We’re back with a new guest today on today’s fLiP iT fRiDaY — first one of the new year! Please welcome Lenore from Presenting Lenore, aka @lenoreva on Twitter.

Describe a typical day in your life.

My day always begins with my cat Emmy waking me up earlier than I want to be awake. You should hear her meow. Wow. I pet her until she runs off, make sure she has food and water and then I shuffle over to check my e-mail and google reader. If I have a freelance writing project with an urgent deadline, I work on that. If not, I curl up with a book. Then it’s lunch – either a quick sandwich or a stroll with my husband down to one of our favorite restaurants. In the afternoon, I’m either working or running errands. Sometimes I’ll go for a long walk, bike ride, or to a pilates class. Evenings we’ll often have some sort of social activity or we’ll watch a movie/TV series.

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

I’ve only recently gotten back into reading YA – let’s say in the last year. It’s so much more consistently sophisticated and innovative than it was back when I was actually in the target demographic. I am really into YA dystopias like Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.

I feel the same way about YA — so much more sophisticated and cool now, thanks to pioneer authors who weren’t afraid to take risks and the librarians and booksellers who supported them. It’s a great time to be part of the YA writing and reading community! By the way, I can’t wait for Hunger Games 3!

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. Books, especially my signed ones.
2. My travel journal where I record my adventures from my trips.
3. My grandmother’s fried Okra with fresh tomatoes from her garden.
4. A comforter that my mother made for me when I was 10 (I still use it).
5. The foreign money collection I’ve amassed together with my father.

Ah, I think if I ever met you in person, I would just love you! All of your answers made me sigh (in a good way).

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

I started my blog in April 2007 but back then, it was mostly for the benefit of family and friends who wanted to see my vacation photos. In April 2008, I repurposed it into a book blog after hearing a speaker at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

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?

Book reviews are my main focus. I like to be involved in collaborative projects with other bloggers so you’ll probably see more of that. Hopefully more author interviews, more discussions and more fun! What else? I don’t do many memes, but I was one of the first to participate in Waiting on Wednesday and I really like featuring upcoming books.

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

I am working on several picture book projects with my husband. His first illustrated book, IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN?, is coming out with HarperCollins in Summer 2010 so that has opened the door just a sliver for us to present our joint work to editors.

How fun! I love that book title. And since I’ve just professed my love for you, and I live in Buffalo, I have even more reason to pick up that book. Good luck on your future collaborations! Working on a book project with my husband is one of my dreams, too.

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

Well, I just sort of fell into my current occupation as a freelance advertising copywriter. I’ve been doing it for quite a few years now and enjoy it. But I always still think I’d like to be a diplomat and join the US Foreign Service.

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

These questions just keep getting harder! Let’s see…

1. I want to learn Russian.
2. I’d like to visit Bhutan.
3. And someday publish a book.

In college I had a good friend from Russia who taught me how to say “веснушки (vesnushki).” Freckles. There, now you’re well on your way! 😉

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

People who know me in real life probably aren’t surprised by anything I say or do anymore.

Then you need to shake things up, girl! I’m thinking of something that involves a gorilla suit, a case of bananas, a bucket of red paint, and a cannon…

Now, it’s time for Apocalypse Mad Libs!

If I ever had to face a raving pack of Zombie Chickens out to take vengeance on all those who did not pass on the Zombie Chicken Award I’d want A.S. King on my side, because she is very creative and I’m sure we could come up with some survival strategies together.

If she wasn’t available, I’d take Emer from the book Dust of 100 Dogs, because she can rock a sword and isn’t afraid to break necks.

In any case, if I only had 1 day to live before the end of the world, I’d eat 2 bags of Almond M&Ms and wash them down with a nice glass of chai tea and then I’d tell everyone, “Remember Zamora Chinchipe!”

Thank God I already got my Zombie Chicken award! Thanks for joining us on today’s fLiP iT fRiDaY, Lenore!

