Have you ever wondered who that person is behind the blog Inked Brownies ? Have you seen the amazing raving review Anne wrote about the novel The Summer That Melted Everything? She sure knows how to sell a book ! Well she’s also my BFF from now on and I asked her a few questions so we could get to know her a little better.
Here it is :
Name:
Anne(marie)
Age:
I’m in my 30’s but still have the mind of a teenager 🙂 🙂
What did you study or do you study now / what is your current job?
I first studied History and how to be a high school History teacher. I love history, but holy shit, those kids?! I quit after a short internship at my old high school when I realised that teaching is not for me :D. Then, I decided to study Arabic because it annoyed the crap out of me that I could never understand my Moroccan friends. Turned out they speak an Arabic dialect, so I ended up learning both of the dialects (and it almost completely sank into the deep dark depths of my brain again). After that, I followed some small courses here and there (herbalism being one of them), and four years ago, I decided I wanted to get a higher degree in something meaningful, so I started Environmental Sciences at uni. I’m going to save the planet!!!! Right…
When it comes to jobs: I worked in a Fair Trade shop for eleven years, but quit last January because my illness (I’ve been suffering from ME for 17 years now) made it too hard to keep on going.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Besides reading and blogging? 😀 I like games, all kinds of them, but we (my husband and I) mainly have a massive collection of board (and card) games. I also like to paint, work in my garden, and play the piano.
Your favourite color?
Dark blue, bordeaux rouge, succulent plant green (is that even a thing?). Okay, I can’t choose!
Do you collect anything (besides books)?
Teapots, but I can’t say I have a massive amount yet because, unlike with books, you can’t just drop them in a pile on the floor. I need a bigger house is what I’m sayin’.
What’s the name of the book that you’ve had the longest? Have you read it?
The first book my parents bought for me and me alone was:
And of course I’ve read it!
Have you ever regretted a book you purchased? A book that sounded so promising but you wished you’d have spent your money on another book after reading it?
Oooh, more than once, for sure. There’s one book in particular that gives me a nasty feeling whenever I think of it, though. I reviewed it on my blog last year, and it wasn’t a mean review at all! I gave it 2.5 stars and tried to make the best of it, emphasizing the positives. Yet the author read it and said I was accusing her of plagiarism, threatening to take legal action if I didn’t remove the review. Of course, it’s still on there in it’s full glory because I really can’t see the harm in it. I do wish I would’ve never spent any money on it now, though because authors like that can [opens up random page of Memos to Shitty People].
Do you listen to audio books?
Yup, but only as a sleep inducer when going to bed. I try to listen to them when I’m in the shower as well, but try shampooing your hair and still be able to follow the story without putting it on the ‘ridiculously loud’ setting. Sorry neighbours! (okay, not really sorry actually because I have to listen to their lovely Frenchcore ensemble most days of the week)
Do you have a favorite genre?
I always seem to keep going back to some sort of Fantasy subgenre, but I love historical fiction as well!
What is the book highest on your wishlist right now?
Nevernight by Dave Grohl Jay Kristoff.
Nevernight is the first in an epic new fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author, Jay Kristoff.
In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.
Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined.
Now, a sixteen year old Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic ― the Red Church. Treachery and trials await her with the Church’s halls, and to fail is to die. But if she survives to initiation, Mia will be inducted among the chosen of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the only thing she desires.
Revenge.
How is your library organized?
Not?! No, I do have a system, actually, but I’m buying too many books to keep up with it (and lack of SPACE!). I have two main book cases in my living room. That’s where most of my Fantasy books can be found. If you look at the pictures, you can see I organised (apart from the piles on top) the left book case by genre (Fantasy- and Sci Fi- ish) + alphabet (by the author’s last name).
On the right book case, it ends with Z somewhere in the middle, marking the end of that genre. Then the non-fiction/literary fiction part starts, again, alphabetised by the author’s last name.
All of the other books aren’t organised at all. A pile here, a box there. Half a closet full, a top shelf full. And then there are two attics filled with boxes with books.
The only thing that’s organised about all the books I own, is that I mark each and every single one I’ve read with a white piece of paper with a pink dot on it. I actually tape those pieces of paper to the book. Blasphemy, I know. And maybe a touch of OCD there as well 😉 but it works brilliantly for mapping my mind!
Do you read more ebooks or physical books?
Since my hubby bought me a Kindle, it’s definitely more ebooks (plus, hello NetGalley!!), but I do like the feeling of a hard copy in my hands more (and that’s what she said, hehe).
Do you have a favorite book?
I have favourites, plural. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame being two of them.
What’s the cover in your collection that you’re most proud of?
Plants That Heal. It might not look like much at first, but it is just absolutely gorgeous with a very thick cushiony cover and the edges of the pages painted gold.
Do you have any idea how many books you own? <100, >100, >200, >300 …?
I have 296 ebooks and roughly 500-700 normal books, spread over two houses which each have three floors..
What’s the title of the last book you purchased?
