Book Blogger Spotlight: Kat Kruger

This month, our featured blogger is Kat Kruger, the YA aficionado formerly of  BookMadam & Associates Magazine and now of http://katiekruger.com/.

 photo: Edmund Lewis

 

What made you want to blog/vlog about books?

I've made so many friends online who share their love of YA books through their blogs and I wanted to be more involved. That said, there are a lot of very successful blogs out there already so I also wanted to try and mix it up a little. That's where the idea of One Line Wonders (#1linewonders) came into play. My reviews are all vlogs and I pick a line in the book that I feel sums up the writing and the storyline. It's actually a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. But that's part of the fun. It adds an extra dimension and thought process while reading.

What’s your favourite reading spot?

My fave reading spot usually involves a sunny spot outside (beach, patio, yard, you name it) or during our cold Canadian winters bundled up with a hot chocolate. It almost always includes a dachshund or two curled on or near my lap.

Your favourite book in the last year?

Gah! I'm really torn about making a decision here so I'm giving a bit of a cop out answer with two books. Fury by debut author Elizabeth Miles was an amazing blend of contemporary urban YA with a super creepy twist in the storyline. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater was the perfect end to the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. Both just gave me emotional highs from the authenticity in the voices.

Favourite author?

Hands down Maggie Stiefvater. Mostly because she's the kind of writer I want to be: one who writes honestly and beautifully, one who's really engaged and appreciative of her fans. Kelley Armstrong comes in at a close second.

Who’s the most swoon-worthy; Patch (from Hush, Hush), Jace (from The Mortal Instruments), Cassel (from White Cat), Gabriel (from Wither)?

Here is where I reveal my weakness for broken guys. Jace. Totally. If I was going to add another guy it would be Cole St. Clair from, you guessed it, the Wolves of Mercy Falls. It's not even about the idea of fixing them because that's not really as romantic in real life as books and movies make it out to be. It's more about the fact that beneath the angst and bravado they're just flawed like everyone else but smart and capable enough to fix themselves. They come out as stronger individuals in the end.  

Some of your favourite book blogs:

YA Bookshelf, Forever YA, Lavender Lines are my go-to YA blogs. I also really enjoy the #YAlitchat hashtag on Twitter. While not 100% YA, I recently stumbled upon Bunny Cates who has an entertaining blog where her kids sometimes reviews books, too.

How has your blog/feature developed or changed since you first started?

Earlier this year, when BookMadam.com had an opening for YA Book Editor I jumped on board. The magazine concept for the site was an experiment on sharing stories and leading by example. But the collaborators have all thrived in their own ways with personal projects so the site is returning to its roots and shutting down the experiment. But I'm still in love with vlogging so I'm continuing the One Line Wonders book review series on my personal site.