Reader Spot – Meet #BookReviewer Abbie Rutherford (@Bbrilliantbooks)

Here on the Reader Spot, I share the bookish love of our avid book reviewers. From young adult to historical romance, chick-lit to a murder mystery, they know what they like, and they’re happy to share.  Whether you are a reader looking for a new book, or a writer wondering what your reader wants, I hope you find this series enjoyable.

Next up to the Reader Spot is reviewer, Abbie Rutherford from Bloomin Brilliant Books. Find her book review blog HERE.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

Ooh quite a few different ones, I don’t really have a preferred genre as I like to read a wide variety of books as I love the different emotions they evoke.  I love a book that makes me go ’Wow, I wish I could write like that!’  I love thrillers and psychological thrillers, contemporary fiction, classics and humour/chick lit to break it up a bit and just recently I have been really enjoying historical fiction.

Do you have a favourite author in this genre?

This is quite difficult to answer as there are so many authors and genres I love.  My all-time favourite authors would have to be Sarah Waters, Jeanette Winterson, Thomas Hardy, Daphne du Maurier, Tom Bale, Mark Edwards, Joanne Harris.  I love to discover new authors (even if they are just new to me) and have been blown away this year by Joanna Cannon and Liz Nugent.

How do you prefer to read your books?

I adore my kindle fire as I can have loads of books in one place and it’s easier for me to read my kindle in bed.  Nothing comes close, however, to a real book.  The smell, the feel, the look, I just love them!  I will buy copies of books I have had on my kindle in book form if I really love them.  I had an ARC of The Trouble With Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon via Netgalley and I bought myself the hardback version as I loved it so much.  Books are so beautiful! I do exactly the same thing, Abbie!

Where do you purchase your books?

Generally it tends to be from Amazon, however I also buy from Waterstones and I love spending time in there.

Where do you find out about the books you read?

I don’t tend to read reviews until after I have read the book.  A bit weird but if I’m going to review a book myself I don’t want to be subconsciously influenced by it, if that makes sense?  There are some bloggers and reviewers who have similar tastes to me so if they have enjoyed it, I pretty much know I will.  This tends to be from blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.  I love Netgalley for discovering new authors.

Do you have a budget when buying books? Do you stick to it if you do?

No, not really.  I tend to try and not spend too much on kindle books and like to grab the offers when they are on.  I have no issue with spending more on actual books.  If I fancy reading something I will get it.  I do have duplicate copies of some books (kindle version and book version).  Luckily I have an understanding hubby!

Do you write a review when you’ve finished reading? If so, where do you post this?

Yes I do.  I love the process of writing a review.  I post on my blog, Goodreads and Amazon and share on my Facebook page, in Facebook groups and on Twitter.

What do you look for in a book?

I am quite drawn initially by the covers, which probably isn‘t a good thing really.  I love well written books, may sound a bit silly, but I love to be blown away by the prose.  I love good characterisation, a book that makes me feel deeply and makes me think and a damn good story whether that be something that keeps me on the edge of my seat, resonates with me or makes me laugh.

Where do you like to read?

I love to read in bed and have to read before I go to sleep.  I have also tried to read before sleeping after a good drink with friends but it tends to be unsuccessful when you can’t focus on the page hahaha.  I read in the bath, if travelling and while waiting for food to cook.  Basically anywhere where it can be fitted in.

What social media platforms are you active on?

I’m active on Facebook and Twitter.  I do post on Instagram but my photography skills are not up to much.  I post reviews on Goodreads and tend to use it to organise my reading, but, ashamedly, I don’t use it very much.

I hope you enjoyed reading this feature, and if you are a book blogger/reviewer and would like to take part, please do get in touch via my ‘say hello’ page.