I can’t answer that yet because it would spoil the surprise feature Liis and I have planned to do soonish, *cue dramatic music*, but I can give you the title of the book I bought before that: Memos To Shitty People: A Delightful and Vulgar Adult Coloring Book
What was your favorite author when you were a child?
Dick Laan and Paul Biegel, both authors of Dutch Children’s Books. And because Inge is from Belgium, I’m going to honourably mention Willy Vandersteen because I was addicted to his comic books for 20 years or so :).
From which author do you have most books?
That would be Terry Brooks, but that’s mainly because my husband brought those with him when he moved in with me. I’ve only read the first book in the Shannara series, so far…
Are there books you’ve read 2 or 3 times?
Charles Dickens’ collection of Christmas stories is something I try to read every year during the holiday season. Apart from that, I’ve reread several comic books, but not a lot of other/normal books come to think of it. I’ve read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck for the second time last year and could appreciate it a lot more than the first time I read it when I was a teenager.
How many books are there on your Goodreads challenge this year and how many have you read already?
50 and I’ve already read 64 by now!
Can you spell your name with the first letters of titles in your book case (name these titles+authors)?
A = An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
N = Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
N = Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
E = Elfenster (Elven Star) by Weis&Hickman
M = Moab is my Washpot by Stephen Fry
A = A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
R = Ricochet by Judy Fridono
I = Ik wil trouwen! by Ghada Abdel Aal
E = (The Story Of) Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
Well that’s it for now. I hope it was as interesting for you as it was for me. If anyone else would like to be a BFF, let me know !
Anne definitely sold The Summer That Melted Everything perfectly!
Hahahaha, I thought I was the only one still trying to hear her audiobooks with soap in her ears. I also listen to them during my sleep, hoping my brain will catch the right accent and make my French one disappear.
My hubby also bought me my Kindle! Woohoo, so many things in common 😀
Loved that post!
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So did you, my dear! 🙂 LOL, so…do you also have a French accent when reading English books in your head? I sometimes find my brain going for an Australian accent in there, but if I try it out loud…awkwaaaard. *fist bumps!* 😀
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Nah, in my mind, my accent is perfect. That’s why it’s so terrible when I start speaking out loud, haha!
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XD It can’t be that bad! Which accent do you have in your mind? The American or the British one? I can never make up my mind about it ^^
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The standard American one. I hadn’t realized my accent leaned towards the US side of the battle until my teachers mentioned it to me in high school. Later, I figured that if I had so much trouble with the US “R” I should switch to the British side of the force, so I started the shadowing method with a British actress as a model, but it soon became obvious I had to focus to keep it and if I answered without paying attention, the American accent was evident in my tone. So I switched back, and I feel much more comfortable with my R now 😀 But of course, it comes with a price. The shadowing method means I am constantly reciting sentences from the TV show and actress I chose to mimic, like in the middle of dinner, I’m gonna say “I don’t want your money, Louis.” and everyone looks at me with a puzzled look, hahahaha.
The British accent is sexy on a guy (my university crush can confirm that) but it just doesn’t suit me!
(and now you’ll know I can talk about language learning forever…)
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Ha! The very same thing was told to me in high school; that we weren’t being taught to speak like that. I was like, fuck it, this is way easier for me. I have the same thing you have when it comes to British. I can do it, but it takes constant attention while talking. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Hahaha, there’s your Suits addiction again XD. (language learning fangirl here as well, so I don’t mind at ALL :3)
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Yeah, I’m always “leave me alone, the British way is not the only valid one!” I hate it when teachers at uni try to force me to use only the UKRP accent. I know the main grammar and vocabulary differences so the rest shouldn’t matter! Whaaaaat?! How did you do that?? I’m so impressed you recognized the line! xD I checked behind me but you weren’t there. ( or were you?!)
I’m sending you a waffle and a hug, everyone thinks I’m boring / crazy when I start talking about the best way to master a language! I feel better now that you’re on my side! 😀
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Damn I missed all the fun here because of work :-(. So who was the actress then?
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The fun happens when you’re here 😀 My US model is Sarah Rafferty 🙂 Of course I had to choose a character named after me, so I chose Donna Paulsen, haha!
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Bastards! *nods* 😀 Oh, my parents-in-law are currently in France, I had them peeping through your window obviously…xD But no, mentioning Louis was enough for me ^^ Plus, I already knew you were a Suits fan from a previous conversation ;).
Mmmm, I’m grabbing my chocolate sauce! Girl, I’m just as boring/crazy as you are idd when it comes to that. There’s something about phonetics as well that just gets me going and it just doesn’t stop :D. Here’s a virtual brownie for you!
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I knew it! :p Well, congrats on remembering, I wish my memory was that good! YEEEES, phonetics is so fascinating, I love playing with the stress patterns and different symbols. We must sound weird to the rest of the world, haha!
Brownies! Me loves them!
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❤
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I try the British one because they are closer and the only English clients we have are all British so it would be weird speaking with an American twang 😉
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Oh yes, if you’re actually talking TO a British person, then it’s better to go for a British one, cause it just feels completely ridiculous otherwise :D. And vice versa!