Don’t forget to check out Lenore’s blog at Presenting Lenore and follow her on Twitter at @lenoreva. Hopefully if she decides to try out that whole gorilla/cannon/bananas thing, she’ll post some photographic evidence! 🙂

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!

We’re braving the frigid Buffalo cold to chat with Katie from Katie’s Bookshelf, which on a day like today comes out more like K-K-Katie’s B-b-b-b-bookshelf. So pull up a chair, wrap your hands around a mug of hot chai, and join me in welcoming Katie to today’s fLiP iT fRiDaY!

Describe a typical day in your life.

On a weekday, I would usually wake up at 8:00 and pry myself out of bed after hitting the snooze button at least twice. Then I drive to school and enjoy the heavenly palace that is high school until 3:00. Next, I go to the post office to see if I got any new books. My last stop is home where I get something to eat, check my email, and blog. Very exciting and edgy, right?

Well, I guess it depends on where you go to school. Hogwarts? Forks High School? Spence Academy? Could get pretty edgy and exciting indeed!

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

Hmm..this is a hard one. There are so many! I really liked Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. Books that have a lot of music references and themes are very interesting to me.

I liked Just Listen, too. If you like books with music, check out Struts & Frets by Jon Skovron or Danielle Joseph’s Shrinking Violet.

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. books, of course
2. grilled cheese
3. getting mail
4. mountain dew
5. cheesecake

(Is it weird that 3 out of 5 were food/beverage items?)

Weird? Nah. Besides, I totally agree with most of your faves. If there was a good way to send grilled cheese in the mail, I’d never leave the house again.

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

I’ve been blogging since December so that’s a little over a year. I came across some other YA book blogs through sites like randombuzzers and thought “hey, that looks like a lot of fun. Why not give it a try?” I read all the time so writing reviews gives me a chance to express my opinions and meet lots of new people!

Happy blogoversary!

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 recently started doing posts dedicated to book trailers. Those usually go up on Saturday. I’m going to try to have contests more often because, well, who doesn’t love the chance to get free books? I’d want new visitors to know that I strive to write honest reviews and take a lot of time working on my blog.

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

I’m really not creative at all. I tried ballet and jazz dance classes but it was more embarrassing than productive. Seriously, you guys would all fall down laughing if you had attended one of my recitals. It was that bad.

I feel your pain. I never dance in public (unless I’m not in my right mind). Carlton Banks, anyone?

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

I’d really like to be a publicist or work in some type of PR department somewhere. Or, heck, maybe I’ll go the medical route and be a podiatrist. Who knows?

What about a book publicist who also gives foot massages? I’d totally pay for that! Though, I think it’s the book publicists that deserve the massages. They run around like crazy!

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

1. road trip to all 50 states in the US
2. be valedectorian (I guess I’d settle for salutatorian)
3. be a foreign exchange student

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

Hmm..this is a hard one. Actually, not many of my friends know that I blog. I just kept it to myself so that I could be free to write honestly.

Thanks for braving the elements to visit us today on fLiP iT fRiDaY, Katie! Readers, you can follow Katie on Twitter @katiesbookshelf and check out her reviews and contests on Katie’s Bookshelf. You can also watch her progress on the 2010 YA Debut Book Challenge and other fun challenges throughout the year.

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!

Today’s interview is especially cool, because in true Freaky Friday style, the special guest and I have switched places. While Thao chats with us over here for fLiP iT fRiDaY, I’m hanging out on her Friday Flavor feature, vlogging about a few good reads and giving away an ARC of Sara Zarr’s ONCE WAS LOST. So after you’ve had a chance to get to know Thao on fLiP iT fRiDaY, skip on over to her blog, Serene Hours, to watch the video and enter the giveaway. You can also follow Thao on Twitter @serenehours.

Describe a typical day in your life.

