Hey there loves! As many of you know, one of the biggest “rules” that we are pushing is that we hosts must “know” you. A lot of you have asked what constitutes us “knowing” you, and that is a very valid question in this digital age! Basically, we want to have faith in those that we are allowing into our precious project. We want to be able to say, “Oh yeah, that is the girl who chatted with me about her search for a job as a Librarian.” Or, “She is the girl who was active in the hashtag despite not being able to join in on last round.” We look at your avi picture, we memorize your name, we make notations next to your sign-up in our spreadsheet. Full disclosure: when we go to our spreadsheet and one (OR TWO!!) of us has to notate, “no idea who she is, she doesn’t even follow me” we give some serious side eye. Are we looking for followers? Not in the least bit. Do we think that you ONE BILLION PERCENT should know who ALL THREE hosts are? OH. YES. We actually had a ridiculous amount of people this round thank two of us, not know that they were speaking to one of the hosts when we reached out to inquire about an issue, and so on. It is embarrassing for YOU when we bring this info back to base as the information on who we are is so readily available in a few different places. With that being said, we thought it would be helpful if we each wrote up a little “about me” so that you had some points to bring up when you chatted us up over the next month. HINT: THIS MEANS IT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA TO GO AND VISIT BRITT AND AMY’S POSTS, THERE MIGHT BE A QUIZ LATER. We put the question to twitter, and some of you had some things you just HAD to know, so let’s get goin’!
How did you get the idea for The Secret Sister Project?
To sum it up, I was having a rough 2014 and needed some cheering up and I remembered about this Secret Sister project that is put on at churches where my family attends. I brought this idea to Britt and Ame and we pondered if we could take this idea and put it to the test with our online community because who doesn’t need more cheer in their life? We launched a mini group as a sort of trial to see how it worked out and we were so thrilled to see how well it worked. I am always astounded and proud to see how well it is working and feel so lucky that this community is filled with such kind people.
How did the three of you meet?
Through the magic of the Internet. To be perfectly honest, it is somewhat hard to remember a time in which we weren’t friends as we have become family over the years. I do know that Britt and I bonded over The Princess Bride after she saw my reference in my Twitter profile and continue bonding to this day over our conversations that can be carried out by using only quotes from the TV show, Friends. I was lucky enough to be paired with Amy for my first year participating in The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa. I remember being floored at how perfect she is at picking out presents for me (something I am still thankful for to this day) and it wasn’t long before I realized that she was the best listener and kindest person I may ever know. Somehow we got a group chat going that now is a literal consistent conversation all day, every day. Fast forward through weddings, 15 hour road trips, tears, laughter that makes you pee a little and here we are – soul friends! There are few things that I am more thankful for.
What is your favorite (or most popular) blog post that you have written?
Ohh I am very fond of my Disney swoonfest post, though the Disney villains post is also a favorite. My most honest and emotional post was our Same Page post on Midwinterblood.
List a few things that anyone can mention to get you talking!
Neil Gaiman, cats, being a Librarian, Shakespeare, classic literature, Robin Hood, The Steelers, Wizard of Oz. Fandoms including, but not limited to: Harry Potter (Slytherin pride), Game of Thrones (Mother of Dragons), Sherlock, Gotham, Legend of Zelda…I give away a bunch on Twitter and my Instagram and am very easy to talk to so come on over!
Which FRIENDS character would you have dated?
Hmm as I am most like Monica I always think that Chandler would definitely be the one that I would date. Also, a guy who makes you laugh is imperative for happiness! However, Ross isn’t too far off the mark for me being that he is intellectual and let’s face it, very sweet.
Were Ross and Rachel really on a break?
NO. I mean, even if they WERE Ross legit slept with the girl from the copy place just because he thought that Rachel was sleeping with Marc. It was RIDICULOUS. Ugh. Still not over it. Also, hey Ross? “JUST SO YA KNOW, IT’S NOT THAT COMMON, IT DOESN’T HAPPEN TO EVERY GUY, AND IT IS A BIG DEAL!!”
What is in your Zombie Apocalypse Kit?
A LOT of explosives. Also, is there anything to like mask your smell? I feel like if we maybe smelled like other zombies then the zombies wouldn’t try to eat us? No? Things to make fire…I guess we should have food…I don’t watch zombie shows, am I doing this right?
