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You guys! I’m thrilled to have my sweet book friend, Marie-Josée aka “MJ” on for a Q&A today. She has an amazing story to share about what led her to start a bookstagram. She’s such an inspiration and I love following her. Check it out below! 👇🏻
Hey MJ! I’m so excited to have you on my blog! Tell us a little bit about what inspired you to start your bookstagram journey.
When I first joined Instagram in 2012, my photos where mostly music and art related; back then I went to a lot of concerts and festivals, and enjoyed walking around the city snapping pictures of murals and urban art. That said, my life changed quite a bit in 2017 when a bacterial infection landed me in the hospital. Streptococcus (flesh eating bacteria) somehow attacked my blood stream and septic shock put me in a coma. Miraculously I survived, but lost both my hands and feet. I went through a year of rehab and lots of ups and downs to finally rebuild myself and appreciate my new life. With prosthetics I’m able to walk again and though I still enjoy music and wondering around my neighbourhood, books and sharing bookish posts have become my focus these past few years.
One of the reasons I love following you and reading your posts is because you feature and review so many author’s I’m not familiar with and I love learning about them. Do you have a favorite “go to” author?
I’m a huge fan of Patti Smith (@thisispattismith); love her music and her writing… Just Kids (winner of the 2010 National Book Award for Nonfiction) is my favourite book, I recommend it to everyone!
Have you always been a reader? If so, have your reading preferences stayed the same through the years or changed?
I’ve always loved books and read quite a bit, but after I got sick and spending so much time in the hospital, books really saved me… They became my comfort and escape. I read a lot more now, also because I have more time.
What’s one of your favorite things about the bookstagram community?
The people. I’ve connected with so many amazing book lovers, from everywhere, and discovered new to me authors and books! Buddy reads on bookstagram are so much fun, and insightful!
Do you have any top reads of 2022 that stand out so far?
Marlon James’ Moon Witch, Spider King – the sequel to Black Leopard, Red Wolf (and second instalment in the Dark Star Trilogy) is my most anticipated release this year, haven’t started it yet but can’t wait!
What is your favorite thing about living in Montreal? I was able to visit 3 years ago and I have to say the food was AMAZING!!
I Love the energy of the city; its people, its culture… Beautiful street art, museums, and parks!
What are you currently reading/watching?
I’m excited to read Lucy Ellmann’s Ducks, Newburyport this spring. At about 1000 pages it’s a little intimidating, so my plan is to read 100 pages per week, starting April 1st through mid-June.
As for TV; I’m looking forward to season 2 of ‘Russian Doll’ and season 4 part 2 of ‘Ozark’ this April, and season 6 of ‘Peaky Blinders’ out on Netflix in June!
What is something your followers wouldn’t know about you by looking at your IG?
I’m a quadruple amputee. Though I wear prosthetics (hands and feet), setting up posts and taking photos can be a challenge; I often use my nose to tap the capture button on my screen.
Let’s do 3 favorites!
What’s your favorite drink? Coffee, all day every day!
Animal? I Love cats… I have a black cat named Loulou, she’s 19 years old!
Movie? My all-time favourite movie is Reality Bites; I’ve had a crush on Ethan Hawke since… 😉
Thank you so much MJ for being our guest today and for sharing a glimpse of your story with everyone. The first time I heard it, I was truly inspired by you 💕. I love how books have a way of bringing us all together and so thankful for this community. Also, your reading a 1,000 page book?!?! Wow, you’re going to have to let us know how that goes! I’m also stuck on the fact that your cat is 19! 😮💖
Friends, if you’re not already following MJ on instagram, you should! Her reviews are so insightful and she always has great book recommendations. Here’s a link!
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