It’s really boring to be honest. Wake up, go to school, go back home, do housework, homework, then read or watch TV. The last few hours is for internet, including blogging. I really hope I can add a few things like club meeting or working at a bookstore/flower shop someday soon : )

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

Can I have a list of my favorite YA books? Well If I have to pick one, I’ll pick Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It’s the coolest and scariest book I’ve ever got my hands on. I really like the subject of suicide / dealing with life of teenagers and Jay Asher makes it even more interesting. The story exposes the darkest and most depressing corners of life that readers are hardly aware of. The writing is raw thus everything seems real to the point of horror. It provoked a lot of thoughts and feelings in me. I realized that sometimes what we unconsciously do can hurt the others really badly even though to us it’s nothing but a joke. The book makes me wanna be a much better person and tells me not to judge people from sloppy impressions or rumors. I just love love Thirteen Reasons Why.

Thirteen Reasons Why was interesting in this way — definitely made me think about how seemingly insignificant or harmless things can really devastate a person’s life.

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. Books,
2. my ipod which is full of cool music,
3. letters (old-fashioned I know, but I love random letters),
4. my stuffed puppy,
5. and my blanket.

I love letters, too! Like, real hand-written ones. I can’t even remember the last time I got an actual letter in the mail. I’m not talking about the holiday newsletter people stick in their Christmas cards, which is fun in its own way, but a real, hand-written, personal letter. If iPhone could invent “an app for that,” the world would be a better place for sure.

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

I’ve been blogging for almost a year. Last November I discovered the book blogging community and was in awe. I thought it was really fun to read and review and make friends with people who love books just as I do, so I started Serene Hours. I was scared it would fail, but everything is going slowly but nicely now.

Letter writing aside, I do think that blogging — and interacting online in general — with book bloggers, authors, librarians, and other people who just love books, really does connect people in a community kind of way. I don’t mean just gaining “followers” or “friending” people (though obviously that’s part of social networking), but by making real friends that, if not for these technologies and Web sites, we never would have met. I know I’ve developed several great friendships with people I met online just because we all happen to love books.

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 really want hold contests/giveaways and I’m doing my best to have them featured on my blog as soon as possible. I will also include author guest posts in the future – which I think is really cool. And I’ll post some review vblogs for fun now and then. I hope you’ll enjoy them all!

Thao has already started on some of these endeavors! Don’t forget to check out today’s Friday Flavor, then stick around on Serene Hours to see what other fun interviews and giveaways Thao’s got planned!

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

Creative writing. I’ve always wanted to become an author. As you see, my daily life is kinda boring and I don’t have much luck in my love life either. So it becomes a habit to me of imagining things in a brighter and funnier way. I wanna create worlds of excitement, surprise and extraordinariness where I have the power to control everything. Creating plots is one of my favorite things to do. Right now I have four on my mind and I’m going to put one down on paper soon, hopefully someday it’ll come out as a book *dreams on*. And yeah, I have to mention the joy of naming characters too, it’s as fun as naming children.

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

It changed throughout the years. First I wanted to be an artist. Then I wanted to be a teacher. Now all I want is to become a writer who owns a bookstore that sells YA books at cheaper prices than usual ^^

That sounds awesome. Fun, too!

*Runs to Thao’s bookstore to get in line*

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

1. I’d love to be a successful YA writer.
2. I also want to be a good mother of two twin girls and one boy and raise them as well as my parents raised me.
3. And I want to travel around the world with my loved ones, or at least get to Paris, London and Venice like I always wish to.

*Makes room on the bus for the world-traveling YA authors and bloggers tour.*

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

Someone who got this book called “What does your brithday means” tell me that according to what she read, people who were born on the same day as mine were somehow possessed by dark emotional forces. And it was so true. I have never realized it or told anyone but I really like to read/write/watch dark and sad stuff. Tragedy intrigues me. It makes me feel happy. Weird right?

Tragedy makes you feel happy?

*Backs away slowly.* *Hides sharp objects.*

Seriously, though, I think we’re all possessed by dark emotional forces to some extent. We can all relate to things like loss, heartbreak, unfulfilled longing, fear. Reading or creating dark, emotionally-intense work is a way for us to explore this side of ourselves.