Marry, Kiss, Kill: Loki, Thorne, Jamie Fraser:
Wow so you’d think that this would be an easy answer for me, huh? As much as it pains me, I don’t think I could marry Loki…but I would do all of the “kissing” if ya know what I’m sayin…I think marry Jamie because he has a lot of skills and then I would get to wear REALLY pretty knitted things so I guess that means I have to kill Thorne. THIS WAS HARD!
What genre do you enjoy reading the most?
Fantasy for sure! I am not a big contemp reader at all, to be honest I do not have much experience reading contemporaries besides books by Rainbow Rowell because I tend to stay away from the “real” stories. I love epic fantasies, dark fantasies (think Gaiman, and Brom) and historical fiction.
Do you have interests outside of reading?
I’m crafty! Well, I try…Pinterest is my friend…though I have had my share of Pinterest fails, usually involving baking. I like to knit and cross stitch and am TRYING to teach myself how to use my sewing machine. I also love watching football, binging awesome shows, drinking tea, playing video games (Zelda for always, Fable and The Witcher currently), doing puzzles and listening to podcasts.
What is your favorite standalone book that you have read lately?
Hmm I think my favorite stand alone novels that I read this year were Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Uninvited by Cat Winters, and Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay.
Who is your favorite or least favorite character in literature?
I am a little different in my favorite character is the “trickster” character such as Puck from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Have you read The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long? Puck makes an appearance!
Who is your favorite author that you have met in person?
Neil Gaiman OF COURSE. Meeting him was one of the best moments of my life. He is gracious and overall just wonderful.
What upcoming books are you excited for?
I think the book that I am most excited for is The Rose and the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh I absolutely ADORED The Wrath and the Dawn. It completely blew me away, and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Favorite gifs for reference?
Favorite question. You guys are gonna see my personality summed up perfectly below…Also, not pictured for reasons is maybe my FAV gif of all so just Google “there’s no cure game of thrones” and you will see what I am talking about…
Books Take You Places 
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I’m really excited for the The Rose and the Dagger too! I had so many questions after reading The Wrath and the Dawn.
It has been such a long time since I fell in love with a book as I did with Wrath. It was near perfect for me, and I cannot wait for book two!!
YAYYYY love you, A! Your “how we met” made me a little teary even though we’ve lived it ❤
“I KNEW IT!!!!” Hahaha I love that part on Friends! Oh Chandler ❤ I love these posts so much! Great idea to help people get to know you guys and hopefully make your amazing project run a little smoother for you 🙂
Good luck learning the sewing machine! I promise it’s not that hard- it just takes practice. And also YES to Uprooted (lovedlovedloved it and now I have to try The Uninvited- thanks!). And YES to Puck as well. If you’re ever in Ashland, Oregon, there’s a pub you need to check out called Oberon’s Three-Penny Tavern. Ask if Puck is around. 😀
It took me HOURS to even thread the stinkin’ thing!! Mine came with a DVD…I mean it shouldn’t be that hard!! The Uninvited was just so wonderful, I love Cat Winters’ writing and this was my favorite book of hers. I also feel as if I need to take a trip to Oregon just to visit that pub!
I’m also a big fantasy reader and have only read a few contemporaries in the last year (all of them Rainbow Rowell)! Plus, I am loving the Wednesday Adams GIF! This movie was one of my favorites growing up.
She is one of my spirit animals, that’s for sure!!
Haha I love your bit about Ross and Rachel. Fantasy is definitely the best. And all of the GIFs you included are awesome!
I definitely think I’d date Ross. I’ve always been into the nerdier ones. And I love the idea of masking your scent during a zombie apocalypse. It’s actually a brilliant idea! I, personally, am a giant contemporary fan, but I have been looking for more fantasy books to read for sure.
Well let me know if you need any suggestions! Fantasy is my fav!
The Treachery of Beautiful Things has been on my TBR list for so long! The mention of Puck def makes me want to read it even more now.
Also, I think it’s so cool how all three of you say that you love fantasy! That must be fun.
Also, super jealous that you got to meet Neil Gaiman! I’d love to meet both him and his wife, Amanda Palmer. Both of them are so cool! What’s your favorite Gaiman book?
I met him once, and have seen him 5 times, and went to “An Evening with Neil and Amanda” a few years ago…she is wonderful as well!! My favorite Gaiman…is hard to choose. I like The Graveyard Book, but also love Sandman. Honestly it is easier for me to tell you that my least favorite was Ocean at the End of the Lane, but I still loved it.
