about the blog

So, if you know me, you've probably guessed that I am a definite book nerd. I don't necessarily know if it's the norm to bring a suitcase full of books on a four-day long vacation, or to immediately ask "What book are you reading?" to friends, before a greeting is even uttered. I'm proud to say that I have a small following of friends and family who faithfully follow my book recommendations. It is probably not everyone's ideal night to discuss the virtues of Dostoevsky v. Tolstoy, but I have done it. Yes, I may not be a normal beast, but I'm proud to say that books pretty much consume my life.

Dutifully, I am enrolled as an English Literature major at the University of Montana; an experience that has enabled me to expand my reading list and knowledge of the literary world. I thankfully landed the dream job for any bookworm: bookseller at both Fact and Fiction Downtown and Fact and Fiction On Campus (check them out if you haven't, they are the best), and I love recommending books, whether it be to friends, strangers, and customers. There is a certain rush that comes upon learning that a book you have suggested has been enjoyed, and in some cases, even re-recommended throughout a different circle of friends. Of course, it also didn't feel too bad when I realized that the book I love to hand-sell on the job (Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery), is one of the top sellers at the store.

Anyway, I love books, the act of reading itself, discussing and recommending literature, etc., and I've been meaning to put my reviews and raves in an accessible forum such as this for a while now, but the decisive factor came from the quickly approaching adventure I am about to embark upon: a semester-long study abroad, on the tiny Meditarranean island of Malta. Although under an academic pretense, my main excitement has stemmed from the reading opportunities I will have while there. What better way to spend time on the Meditarranean than reading for pleasure?! Already stacking, listing, and obsessively planning which books I'm going take, I have substantially pumped myself up for the journey. My plan for this blog is to review books, hopefully plug the ones I've found worthwhile, and generally share some insight on my reading experiences in Malta.

I leave in less than two weeks, but am planning to post a little introductory reading survey before I leave (favorite books, currently reading, and so on), and I will hopefully incorporate some of my reading buddies and their valued opinions while I can still communicate easily. Of course, I love receiving recommendations and hearing about books people are raving about just as much as I love rambling. So if I've sparked your interest at all, please follow The Reading Beast blog, and treat it as a public forum for you to commend books you've read and loved/are currently reading and loving.

More to come... soon...