Sam from Realm of Fiction (Celebrating British Bloggers)

Hello and welcome to another Saturday edition of Celebrating British Bloggers! I have come to look forward to this post post out of every week! Thank you for being so supportive of the British book bloggers that I am able to highlight every week :) 

Today, we have Sam from Realm of Fiction! She is a blogger who I've only discovered in the past few months, but I have come to quickly adore her blog and her reviews! If you haven't already followed Sam's blog, I urge you to do so now:

Realm of Fiction ... Sam on Twitter ... Sam on Goodreads 

First, can you tell me something about yourself and your blog?

I'm the enthusiastic reader behind Realm of Fiction. My blog is just over a year old (it had its first birthday in December!) and its primary focus is on young adult books and their authors.

How did you begin being a book blogger?

It was quite a rushed process, I must admit. Before starting my blog, I had been reviewing books for a few months on Gooodreads - something that I genuinely enjoyed. When my good friend Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings told me about her blog being launched, I started fantasising about my own blog. I wondered what it would be like, but never actually considered seriously starting it. Heidi gave me the encouragement that I needed though and I pretty much changed my mind overnight. Before I knew it, Realm of Fiction was ready and launched within a week. I started my blog so suddenly, that it surprises me that I'm so committed to it now! 

When you're not reading or blogging, what do you do with yourself?

I'm usually too occupied with work and studies to fit anything else into my free time that doesn't involve my blog or reading. On the off chance that I actually want to spend my time doing something else, I'll usually be embracing my outdoorsy side with my friends and family (a walk in the park totally counts!) or heading over to the charity shop that I volunteer at. Actually, this is my preferred option. It makes me feel so great to be able to help out when I can. 

What was the first book you reviewed on your blog?

I had to look back at my archives to find this! It was Rippler by Cidney Swanson. It was a pretty awful review, actually. I can't believe I ever used to write like that. ;)

What has been the best experience of being a book blogger so far?

It has to be all the wonderful, like-minded people I have had the opportunity to meet and talk to. What better feeling is there than finding someone to squeal over a book with? :) I know I would have abandoned blogging long ago if it hadn't been for the amazing community spirit here. I've made genuine bonds with people all over the world and can't help but appreciate how special that is.

You can do it, what is your absolute favourite book?

Well I was totally going to tell you this is an impossible question to answer, so I'm just going to pick one of my favourite books at random. Today, I'm going with On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Though ask me tomorrow and I'll tell you something different!

If you could be best friends with any fictional character, who would you choose?

I want to say Harry Potter or pick another Harry Potter character, but I'm sure I can branch out a bit if I force myself to. I recently read Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (better late than never, I say!) and now can't stop thinking about a certain Etienne St. Clair. I would want to be best friends with him... and then maybe more. ;)

If you could meet your favourite author, who would you like to meet?

J.K. Rowling. Though I doubt I could do that without freaking out and possibly peeing my pants. A safer option would be Suzanne Collins. At best, I'd probably just pass out a little bit. 

What would you like to see more of or less of in YA?

Something I want permanently eradicated from YA books is the prevalent love triangle. In short, I can't stand them, but I'll save the rambling for another time. ;) Something I want more of is better emphasis on friendship. It's possible that I am reading all the wrong books, but this is something I find isn't given nearly as much attention as the romance. Very few books have had friendships as heart-warming as the Harry-Ron-Hermione dynamic.

And finally, who is your ultimate book crush? 

What, just one? It changes every day and my book boyfriends list is about 6 miles long. As with my favourite book, I'm going to pick one at random today. I'll go for Aiden St. Delphi from the Covenant books by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I recently read his novella, Elixir, and fell in love with him a little bit more. Though I must also mention Will Herondale, Tobias Eaton, Shane Collins and the Merrick brothers (yes, all four of them!). 

Oh, Sam, thank you so much for this!  I have yet to read anything by Jennifer L. Armentrout, but I hear really good things about that series!  

What do you think of Sam's answers? Would you like love triangles to disappear forever? Would you like to be best friends with Etienne St. Clair? Would you like to meet JK Rowling or Suzanne Collins? What do you think of Aiden St. Delphi? Let Sam and I know in comments!