Oh my gosh you’ve met Neil Gaiman? That’s crazy awesome! 😀
Yes and he was amazing!!!
On The Walking Dead they slather themselves in zombie guts to cover up their smell, so you’re on the right track!
Yesss I knew it! I would survive!
A Midsummer’s Night Dream is my favorite Shakespearian play. My favorite modern adaptation is the one in Dead Poet’s Society.
I haven’t seen Dead Poet’s Society, horrible I know!! Midsummer may be one of my least favorites, only because I taught it so many time!
I really enjoyed reading your post (especially the “were Ross and Rachel really on a break” question because Rachel screaming that line at Ross is one that’s always stuck in my head. So hilarious!! I’m new to your site but I’ve become friendly with Brittany over the past year and I’ve been wanting to join in on the next round so this was a great introduction! I’m also a fellow Neil Gaiman fangirl. The first time I met him I could not stop talking and he actually interrupted me and asked if I needed a hug! Then I was speechless. I love so many of his books and I plan on re-reading some of them this year! My favorites are Stardust and American Gods!
Stardust was my first book by him! I actually like the movie a little more….eep!
I’m a huge fan of Sherlock as well! That show is amazing. I also agree with you about “Princess of Thorns” by Stacey Jay! I enjoy fairy tale retelling stories. 🙂
I cannot waaaaait for the Christmas special. Also love retellings!!
Oh, I love Robin Hood! I’m always looking for new versions to read/watch! I have a bunch of books I downloaded over the past couple of years but I haven’t actually read them yet.
I wrote a verryyy long thesis on Robin Hood 🙂 I haven’t read many retellings, which is sad!
I am so impressed by the time and effort you all put into this project! You deserve so many kudos! Thanks for sharing so much about yourself with this post!
I love your post, A! You’re a total queen. And you three are total AMAZING for putting this together ❤
<33 you are my fav
L❤ve that you answered my marry, kiss, kill question! I’m with you and Amy on marrying Jamie, adventure awaits 😉
Haha they asked, we answered!! It was very hard!
We have so much in common! I’m starting my Masters in Library and Info Science in about a month, and am counting down to the Sherlock special!!! Also, The Princess Bride and anything Neil Gaiman is amazing ❤ FRIENDS is perfect for late-night binging because there's always a marathon on Nick!
YAY! Chat me up on Twitter, I would love to bond more over this all! Especially being a Librarian!!
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Lovely to meet you! Hope I can get to know you and the other members of the team for secret sister!
Im Jessica, and I’m new to the book community. Hufflepuff. Airwitch. Lover of fantasy, coffee and warm socks. I adore two guys; my dog Gunner and my son Theo. I read, DIY and make lots of lists. Mostly I want to meet more people who love books!
Fantasy, coffee, and warm socks ARE THE BEST THINGS!!
YES. 🙂 Zombie apocalypse. Deserted Island. Life in General. Those are the items I need to live and be happy 🙂 Oh and Dark Chocolate
Hi Alyssa! 🙂 Thanks for this great post! I totally agree with you about Ross and Rachel NOT being on a break. And even if they were, you don’t go sleeping around the first chance you get, ugh! I love Friends and my favorite character is definitely Chandler (Joey is a close second and then Rachel!). My husband doesn’t get Friends, which makes me super sad as we move around way too much for me to make friends locally who would binge watch Friends with me 😦 Hopefully, we can chat Friends sometime!
And thank you for starting this project! I’ve seen the posts this year, people instagramming and tweeting about the gifts and it was such a lovely and positive thing to witness! I do remember the negativity online few years back, and it’s really great that you came up with this idea!
I just feel like if he LOVED her he wouldn’t have even been able to think about sleeping with someone else, you know?
I am so jealous you got to meet Neil Gaiman, I think he is every librarian’s dream author! I was also lucky enough to have Amy be my first TBTB Secret Santa and she did an amazing job. She gifted me a Neil Gaiman book, so I knew she was pretty cool then. I think OTSP Secret Sister is such a neat idea and it is nice of the three of you to put this on. Good luck with the next round!
Neil is just phenomenal, I love him so. Amy is also the best present giver ever!
Somehow I did not hit post the first time or did something else wrong. I am jealous you got to meet Neil Gaiman, he is every librarian’s dream author! I was also lucky enough to have Amy as a TBTB Santa and she gave the best gifts and one of those happened to be a Neil Gaiman book! I also love playing the Legend of Zelda games, I think Ocarina of Time N64 version is still my favorite, although Twilight Princess is also good and dark. I think OTSP Secret Sister is a lovely idea and it is great of you all to put this on. Good luck with the next round!