And speaking of dark forces…

Now, it’s time for Apocalypse Mad Libs!

If I ever had to face a vampire take-over I’d want Lisa Schroeder on my side, because she’s someone who can deal with these creepy creatures as well as making me feel happy. She did have a funny phone call with Mr. Edward Cullen and even dared to demand him – the epitome of vampires – to read her book (even though he unpityingly refused). And the fact that she’s funny and friendly is undeniable.

If she wasn’t available, I’d take Jackson (sorry Ava, he’s mine now) from the book I Heart You, You Haunt Me, because ghosts can surely kick vampires’ asses and what girl doesn’t want such a charming guy to be with her when the world may come to an end?

In any case, if I only had 1 day to live before the end of the world, I’d eat one hundred Oreo cakesters with honey and then I’d tell everyone, “See you soon in another world. Don’t forget to bring books along!”

Edward Cullen, Oreo cakesters with honey… I’m in. 🙂

Thanks for chatting with us on fLiP iT fRiDaY, Thao! Visit Thao at Serene Hours or as @serenehours on Twitter.

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!

Happy day after Thanksgiving to my American friends! I hope you’re all enjoying the food coma – slash – family time overload – slash – day of consumerism (for those of you who love to shop on this busiest shopping day… hopefully you hit up the book stores)! Thanks for taking a break from the turkey (or veggie chili, as in my house) and checking out today’s fLiP iT fRiDaY, where we’re chatting with Vania from Reverie Book Reviews, aka @ReverieBR on Twitter.

Describe a typical day in your life.

Honestly, it depends on the day. Mon/Wed I have work early, at 8:00, where I nanny. Then I have lunch at home, catch up on emails and blog, and then head off to school, where I probably stay on the computer (it’s a digital photography class) and blog some more or do blog/book related stuff and chat with my blogger friends. But, I first get my work done in that class.

Tue/Thu I have classes all day with a lunch break where I usually use to eat and blog. (I blog a lot!) I end class around 7:00pm (LOOONG DAY!) and head home finally. I usually read in between classes and mostly at night. I have all my books lined up above my bed on the window sill. Easy access.

Weekends, including Friday, are as they go kind of days. Usually read, do homework, work some more, and work on various projects for my art classes. They’re my catch-up days.

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

My favorite is Graceling by Kristin Cashore. It’s a wonderful story of adventure and love, yet filled with self discovery. But, the one book that has had the most profound impact on me as of late has to be Wake/Fade by Lisa McMann. Something about the power of dreams and overcoming your greatest fear has me so enthralled with the power to overcome anything. For those who have read the book know that Janie overcomes a HUGE obstacle, many even, yet she triumphs. I love that and I take it to heart.

Wake and Fade have been on my TBR list for a while, and several people have recommended them. I have this Borders giftcard just burnin’ a hole in my pocket, and, coincidentally, I’m doing a signing there tomorrow. It’s fate! Wake and Fade, here I come. Glad to hear you loved them so much, V.

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. My camera- I am a photographer and nothing, NOTHING, is more important to my life than the ability to be creative and express myself. It is who I am.
2. My massive purse/life bag — It holds everything. My camera, phone, books, agendas. Knick knacks. Junk. It’s as heavy as a ton of bricks but I adore it and cannot make it smaller.
3. Music — Love anything and everything and must have it when I work (on my photography). It has the power to transform your mood and literally change your day around.
4. Coke Zero — silly, I know, but its sooo good and I have one almost every day. Addict? Yeah, there’s a reason they call it coke. Jk
5. My bed — It’s where I read and relax, sleep and let the anxieties of life fall away at night. Wonderful, isn’t it?

I feel about writing as you feel about photography, but for me, photography is a close second. I love capturing art on film almost as much as capturing it in words on the page. Love this — “…nothing, NOTHING, is more important to my life than the ability to be creative and express myself.”