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I wonder how long you guys stay in the shower then.. just one more chapter ;-)?
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Just enough to annoy the neighbors with a few pages :p
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Hahaha, I only do it when I’m washing my hair every other day because I need to be in the shower longer then. Even though I can hear shit all with all the scrubbing and rinsing ;). Or as Donna says, just enough to annoy the neighbours. Anything works for me when it comes to that! xD
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Whooo! Awesome job, Inge! 😀 I love the little extras you added to it!! ❤ Now I want that teapot…
I'm honoured to be your BFF, thank you so much for this!
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A really cool post idea and a great post about Anne. 😊
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Thanks Drew. If you’d like to give it a shot (do you even have a bookcase? Maybe you could show your poetry-notebooks), let me know. You’re quite an enigma and I would love to get to know you better too.
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Apologies for the delay in replying to your comment, I must have missed it and only saw it after reading Anne’s comment.
I don’t really have a bookcase or poetry notebooks, I generally write poetry on my phone or laptop.
Apart from my twitter name I’m not sure how much of an enigma I am and my answers will all probably be boring but I’m very happy to consider it. 😊
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Yes Drew, go for it and show us your stuff!! XD
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Ha, no one’s seeing my stuff it’s locked and hidden away! 😂
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I’m sure you have access to it yourself on a daily basis. So unzip it! 😈😁
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Take a bow m’lady that is a Jillian level comment! 😂
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YES! Anne, you are fucking awesome! ❤️ I can’t wait to do our snark-off. You rock! High-fives! Yeah, Drew, I second that. Whip it out and show us what you got. 🙊 There’s a Jillian level comment for you right from the Smuttress herself. 😘 And that was the PG-13 version. 😉 Totally agree with Anne on Kristoff looking like Dave Grohl. That was my first thought when I saw his pic on Twitter. Ha! I laughed when I saw Inge asked if you had bookshelves. Lol. It’s hard to say no when you’ve got a bunch of chicks ganging up on you. 😂 Poor Drew. If you ever need a hug, you know where you can lay your head. 😝 Okay, I’m done. I promise. I’ve smutted it up too much. 🙈
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Well, I’m always happy to accept a request from a lady, as I’ve wrote before I’m a proper English Gentleman and as Inge is very polite and ladylike it makes a nice change from the filth and smut I generally have to put up with! 😁
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I’m a lady, oww thank you! A young lady would even be better but eh we both know I’m not a young puppy anymore.
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Ha! You love my smut and filth. 😝 And I kick it up about 10 notches just for you, my dear. I know what makes Fluffy’s magic stick twitch. 😂
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Reblogged this on Inked Brownies and commented:
I know I haven’t posted anything in almost a week, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been active when it comes to the blogosphere! In fact, I’m featured on Inge @The Belgian Reviewer’s blog today as her BFF!! SQUEEEEEEEE! I have to force myself to not buy every book she reviews on there (which is hard, trust me). Check out her blog and my incoherent rambling on it today! ❤
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Thank you Anne, it was great to get to know you better!
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So when are you going to write in our BFF booklet hm? 😉
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This is so wonderful because now I know Anne a little bit better 🙂 Girl is the awesomest! 🙂
Thanks again Inge for doing this lovely feature, it’s always so interesting! 🙂 You are also awesome!
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*Looks at Liz and Inge with heart-shaped eyes* (in a non-lesbian way)
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That is a cute teapot 😀
Lovely interview!
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Thanks! I’m still looking for other candidates, if you’d be interested 😉
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well, I don’t know… tempting…
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Go on then, say yes.. pleaaase be my BFF 😉
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well… Yes 😀
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Yay, you’re a lifesaver! I have my resources and I’ll e-mail you the questions! Already look forward to your answers !
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fun 😀
I’ll be waiting!
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I love this post! Such a fabulous idea. And the teapot for sure 🙂
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Thank you! Unfortunately, it’s almost finished (I have one person who might do it but that’s it), so if you’d like to be a BFF *winkwink*, let me know and I’ll mail you the questions.
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I would be thrilled to be a BFF 🤗
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Oh waw, a new friend and BFF :-), that’s great! I’ll send you the questions too !
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Looking forward to it. Love your blog!
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Whoooooo! 3 awesome BFF posts coming up! Can’t wait to read them! 🙂
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Someone’s not tired it seems.. This thing isn’t going to ping all night is it ;-)? Nah, I’m glad too that it isn’t the end of BFF posts.
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PING! I went to bed right after sending that last one ;).
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This is such a good idea! I would totally do one of these if you’re still planning to host more. Such a fun way to get to know other bloggers, and Anne is awesome! Loved reading this! 🤗
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Yay, yes thank you Jill, I love doing this post so I would love to know your answers. I’ll send you an e-mail !
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I’d love to do this. It’s so fun and your blog is awesome! I’m rantandraveaboutbooks@gmail.com. 🤗
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You’ve got mail !
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Thank you! I’ll send my answers back later tonight. 🤗 This is fun!
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