Q&A With Debby: @readitandlovedit

I’m so honored to introduce you to my friend, Debby! She’s so much fun and a beautiful person inside and out 💕 I wish I could meet all my bookstagram friends in person one day! And side note: she got to be an extra in Friends once 😮 Yep, lived my dream in The One With the Blind Date-last coffee shop scene! Check out our chat below to see what else she’s up to!

Hey Debby! I’ve loved following you and interacting with you over the past year on bookstagram. Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started?

I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. For several years prior to starting my bookstagram, I would post my latest reads on my personal Instagram page and field texts and DMs asking for book recommendations. At my past job I had a library in my office where people would check out books. I started my bookstagram account in May of 2021 during a time where I needed a creative outlet and wanted a dedicated place to share and interacts about books.

I’ll admit, I’m a big aesthetics fan when it comes to content. Yes, I’m still a fan of all different aesthetics, but I’m just naturally drawn to bright colors. And yours is right up my alley. How did you know what “look” you wanted to achieve? Or did it just evolve over time like I feel mine did?

Since I have had bookshelves, I have always organized by color. It is so aesthetically pleasing and brings me great joy! 😊

Do you plan out your posts or wing it?! (I do the latter 😂)

I mostly wing it. I am a mood reader, and it shows 😊 About once a month or maybe every other month, I’ll try and take several photos of content I know I want to show or when there are definite books I know I am reading, particularly if I am on a tour. But other than that, I make my decisions on what to post and take the picture to post in real time.

What is your “go to” genre?

Being a mood reader, this changes for me. I think I could best classify that I read to get lost or to be found, depending on the mood I am in. This could mean a fun romcom I would enjoy as a light read, or a heartwarming (or even heartbreaking) story to sweep me away into another time and place. I do read a fair amount of non-fiction and memoirs as well and I tend to view these as my moments to learn.

Do you have a favorite 2022 book so far (I know it’s only March)?

I can never pick a favorite book, lol. It’s like picking a favorite child for me and I simply cannot do it 😊 BUT, I will say I have several I am still thinking about and that is a true sign of impact for me. Real Easy, Reminders of Him & Shadows of Pecan Hollow have left an imprint on me for sure.

How do you like to write your reviews? Short and sweet or long and thorough?

Although I am long-winded by nature, my reviews tend to be short & sweet. I think of them more as reflections rather than reviews.

Who are some of your favorite bookstagrammers and why?

When I think of bookstagram, I first and foremost think of our group that you started and allowed us to join. It is such a comforting place for support, encouragement, resources and fun conversations.  I think about it often actually. I hope we all get to meet one day!

@delightfullybooked, @alliegetsbooked, @msanniecathyn, @books_and_biceps1955, @blissedoutbybooks, @reallyintoreading, @diveintoagoodbook, @michbookstagram, @mjnicefield, @webreakforbooks and @valleybookmama

@erinsgottaread is also a huge source of support and inspiration for me and I love @bookcasebeauty’s content and page.

I’ve seen you post about BUZZ and collaborating with Niyama Sol!. Can you share more about these companies?

After 17 years in Creative Events and Hospitality and roughly nine months of a hiatus, I launched BUZZ in January alongside incredible colleagues. Based in Las Vegas but servicing clients all over the country, we are a creative event and experience company. I am surrounded by the most creative individuals who collective design, curate and produce custom décor and entertainment services.

Niyama Sol is a brand I believe in and LOVE. Founded and created by my friend Allison Hart, she creates beautifully designed leggings meant to be worn every day. Her products are created using recycled materials and have collections released each month. I wear these leggings every acceptable day and it is such a job to get to share them with our community through my @readitandlovedit page  

Besides reading and bookstagram, what are some of your other hobbies?

I have 3 kids so my hobbies are most often them. I have two boys 10 & 7 who play baseball competitively and snowboard off season and a daughter who is 18 months. You will most often find me shuffling them to and from various places. I also am a peloton enthusiast and use that along with reading as my “me” time

What does a typical day look like for you?

My typical day includes me getting up before my kids to get a jump start on “me time” before the house is moving. I try to get in 30 minutes of peloton workouts in and go through my calendar for the day. After I get my two elementary age boys out the door for school, I jump on my computer at home to kick out emails, catch-up on bookstagram content, replies or reviews and then get ready to head into my office. My evenings include lots of baseball practices and games, reviewing kids’ homework and winding down with a book.

LET’S DO SOME FAVORITES:

Color: BLUE

Animal: Dogs

Scent: Coconut or anything resembling Hawaii

Show: Friends

Vacation spot: Hawaii

Family activity: Snowboarding

Holiday: While I celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, the “holiday season” feels so magical to me with music, decorations and holiday cheer

Restaurant: Sushi 😊

Thank you so much Debby for participating in this blog interview! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and I know everyone else will too. I’m so glad you have been a part of our IG engagement group (going strong over a year now!), pretty sure I can speak for everyone that you are an inspiration to us all 💕 Keep up the great work!

If you want to keep up with Debby on social media you can follow her on IG and Goodreads!