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

Hmm, I started blogging in Feb this yr. I started blogging because it gave me an outlet and means to express my love for books. I am social person, and I bubble out with excitement over things I love, mainly books and blogging let me do just that. Bubble over and spill into other blogs. I have been so fortunate to make some AMAZING friends. And befriend such wonderful authors!!! Words cannot describe the kindness and sweetness. (You, Sarah, included.)

Aww, I feel the same way. It’s amazing and wonderful how book lovers can connect online — readers, authors, book sellers, librarians, industry pros, bloggers. I think we need a virtual group hug. Seriously.

*opens arms*

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 love to think hard on important subjects and enjoy sharing my thoughts with others. Not just a one way, I post you read kind of thing but a discussion of sorts. Every week I have Discussion Thursday where I and a fellow blogger and I discuss a book. Everyone is welcome to comment with their opinions on the questions we go over that day, giving the post an opportunity to grow. I love hearing everyone’s opinions and it’s a great way for myself and other bloggers to connect over a common book.

Awesome, awesome, awesome. I love blogs that are more like conversations than information transfer. It’s one of the reasons I think book people have connected so well online — we all love to read, or write, or share books with the world, so there’s always something to chat about.

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

I’ve already mentioned photography. I am a fine art Major at GSU here in Atlanta GA. I have done writing in the past, but I seem to be too busy to stay still long enough to write anything long enough. Photography on the other hand moves with me and therefore it allows me to capture what I want and see as I go. I love people, and the emotions behind the faces, and my photography centers mostly on that. But above all else, I love to create my stories and photograph them. Many times, much like my blog and taste in books, it centers on fantasy. I create my characters and my story and I let it happen. Let the lens of the camera capture the story. I love going back later and seeing the results, like reading my own story.

Wow, I love how you describe photography as creating and capturing stories. Just a reminder that art and story are everywhere, and there are so many ways and media through which we can create, connect with, and enjoy them.

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

HA! I think as of right now I’ll be happy doing anything photography. Where that photography leads me, I don’t know yet. We’ll just wait and see. I, however am sure of one thing: my love for books and this blog I have are glued tightly to my side and will remain with me for a long time coming.

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

1. I would love to make something great out of my photography. It is so ingrained in me now that I cannot see myself doing anything else. I would love to have one photograph be famous. Just one. Anything else would be a bonus.
2. I would also love to visit Europe and Asia. I, myself am European, yet have missed so much culture that is out there waiting for me.
3. More importantly, I cannot wait to graduate! 😛

*Throws cap in the air for you!*

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

Gosh, I don’t know. I am a very open person. I have no clue. If you ask me anything I will tell you. I cannot keep secrets about myself. I’m bad like that. A fountain of information and knowledge just oozes out of me at any given moment.

Now, it’s time for Apocalypse Mad Libs!

If I ever had to face the planets colliding I’d want Michelle Zink on my side, because she has a calming, easy-going effect, especially in an end of the world situation, and she’d be fun to survive with cuz she’s just fun!

If she wasn’t available, I’d take Lia from the book Prophecy of the Sisters, because she already has experience with world ending scenarios. If she can survive her sister, we’ll be ok.

In any case, if I only had 1 day to live before the end of the world, I’d eat a whole tiramisu and then I’d tell everyone, “SAVE THE BOOKS!”

Okay, I’m totally sticking with you and Zink during the apocalypse. Not only do I LOVE tiramisu (hopefully you don’t mind sharing), but I love Zink and Prophecy of the Sisters and I’ve no doubts that she’ll look out for us. Besides, I can’t die until I know what happens in Guardian and the Gate (Prophecy book 2)!

Thanks, Vania, for stopping by fLiP iT fRiDaY! To learn more about Vania and her creative awesomeness, visit Reverie Book Reviews and check her out on Twitter, too.

Now, back to that creamed spinach before the world ends… 🙂

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!

Welcome Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag to today’s fLiP iT fRiDaY! Follow her at @Shootingstarmag on Twitter. Shooting Stars Mag is a bit different in that Lauren blogs about music and movies in addition to her YA book reviews, so definitely check it out!