My brother and I have been known to have full conversations in nothing but Friends quotes. My husband knew what he was getting into. My sister-in-law has yet to embrace it. (And yeah, I would totally have chosen Chandler as well.)
I always wanted to date Chandler! He’s my favorite by far. And they were NOT ON A BREAK!!!!
Also, I can’t believe you’ve met Neil Gaiman….so jealous
Btw, I’m MC…new to the blogging world this year. Nice to meet you 🙂
I’d love to take part in the Secret Sister next go-round! I think it’s a great idea and I do like that you kind of “vet” who takes part because I’ve done one-time only swaps and never gotten anything back or gotten something that seemed kind of thrown together, to be honest.
YES, Slytherin Pride. 😉 And I just graduated with my master in Library Science so I could really use a better library job.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
Apparently my comment from a few days ago never went through 😦 I’m bummed
Anyways, I have always been in love with Chandler. He is most definitely the one that I would date. And Ross and Rachel were definitely NOT on a break!!!
Also, I’m so jealous that you’ve met Neil Gaiman! That’s amazing!
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I simply adore Friends. I usually watch it at least once a day. I totally agree with you about Ross and Rachel being on break. I want to say dude just suck it up and admit you were wrong Rose. Man up! I just finished watching The Princess Bride after it was gifted to me for Christmas. I might be in the minority here, but I thought it was just okay. Cute, but just okay. I was hoping I would like it more than I did, but that didn’t really work out.
Teaching myself to use the sewing machine is my new winter project! I taught myself hand embroidery last winter with a lot of success, but knitting has me a bit stumped (every time I try, I end up throwing my materials across the room – even Pinterest can’t help me).
I am hoping to join in this time around! If not, I will take the 6 months to get to know everyone better! This is so much more to me than getting things each month – It’s connecting to everyone in the community!
Phew! The Marry, Kiss, Kill had me worried.
Cause Jamie Fraser is BAE. I’d gladly be sister wives with you! 😉
GREAT POST!
He really is, though. I am a Loki girl but I feel like marriage with him would be so tiring. He needs lots of attention.
I love that you did these posts! Thanks so much. These might be handy as I get to know you better. Especially since we both love fantasy! I just need to get more chatty on Twitter. I am rubbish there. Goodreads, sure. Forums and blogs I do okay for being socially awkward, but twitter and I are on testy grounds still in the general conversation dept. But I plan to work on it more this year!
Oh, and I am so envious that you have met Neil Gaiman! Love his books!
I’m such a huge fan of anything to do with Sherlock Holmes. I collect books (different editions of the canon, as well as stuff by other authors – though my copy of Ransom Riggs’ The Sherlock Holmes Handbook is my favorite; I carry it around in my purse with me). Sherlock has been one of my top adaptations to date, though I was a huge fan of the Enola Holmes series when they came out as well.
And that Game of Thrones gif, I know the one you’re talking about, I use it way too often on Tumblr.
Have you read The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa? Puck features in that and is one of my favourite characters. Ever since reading the series I have wanted to read A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
What a great “interview/get to know me” post! I’m so jealous you’ve met Neil Gaiman. I stalked him online for quite a while after I initially discovered Stardust back in 2006 or so. Erm, not stalked, I mean followed, I mean… Ugh!
I confess to not knowing who Loki is, so I would have selected him to kill, most probably…. though why does someone have to die?!
I’m happy you posted this 🙂 Looking forward to knowing you better!
Thank you so much for this post! I am signing up for this round of OTSP Secret Sister and am looking forward to hopefully getting to know you better.
I’m so jealous you got to meet Neil Gaiman! He’s at the top of my wish to one day meet list!
I am such a huge Sherlock fan too; I collect all things Sherlock. In 2014 I was fortunate enough to take a trip to London and visit the Sherlock Holmes museum and I got to go eat at Speedy’s. 😀
Good luck with learning how to use a sewing machine!
Just read this because Brittany linked to her old get to know the hosts post on twitter, and I thought I’d take a look! I also love Harry Potter and Game of Thrones (omg have you seen the latest episode??) though I haven’t read the GoT books – but I plan to eventually! And Chandler was always the Friend I identified most with. 😀
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Ooh libraries! What kind of library do you work in? I’m just about to start my Master’s program so I’m just starting to get into the field