home, Tuesday’s I have my piano lesson right after school, and then I volunteer at the library and tutor, Wednesday’s I have church, Thursday’s I volunteer at the library again and tutor some more, and then on Friday’s I have my vocal lesson. On Saturday’s, I participate in a bowling league in the mornings, and then on Sunday’s I have church, too.

What is your favorite YA book and why? Or, which YA book has had the most profound effect on you and why?

There have been lots of YA books that have had an impact on me. Most of the books I read do have an impact on my life in one way or another. It’s just too difficult to pick one book or author when there are so many that I love and that have impacted me.

I like this answer. I feel like my favorites change often because I read so many amazing books. The list just keeps on growing and rotating.

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. Books.
2. My laptop (with the Internet. :D)
3. Friends.
4. Music and my iPod.
5. My cell phone.

How long have you been blogging, and how did you get your book blogging start?

I started my blog on February 10, 2008. It was kind of a spur of the moment decision and I never thought that it’d become as big as it has today. On February 10th of last year, I had a snow day. On this snow day, I found The Page Flipper’s blog, and then shortly after I found The Story Siren, and I was like, “I read a lot. I could do this.” And so the madness began.

Page Flipper and Story Siren rock! How cool that they’re not just influencing readers to check out new books, but to start their own book blogs.

Are you planning any upcoming new features or special content on your book blog and/or is there anything specific you want potential new visitors to know about your blog?

I’m not planning any new upcoming features, but I do participate in some right now. Every Sunday, I do the In My Mailbox meme which was started by Kristi and Alea. On Wednesdays, I participate in the Waiting on Wednesday meme, and on Thursday’s I started my own special feature called Cover Craziness, which features books that have pretty covers. Once a week, I also have an author interview.

I am in the works of brewing up a special event in August, half for my sixteenth birthday, and half for a late one-year blog anniversary…

Can’t wait for Hope’s birthday! We’ll chat more about this in a later post!

*Cackles maniacally*

In addition to blogging, what other creative pursuits do you enjoy?

I do write some, though I don’t think it’s very good. I also sing (I’m in my school choir and also community choir), and play the piano, which I’ve done for four years. I volunteer at the library shelving books, which I find really fun. I also tutor some students for Algebra I and reading. I’m also apart of my school’s Student Government, Key Club, and National Honor Society.

Okay, so if I owned a college, let’s call it Sarah University, I would let you in like right now. Seriously. You wouldn’t even have to take the SATs or do an admissions essay or anything. I’m not sure how far a degree from Sarah University will get you, but the invite is always open. 🙂

What do you want to be when you “grow up”?

I would like to either be a preschool teacher or a music teacher.

Yeah, I guess you might need a little something more official than your honorary U of S degree.

What are 3 things you’d like to do or accomplish in your lifetime?

1. Visit France, England, and Ireland. In general, just travel more.
2. Meet my favorite authors.
3. Read as many books as I can get my hands on.

Same here, on all 3! And I still can’t believe how many book bloggers want to travel the world. Seriously. If we can get funding for this giant YA book writer/reader/blogger road trip we keep talking about, it’s going to be the best time ever. Maybe we need to do like a ginormous bake sale…

Tell us something that people who know you in real life would be surprised to learn about you.

I have a really bad potty mouth. xD

OMG! Me, too! No one ever believes me, either. Okay, now our road trip is going to be even more fun, because Hope and I are going to get grounded from the tour bus for saying $@#&%!

Now, it’s time for Apocalypse Mad Libs!

If I ever had to face the world coming to an end I’d want Cassandra Clare on my side, because she writes really good fighting scenes where the world almost comes to the end. .

If she wasn’t available, I’d take Jace from the book, City of Bones, because he is a good fighter (and good looking ;)).

In any case, if I only had 1 day to live before the end of the world, I’d eat chicken and broccoli casserole, pickles, and Ramen Noodles and then I’d tell everyone, “Don’t miss me.”

Thank you, Hope, for stopping by fLiP iT fRiDaY today! Check out Hope at Hope’s Book Shelf, where you’ll also find links to her YouTube channel, and follow her at @princess2293 on Twitter.

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fLiP iT fRiDaY is a weekly feature at SarahOckler.com showcasing the fabulous YA book bloggers and reviewers who share young adult fiction with the world and inspire raves, rants, intelligent discourse, and a whole bunch of book-lovin’ among readers everywhere. If you’d like to be featured on fLiP iT fRiDaY, contact me!