Describe a typical day in your life.

A typical day in my life, huh? Well everyday is usually different though nothing completely out of the blue. I normally have at least one class since I’m a freshmen in college at the moment. My favorite class, since I figured I’d share, is Philosophy and Sexuality. It’s very interesting. Anyway, besides class then I’m writing papers, reading for class or for fun, spending time with my family, doing stuff for the blog, maybe writing for other sites/blogs (normally a book review), and trying to keep in touch with people. So yeah, that’s my life at the moment. Nothing too extraordinary!

Um, how can you so casually mention a class like Philosophy & Sexuality, and then not say anything else about it?!

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

Oh wow, a favorite…you know this is constituted as torture right? Okay okay, I’ll answer. My very first thought was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton so I’ll go with that one. I just love it and think the characters are amazing. I mean, I honestly want Ponyboy to be my best friend. And I love how Sodapop gets “high on life” and not drugs.

Ah, such a classic. *Love* The Outsiders.

What are 5 of your favorite things?

1. All of my books (yes, that counts as one!)
2. My family, because I’m very close to them.
3. My computer because honestly, how could I write my stories and blog if I didn’t have one?!
4. My friends because they are all pretty awesome and totally get my weirdness. 🙂
5. And finally…my music. It’s an addiction.

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

I’ve been blogging since August of 2007, so I’m getting close to two years now. I started out with just music and then I found all these blogs for books and since I love to read, I added that to the zine and made it all about various forms of entertainment.

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?

Nothing too exciting coming up. I held a “party” of sorts all month long in May in honor of my birthday because I think it’s fun when other blogs do it. As for anything specific concerning my blog, like I said before, it’s not just books, so I hope that it’ll stand out in that way at least.

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

Oh gosh, I wish I could dance or sing or something, but sadly, nope. I do love to write…so creative writing for sure! I used to make crafts all the time when I was little as well. 🙂

Yay! Writers unite! 🙂

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

When I grow up, I want to be an author. That doesn’t mean I have to do well enough for it to be a full-time job, but I want to at least be able to publish one of my own books. Besides that, I’d like to either write for a magazine or work in publicity for a book publisher.

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

1. Write and publish a book.
2. Visit England and see all the places I’ve heard about.
3. Have a house with a wrap-around porch and a porch swing.

Oh, I love wrap-around porches! I’m totally coming over to sit on your swing, sip lemonade, and chat about book ideas!

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

Hmm…people in real life, huh? Not a ton of people know about my blog and the various things I’ve done with it so honestly that would be a surprise for some. However, I guess I’d have to say that they might be surprised to learn that I have really odd taste in music from Garth Brooks to Eminem to Jesse McCartney to My Chemical Romance to Tegan and Sara to The Academy Is…to Miley Cyrus and on and on and on.

This is kind of random, but I’d pay money to see Miley Cyrus and Eminem in a cage match. Will the real Slim Shady please… show Hannah Montana what’s up?

Now, it’s time for Apocalypse Mad Libs!

If I ever had to face a moment when book publishers began shutting down and nobody was selling books anymore I’d want Meg Cabot on my side, because she writes so many books it’s like she’s a machine and I know that she wouldn’t stop, so she’d be out there making people buy her books and other authors would get jealous and we’d all have to have a huge YA book party

If she wasn’t available, I’d take Mia from the Princess Diaries books, because she’s a freakin’ princess and could make people listen to her and show us all that books need to be made, sold, bought and devoured over and over again, and devoured through the eyes not the mouth…stupid zombies!

In any case, if I only had 1 day to live before the end of the world, I’d eat this amazing pizza where I live called Dewey’s and then I’d tell everyone, “Crap, I forgot to eat the ice cream, too!”

I have no doubt that Meg Cabot could see us through this kind of crisis. But just in case the book industry really does shut down, you might want to head over to Shooting Stars Mag to get a few YA recommendations before this publishing apocalypse hits!

Thanks for chatting with us on fLiP iT fRiDaY, Lauren!

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!