Good morning all! This is Laura from iRead Book Tours hanging out at Book Journey. Going through Sheila’s review archive brought me back to the beginnings of my book blogging days. You see, Sheila and I started blogging around the same time, around 2008, I think it was? I had just published my novel Daughter of Mine and was getting to know more about book blogging. When I requested book reviews on Book Blogs, Sheila contacted me through that community and she reviewed my book!
So began my relationship with Sheila. I then visited Sheila’s blog more often and enjoyed her reviews and read many of the same books she did. Thank you, Sheila! One of them was Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. She read it in 2010 and her review sparked my interest to the point where this became one of my book club choices and I read it in 2011, almost a year after she did.
Sheila said in her review of Fahrenheit 451, “I really was impressed by this reading and was surprised really how much I enjoyed the story line. I have never been one for sci-fi or futuristic reads but have to make an exception in this case. For as old as this book is (originally published as The Fireman in 1951), it is almost spooky how it speaks of censorship.”
I too am not one for sci-fi or futuristic reads, so I thought if she liked this classic, I should give it a try.
I’m so glad I did because it developed in me a love for dystopian books that had been tainted by 1984, a book I had once read in school and had not liked. When Sheila hosted the Read Dystopia Challenge 2012, I eagerly signed up.
Books like Fahrenheit 451 sparked my taste for different genres and for reading banned books. Sheila helped me discover new books through Book Journey and she is also responsible for my growing love of audio books. It quickly became clear that Sheila was a mover and a shaker, my kind of gal. Since she’s Christian, I can also rely on her mentioning content in her book reviews which I always appreciate.
So I’m going to continue to snoop around Sheila’s review archive (which reminds me I have to update mine!) while Sheila is off with her hubby enjoying her Australian adventure. I’m sure I’ll come across a few more books I read in the past, which will have me reminiscing again, and reminding me why I love book blogging and the work that I do.
Book Journey 
Very nice post, Laura.
I didn’t know your story about how you met Sheila, and I didn’t know you had written a book. That is wonderful news.
Sheila’s archives are so impressive…have fun snooping around them. I loved searching and snooping in that long list. 🙂
I don’t think I will ever be interested in sci-fi or dystopian. But I guess we should NEVER say NEVER should we?
Thanks for the guest post. Great job.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
I think it’s so cool how these guest posts on Sheila’s blog is helping us all get to know each other and Sheila better. What a fun and innovative idea Sheila had!
I totally agree. She is ALWAYS filled with creative, innovative ideas.
Hi Laura, I enjoyed your post this morning. I seldom read sci-fi or dystopian. That said, I read/listened to The Martian this week and really enjoyed it.
Sheila, can’t wait to hear about your fantastic getaway!
There will always be those certain books that will make us rethink reading a genre we don’t usually read. I have The Martian on my TBR list and hope to read it soon.
I enjoyed your post Laura. I don’t usually select sci-fi, but it sounds like I should check into it more.
It’s not my favorite genre either but there are always exceptions. Those books that stand out and make us want to read them even if they are out of our comfort reading zone.
Good morning, and I’m having my coffee as I read your post…and remembering that I also met Sheila around the same time you did, I guess. Through Book Blogs.
I have read and enjoyed a few dystopian novels, like The Handmaid’s Tale, and a few others, but they are not my go-to choices, either. Fahrenheit 451 was definitely an exception to the “no dystopian” rule.
Thanks for sharing!
Even though I’m of Italian origin I don’t drink coffee or cappuccinos, although I do like coffee flavored desserts. I like to drink orange juice or a smoothie in the mornings.
The Handmaid’s Tale is one of those books I have wanted to read but haven’t got around to doing so. Thanks for stopping by!
Laura, I really enjoyed reading this and love your describing Sheila as a “mover and shaker” since she really is! Her creative approach to things, along with so many positive personality/character traits that have a magnetic effect, she continues to make her mark 🙂 And I love hearing that you met through the publication of your book! WONderful way to meet, I think 🙂
Yes, Sheila is one of those people who gets things going. I love that about her. I met her as an author and I’m happy she’s writing her own book too!
Agreed! I find myself wondering what type of book it will be 😀
Laura, nice to see you here. I have tried to visit as many of Sheila’s blog sitters as possible. It’s interesting to read about how book bloggers influence each other. I need to find out more about your book.
Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
I know, you’re right about that. Bloggers have so much influence on one another! You can find out more about my book here:
http://essentiallyitalian.blogspot.ca/p/my-book.html
Thanks for your interest!
I agree her review archive is a wealth of recommendations. I haven’t read Fahrenheit 451 but I have heard of it before. Your championing of it entices me to reconsider and read it.
It’s such a very different type of dystopian book because it deals with the banning of books, which we love so much so it’s not hard to get quickly invested in the story.
For some bizarre reason, I still haven’t read this book. It’s one that I’ve always wanted to do, but something always seems to get in the way. I tend to like dystopian fiction, if it’s not driven towards the YA market. I really enjoyed The Last Policeman series by Ben H. Winters, and The Road is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s so simple and sparse in ti’s writing and language, which makes it all that more beautiful to read. It’s the perfect loves story between a father and a son. I even liked Alas Babylon, one we had to read in high school.
I’ve been wanting to read The Road, but like you with Fahrenheit I haven’t got around to it yet. I have not heard of The Last Policeman series and I’m now curious since you tell me you really enjoyed them. Thanks for the recommendations and for stopping by!
great intro Laura – appreciate learning more of you and Sheila both – and especially luv inclusion of a Canadian blogger in the lineup ! ❤
Thanks! There aren’t as many Canadian book bloggers as American that’s for sure. But I love the way the Internet has united us all.